The Tao of Book Publicity: A Beginner's Guide to Book Promotion

by Paula Margulies

Winner! 2017 EPIC eBook Award for Non-Fiction
Winner! 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Finalist! 2016 Best Book Awards
Finalist! 2016 International Book Awards
Finalist! 10th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards

In The Tao of Book Publicity, publicist Paula Margulies outlines the basics of book promotion and explains how the business of publicizing a book works. Designed for beginning authors but also useful for those with some experience in book publishing, The Tao of Book Publicity provides information on the importance of writing a good book and the need for developing a platform, as well as how-to explanations for developing publicity material, including front and back cover text, press releases, Q&As, media and blog tour queries, and newsletter and media lists.

The Tao of Book Publicity also covers social media, book pricing and sales, book tours and media interviews, and author websites. In addition to explaining how book publicity works, this valuable handbook explores practical topics such as publicity costs, timing, and considerations when hiring a publicist.

Simple, straightforward, and informative, The Tao of Book Publicity includes expert advice on all aspects of book promotion and is a go-to reference guide for beginning and experienced authors alike.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Paperback

First published March 9, 2016

About the author

Paula Margulies is the owner of Paula Margulies Communications, a public relations firm for authors and artists. She has received numerous awards for her short stories, essays, and novels, including her nonfiction handbook, The Tao of Book Publicity, her historical novel, Favorite Daughter, Part One, her debut novel, Coyote Heart, and her short story collection, Face Value: Collected Stories. Paula is a contributor to Author Magazine, the San Diego Examiner, and The Feisty Writer.

Paula has specialized for over twenty years in communications, marketing, and public relations for all types of products and services. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned her master’s degree in Language Arts and Literature, she also holds degrees in marketing communications and education. She has served as the marketing and publicity director for both large companies and small businesses and is an instructor in business communications and marketing at Grossmont College.

She has been awarded artist residencies at Caldera, Red Cinder Artist Colony, Vermont Studio Center, and Centrum. Margulies resides in San Diego, California, with her husband and two teenagers. For more information, please visit http://www.paulamargulies.com.

Note: Paula has a new fan page on Facebook. Please stop by and give it a "like" if you like! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-...

Reviews

[Mary White · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Tao of Book Publicity: A Beginner’s Guide, Paula Margulies has synthesized her extensive experience as a book publicist into a concise primer for authors. She begins with the Tao philosophy that shapes her own endeavors as a writer and business practices as a promoter, “concepts (that) have to do with developing humility, compassion, and moderation.” Aiming her remarks toward beginners and established authors alike, Margulies reminds both that the first item on any author’s checklist should be the production of a top quality product. Each chapter addresses an aspect of book promotion—author platform, press releases, booking events, social media, etc.—and offers practical, relatable advice. Margulies is also a published author herself, and she gives specific examples from her experiences promoting her own novel. Both self- and traditionally published authors will find The Tao of Book Publicity: A Beginner’s Guide extremely useful. I recommend this guide because it’s chock-full of helpful advice but also because I worked with Paula Margulies throughout the publication of my first novel and benefitted greatly from her approach to book promotion.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Tao of Book Publicity, author Paula Margulies utilizes her thirty years of experience as a book publicist to provide authors and the literary community with a comprehensive and informative self-help guide to book promotions.

This is an all inclusive a-to-z guide that provides valuable insight into the common practice of book publicity. With simple steps that will take the stress out of the marketing side of book publishing, this useful reference guide will definitely benefit the traditional and self-published author.

Utilizing the Tao Philosophy, the author provides the author with informative chapters on all aspects of book promotion: author platform, working with publicists, writing and editing, choosing book covers, press releases, timing of book publicity, booking events, working with book review bloggers and virtual blog tours, book distribution, social media, and links to helpful publishing resources.

As a virtual book tour coordinator and book reviewer/blogger, I think that Ms. Margulies provides authors and those involved in the literary industry with a helpful guide that can be easily referenced back to from time to time.

I think the most important advice that Ms. Margulies provides the author is: "rushing a piece of writing to market without the proper preparation, revision, editing, and packaging, can be a recipe for failure." "Write the best books that you possibly can. If a book is poorly written or riddled with typos and grammatical errors, the book isn't likely to move. Likewise, if the book title is off-putting, or the cover art is wrong for the book or the target audience, the book won't fly when you are trying to promote it." I can't tell you how true this advice really is, as a book reviewer, if the book is poorly edited, than no matter how intriguing the book topic and description is, the enjoyment of reading the book is greatly diminished in the eyes of the readers.

