| Author |
Message |
    
Nancy Mehl
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
1362
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 06:29 pm: |   |
Our friend Marshall recently wrote me asking for some advice about publicizing her wonderful book, Soldier of the Legion.
With his permission, I'm going to post portions of his letter here. I would like for all of us to chime in with some helpful hints. Marshall has a super book, but he needs to get some attention to it. I know there will be a lot of help for him here...
His e-mail:
"I thought I'd best check in and get your advice on publicizing books. Timberwolf hasn't done the first big print run yet, and I gather it's because sales of the book and the audio CD are minimal. Despite a good web site for Soldier of the Legion on http://timberwolfpress.com/ , and despite having come in as a finalist in 3 separate categories at the recent LA book fair, not too many people seem to be buying -- probably because they're not aware it's out there.
"Timberwolf is calling booksellers and trying to generate interest but some of the sites like amazon.com and barnes&noble.com are running short on copies -- because the big print run hasn't been done yet! The CD is especially excellent, and Timberwolf put a lot of money in it so they must be disappointed that it doesn't seem to be selling.
"How have you been publicizing your books? Any ideas you can give me? I know you've done a lot for me already with the interview and your great blurb for the book - we use that on the web site. If you have any new ideas for me please let me know. If anyone wants to interview me or whatever I'm ready!
"Timberwolf has a "forums" section in the web site for each book they publish, but it's pretty dead. The publisher would like to see some activity there on the Soldier site to show people are interested in the book. So far I've had one fan post a message saying he loved the story. I guess you have to start somewhere. If you know anyone who likes sci fi please point them at the web site and mention the forum. I guarantee the author will respond to any posting!
"My eldest son is working on a personal web site for me that will serve to publicize the book, if anyone ever goes to it. I plan to link it to the Timberwolf site for sales. If you'd like I can put a link there to send readers to your web site also if they're interested in mysteries. Maybe networking can help.
"Ah well, I'm hopeful things will eventually work out. I'd like to get the second book in print but that's not going to happen unless people buy the first one."
Regards, Marshall
So guys.....let's put our heads together and see what we can come up with! Ann and Victoria...you're deeply involved with the fantasy/sci-fi world, what do you say?
(BTW - Marshall is one of the best. Long time friend - big time encourager to me and everyone he comes in contact with. Just wanted to let you know how special he is...)
Nancy
|
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
9
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:18 pm: | |
Hi Nancy & All!
Thanks a million for your post outlining my concerns. I'd like to do whatever I can to pass the word about the book. I was planning to join the SFWA (Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America) but they say you have to be published by one of the big-name publishers (Baen, Tor, DAW etc) before you can join. Timberwolf is very active and is publishing a bunch of books but they're not on the SFWA list, which is quite short. Does anyone know any other SF related forums or organizations I could join or visit to publicize my book? I'm sure Timberwolf is doing what it can, they're good folks, but I want to do what I can too.
I'm sure there are ideas out there that I haven't thought of - at least I hope so!
Regards to all,
Marshall
|
pacwriter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
924
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:31 pm: | |
If it is SCi-fi, contact Steven Shewsbury - he is the resident guru of internet sci-fi sites. You can find his bio on the mindsight members list |
pacwriter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
925
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:33 pm: | |
oh, I suggest you go to http://www.ralan.com/
and check all the places you can submit short stories - they don't pay much if anything BUT you get exposure for your book
|
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
743
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:38 pm: | |
If your book is hardcore sci-fi (which mine is not), try getting on at "The Warp Zone" (a sci-fi radio show)...
www.thewarpzone.com
Granted, it's not the biggest and the best, but it is syndicated (not sure where at)...just a thought...
