Marketing

We were at a big conference and may or may not have been sitting in the bar, kind of kvetching about promotion and marketing and how hard it all can be, when we had this lightbulb moment that it might not be so tough if we did it together.

Author websites serve one purpose: to sell books. Which means they need these – and only these – elements.

Yay! The bookseller has agreed to a booksigning. What should happen next? As a long-time bookstore owners—26 years!—we know there are steps you can take to make sure your special event is successful, fun, and memorable.

When a subscriber leaves your email list, it doesn’t mean what you think it does. In fact, you should love the Unsubscribes for what they’re doing for themselves and for you.

What’s the best way to connect with local bookstores? Here’s some advice from a renowned bookstore owner.

You get only so many galleys or ARCs – Advanced Reading Copies – from your publisher. Here’s how to use them to your best advantage.

I’ve seen authors spend their hard-earned advances—or even pre-paid in advance of a hoped for advance. Look at it with an accountant’s eyes: is spending money on giveaway loot a financially sound decision?

Most authors should not advertise. Use these questions to see if – and where – you should.

A query letter is not a letter. It’s a piece of direct marketing advertising, designed for the recipient to take notice and take action. See it from an advertising perspective – section by section.