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. Book signings.
14. Book trailers
15. ...
This is what I would like to do for gifts when Sister of Light comes out. I'd like to give away an ankh with each book I send to reviewers and to special readers. The ankh plays a special role in the novel and it would represent the novel perfectly. This is one of the tricks you can use to try to get reviewers to choose your novel over all the others they receive to review. This is an example of a method you can use with gifts to draw attention to your novel--especially to a select audience. The point isn't to simple give away a trinket with your book, but to develop something that you can give to a target audience that will draw more attention to your book. This is basic marketing.
Gifts should be a part of your marketing plan. Mine--and I'm still searching for a low cost ankh--is to use the ankh in a packet to potential reviewers and my biggest book fans, to get them interested in promoting my book. Since I'll have two new books out at once, I think I can get double the bang for the buck. I'm hoping that the interest in the first book with generate interest for the second book. They are standalone, but one follows the other in time.
What if I can't find a low cost ankh to give away with the book? Maybe I'll print one on a slip seal for the novel. A slip seal is a piece of cardboard or paper placed around a book to keep it closed. The point isn't necessarily to give away something, but rather to set your novel apart from others.
I'll write about book signings 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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