I agree with pac, Steven would probably be one of the best sources of info...all of my publicizing has been on a personal level...and we see how well that's worked... |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
744
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 07:41 pm: | |
Also, there are tons of internet groups which specialize in sci-fi...join up and plug the book...I've gotten lots of interest in my book through these types of groups...can't say whether they've generated a lot of sales, but hey... |
Matt Dinniman
Hunger Member
Post Number:
65
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, September 28, 2003 - 08:24 pm: | |
some of these are dead now, but here's a start:
LISTINGS
> From all the various groups for writers where someone posted new
> places for
> writers to list their books (or their web sites) I compiled the
> following
> list. Please note I haven't investigated them all so I can't make any
> comment. Some may even no longer be there.
>
> http://apage4you.com/
> http://dmoz.org/
> http://ebooks.searchking.com/
> http://ebooksrock.net/
> http://epublishingnetwork.com/
> http://members.aol.com/ebookpromo/Author_Directory.htm
> http://publishing.about.com/
> http://theebookcatalog.webvena.com/listing.html
> http://url0.com/ebooks/addsite.html
> http://writersonthe.net/
> http://www.ala.org/par
> http://www.ala.org/parentspage/greatsites/sitesug.html
> http://www.allreaders.com/
> http://www.authorfind.com/
> http://www.authorspage.com/
> http://www.bitbooks.com/
> http://www.bookzen.com/
> http://www.cabinfeverbooksearch.com/
> http://www.catharton.com/authors/add.htm
> http://www.claytabletpublishing.com/
> http://www.duckquacks.com/Links.htm (for childrenšs books)
> http://www.ebookad.com/
> http://www.ebookbroadcast.com/
> http://www.ebookcafe.com/
> http://www.ebookfriends.com/
> http://www.ebookhome.com/
> http://www.ebookjungle.com/
> http://www.ebookpalace.com/
> http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/
> http://www.ePubbed.com/
> http://www.epublishingnetwork.com/
> http://www.escapetoromance.com/author
> http://www.greatromancenovels.com/
> http://www.kdhbooks.com
> http://www.knowbetter.com/
> http://www.mind-like-water.com/
> http://www.published.com/
> http://www.readersanonymous.com/
> http://www.romanticnotions.com/
> http://www.slake.com/
> http://www.specficworld.com/
> http://www.stephenjwilliams.co.uk/
> http://www.thesavvyclick.com/
> http://www.writers-exchange.com/
> http://www.writers.net/
> http://www.xenite.org/internet_authors/internet_authors
AWARDS
> Aurora
> Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association
> http://www.sentex.net/~dmullin/aurora/
>
> *******************
> The Booker McConnel Prize
> http://ncc1701.apana.org.au/~larrik...zes/booker.html
>
> ********************
> John W. Campbell Award
> http://www.sff.net/campbell-awards/Winners.htm
>
> *********************
> Canada's Major National Literary Awards
> http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/services/quickref/elitawar.htm
>
> **********************
> Compton Crook Award
> http://www.bsfs.org/bsfsccw.htm
>
> ***********************
>
> The Darrell Awards
> http://members.aol.com/memphen/darrell.htm
>
> *************************
> Ditmars
> http://home.vicnet.net.au/~sfoz/dityear.htm
>
> *************************
>
> The Endeavor Award
> http://www.osfci.org/endeavour/index.html
>
> ************************
>
> European SF Award
> http://homepage.tinet.ie/~goudriaan...ml#anchor108182
> ************************
>
> Joan Fassler Award
> http://dpsinfo.com/awardweb/fassler.html
>
> **************************
>
> Firecracker Alternative Book Award
> http://www.thecomicstore.com/Merchant/fabawards.htm
>
> ****************************
>
>
> The Miles Franklin Award
> http://ncc1701.apana.org.au/~larrik...s/milesfkn.html
>
> ********************************
>
> French SF Awards(in french)
> http://www.quarante-deux.org/prix_litteraires_sf.html
>
