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StoryCast My NovelI bet every novelist has fantasized over who in Hollywood would play the characters in their novels.
I do. And I did. I did it at StoryCasting.com where you and anyone who comes to the site becomes the casting director.
It’s not only fun but also a great way to promote your book. Here’s how it works.
First, sign up for an author account if you have a novel you want cast. If you want to have fun just casting your favorite novel, you can sign up as a user and do that too.
Once your book is up on the site, you and others can cast Hollywood stars for your characters. Just another way to get your books outs there in front of people.
Even Hollywood glances over there once in a while.
Give it a try and while you’re there, cast my novel CYBERKILL.
StoryCast My NovelI bet every novelist has fantasized over who in Hollywood would play the characters in their novels.
I do. And I did. I did it at StoryCasting.com where you and anyone who comes to the site becomes the casting director.
It’s not only fun but also a great way to promote your book. Here’s how it works.
First, sign up for an author account if you have a novel you want cast. If you want to have fun just casting your favorite novel, you can sign up as a user and do that too.
Once your book is up on the site, you and others can cast Hollywood stars for your characters. Just another way to get your books outs there in front of people.
Even Hollywood glances over there once in a while.
Give it a try and while you’re there, cast my novel CYBERKILL.
I mapped out every library that hosted a story time to promote my children's book What Morning is This? and walked in with a press release I wrote that also had the book pic and a pic of me in it. Most of the libraries I walked into, booked me for a reading right away. Through that I was booked for two book fairs and through some blogs I was able to connect and do book talks and readings at a few schools. I printed posters out of heavy cardstock for the kids that said 'they met Mahalia Solages, author of.... and signed it (it also contained my website etc). I passed it out to every student at every reading. So far I think I have been busy since Aug. I had readings about 3 times a week, all through aug-nov. My next project are bookstores. I am not sure what else to do, so if you have any suggestions that would be great. :)
Hello to the group. I have just finished a two-month on-line book tour sponsored by Pump Up Your Book. I think they did a terrific job getting NIGHT OF FLAMES onto 40 differnt book blogs with reviews, interviews and guest posts. I saw a definite bump in Amazon ratings which is significant given that the book has been out for two years. They also produced an effective one-minute trailer which I'm using in many of the talks I give about the book. To view the trailer and some of the postings click onto my blog at http://douglaswjacobson.blogspot.com
Douglas W. Jacobson
Night of Flames A Novel of World War II
Hi Sholanda,I went to the link to check out the site in the hopes of joining. A message came up saying the site wanted to use something called "gears" to store my information. Do you know what that is all about?
I'd love to participate, but am leery of any sites that want to grab personal information from my computer.
Can you explain?
Best, Keta
Hey Everybody, I have a new site where we can promote. The thing is that it's a site for authors, writers and book lovers to support each other. So, you come with support in mind. Support begats the same. I've purchased a few titles and I think no one knows better than a fellow author what an effort it takes to get out there. So feel free to help us build this site. Love Walk Authors Support
http://lovewalkauthorssupport.spruz.com
Deborah, I tagged you twice. I don't know if if works twice but I found myself tagging you a second time so I hit it GOod luck
Maryanne Raphael
Deborah wrote: "Hi all,I tagged several people the other day. Did anyone tag me back?
Here is my link:
http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Possible-Spiritual-Covering-McCarragher/dp/0615303579/ref=sr_1_1?ie..."
I tagged you Deborah...
http://www.amazon.com/You-Can-Right-Marr...
Hi all,
I tagged several people the other day. Did anyone tag me back?
Here is my link:
http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Possible-S...
Thanks,
Jonathan wrote: "Hi Brett -
Out of curiosity, what's "social bookmarking"?
Thanks!
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan, I thought I replied to this, but I do not see the post. Social Bookmarking is simply going to a site lig Digg.com or delcious.com and adding a web page. People then see the item and hopefully vote favorably for it. If you have a web page for your book, then bookmarking can help your web page rank higher in google and drive more traffic to your web page...hopefully to buy more books! Does that help?
brett
http://www.helptalking.com
"
It’s the end of the year and I need to complete my sales goals for 2009. So to meet my sales goals, I’m having a special. My crunch time is your savings time. Hurry while supplies last!
