Thursday, October 1, 2009

One Way To Promote Your Book...

I've told you all about my mother-in-law Pat and how she self-published a book a while back. It was about her childhood and growing up in the Texas Panhandle. One thing many people worry about when self-publishing is how are they going to promote their writing. Getting it out there. Actually, there are no guarantees even if you get published with a big publishing house that they will spend a lot of time or money on promoting your book. Much of the responsibility will fall on your shoulders either way you go.

My mother-in-law has done a great job of getting her work out there. She's given copies to local libraries, museums, and even where the hair salon where I get my hair done. It just happens to be in the same small town that many of her stories are about. Even though all of these books were given away they helped to spread the word about her book. Eventually, this form of networking will pay off.

One such way it has paid off for her is NPR (National Public Radio) called her and asked if she would agree to an on-air interview and reading an excerpt from her book, Growing Up In The Texas Panhandle. She agreed and came up one week to tape her segment. My oldest daughter decided to go with her to check out the workings of a radio station. Lucky for her because she ended up being interviewed too. What fun she had!

It pays to get yourself out there and spread the word about your book. You never know where it might lead.

What are your ideas about self-promoting your works?

8 comments:

Nancy said...

Self-promotion is certainly one way to go. I think it is great how your mom took her opportunity and ran with it. I am not so bold. It would be difficult for me to initiate all of those interactions. Well, if I had to, I know I could.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Get OUT! (Okay don't - it's your blog. ;) I had no idea Pat was your mother-in-law! What a small blog world we live in after all. :)

Jessica Nelson said...

What a neat story! Good for her. I guess I would do similar stuff. I think the library is a great place to spread the word. :-)

Kara said...

Nancy, I bet you could:)
Janna, I take it you know Pat, how funny is that!
Jessica, I think the library is a great resource too!

Pat's Place said...

I also carry a plastic bag with several of my books in the trunk of my car, in my suitcase when I travel and give them for gifts Whenever the subject comes up, I pull out a book and I am surprised how many I sell (or give away) that way. And the way that NPR found me was to Google "stories of the Texas Panhandle" and my book came up. I sent them one and the rest you can listen to on HPPR.org. They have asked me to contact them if I create any more books.

Pat's Place said...

By the way, Em is getting better reviews on the NPR recording than I am. Way to go, Em!!

fairenuff said...

Hey there, just wanted to say it's been ages since I've left a message but I've not forgotten about you. I've been so bogged down I haven't managed to keep up with my favourite blogs recently but I keep popping in!
Hugs
Sam
x

Warren Baldwin said...

Thank you for sharing how Pat is getting her book out. I just self-published and am trying to do the same thing. I am going to link over there now. WB