The Book Publicity Blog

News, Tips, Trends and Miscellany for Book Publicists

Contact / Submitting Tips

I’m always looking for tips / suggestions that will help book publicists — if you are a publicist, a media person, someone with a bookstore or lecture venue, or anyone interested in publishing or the media, feel free to submit your pitching tips / ideas about the marketing and promotion of books in general.

I will post pretty much any information that is of use of book publicists.  I will also name the person (first name only) who provided the tip unless you ask me not to.  If you have submitted a tip and contact me within 24 hours of your name appearing on the blog, you will win a copy of the NPR Books Grid (that lists author, book, show name, interviewer, post-interview Amazon ranking, imprint and hyperlink to the online interview.  Not so shabby, huh?)

Contact me at bookpublicityblog[at]gmail[dot]com.  If I don’t respond, it’s not that I’m blowing you off — I’m just busy.  Aren’t we all.

No manuscript submissions, please.  Those I will blow off.

Yen

16 Comments »

  1. I cover literary news and authors in the Bay Area and am always interested in hearing about new books and people on tour. There’s a rich writing community here, although we often get overshadowed by New York.

    I’ve been enjoying your blog as I have a book coming out in the fall and am navigating the world of publicity.

    Comment by Frances | March 24, 2008 | Reply

  2. Announcing The New Anonymous (yet another literary magazine!), a journal whose contributors and editors will remain forever nameless. Not only will all work be published anonymously, but The New Anonymous will blindly screen and edit its submissions, i.e., the submission, editorial, and publishing process will be anonymous from beginning to end. Our goal is to serve as a safehouse where writers—both up-and-coming and well established—can not only question the creative process but also, in the words of Freud, “play.”

    We are now reading submissions in all genres for our upcoming debut issue and hope you’ll join us in this unique endeavor. For submission guidelines and more information, visit our website at:

    http://www.TheNewAnonymous.com

    Comment by The New Anonymous | July 17, 2008 | Reply

  3. Thanks for the tips. Your site has been a wealth of help to me. I do a site for writers, freelancers, etc. but it’s just to be silly and entertain. I’d love to trade links or at least link yours.
    Bob

    Comment by Bob Eckstein | July 31, 2008 | Reply

  4. We’re interested in booking several well known authors for our Authors nights talks at the Scarsdale NY Library, we’re 30 minutes from NYC a quick Metro North train ride. There is a $200.00 honorarium and great exposure in the local press and a chance to sell books after the talk.

    Comment by Stephanie | October 29, 2008 | Reply

  5. Hi Yen, not sure if this might be of interest to you, but I did some work experience for a nice bunch of people who have just launched a website called CompletelNovel.com.

    The idea behind the site is to foster collaboration between the different facets of the publishing industry. I mean, I guess it’s more geared towards unpublished writers in this sense, but it is a social networking site for all things book.

    Anyway my point is that maybe it might be a good thing for freelance publicists to take a look at….you know, find some exciting unpublished writer to work with, or be approached by other members of the community.

    I enjoy your blog by the way. I’m in the process of learning about the publishing industry (I can’t imagine I’ll ever stop learning) and you cover your angle well.

    Have a good weekend.

    Robert

    Comment by Robert | February 20, 2009 | Reply

  6. When requesting a review of a book, please provide the following information:
    -Title
    -Author’s Name
    -Brief summary

    I can’t tell you how many times I have received requests without these basic details.

    Comment by Bookpleasures | April 20, 2009 | Reply

  7. One pet peeve I have is when a publicist, author or publisher send me several emails requesting all kinds of information where in fact the answers can all be found on our website, bookpleasures.com. It is as if they are doing us a favor in sending us a review copy of a their books.

    Recently, I received a review request. I replied that although I did not have the time to review the book, I would consider interviewing the author. The publicist replied after about 3 weeks and started asking me all kinds of questions about our site which has been in operation since 2002. I politely replied to her queries, however, that wasn’t enough, she came back with some more questions. At this point I decided to ignore her as frankly I have no time for all of this nonsense!

    Comment by Bookpleasures | April 20, 2009 | Reply

  8. I am trying to find a publicist for my book and have no idea how to go about finding a good one or a reputable one. Do you have any recommendations for finding good publicists? Thanks much!

    Comment by Danielle | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  9. Hello,
    I would like to know more about getting reviews for my book. Your site has alot to offer and glad I found you on twitter. dvora

    Comment by Dvora Swickle | June 16, 2009 | Reply

  10. This is a pretty heavy duty site that you have here, I too am glad to have found it. I just hired a guy who is more of a PR person than an actual publicist. If he turns out to be good I will recommend him on this site as he is very affordable and seems hard working. More later….

    Comment by Christopher Pinckley | October 8, 2009 | Reply

  11. Hi! I am a Publishing Studies Ma’student at Kingston University. For one of my projects I have to introduce a book which is publishing before Christmas. I chosen “Twitterature” and I know that you take care of its publicity. Therefore, I would want to ask if you may give me some information about the publicity and promotion’s process. Every information will be very useful for me. I hope to receive your answer, thank you very much. Regards, Giorgia

    Comment by GIORGIA | October 23, 2009 | Reply

  12. R. Merial Martin, an Exxon Marketing retiree, is the author of Deterrent, a fictional novel that takes place in year 2011 and ironically foretells all that is currently happening in the USA from the wars, to the failed economy, an African American becomes president, to increases in crime, especially in The Woodlands, but hopefully not to the level in the book that required a deterrent to crime.(At bookstores and on the Web). He enjoys hunting and bonding with his brothers and friends. He competes in regional senior bowling tournaments. He is an avid golfer and plays weekly with former oil company friends. He and his wife, Catherine, have been supporting members of Fellowship of the Woodlands Church for over fourteen years and active in ministries and organizations in The Woodlands and Houston areas since 1991.
    Welford Street Miracles tells the stories of residents who lived In the 1100 block of Welford Avenue in “oil rich” Port Arthur, Texas from the Thirties thru the Eighties.
    Welford Street Miracles is based on something you know something about. Something you experienced through the sense of life, of actual living, and that always makes for the best kind of writing. Its simplicity, its honesty in telling is evident not only in the lines but between the lines, and that’s when writing is at its best. You believe the miracle, and believing it you begin to see the characters and feel for them and hope for them spiritually. Into this group of people we have a main character. The prime subject wrought with a medical problem, brainwashed in his spiritual hierarchy, and skilled in the business world, whose struggles and accomplishments come to the forefront and whose encounter with a stranger ends in the greatest miracle of all.

    Comment by R. Merial Martin | December 5, 2009 | Reply

  13. No need of suggestion

    Comment by Waqar Adil | December 17, 2009 | Reply

  14. Please allow me to ask what may seem a simple and even naive question.
    I recently self-published a book (Tall Tales for Travellers—see Amazoncom & other online stores) and do not where to begin with marketing.
    I have read books on the matter but am still needing guidance as to proirities.
    Basically where do I begin?
    Is the first priority to get a publicist and if so how?
    I would of course like to get reviews, what is the best way to go about this?
    If you felt disposed to reply it would be very much appreciated.
    Regards, Michael M Roe

    Comment by Michael Roe | December 17, 2009 | Reply


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