Freebies

More on Creating That “Book Buzz”

Posted on by Brenda Poulos
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Be sure to start talking early—months ahead of time—via social media: Facebook, X (Twitter), Pinterest (Yes, it’s not just for hairstyles, recipes, and decor), Goodreads, and so on.

Post/Blog: Whether you have a book coming out or not, you should be connecting at least weekly. Besides writing a blurb, you can include RELEVANT images, quotes, excerpts, etc.

Cover Reveal: Reveals aren’t just for baby announcements! You can narrow your cover choices down to two or three, and ask for opinions on Facebook, for example. (I couldn’t resist the opportunity to show off my romance novel’s cover, above.)

Once you’ve chosen a cover, post it. Thank participants by offering them “freebies” in exchange for their email addresses.

Preparing for a Book Fair

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

I was asked what an author should take to a book fair. Although the answer may seem simple, there are a few decisions to be made so your experience will go smoothly.

1) A bright and wrinkle-free cloth to cover your table.

2) A bowl of wrapped candy, business cards, bookmarks, pens, or other freebies.

3) Change for cash purchases. I wear a fanny-pack instead of using a  cash box. There are those who use the crowded circumstances for their own devious purposes. Take a “square,” if you are accepting credit cards. Don’t accept checks, since that can lead to a disappointing outcome… for YOU.

4) A small poster or banner. I make an 8 x 10 that I put in a plastic frame. Print in color, so it will be eye-catching. Put your name, book covers, and/or pricing information. Which leads to #5.

5) I always price my books at a special “fair savings” and in rounded denominations so that I won’t have to use coins to make change.

6) At the last fair I attended, I noticed several authors had packed their books into small rolling suitcases. The bags I had mine in were heavy and unwieldy. Perhaps the Goodwill Store will have one at a nominal cost…

7) Show interest in your “customers” by standing. Also, to make sure they stop at your table (and not pass you by) say something they cannot resist, such as “Oh, what a cute baby!” Or “Would you like a Tootsie Roll?”

8) There are lots of little things to remember to do ahead of time, like using mouthwash/breath mints. I suggest eating breakfast ahead of time. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m turned-off when I (as a shopper) walk up to talk to an author and they are in the midst of downing a donut!

You ask if book fairs are with the trouble? See my previous post in “Archives.”

Throw in a Little Swag

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

There were 690 words added to the dictionary in September! Why is this important for authors? 

If you are writing contemporary fiction, it is good to use contemporary words. And, if you’re not, then you should refrain from using them. This would be especially true if you write “historical.”

So, I have decided to read through the list of words (you can google them) and their definitions and select ten of them to use in my next book. I intend to use them in much the same way that writers use words in different languages and still get the meaning across to their readers.

A writer-friend read one of my critique group submissions. She suggested that instead of saying that my character received “freebies,” that I use the term “swag.”

Chances are my readers might not have heard that term. So, I will get the meaning across by using context clues. Here’s my example: When people pay two-hundred dollars for an hour long hot-air balloon ride, they expect to get a little swag thrown in. That little enamel pin and glass of champagne only costs us sixty cents, but goes a long way toward good PR.”

So, I have used the new slang word, “swag” in places of “freebies” and then continued the paragraph with another example so readers can deduce the meaning.

I hope you google this list of words because chances are you’ll choose to use some of them in your own reading and writing.

Freebies

Posted on by Brenda Poulos

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It’s no secret that people read reviews from consumers on everything from mattresses to restaurants.

It’s the same with books. Even more so.

So, why not offer potential reviewers something free for writing a review of your book?

This “freebie” can be anything from a free copy of the book to a world cruise (Ha! Just kidding.)

Where to find these reviewers?

Look for books similar to yours that display a “Top Reviewer” badge. These are usually people who are willing to take the time to write a helpful review.