How to Avoid Common Writer Mistakes & Cassa Fire's Special

If only it were easy to WhiteOut our mistakes.


Since I've made every mistake a writer can, I thought I could speak to this issue with some authority.

I waited way too long to start thinking about publicity.

I thought my publisher would do it all. Please don't laugh. I was a mere child when I began.

I said, "If I can write a book, surely I can promote all by myself."

I thought my book was good enough I didn't need to worry about promoting it. (This isn't exactly what I thought, but close.)

I thought that the media would pick up my Tweets and my Blog Posts and my FB Post in no time flat.

I thought that if I did a few Tweets, a few Blog Posts, a few FB Posts, I could kick back and have a nap.

I thought once I had a publisher, I didn't have to think about finding another one.

Now that I'm a seasoned soldier in the book publishing business I can admit to all these mistakes and more. So what to do to avoid these?


7 to 12 months before launch
start lining  up your reviewers.make a list of book fairs or events that are scheduled around your launch target. make a list of things you can count on your publisher to do for you and fill in the gaps yourself or hire a publicist. make sure your website is up to date.


6 months before launch
send announcements to newspapers, trade magazines, especially those with “up-coming publications” columns.write press release, so you'll have it to send with your ARCs or galleys.troll for blurbshave a professional author photo takenset up Google Alerts for both your author name and your book title


5 months before launch
update  your business cardsorder bookmarks etc.lay out a book tour for yourself. This can be in addition to what your publisher has done, or just what you want to do.


3-4 months before launch
have book trailer made.write letters pitching your book to media.check with local bookstores to see if they will carry your book.create launch materials: interviews, giveaway ideas, activities for blogs.


2 months before launch
schedule your launch appearances: virtual or in person, using your launch materials.memorize your tagline or pitch, so you can say it any time, anywhere.recheck website and add your buylinks.


Just before the big DAY
confirm everything with everyone. schedule Tweets with buylinks for AM and PM daily. 


After the big DAY: do not stop promoting. This isn't a complete list of things to do, so I hope you'll add to it. I've gleaned these steps from other bloggers, my experience and reading what publicists have to say. 

ALEX CAVANAUGH'S BLOGHere's a writer who know all of this stuff. Be sure to take advantage of this last day of his offer.  CassaFire is 99 cents at AMAZON and his publisher’s site. Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
The Princess of Las Pulgas, WestSide Books, Fall '10
The First Time, Fall '11 (Anthology story: Premeditated Cat)
Alligators Overhead, Outskirts Press, Fall '12
Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Anthology story: Into the Sea of Dew