📖 lisa writes stuff issue 🖋️ #39 marketing for dummies

Also, this week: short update on current writing projects

Jun 27, 2024

Dear Internet,

After talking to several public librarians about getting indie books into to libraries and/or do readings, I asked for the best method to do it and I was told to write a perfect press release (check) with a cover letter in the body of the email and email it to the library. Do not cold call them. Do not pop in and bug the person at the circulation desk. At a presentation I was at a few weeks back, a librarian presented on this very topic, and she talked about the horror stories of local authors dropping off the book without warning, cold calling, and being demanding about getting the book into the library’s collection. Taking that presentation to heed, and my friends’ comments, I wrote a compelling cover letter stating I was a local author, this was the anthology, my story is this, and it’s set in a local community. I sent the email to over 20 libraries and 10 bookstores in the area Saturday afternoon.

What did I expect to come from this endeavor? Of course, I wanted a response but just doing the work was enough. I was stepping out of my comfort zone in promoting myself (something I’m learning to do with my business).

Color me fucking shocked when one of the bookstores loved the idea of the book and is going to stock it and THREE libraries have already confirmed on getting it for their collection.

And TWO of them want me to do an author reading.

Holy fuck a duck my dude.

Was shocked when I got the first email and bowled over when I got the second. Both readings are going to be later in the year here in the area. I’ve emailed out to my writer’s groups to get ideas on how to do an author reading as I have NO FUCKING IDEA. Do I bring swag? What kind of swag? How much do I read? How long do I read? Do I get copies of my chapbook to sell as well?

It'll be a few months before this goes down so I have plenty of time. But wow. Author reading!

Speaking of author readings, I asked around some of my writers’ groups on how to approach it, especially with swag. Bookmarks came up a lot since they are a cheap marketing tool. Also having branded items like magnets or candy help. Having copies of the book for sale is also great. I know from going to cons and author signings myself, bookmarks are a big thing. This surprised me because I use torn pieces of paper or whatever to bookmark my pages. But hey, if the demand is for bookmarks, then bookmarks we go!

I also decided to get author copies of my chapbook to sell as well. Look at me marketing my own shit and shit.

Remember in the last issue I declined to enter the paranormal fantasy writing contest because the prize was a lapel pin and a certificate even though they were charging fees for the contest? I had an in-depth conversation with the contest board, and it turns out the prizes have been the prizes for years and no one has thought to change it. They are going to go with an award statue of some kind which I think will be neat.

I have a few days the other contests I mentioned and I’ve done jack all which needs to be rectified by the 30^th. HAHAHAHA! I’ve worked under pressure before so hopefully I can make it work.

Last week I went to my in-person writer’s group and instead of writing I spent the time researching ideas for one of those stories. My 9-5 shit has been taking over these last few weeks and I’m not making time which I need to do.

The Harlequin contest results should be released in the next few weeks. I’m terrified and excited. Even if the story doesn’t make the semi-finals, just submitting it was enough. I know it’s a good story and I hope to get it published one day so I’m not going to freak out if I don’t place.

Short one this week as I’ve not got much to report. When we next speak, the book will be out in the world and that will be exciting.

A Most Unreliable Narrator

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