Get Your Copy today while supplies last!
Individual Sale $6 + shipping
*Book Club Special - $5 + priority shipping for single purchase of 5 books or more
* Please send email for order requests.
Visit www.authortljames.com/blog for details.
tl
Hi Jonathan, If you have a webpage for your book, You can "bookmark" it on a site lie stumblup..."</i>
Thanks very much Brett,
I have to admit that I've always wondered what digg.com, etc., were. But I never wondered enough to actually take the time to find out. I do have a website, so I guess I really should look into it.
Much appreciated!
Jonathan
Jonathan wrote: "Hi Brett -
Out of curiosity, what's "social bookmarking"?
Thanks!
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan, If you have a webpage for your book, You can "bookmark" it on a site lie stumblupong.com, digg.com or delicious.com and it lets others know that you think that is a great page or site. This actually technically benefits the site that is bookmarked as far as google or yahoo rankings, which can in turn help your website come up more frequently in searches. Does that make sense?
"
Check out Craig Lancaster’s guest post on my blog about “WRITING THE WEST INTO A STORY.” He is the author of 600 Hours of Edward, a story of a man with asperger’s syndrome.http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com
Heidi
I suggest having a website and promoting your book with social bookmarking sites that promote you website. Try delicious.com for one. See what I have done at http://www.helptalking.com and http://www.helptalking.com/you-can-be-ri...
I hope my words on how I promoted Mother Teresa, Called to Love will be helpful to some writer. I reread it whenever I am ready to promote another book. It gives me some ideas and inspiration to remember all I did and how well it worked. Good luck everyone I am going on a book tour from Nov 18 to Jan 8 in Ohio with Saints of Molokai and Dancing On water, the book I wrote last November for NaNoWriMo.
Have you visited Bookland Heights lately? My books are mentioned. Hope you will leave a comment. http://www.booklandheights.blogspot.com/...
Bertille wrote: "Maryanne wrote: "HOW I PROMOTED MOTHER TERESA, CALLED TO LOVE
When a publisher with limited funds wanted to publish Mother Teresa, Called to Love. I did a prepublication book tour. W..."
Best tidings to everyone here. My novel, She-Rain, debuting nationally in March 2010, highlights the power of courageous and defiant church leadership to help people transcend bigotry, language-literal fundamentalism, and the worst of human-forged religion. They enliven a daring faith by challenging where the church fails to maintain a devotion to love.
Let me hear your thoughts on how your marketing approaches may fit such a book. Rick Frishman and Trish Stevens are the publicists, yet I'm always exploring new ways to reach audience. Eager for your thoughts, with my deepest gratitude. Bravo on your successes set forth here.
Michel
http://she-rain.blogspot.com
I have actively promoted my book through book signings, personal mailings advertising the book, and actively pursuing book clubs and associations, especially those which share a common thread (military). Pounding the pavement and getting the book into the bookstores has been a challenge, but it is a start. I have a new website, that I am hoping will increase the sales. Please take a look (make sure your speakers are turned up). I appreciate any and all feedback.
http://www.ericwentz.com/
Thank you.
Eric Wentz
Author, "Piercing the Veil"
Maryanne wrote: "HOW I PROMOTED MOTHER TERESA, CALLED TO LOVE
When a publisher with limited funds wanted to publish Mother Teresa, Called to Love. I did a prepublication book tour. With flyers descri..."
Your niche market approach brought results. I understand there are 1 billion baptised Catholics througout the world (though not all are practising) and the Roman Catholic population in Asia and Africa is growing. Also, Mother Teresa has become an iconic figure outside the Roman Catholic community.
Maryanne wrote: "HOW I PROMOTED MOTHER TERESA, CALLED TO LOVE
When a publisher with limited funds wanted to publish Mother Teresa, Called to Love. I did a prepublication book tour. With flyers descri..."
Elizabeth B wrote: "Beverly wrote: "Hi, Jen. I sell most of my young adult books at local library signings and book store signings.
Beverly"
Beverly,
Do you have to give speeches at your local libraries when y..."