I would definitely recommend adding The Tao of Book Publicity to your collection. This is a resourceful guide for everyone who is involved in the literary industry.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Jo Linsdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the subtitle of this book states "Beginner's Guide" this book is really a must read for all authors. Margulies obviously knows her stuff and gives good advice and tips throughout. I thought she particularly excelled when talking about planning, organising, and carrying out events, and loved that she went beyond just simple book signings to include conventions, trade shows, and more.

Whilst she does mention her experience as a book publicist throughout the book it's never done in a "talk down to you" kind of way. In fact she even has a chapter at the end of the book where she talks about finding the right publicist for you, and if it's worth you getting one.

[Andy Peloquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book from Paula at a local author event, and I have to say that I found it VERY helpful. It contains a lot of useful information on book publicity--which, as most people don't understand, is different from marketing.

The book has information on smart marketing tips, but it also takes a look at book publicity. It's a great look at the ins and outs of publicity, how to find a publicist you can trust, and a lot more.

It's definitely a must-have for authors who want to be as effective as possible with their book launches--a handy road-map to success as an author!

[Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

From reading this and I have found this book to be very helpful and great on how book promotions can do and work!

[Namrata Ganti · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not much to say about this book, the title is self explanatory. However, I had the pleasure of reading through it and though I am not an author, I found the book to be extremely informative. Paula has explained in detail everything an author needs to know about how to promote their book, when is the right time, which methods might work and various other related topic. The book covers every aspect required and it is clear that a lot of the information has come from Paula’s experience as a publicist. The book is well written and is segregated into chapters making it very easy to skip ahead to the information an author is looking for. I strongly recommend this book for all the authors out there, use it as a guide, it is wonderful. Also, all the reviewers out there as well as the publicists would strongly benefit from some of the information provided. It will help while planning the a book’s promotion and in marketing.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this via a Goodreads giveaway and I'm woefully behind on actually reviewing it (a review not altered by the fact I won this).

I wanted it, for the obvious reasons: I have books I want to bring attention to. Ms. Margulies rightfully points out that there is no one size fits all in marketing. It's a matter of finding what works for you, a Herculean task without a doubt.

This book is broken up into the various aspects of marketing: blog tours, interviews, book covers timing etc and then each chapter is broken into smaller actions and bits of advice. It's not a book you read cover to cover exactly. Each chapter needs to be read, contemplated and mined for the advice that works for you.

Some of the stuff here I've used and it works, some less so because again this is not a one size fits all world. This book will be staying on a shelf and getting pulled down each time I face a new marketing challenge. It's well worth the perusal.

[Cherie Kephart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As writers, we are often alone in our caves with our typing devices and our overactive minds. Whether we know it or not, what we are lacking is that sense of community, the mentorship and comradery from other writers. This is especially true when it comes to publishing and promoting our books. The world of publishing is changing rapidly and most of us don’t know which way to turn. The Tao of Book Publicity by Paula Margulies is a succinct book packed with concrete and sage advice to help those of us that are lost find, in the Daoist sense, our way. Whether you’re going Indie, or have that elusive traditional book deal, you need to promote your book and yourself. Margulies provides an excellent way to start.

[Paula Margulies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello from the author! I wrote this book to help authors understand what is involved in promoting a book and what they should expect if this is their first time trying to sell a book they’ve written. The Tao of Book Publicity is based on years of experience working with both traditionally and self-published authors and answers the most common questions I hear from new authors when they contact me about representing their work. I hope you find it useful, and I'd love to hear your feedback!

[Yvonna Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received the The Tao of Book Publicity in a Goodreads Giveaway. I was interested in the subject because I am trying to market a non-fiction book. Paula Margulies provides a clear, detailed look at what a book publicist does and what it is likely to cost. This is solid information that I found helpful in deciding what I want to do myself, and what I am willing to pay a professional publicist to do.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. This was won from the Goodreads giveaway. The Author Paula Margulies explains though the process of book publicity. She followed through all her suggestions in this book. Very helpful and chapters were easily accessible to the different questions one my have to get a book promoted and in readers hands.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free by winning a Goodreads giveaway. This book is very informative about publicizing your book. Some things I'm definitely going to use when I publish a book and I'm super glad I won this.

[Debra Haber]

Excellent content very informative. This information can be applied to promoting other things in life not just books. I passed the book along to other family members to read. I would also recommend the book to friends.

[Diane Dettmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an author I'm always looking for ways of engaging a variety of audiences and readers. The Tao of Book Publicity offered practical suggestions and ideas about book promotion. Many of the suggestions like taking time to observe what's happening with similar genres, using press releases on news wires and setting up a schedule for promotions were very helpful. Developing an author platform that reflects my experience, background and expertise was also valuable. This book is a writer's resource that offers helpful information.

[Jo Auburne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource guide for authors that would like to take their book exposure to the next level. I took notes and took my time with this one so as to best utilize the information within.

[Jerry Yudelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good straightforward advice.