> *********************************
>
> Jack Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist
> http://www.nesfa.org/gaughan.html
>
> **********************************
>
> Hugo Awards(info only)
> http://dpsinfo.com/awardweb/hugos/index.shtml
>
> ***********************************
>
> Lambda Literary Award(Gay and Lesbian only)
> http://www.lambdalit.org/lammy/index.htm
>
> *************************************
>
> Minnesota Book Awards (Minnesota authors only)
> http://www.mnbooks.org/cfb/awards.htm
>
> **********************************
>
> The Mythopoeic Awards
> http://www.mythsoc.org/awards.html
>
> ***********************************
>
> Prometheus Award(info only)
> http://www.lfs.org/PROMETHE.HTM
>
> **********************************
>
> Sandeen and Sullivan Award
> http://www.undpress.nd.edu/undpsansull.htm
>
> **********************************
>
> Saphire Awards
> http://members.aol.com/sfreditor/bestsfr.htm
>
> ***********************************
>
> Sidewise Award(Alternative History)
> http://www.uchronia.net/sidewise/
>
> ************************************
>
> Spectrum Awards(gay and lesbian sci/fi)
> http://www.lambdasf.org/spectrum/
>
> **************************************
>
> Bram Stoker Awards
> http://www.horror.org/stoker.htm
>
> **************************
>
> James Tiptree Jr. Award
> http://www.tiptree.org/index.html
>
> ***************************
>
> The Australian Vogel Award
> http://ncc1701.apana.org.au/~larrik...es/ozvogel.html
>
> *****************************
>
> Whitbread Award(British Authors)
> http://www.whitbread-bookawards.co.uk/
>
> **********************************
>
> National Book Awards
> http://www.publishersweekly.com/nbf/docs/winners5.html
>
> ************************************
>
> British Fantasy Society Awards
> http://www.herebedragons.co.uk/bfs/awards99.htm
>
> *********************************
>
> Nebula Awards
> http://www.sfwa.org/awards/
>
> *********************************
>
>
> Eppie Awards
> http://www.eclectics.com/epic/
>
> *********************************
>
> Dream Realm Awards
> http://www.dream-realm-awards.com
>
> **********************************
>
> Frankfurt E-book Award
> http://www.frankfurt-ebook-awards.org/
>
> ***********************************
>
> Pearl Award
> http://www.writerspace.com/ParanormalRomance/
> Great reference site!
> Award Winners and Notable Books
> http://books.rpmdp.com/awards/awards.htm
>
> **********************
>
> Ambassador Book Awards
> http://www.bookweb.org/home/news/btw/1965.html
>
> *******************
>
> Kirriyama Pacific Rim Book Award
> http://pacificrimvoices.org/
>
> *******************************
>
> Robert F. Kennedy Book Award
> http://www.rfkmemorial.org/book_award.htm
>
> ******************
>
> Governor General's Literary Awards (canadian writers)
> http://www.canadacouncil.ca/news/pr...es/co9937-e.asp
>
>
> ******************
>
> The Giller Prize(Canadian writers only $25,000 prize)
> http://www.thegillerprize.org/
>
>
>
> ***************
>
> Commonwealth Writers Prize
> http://www.booktrust.org.uk/
>
> ***********************
>
> The Bakeless Literary Prize
> http://www.middlebury.edu/~blwc/
>
> *************************
>
> The Charlotte Zolotow Award(best childrens picture book)
> http://144.92.171.181/ccbc/zolotow.htm
>
>
> ********************
>
> Show Me Readers Award(childrens books grade 1-3
> http://tiger.coe.missouri.edu/~masl/awards/showme.html
>
>
>
> *********************
>
> Mark Twain Award(childrens books grade 4+)
> http://tiger.coe.missouri.edu/~masl/awards/marktw.html
>
> *******************
>
>
>
> Dorothy Canfield Childrens Book Award
> http://www.mps.k12.vt.us/msms/dcf/dcf.html
>
>
>
>
> *******************
>
>
> The Rysling Award(poetry)
> http://home.earthlink.net/~dragontea/rhys.html
>
http://www.bookwire.com/bookwire/ot...ook-Awards.html
http://www.literature-awards.com/bookawards.htm
PLACES TO SUBMIT ARTICLES
> One of the best and least expensive ways to promote is to WRITE AN
ARTICLE!
