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. Gifts.
13. ...
You can be interviewed for print media, for radio, for TV, on blogs, Internet general, character interviews, trailers just to name a few.
Print media interviews can be very helpful for advertising your novel. Of course the print media and especially the distribution makes all the difference. If you get an interview from the NY Times, you will get a lot of attention. On the other hand, if you land an interview with the Podunk Dispatch, you won't get so much attention.
For print media, you need to be ready and even provide questions and answers on your own. If possible, try to keep your interviewer on topic--you may or may not be successful. The problem with print interviews is that most won't be interested in your novel--they are interested in your story and your connections. Unless you are a best selling author who has some other connection or story, your novel won't get any play.
A great example of this is an author friend of mine who wrote the novel Katia about the Berlin Wall. The press was more interested in his story about the Berlin Wall than his book--the fact that the book was about the Berlin Wall is what connected for the novel and for his sales.
So remember, keep on topic and try to get a word in about your novel. I give you some ideas on this 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/.
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