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.
Radio interviews are many times easier to get than print interviews. The reason is that print is on its way out, and if a newspaper has a section for books, that section usually doesn't cover local books. They usually syndicate from the NYT book page. Many times they don't even look at the stuff they are publishing. This is the unfortunate result of the decline of the newspaper. If they were willing to pay more attention to their own community, and they reflected the values of their community, the local newspapers wouldn't be dying. As it is, they don't support the writing community or their own communities, and so there is little scope for promoting your work.
Radio on the other hand is mostly local for filler and is always interested in local news because it can't survive without reflecting its community to some degree. Many who would never pick up a newspaper routinely listen to radio. The problem with radio compared to print media is that it is a flash in the pan. Print usually gets a lot of play for a long time, while radio, even if it is recorded and podded, won't get as much play.
I give you more ideas on radio interviews 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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