Editing and Marketing

Well, this is it... deep breaths now... the book has gone into editing, after that it goes right into production. It looks like the editing is going to take up to 4 weeks, then another month or so to be in full print. In the meantime, I will have my hands full with developing a marketing plan. I plan to start with small networks like my hometown to see what it has to offer. Perhaps the surrounding high schools would like to have a copy of a local author's book in their libraries? At any rate I am going to start sniffing around the local libraries in the area. I will also take this time to get to know some local bookstore owners/franchisees. Hopefully I will have some new names up on the shout-out page.

There is a bookstore in Maine and a local chain called Toadstool Bookstores I intend to check out. I also found out that Barnes and Noble are locally owned and the franchisees maintain a lot of sway over what books they carry. We shall see I suppose.

With a winning marketing plan, I will qualify for Iuniverse's rising star award. They will pitch the book for me to large retailers like Borders and Barnes and Noble. However, I cannot depend on the talents of others wholly. I only hope that the rising star award opens doors for me as a credible author. Then I should be able to reach more people with my work.

It is important to think outside the box in times like these. While Barnes and Noble and Borders are an irreplaceable ally in selling a book, there are other outlets for marketing. For instance, Target has a "New Authors" section, and the NH RV show, at which I volunteered last year, strews select books inside of their RVs. I made a few solid contacts last year, I'm sure I will find out.

I still recall looking upon a blank Microsoft Word page years ago, with a story inside of me waiting to fly into my computer. Now, with my sequel, I am starting that process again and finding a nostalgic lust for the fabrication of new material. I'll be sure to update again when I hear more news.

If anyone has any tips or angles I should look at in considering the marketing of this book, please don't hesitate to become a member and make a post.