>
> Here are some sites that would be glad to accept your free content. They
> offer this content to e-zines, e-newsletters and syndications.
>
> It's easy to do; just write about what you KNOW!
>
> It doesn't have to be long or in-depth...
>
> The following sites accept free articles for publication:
> http://www.ezinearticles.com
> http://www.ideamarketers.com
> http://www.marketing-seek.com
> http://www.certificate.net
> http://www.web-source.net
> http://www.theukmarketer.com
> http://www.MakingProfit.com/articles
> http://w.moreover.com/site/publishers/index.html
>
REVIEWS
> http://www.thebookreviewersite.com
> www.simegen.com/reviews/
> http://www.scribesworld.com/index.html
> http://www.ivyquill.com
> http://www.romrevtoday.com/general_fiction_-_june.htm
> http://www.simplydreams.net
> http://www.wordweaving.com
|
Matt Dinniman
Hunger Member
Post Number:
66
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 02:54 am: | |
btw, I didn't come up with that list and I can't remember where I got it. :p |
Steven Shrewsbury
Wandering Member
Post Number:
249
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 06:03 am: | |
Cripes, dunno If I can add to that  |
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2310
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 06:12 am: | |
I would be happy to do an interview with you, Marshall. We need to get our heads together on what sorts of questions you would like asked, if anything in particular comes to mind. Sometimes things important to me are not to the author.
I will post the MBR review on another site that gets many hits from around the world.
Marketing myself and my work is not my strong point so I cannot give much advice to others.
I will go to the forum and make comment though. THAT I can do.
Check out www.sfwriter.com and read as much of it as you have time for. That is the website of HUGO winner, best selling SF writer Robert Sawyer. |
Nancy Marie
Unity Member
Post Number:
1611
Registered: 08-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 08:12 am: | |
Marshall,
Do a search for a list of book reviewers, then e-mail each and everyone, and then respond by sending out copies. Some will take e-mail copies in pdf or word format, others want hard copies.
Once your site is up, do another search for directories, then submit your site to each and every directory you find.
Search for lists of reviewers and lists of directories, that will cut your search time down.
I did that for "Star" and had pretty good results. My site still gets an average of over 20,000 hits a month, not nearly as many as this site, but not too bad.
You might also join SFWA, Science Fiction Writers Association, I would think that you should qualify. That might also help.
You can also send out fax press releases to all the local papers. Fax press releases are cheaper to send out than by mail. Do another search for a list of newspaper fax numbers, build a data base, and then use a program like WinFax (it's a great little program and I got my copy on E-Bay for $10 brand-new), and hit all the newspapers you can.
Guess that should keep you busy for awhile.
blessings, Kitty
|
Laurel Johnson
Unity Member
Post Number:
2311
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 11:26 am: | |
I went to the forums, Marshall, but I'm evidently too dumb to figure out how to post there. sigh. They're not all as simple to use as this one. |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
12
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 05:41 pm: | |
Wow!!!!!!! To All: THANKS! I was hoping I'd get two or three people with a few suggestions for me, and instead I get an avalanche of wonderful ideas from a whole gang of people. You guys & gals are wonderful! I'd like to thank everybody who responded. If we all stick together like this, I think we can accomplish anything we want! You've given me enough leads to keep me busy for several months! I'll be thanking everyone individually but this one is for all of you! And thanks to Chad for the super web site & forum. I owe you all, and if anyone needs any help from me in the future don't hesitate to ask.
Regards to all, you're great!
Marshall |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
13
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 05:50 pm: | |
Hi Pacwriter:
Thanks for your suggestions! I'm getting in touch with Steven and will also check out the ralan.com site; it sounds interesting. I've got a lot to learn about what's out there and I really appreciate the info! I've been overwhelmed with info from my request. Thanks again!!!!!!
