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Thanks go to my guest poster, Tracy S. Morris, Author of Bride of Tranquility, for her wonderful contribution on Promotions.
 

She is running a contest this month. For details visit: http://writertracy.livejournal.com/119331.html  She adds: People who link back to your website next monday and let me know at tracy@godsey-family.com will be elegible to win a $50 gift cirtificate good toward books.  
 

In 1941, Winston Churchill was asked to give the commencement speech at his old boarding School, Harrow School. Although Harrow is a traditional English boarding school, it’s not quite like Hogwart’s academy, and Churchill didn’t exactly play quidditch. 

Churchill stood and gave a speech to the boys that has become a famous anthem for anyone who has tried, failed, and tried again to achieve any objective: “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up.”

Churchill’s words can be applied to almost any area where you are striving against the odds or overcoming, but they’re particularly applicable in the realm of publishing.

Typically, there is tremendous excitement when a book comes out. Authors launch their books with as much fanfare as they can muster: arranging reviews, booking signings, planning appearances. 

As time goes by, that publicity may taper off as the book grows familiar. To the author, it may seem that everyone in the world knows about your book.

But what about the reader who hasn’t heard of it? To that person, your book is new.

Depending on your contract, a book may be in print for a very short time, or it may remain in print for many years. Some large presses have a huge stable of authors, and rely on putting out new titles and shuffling their midlist and low-sellers into the remaindered book bin. But smaller presses put out just a few books a year. These companies may keep their book catalog on hand for much longer. 

Because of this, small press authors have a much longer time period to build a readership. Over time, continual promotion can help you build a grassroots readership.  

If your book has been out for a little while, you can still find ways to keep it topical. For example, my current novel, Bride of Tranquility, is a murder mystery set in a haunted hotel during a renaissance wedding. The bride is a vet who can communicate with her pet ferrets. Based on this alone, I launched a blog tour over the month of February to coincide with Valentine’s Day, and lined up additional blog appearances for the month of June. 

With a little creativity, you can find a reason for a promotion that can stand in for the “My book is new” reason. If you have a steam punk story to promote, why not celebrate the birthday of Nicola Tesla, Charles Babbage or Thomas Savery? For a swashbuckling story, don’t forget National Talk Like a Pirate Day. 

Reviews are another area where your book does not have to be brand new to make an impact. My most recent review, in Renaissance Magazine, was published in January, a full 6 months after the book was put into print.  

It’s kind of nice to have a small press book published, because I’ve got the luxury of trying new promotional ideas as I think of them. On the other side of the coin, it’s also vital that small press authors keep promoting their book. The book won’t be on the shelves of big-box stores. You’re not going to be shelved somewhere between Danielle Steel and Stephen King. So you automatically have to work harder to get your name out there. 

Finally, have fun with your promotions. This is a unique way to exercise your creativity. The Rev. John Westly is quoted as saying: “Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn.” This is especially true with book promotions. If people like you and have fun with you, they will probably like your book and think it will be enjoyable as well.