Author 101: Bestselling Book Publicity
by Rick Frishman and Robyn Freeman Spizman
Published by Adams Media
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
Subtitled: The Insider's Guide to Promoting Your Book--and Yourself
Frishman and Spizman know THEIR STUFF--and are authors as well as have businesses and speak on the various subjects about writing and promotion.
And tell it to us in an easy-to-understand manner. If you need "help" ASAP, there are Action Steps at the end of each of the 15 chapters.
As the authors say about the old adage, "With advertising you pay for it, with publicity you pray for it." You don't pay for coverage but you convince the media to cover it--delivering a message.
In 2004 195,000 books were published--competing for readers' attention--plus other competition. So what can you do to be publicity for YOUR book--because YOU, the author is in charge!
The media has a "herd mentality," following what's in, but they are also fickle and so you have a short window of opportunity to promote yourself.
Take control. Think of your book as a "product" you have to sell, and plan a "series of parties"--always have fun, be positive and joyful, with excitement. Who would you invite? Why would you invite them? How would you invite them? What would you tell them?
Show your passion for your book's subject--whether you are writing a press release, doing an short "elevator speech" about it, being interviewed--the media has to believe you care about your subject.
Chapter 3: Silver Bullet--How to get both attention and get people to want to buy your book. What is your book about? Why is it special, and how will it benefit the audience?
Chapter 4: Tool Kit--the much-needed tools needed to promote your book.
Working with the Media chapter tells us how to get attention, becoming a resource/expert, how to create news. You might think that the writing was EASY as this sounds so hard, but after you get your first publicity or interview, and you do well, thanks to this book, you will feel differently.
Armchair Interviews says: This is not their first book, nor their last. Watch for Bestselling Nonfiction book review.