Getting the Word Out

“Someone is speaking well of you.”

It really does take a community to launch a book. Here are my partners in crime for my cozy mystery, Seniors Sleuth (which recently won Runner-Up at the 2015 Beach Book Festival):

Team Jen. These devoted folks were beta readers and cover voters. A huge thanks to them for polishing my work, posting up reviews, and spreading the word! Also, special shout-outs go to Joy Weese Moll, Julia Tomiak, and Carol Early Cooney for blogging about my book.


Direct Advertising. I enrolled in KDP Select, which makes my e-book exclusive to Amazon for 90 days. At the same time, though, I can take advantage of either a countdown deal or “free” days as a promotional tool. (A pleasant surprise has been a few borrows through the Kindle Unlimited program.) I’m also doing an AuthorBuzz promotion in mid-June, which has the potential to reach more than 85,000 Kindle owners. Over the next few months, I’ll be hosting a few physical giveaways through Goodreads and the new Amazon giveaway feature (where you can hand-pick a prize to be shipped by Amazon.com).


Alternate Avenues. Book bloggers have been absolutely amazing to me. The ones that have responded have been very gracious (even if they’re too busy to look at my work). The Lupa Schwartz Mysteries Blog and Miki’s Hope have both hosted me recently. Additionally, I’m trying to get an audiobook produced, so I’ve partnered with ACX. (Currently, I have several auditions for narrators that I need to listen to.) Last but not least, I’ll be sneaking in a book launch party! I haven’t quite figured out the size and venue yet, but I think it’ll be nice to celebrate this new mystery.

How do you hear about new books?