Marketing tips

[Irina Shapiro]

Can anyone recommend some websites where I can market my books, such as Good Reads or Pinterest?  I just now beginning to realize how many places on the web are devoted to literature.  Would love to hear your comments.

www.irinashapiro.com

[Janet Howle]

You are right, there are so many places that it is hard to decide where to put your efforts. This can be a very time consuming process. We (my husband and I co-author) are trying something new today. We are giving a live radio internet interview about our novel. If you are interested, the URL. is http://www.voiceamerica.com/worldtalkradio/vshow.aspx?sid=764  I don't know how this will work, but I will post our impression on bookblog next week.

[Irina Shapiro]

Good luck.  How did you get the radio interview?  Did you contact them?  I am just terrible at self-promotion and can use some guidance. 

[Janet Howle]

Irina, they actually contacted us through our website. Our novel was listed as "Best in 2011" by Kirkus Review. I don't actually know if this is what caught their attention. If you contact me through the website: www.thelongroadtoparis.com, I can give you Starstyle's contact information. I'm not sure this is something we can do on this site, so send me a email from our website. Glad to help.

[Irina Shapiro]

What is starstyle?  What do they do?

[Janet Howle]

Here is their web address. This is a weekly radio show that interviews authors as part of their program to promote literacy. You can listen to our interview this evening 6:17 pm eastern time at this address.  http://www.voiceamerica.com/worldtalkradio/vshow.aspx?sid=764 

More on their website at www.starstyleradio.com

Hope this helps.

[Irina Shapiro]

Thank you so much, Janet.  I hope your interview went well.  I wanted to tune in, but ended up battling with my kids.  I will definately check out the website.  BTW, your book looks very interesting.  I want to read it.

[Janet Howle]

Yes, we were pleased with the interview. This woman is really good at making you feel comfortable. I posted the link so you can listen anytime if you are interested. It is on the blog which is www.thelongroadtoparis.wordpress.com

If you read with Kindel you can get the book cheaply on Amazon.com It is also available in soft cover or hard cover both on Amazon and B&N.

Right now I still don't know the outcome (sales) from the interview but I'll let you know in a week or so. We are leaving today for an antique car rally from NY to Alaska but I will check my email along the way.

[Irina Shapiro]

Enjoy your car rally.  I would love to know if your sales saw an increase after the interview.  Let me know if you have a chance. 

[Ali S. Black]

Unfortunately Irina, I can not lend any help but just wanted to say, I feel your pain. I recently self-published a book through WestBow Press and am finding this new world of self promotion, very intimidating, confusing, and even frustrating at time. The world of blogging is completely foreign to me being that I just created my blog a couple of days ago and am still trying to figure out the best way of setting it up, getting it noticed, and maximizing it's potential. I wish you all the best in your endeavor.

[Irina Shapiro]

Thank  you.  I wish you all the best too.  Sometimes it's nice just to commiserate with someone.  It's a very complicated business and it's not easy to do it on your own.  who is WestBow Press?  I've never heard of them.

[Ali S. Black]

WestBow Press is the self publishing division of the Thomas Nelson Company. Thomas Nelson is a huge publisher of Christian literature. Thanks for responding back :)

[Edward Smith]

I am not sure if I can plug my own site here, but if you are pitching TV, you could go to my blog quickfamesystem.com for tips on how to pitch producers.  There are no ads and everything is free.  Good luck, Edward Smith.