I\u2019m sure that those of you who write and publish only fiction are rolling your eyes at this statement. From your vantage point, \u201cfun\u201d may be the last word you\u2019d use to describe the process of book promotion. <\/p>\n
But if you came from my background\u2014forty years of writing and promoting nonfiction, you might see things differently.<\/p>\n
Oh don\u2019t get me wrong. I write because I love it\u2014I can\u2019t not write. I have written 38 nonfiction books, hundreds of articles, nearly 2,000 blog posts and bunches of other stuff. I\u2019ve contributed to other books, I\u2019ve written speeches, handouts, promo pieces and I\u2019ve edited dozens and dozens of fiction and nonfiction books for my clients. Don\u2019t you know, I\u2019ve also done tons of promotion? And, for the most part, I have enjoyed it\u2014especially the people part\u2014getting to meet, educate and inform authors.<\/p>\n
But here I am now, a published novelist. Book two in my Klepto Cat Mystery series is about to be launched (watch for the announcement) and I am actively promoting the first in the series, \u201cCatnapped.\u201d <\/p>\n
So where\u2019s the fun in promoting this book? Just this week I was at the doctor\u2019s office getting a flu shot. The nurse mentioned her pets. I told her about my book and handed her a bookmark. She asked me about the story and I got to talk about it. I don\u2019t know about you, but I love talking about my novel.<\/p>\n
Another nurse overheard us and she wanted to know more about it. Turns out, she has a cat named Rags\u2014the name of the starring cat in my mystery series. What are the chances? I\u2019m pretty sure that these two cat people, who happen to read mysteries, have already purchased the ebook for their Kindles as my ranking went up overnight. And I\u2019m pretty sure they will hand out the extra bookmarks I left for them.<\/p>\n
Two cousins I see only occasionally came to visit a few weeks ago. Their first questions to me were about my writing\u2014\u201cAre you still writing?\u201d \u201cWhat are you writing these days?\u201d They were so interested in my new venture and hearing my stories of inspiration leading to my writing these series, they both ordered the book for their Kindles. <\/p>\n
I have talked about \u201cCatnapped\u201d in the grocery store, in the waiting rooms of my mother\u2019s doctors, while waiting for Mama to get her hair cut, when running into neighbors while I\u2019m out walking or gardening, while buying cat food at our kittys\u2019 veterinarian office and even when paying bills, corresponding, placing an order via snail mail or shipping books. I also handed out promo pieces for \u201cCatnapped\u201d at a police-writers\u2019 conference several weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Yes, I talk about the book wherever I go. Unlike my nonfiction books\u2014most of which are directed strictly toward authors\u2014my novel is likely to stir an interest among the people I meet throughout the day\u2014at the car wash, in the 99 cent store, at the nursery, while visiting the animals at the shelter and at restaurants. Oh my, restaurants are a great place to promote a novel. Just have a copy with you\u2014or at least great-looking bookmarks. Lay them prominently on the table. Strike up a conversation with the wait person and don\u2019t keep your voice down. If someone looks over at you, hand them a bookmark, too. Ask others about their experiences with whatever your subject matter or genre is. In my case, I get people to talking about their cats. <\/p>\n
Next month, I will get to talk about my book to former classmates at a class reunion. I\u2019ll be sure to bring plenty of bookmarks. And later in the month, I\u2019m taking my bookmarks and my fun spiel to the Cat Writers Association Conference in Dallas. <\/p>\n
If you\u2019re interested in more information about book promotion\u2014including scads of specific ideas for novelists\u2014order my book, \u201cPromote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.\u201d Available at Amazon.com in print, Kindle and audio and at most other online and downtown bookstores. Or order it here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com<\/a><\/p>\n If you are just starting out in the publishing industry, read \u201cPublish Your Book.\u201d Also available everywhere. <\/p>\n If you like light mysteries involving cats, purchase \u201cCatnapped\u201d for your Kindle. It\u2019s only $2.99 here: http:\/\/amzn.to\/14OCk0W<\/a> This book features a kleptomaniac cat who always has his paw in solving the mystery. You can learn more about this book here: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/Catnapped<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019m sure that those of you who write and publish only fiction are rolling your eyes at this statement. From your vantage point, \u201cfun\u201d may be the last word you\u2019d use to describe the process of book promotion. But if you came from my background\u2014forty years of writing and promoting nonfiction, you might see things […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5,21],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t