Regards, Marshall |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
14
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 06:00 pm: | |
Hi Todd!
I hope I'm doing these responses right, I'm not sure how to respond to individual postings but anyway I'm just posting in this thread and hope that's the way to do it.
THANKS!!! The Warp Zone sounds great. I hadn't heard of it but there's a lot of things I haven't heard of yet. A radio show might be a super idea because Timberwolf has done an unabridged audio CD of the book, it's really good, and if we could get some of it on the air -- hey, who knows?
I'll also start poking around in whatever internet groups I can find. I can tell you as of now, this one right here is my favorite!
Thanks for your help!
Regards, Marshall |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
746
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 06:12 pm: | |
Actually, funny story about the Warp Zone...
They didn't want to do a full-up radio interview for my book, as it wasn't "hardcore" sci-fi...but they encouraged me to call in, which I did...
Just this past weekend, I was at a signing, and was talking with a fellow,
and somehow we figured out that he had heard of my book on The Warp Zone
(my voice sounded familiar to him)...cool beans.
This group is the best...lots of fun people, and even better since the troll traffic has died down... |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
15
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 07:32 pm: | |
Matt!
Your list is phenomenal!!!! That should keep me busy and out of trouble for six months or so! And if I can't generate a bit of publicity after contacting all those sites, it will be my own fault.
The list is so impressive I don't even know what to say except THANKS!!!!!!!!!! It looks like a gold mine and I'll let you know how things work out. I can hardly wait to get started!
If you need anything from me, let me know!
Thanks and regards, Marshall |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
16
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 07:39 pm: | |
Steven,
Yes, Matt's list was pretty impressive! If you can think of anything else or just want to chat about SF feel free to post here or e-mail me at andrion2@earthlink.net. I love SF but I've been so busy writing I haven't circulated much and don't know what's out there.
However, I'm about to find out. Matt's list should keep me busy for quite awhile!
Thanks & Regards, Marshall |
LaurieAnne
Unity Member
Post Number:
1044
Registered: 12-2001
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 08:08 pm: | |
Marshall,
I can't remember the exact location, but there is a section on this site where we have all contributed promotional ideas.
An addendum to Kitty's fax-blitz information: keep the faxes as short and to the point as possible. If you thought coming up with your back cover information was difficult, try summarizing to interest a newspaper but keeping it short. There is a difference. The Journal (my day job) receives enough faxes every single day to go through a ream (and then some) of paper. The biggest majority of these get skimmed very quickly by the managing editor and (sadly) tossed out. (And yes, we even received a fax from 1st Books last week, though I cannot recall the author's name.) The Journal circulation is only 7,000. If you are dealing with a larger newspaper, you will be fighting 2-5 reams of faxes every day.
Give the press release punch, and make every word count.
LA
LaurieAnne
http://www.authorsinkbooks.com |
Marshall S Thomas
Awareness Member
Post Number:
17
Registered: 07-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 29, 2003 - 08:15 pm: | |
Laurel,
Yes, great idea to post that MBR review on a new site! Every little bit of publicity helps. Please let me know when and where. I really appreciate what you've done for my book already.
I'll certainly check out sfwriter.com, sounds good!
Hmm, let's see, getting into the Timberwolf Forum. I remember I couldn't figure it out the first time either. Try this:
* timberwolfpress.com
* click on FORUMS - NEW!!!
* If you're not registered, click on REGISTER (top right). They'll ask for e- mail address and a username I think - make one up if you want.
* Click on Soldier of the Legion (in the Forum)
* Click on Welcome to the Forum
* Read the few messages that are there, including one from me, then under QUICK REPLY (bottom) you can enter any comment or question you may have.
And if that doesn't work, cuss quietly, and post me in mindsight or else send me an e-mail to andrion2@earthlink.net and let me know what you think of my non-functional forum.
Thanks, Laurel! I'd love to do another interview! I'll send another post on that subject.
Thanks for everything! Regards, Marshall |
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