Do I really need a publicist?

[Laura]

Hi guys, I don't know if this is the right forum to ask this on, but I am a brand new "official" author; my YA novel hits shelves this July and I have so many questions. Does anyone know anything about publicists? Like if they're a MUST-HAVE? My budget is meager, so I'm not crazy about employing one. Thoughts?

[Iesha (In east shade house at...)]

I was wondering the same thing too for when i put my book out there.

[Amy]

I wish I knew to answer your question, but I will certainly read your book/s when it comes out!:)

[Lura]

I don't know for sure, but I would guess no.

You can do a lot of the promotion yourself and maybe recruit friends to help you. Getting your book in the hands of book bloggers BEFORE the official release can be a big help.

[Laura]

Thanks for your feedback! I'm just figuring this out as I go, and I'm sure a publicist would have some good advice and point me in the right direction (for a hefty fee), but I'll continue to work on my own marketing and promotion. No reason why this whole getting-published process should get easy now. :) And my book is called The Dreamosphere. You can get more info about it on my website: www.laura-stoddard.com

[Alice]

Have you ever thought about a giveaway or a read-and-review here on Goodreads?

I'm sorry I can't be of more help... I've never published before so I don't have the best advice in this scenario. I wish you all the luck on your books!

[cindy ♡]

I don't know anything about publicist or things like that, but I'll add your book to my TBR :D

Did you self-publish it?

[Laura]

Yes and no, Cindy. :) I finished this book about 4 years ago and started the long, hard process of trying to get published. The amount of rejection letters I got was really disheartening, but I really wanted to see my book in print, so I finally self-published with CreateSpace. Not a ton of sales these past 4 years, let me tell you. About 6 months ago I thought, "I'm gonna give this a try again. I really want to get this 'officially' published." So I reworked it, hired someone to professionally edit it, and even renamed it. Two weeks after submitting it to about 25 publishers, I'd been offered a contract. FINALLY. Greatest day ever. But now there's still a ton of work to do, since these days you, as the author, are pretty much your own marketer/promoter.

[Alice]

I found a pretty helpful website (not sure if you've seen it already).
http://www.writersstore.com/15-do-it-...

[Laura]

Great website Ali! Thank you!!

[Alice]

You're welcome :)