I have seen so many authors do virtual booksignings as well as “physical” bookstore signings only to be followed up with book trailers, blogging, digging, delicioso-ing, podcast interviews and other networking sites.
My question is this: What works for YOU? Did the booktrailer spark interest? Was it having people post comments on your blog? Did booksignings boost your sales at all?
I guess I’m wondering, What is the next big thing? The reason why I ask is because I was checking my sales in the U.K. for one of my books and they were KILLER! And, I haven’t done anything special to promote the book there….
Today is the paperback release of The Liar’s Diary by Patry Francis, which has accumulated a number of spectacular reviews, been translated into several languages, and eagerly read by many. And today, over 300 writers will blog about the book which was released by Dutton (hard cover), Plume (paperback), and Brilliance Audio. Patry Francis was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, and while the mother of four employs her grandfather’s motto of “No Kick” and continues to blog and to write, she can not yet take on the traditional amount of extensive promotion required of an author, so a large number of people are chipping in to help out.
The Patry Francis Blog Day is the brainchild of Laura Benedict and was put into motion by her; Patry’s editor, Julie Doughty; her agent, Alice Tasman; her publicist, Laurie Connors; Karen Dionne of Backspace; Susan Henderson of Litpark; Dan Conaway of Writers House; Jessica Keener of Agni; and Brilliance Audio. They’ve put in the legwork to bring together as many people as possible to help Patry and promote the book in almost any fashion, from blogging about today to reviewing The Liar’s Diary.
I haven’t read The Liar’s Diary yet, but will be getting the book soon. Having read excerpts of the work and listened to the audio excerpt provided by Brilliance Audio, I think it is certainly not one to miss.
But because of that fact, when Karen Dionne asked fellow Backspacers to participate, I contemplated joining in on the Blog Day for just a little bit. What would I blog about? I’ve never met her. I haven’t read the book. Sure, I’ve read her blog and excerpts of the work, but what would I say? Ultimately, it was a very simple decision. Like so many others, I wanted to help, plain and simple. Patry Francis has shown an amazing fighting spirit that most of us hope for in such times of pain and crisis, and her situation and the generous support from her family and friends has no doubt inspired us all. Now–for those of us that haven’t yet–it’s time to take it to the bank, further support a fellow writer and human being and purchase a copy of The Liar’s Diary. Without further ado:
In support of Patry Francis and this remarkable blog initiative, Penguin Group USA would like to offer 15% off the paperback edition of The Liar’s Diary when purchased online from us.penguingroup.com until 2/15/2008. On the shopping cart page, enter PATRY in the ‘coupon code’ field and click ‘update cart’ to activate it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laurie Connors
A Plume Paperback Plume Publicity
212-366-2222
laurie.connors @ us.penguingroup.com
THE LIAR’S DIARY
A Novel
By Patry Francis
“The new questions and revelations just keep coming…Readers will be heartily rewarded.”—Ladies’ Home Journal
When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities THE LIAR’S DIARY (Plume / February 2008 / ISBN 978-0-452-28915-4 / $14.00) is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.
Jeanne’s secrets are kept to herself; like her son’s poor report card and husband’s lack of interest in their marriage. Ali’s secrets are kept in her diary, which holds the key to something dark: her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home. While their secrets bring Jeanne and Ali together, it is this secret that will drive them apart. Jeanne finds herself torn between her family and her dear friend in order to protect the people she loves.
A chilling tour of troubled minds, THE LIAR’S DIARY questions just how far you’ll go for your family and what dark truths you’d be willing to admit—even to yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Patry Francis is a three-time nominee for the Pushcart Prize whose work has appeared in the Tampa Review, Colorado Review, Ontario Review, and the American Poetry Review. She is also the author of the popular blogs, simplywait.blogspot.com and waitresspoems.blogspot.com. This is her first novel. Please visit her website at www.patryfrancis.com.
Praise for THE LIAR’S DIARY:
“Twists and turns but never lets go.”—Jacquelyn Mitchard, bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean
“A quirky, well-written and well-constructed mystery with an edge.”—Publishers Weekly
“Outright chilling.”—New York Daily News
“Genuinely creepy…The unlikely friendship between a small-town school secretary and a flamboyant teacher proves deadly in this psychological murder mystery.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A twisting ride full of dangerous curves and jaw-dropping surprises. This is one of my favorite reads of the year!”—Tess Gerristen, bestselling author of The Mephisto Club
“Francis draws and tense and moody picture of the perfect home and family being peeled back secret by secret…Four Stars.”—Romantic Times
THE LIAR’S DIARY
By Patry Francis
Plume Paperbacks / February 2008 / $14.00
ISBN: 978-0-452-28915-4
Readers Guide available at www.penguin.com
For more information or to schedule an interview with Patry Francis, please contact Laurie Connors, Plume Publicity
212-366-2222 / laurie.connors @ us.penguingroup.com
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The list of writers, editors, agents, and publishers participating in The Patry Francis Blog Day (from LITPARK):
I always knew that working as a writer would mean that I would need to be prepared to don many hats in order to be successful. Those of you that are writers know what I mean.