Elizabeth. I did one talk at my local library, but when I have signings, I don't give a speech, just sign books. You might also check area organizations. I've given talks about my writing to the 23 Study Club, Amity Study Club. I didn't sell many books, but to me it's about getting my name out there. I have a library signing Nov. 3, and a bookstore one Nov. 14. We'll see how they go. Of course there are the Online things. Hope this helps. :) Beverly
Beverly wrote: "Hi, Jen. I sell most of my young adult books at local library signings and book store signings.
Beverly"
Beverly,
Do you have to give speeches at your local libraries when you have signings?
Thx
Claudia wrote: "What kinds of things do you personally do to promote your book? By this I mean above and beyond what your publisher does for you. ie: social media? booking author events? contact schools? What work..."
I would suggest a website to market your book yourself, some social bookmarking and set up some book signings at your local library and book store.
Brett
You Can Be Right or You Can Be Married by Brett R. Williams
Smashwords.com has become an interesting site for authors who have (and own) the digital rights to their books. The site permits multiple formats: Online Reading (HTML), Online Reading (JavaScript), Kindle (.mobi), Epub (open industry format, good for Stanza reader, others), PDF (good for highly formatted books, or for home printing), RTF (readable on most word processors), LRF (for Sony Reader) Download, Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices), Plain Text (flexible, but lacks much formatting),Plain Text (viewable as web page).
You'll see that people often allow prospective readers to look at the first chapter or two for free.
Malcolm
deb, work a deal with the Church Ladies to use your book as a fund raiser. Word will spread fast if it's at all successful.
Jen,
I also went through a small independent publisher at first, and then re-published the revised version under my own company name. I did put my book with a distributor that feeds to Ingram/Spring Arbor and that helps make it available to bookstores and chains. However, being an independent publisher has been a challenge. My book is specifically targeted to Christian women, so I'm really struggling to get the word out to such a narrow focus group. Social media groups and EBook format released through Lightning Source is helpful. I just keep trying new things and of course, looking for opportunities to network and market to my local indy bookstores and church groups is a must. Good luck. I'm not throwing in the towel just yet :)
Deb
Jen, The subject matter will have a big effect on where your best sales will be. Without reading the book, I can't really say where yours will be. I'm assuming your small publisher does have a distributor? If they get your books listed with Ingram's and Baker and Taylor, Follet, and a few other wholesalers, you'll have a much easier time convincing places to carry your book. For Library sales, it's a must. Don't think that isn't a good market, there are over 21 thousand public libraries. If you sold only one book to all of em, that would be a great thing. I don't think memoirs sell as well as romances and some other genres, but I don't work with that genre, so I don't know.
Hi, Jen. I sell most of my young adult books at local library signings and book store signings.
Beverly
I have a number of things I do with a book release. Because I write romance, it's a bit easier, I think. I have a loyal readership. I use chat groups to display excerpts and announce the release. Certain ing sites also. Twitter, Face Book, My Space, Manic Reader, Book Professionals. Some paid advertising, but not much. I announce it on my website and blog of course. I'm thinking of a book signing at my local library next year, and there's the local paper.
For the authors who have had books out for a while: Where do you sell the majority of your titles? Amazon, Bookstores, Face-to-face? I went through a small but wonderful publisher, and as a result, my book is only available on Amazon--unless, that is, I do the footwork to get it in the stores, and I'm really, well... poor, so I only want to do it if it's going to be fruitful.
I appreciate any advice at all. My title is Musical Chairs, a memoir; I don't know if that makes a difference in the market potential.
Best, Jen
Hi fellow writers,I’m sending you the link for “The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur”. He’s quite a character who has done amazing marketing for himself and companies he has created. If you look at the video, you will see me ask for some really outside the box ways of marketing books. I expected some great suggestions to use and pass along to all of you. The idea he came up with was not what I hoped for, but I’ll let you decide what you think.
I’m reluctant to do what he suggests. I got a mention in the Costco Connection Magazine recently and have tried to get my local Costco to carry my books. Interestingly, higher Costco management is very willing, but would require me to use one their distributors to get a vendor number. For me, it’s not cost effective to do that.
My local store manager will not stock the books, put up a poster, or let me do anything like distributing bookmarks. While I may be pushy (pushy Realtor, after all), it would be too rude for me to go over his head. He’s nice and his reasons for not letting me do what I want are valid.
