Book cover 2

The first thing which struck me about this book cover was not the title, but the blue. Unrelenting blue – a strongly masculine colour – in seeming contrast with the subservient-looking dachshund. It’s this contrast, with its undertones of power struggle, which provides the intrigue.
If you don’t believe me, imagine this cover in pink. You [...]

Tuesday tips 10

Practical tips for book marketers.
Got a tip? Email me. 
Media: The best free directory of UK media – magazines, radio and TV – is here at UK Media. Have you thought about approaching a specialist magazine about your book? Or seeing if your local radio station would like to interview you? Local BBC stations or local [...]

Book cover 1

My book cover’s gotten rave reviews, writes CC Harrison. I can see why. The setting is Monument Valley, but it could be lunar. There’s an other-world quality to the landscape with its powerfully-balanced reflection.
Red is a powerful colour and is associated with vitality and action. It grabs the attention (which is one reason why [...]

Sunday interview: Anne Whitfield

Marketing is a long term project, so stick with it, says Anne Whitfield. Anne’s latest novel, Gossamer Wings, was published last month. She also has her own blog.
1. What kinds of marketing have you done as an author?
I’ve created postcards, brochures and bookmarks featuring my books. I give these out and send them to bookstores. [...]

Rule 11: Network!

The 11th rule of marketing for authors is one word: network! The marketing-savvy author actively engages in networking. Why? Because networking can bring:

access to inside information
valuable contacts to pro-actively improve your book marketing
unexpected marketing opportunities

Networking is so valuable that it’s one of two main reasons I run the marketing for authors email list. Authors [...]

Book covers

Seen a book cover that really does shout “buy me” to the right audience?* Email me, and I’ll feature the best ones here with my own analysis of their marketability before Christmas.
*Yes, you can nominate your own cover!

Still at work over here

Happy holidays to all in the U.S.! Meanwhile, in Blighty, I got up at 6am this morning for a breakfast meeting in Hemel Hempstead. Now, it is my belief that publicists are not 6am people, despite the hype we like to promote that we’re energetic 24/7ers.
I’m certainly not a 6am person when I have a [...]

Tuesday tips 9

Practical up-to-date advice for book marketers.
Got a tip to share? Email me.
Media: Feeling you could make an impact on your book sales if only you could talk to more people? Ask your publisher about doing a ‘Meet the Author’ recording.
Events: Are there any Christmas fairs in your area where it could be worth selling books?
Promotion: [...]

New Amazon cover upload procedure

I was a bit dismayed to discover last week that Amazon had a new cover upload procedure involving FTP. I’m not sure how many people outside of business will be familiar with FTP. However, after following the new guidelines to the letter on Friday the cover I sent them has appeared today. Hurrah! So, while [...]

Sunday interview: Fabrizio Poli

As an author, you are the best person to sell your book, says Fabrizio Poli, self-published author of Your Attitude Determins Your Altitude. And treat your book as a business.
1. What kind of marketing have you done as an author?
With the help of a publicist I got two press releases out and as a result [...]