For example, written a book lately? Not only do you have to write the book, you need to market it, seek out publishing for it, call bookstores about stocking it, make sure it gets listed on top retail online bookstores and so on.
And, now the rage is book trailers. So, either you must get really creative and make one for your book, or you need to seek out someone that can do it for you. What about blogging about your book? That seems to be the “thing” to do. It is a nifty self-advertising web presence.
Then there is press releases to write, newspapers to contact, tv interviews to seek, and so on. The job is never done. Really. It could be a fulltime job just tending to the marketing and publishing efforts alone.
I have to say, I have learned alot and learned things that I never thought I could do. So, in a way, that is a good thing. Oh, did I mention that seeking out reviewers and book contests was another duty? Sigh…a writer’s work is truly never done.
Some people may look at this post and think, “Why in the world would anyone want to do that for a living?”
I just know I have to write.
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Taryn Simpson is a freelance writer specializng in fictional novels. Her latest work, “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road” is competing for Best Fiction Novel in the USABooknews.com contest as well as Best Fiction Novel for a Pulitzer Prize. She is currently writing “Invisibile Fences”. http://www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com
I have been busily marketing myself these days. I have made videos that advertise my skills and posted them on You Tube. I’ve done “cold emailing” to my clients, applied for temp work at agencies, which I swore I would never do, but my mortgage is calling me.
The writing season has been EXTREMELY slow, or at least that is what I am experiencing. I’ve started books for clients and then, whoops, they lost their jobs and can’t pay. Is anyone else experiencing this? In the meantime, feel free to take a look at my You Tube video and mention it to anyone who needs a writer!
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Ms. Simpson is a freelance writer who is needing to pay her mortgage. Won’t you please assist her by referring work to her? Feel free to review her online presskit: http://www.Taryn-Simpson.blogspot.com
My partner and I have decided to self-publish and with good reason. The Beijing Book Fair is coming up in August and my partner would like to pander our wares to book sellers.
We also decided to self-publish because of a newsletter I received yesterday. It was from a well-known author that stated she published with Lulu.com because no one, including agents and publishers would pay attention to her because she was a “nobody”. She began self publishing her book and sent it to another author with better connections and she was blown away.
This blown away author sent it to her agent who in turn sent it to a large publishing house who decided to buy it. That’s the way it is these days…unless you have the collateral to appease a Simon and Schuster or Random House, authors have to fend for themselves and show that “the proof is in the pudding”.
This powerful book (if I do say so myself) will be offered shortly on Barnes and Noble and Amazon as well as the blog. When that happens, you can rest asuured that I will blab all about it right here.
Just think; 1 author in Beijing, China; the other in Nashville, TN, 1 internet connection = 1 helluva good read.
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Taryn Simpson is a professional ghostwriter and has recently completed a novel with her writing partner, Alan Solomon, “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road”. Keep up with the latest on the book and how it fares at the Beijing, China Book Fair. http://www.MangoTreeCafe-LoiKrohRoad.blogspot.com
In a age when writers rarely fingerhug a pen or type on a typewriter, it seems that writers these days must wear multiple hats in order to be successful.
Not only do you need to know how to write a variety of communication pieces such as articles, web content, blogs, novels and more….there is also the marketing of the writing, keeping up with the latest promotions, blogging and guest blogging as well as working on clients’ materials.
Now we have what is called “Book Trailers”. I am a huge fan of this medium and yes, I did it. I made a trailer of “The Mango Tree Cafe, Loi Kroh Road” before it is even published. Why? First and foremost, I believe in the book THAT much. I feel it is easily one of the best books I ever had a hand in creating. Number Two: I am hoping to catch the publisher or agent’s eyes by creating a great marketing piece.
I would invite all of you to watch my blog and PLEASE, leave a comment. And, if you need someone to create YOUR trailer….I can do that too (sheepish grin).
Welcome! This blog is an experiment to see if a diverse group of writers--many that have not met in person--coming from different backgrounds, and writing in different genres, can come together to form something worthwhile.
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