Anyway, here’s the link if you are interested. http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/b... Click on the photo to make it run and to see who you’re talking to when you see Nancy Lynn Jarvis.
Just heard from Goodreads staff and they say they've corrected the problem and now include all countries. But it's still listed to only GI. Well, I guess I'll find out if it's working from my Goodreads friend in Poland.
Laurel: But when you 'blue click' on which countries you want for "entries", a long list comes up. And I blue clicked on all countries, but at the end of my Giveaway, it stopped at GI (and so did yours). Maybe I'll hear from someone at Goodreads because it doesn't make sense.
Erma - I had a look on my list too. And it is the same. Perhaps they only list so many countries. Perhaps we should just list the countries singularly that we want. Give everyone a turn. Laurel
Laurel, but there's a problem and I can't figure it out. Maybe you have the answer. I listed all the countries available, but on the Giveaway page it ends at GI (I'm assuming Gibralter). I notice it's the same for others. Why does it stop there? What about the remaining countries? I have a Goodreads friend from Poland and she can't enter. I contacted Goodreads but got no reply (maybe too busy). Anybody out there know why the countries don't go past GI? I noticed on my Giveaway I have entries from Belgium, Argentina, Colombia ... I think that's a good thing.
I list my books on Giveaways, Erma, but I've never thought about non-English speaking countries for books written in English. I will list other countries in future. Thanks for bringing it to my notice. Laurel
I agree, it's not always so straightforward, but for those authors who do have the option, it would be a nice gesture. Actually, I listed Wave of Terror to only Enlish-speaking countries, then after hearing grievances did a second round with all countries listed. The benefit goes two ways.
My publisher, Random House, made the giveaway decision for my book, THE WIVES OF HENRY OADES. I had no say whatsover. ~ Johanna
Am just posting a grievance made to me by a number of Goodreads friends and members. The book Giveaways seem to be largely limited to English-speaking countries, and those outside those countries feel left out. I think they make a valid point. Goodreads members would like to see more authors list their Giveaways worldwide.
Today is the first day of the Daughter Am I blog tour, and frankly, I'm a bit nervous. Although I always intended to post to my own blog every day, I've only managed to average three or four times a week, yet here I have committed myself to thirty-five days of guest blogging, together with at least a brief post here to keep everyone up-to-date on my touring activities. That is a total of 70 bloggeries in 35 days! Do you think I can do it? Of course I can -- I will have to.
Today I am honored to be a guest at Make Mine Mystery. I'll be talking about cultivating humor and how it can enhance even the most suspenseful or terrifying story. I hope you disagree, that way we can have a lively discussion! So please click on this link to visit: Make Mine Mystery and be sure to leave a comment.
You can find the almost complete Daughter Am I tour here: Blog Tour 2009. I should already have the topics picked, the articles written, the promotion finished, but as you can see, it is still a work in progress.
If you haven't already participated in my DAUGHTER AM I HAS FINALLY BEEN PUBLISHED! LET’S PARTY!! party, then please come! I would enjoy your company. You might enjoy it, too. There are puzzles, games, and a giveaway for everyone.
Odd to think that I am doing something I never thought I'd do -- post a blog with no redeeming value, just announcements. Can I say in my defense that I've been staying up till 2 or 3 a.m., first to put my party together, and then to work on my blog tour? No wonder I'm not writing.
Click here to buy Daughter Am I from Second Wind Publishing, LLC.
Click here to buy Daughter Am I from Amazon.
Did anyone else read the "Shouts and Murmurs" section of this week's New Yorker? I think this group will particularly appreciate it:http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2009/10/1...
Johanna wrote: "Good luck to you, Phill. I looked at your website. Love the premise for WAH. "
Thanks for the comment Johanna, I think we all need a bit of luck in this game once in a while.
Phill
Hello Group
I am a new author and just published my first children's book titled ‘What a Hullabaloo!’
I currently have my book being reviewed by several schools.
I am really exited as the head of literacy at a primary school near York is using the book to inspire creativity within the year 6 age group as part of their key learning skills for literature. This is occurring week commencing 12th Oct for the full week. The children will be basing their own writing around this inspiration and I will hopefully be able to add the resulting work to my website at http://www.whatahullabaloo.com.
Regards
Phill
