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The other myths we looked at have covered whether or not you need a degree in creative writing to become an author, do you need an agent to be offered a book contract, will agents expect a huge author platform before they consider your manuscript and is the traditional publisher the only publication path.
Despite the various options and outcomes available to every writer, to the lucky ones who garner a book contract, there is one final myth to overcome.
MYTH #5...ONCE THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED YOUR WORK IS DONE
You've spent countless hours writing, rewriting, revising, and polishing your story. Query letters have been sent out and you have managed to receive an offer to publish your story. Take time to do the happy dance but realize the hard work of promoting and marketing your book is just beginning.
What methods will you chose to get the word out? Are some options better than others? That would depend partly on your marketing budget, partly on the networking you might have done prior to any book contract being signed, and partly on your own creativity in sharing your good news with the world.
Here are some things to make sure you include in your promotion arsenal when working on your marketing plan:
1. Media Kit...this kit should include press releases, book blurb, biographies, author photo, business cards, promotional materials, and a question & answer list.
2. Book Reviews...this would include favorable reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Koobug, and blogs as well as local or national publications.
3. Copy of your Newsletter...you should already have an email list generated through your website or blog or now would be the time to start one. I use MailChip (www.mailchimp.com) which gives me a list of potential readers of my books whom I can send updated info to such as the release date of my books, schedule of book signings or speaking engagements, interesting articles, and things like games, contests, or giveaways.
4. Endorsements or Recommendations...some of your ARC copies should have been sent to people who were willing to provide verbal support of your book. Now would be the time to gather copies of those endorsements and recommendations to add to your publicity kit.
5. Order List...make sure you provide a list with all the links on how readers can purchase your book through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Sourcebooks, Kindle, Nook, and other distributors.
6. Quizzes, Contests, & Giveaways...have some idea of the different ways you can generate interest in your book. Things like blog hops and twitter blitzes create excitement during the first few months following an official book release but additional readers will be drawn to your book through the chance to possibly win an autograph copy of it or even swag items.
7. Print Media...even if you have a publicist, it is still the author's responsibility to do their part to promote their book. This includes sending book release information to industry trade magazines like Publisher's Weekly (www.publishersweekly.com), Library Journal (www.lj.libraryjournal.com), and major daily newspapers as well as regional or local newspapers.
6. Email blasts...this is where you partner with others who are willing to share your good news with their own readership via email announcements.
I know marketing and promoting a book can seem overwhelming to some newbie authors like myself. I've just been assigned my publicist through Anaiah Press (www.anaiahpress.com) and now I'm gearing up to start promoting my picture book, THE STORY CATCHER, as I begin the countdown to my book's release date in January, 2015.
You can be sure I will double check this list to make sure I have all my ducks in a row and everything thing in place because when it comes time to do my happy book release day dance, I won't want to have forgotten anything!
What marketing things did YOU do to help promote your book? What worked and what didn't? Share your marketing success stories by commenting below...
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