I just found out about a Vancouver WA author event that I want to share. Elizabeth Lyon is on my personal “must know list” in the publishing world. Writer’s, authors and I want to published writers, you’ll love Elizabeth and her know how speaks for itself.
Event details:
“Stump the Editor” is my final engagement of the year. You and yours are invited. Because I expect many questions to be stumpers, I’ve come prepared: I’m bringing “prizes.” Of one thing I am sure: I am not going home with any of them.
I’ve got a feeling I may need to use the “ask a friend” option; i.e. your presence would serve many purpose–not to mention that you just might have some good questions to toss my direction.
When: 5pm–6:30pm, Saturday December 6th
Where: Cover to Cover Bookstore in Vancouver, WA
Expectations: Buy a book from this bookstore owner–and it need not be any of mine!
Afterwards, join us for nearby for refreshments.
Cheers!
Elizabeth
PS: Did you hear that in the December ‘08 issue of The Writer magazine, contributing editor Chuck Leddy, also a reviewer for The Boston Globe, cites Elizabeth Lyon’s Manuscript Makeover as among the “10 great writing books from ‘08.” He writes: “Perhaps the most comprehensive book yet written on the process of revising fiction.”
Did you hear that in the December ‘08 issue of The Writer Magazine, contributing editor Chuck Leddy, also a reviewer for The Boston Globe, cites Elizabeth Lyon’s Manuscript Makeover as among the “10 great writing books from ‘08.”
He writes:
“Perhaps the most comprehensive book yet written on the process of revising fiction.”
Congratulations and well deserved Elizabeth! Your contribution to authors and the writing profession is immense.
Here is an example of a great author publicity photo, Julie A. Fast with co-author John D. Preston, PSY.D.
Keep your websites up to date, professional and media friendly by providing everything a reporter might need to feature you. A hi res professional picture of you and your book are musts!
Remember, your job is to make it easy for the media to choose you.
Tip: Use Craigslist.org to find professional photographers in your area. Great pictures don’t have to break your budget.
(l. to r.) Drummer Greg Errico and author Jeff Kaliss sign copies of “I Want to Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly and the Family Stone” at Book Passage-
Did you know that statistics show a book with 30 or more reader reviews is 50% more likely to be purchased by those just browsing? People want to hear “real people’s” thoughts and opinions. Your job as an author is to ask…
Most people outside the publishing industry have no idea how this can help to promote a book, it’s okay to ask for their help and let them know how much you appreciate the support. Most would love to help, they just don’t know how.
If you are presenting at a bookstore ask your audience to post reviews online once they have had an opportunity to read your book. Just planting this seed should more than double your reviews over time.
What does your website ask readers to do when they arrive? You may be providing them with compelling reasons to purchase your book but what if they have already purchased & read your book? Be sure you speak to this part of your readership too. If they are surfing your website chances are they loved your book. Ask them to post online book reviews!
When you meet people who tell you how much your book meant to them (and you will), ask them if they would be willing to write an online book review to share their thoughts and opinions with others.
Ask your mailing list for the same. Don’t have a mailing list? If you are an author you need one. I’d be happy to talk with you about setting this up, drop me a line at ladat (at) comcast.net
Use your signature line in your out going email, in every email. I always suggest my clients provide a link directly to a online bookstore or their website. Go one step further, how about adding a catchy line like “already read my book? I would love to see your reviews at Amazon.com
Engage your friends, family, and network. Most of them aren’t shy about asking for a copy of your book, you can’t be shy about asking for reviews when they have finished reading it. You can even take it one step further, ask them to lend the book to their friends and ask for their reviews!
Have any other quick tips to get more reviews? I would love to hear what you are doing to boost your book reviews!
Last week I was really excited to attend a book event for author Jeff Kaliss who “scored the first face-to-face interview with the reclusive superstar in over 20 years.” hosted by Powell’s in Portland.
Here are my pictures, videos and a short unsolicited commentary on the book, event, and the author.
November 2008 Powell’s Books in Porland OR. Author Jeff Kaliss- I Want To Take You Higher, an inside look at Sly Stone
As a publicist, I have worked with numerous authors in various settings, set up and attended these book events so I am not the most objective attendee on the planet. The author, book, and event get my full FIVE STARS!
Highly entertaining and well executed I was more than pleasantly surprised. Jeff did a great job reading from the book, setting up the background and answering all of our probing questions. He managed to speak freely about his encounters with Sly Stone, the fun, the good, and the odd… without ever showing signs of any conjecture or personal slant. A true objective journalistic endeavor by a true professional that clearly did an enormous amount of research to write this book and took very seriously the assignment of presenting all of the people places and things that brings each to life in decade relevant detail.
I eagerly purchased I Want To Take You Higher: The Life and Times of Sly and The Family Stone and am only about half way through it (my personal reading ALWAYS takes a back seat to my professional reading!) but I can tell you that was even further impressed by the book itself. I will post my full review online as soon as I finish the book. Synopsis: Great book, great event, great author, diverse, cool and large crowd. I anticipate Jeff making a few of the best seller lists in the next few months! Check he and the book out if you are even slightly interested in the subject matter. ~ Laura
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