AAW Writers Helping Writer’s Series: Part 3- The Princess of Guerilla Marketing, Linda Dominique Grosvenor - Page 2
© Dee Y. Stewart
That is a major myth that many authors buy into. They believe that if they score a major deal that their worries are over. Let me share this...If the same publishing house that publishes Stephen King or Danielle Steele signs you, where do you think that publisher's promotion dollars are going? Not on the newbie author who isn't a guaranteed sell. Bottom line is that best-selling authors know promotion and you can be certain that Nora Roberts, Stephen King, Danielle Steele and the likes, even at their state of the game, aren't relying solely on their publisher to promote their work and neither should you.
What's the difference between a PR Rep and a publicist?
I'm no true expert about the difference, however from what I've seen a PR Rep is normally what the major publishing houses have. They just get information on your book out the door and may organize the public relations aspect of your book. The major houses more than likely have a reader list that they use for all of their authors etc. A publicist, on the other hand, is more hands on and should tailor make a campaign for you, whereas a PR Rep just lets you and the trade papers know where to send requests for review copies and other opportunities for the author "if" someone is interested.
Are booksellers the most important sales force for your book?
True booksellers can hand sell your book so you certainly want to befriend them, and find out exactly what they've seen work for similar books in your genre. Many authors don't take the time to figure out what works and what doesn't. They don't research their market. They figure that they have a book and they send their book off to the same 20 book clubs that every single other author does, forgetting about book sellers altogether, and are baffled when that alone fails. Owners of some of the most popular bookstores are often interviewed in major papers and magazines about fiction or the state of fiction and can just as easily tout your book as the one they are currently reading. Never pass up a chance to promote no matter how slight.
What should an author expect in a PR and/or marketing kit from a publicist?
In this day and age I'd say different is better. Yes a press release and a sell sheet are a necessity in any kit as is something that features the book cover if the sell sheet does not as well a clear photo of the author, however you want something that makes your book stand out. Something that makes the recipient open it up and take a second look. Can you imagine getting press kits all day long that look identical with the only thing changing is the book cover? Bottom line is that your publicist should first-"read your book!" and second-be creative enough to find something that "sells" your book to the recipient of the package.
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