Publication - Advertising Ideas, Websites Secrets and Conclusions

13 December 2011, Publication - Advertising Ideas, Websites Secrets and Conclusions

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  ...

I already wrote extensively on the information I recommend for your novels' webpages.  I'll give the short version again, and you can look back at the earlier blog entries for more details.

I always include a sample of the first chapter.  I put up the official cover.  I link to the official press release for the novel.  Finally, I put up a link to the novel's secret page(s).  The cover and the press release come from your publisher.  They represent the novel to the press.  The first chapter allows a visitor to sample the novel and decide if they want to go buy it.  The secret pages give more information for your readers.  Secret pages also give you more hits on your novel page.

So remember, the key point for a novel webpage is to market your novel.  Your audience is readers and the press.  You need to have a little for everyone.  Make certain the visitors can find your novel from the information and links on the page.  Link to places that sell your book.  Include information about you.  That's about all (in a nutshell) for webpages.

I'll write about blogging tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.