Promotion

by Linda O. Johnston

It’s November. A special month for me. I have two new books being published this month. Yes, two. My sixtieth and sixty-first traditionally published novels.

I’m delighted, of course, but still want to do more.

Meantime, I am now in the middle of promoting those books. What are they?

One of them is CRY WOLF, the second Alaska Untamed Mystery that I’m writing for Crooked Lane Books under my first pseudonym, Lark O. Jensen. I’m going to let the world know about it in a variety of ways, including additional blogs and a chat at Writerspace. I’m being interviewed by some people online. And I’m doing a Great Escapes Blog Tour, also online.

The other is CSI COLTON AND THE WITNESS, a Harlequin Romantic Suspense book in their vast series about the large Colton family. Because it’s a series with a large following in itself, and this story is the eleventh in this year’s miniseries, The Coltons of New York, I’m mentioning it a lot but not doing as much promotion for it.

So what do writers do when they want the world to know about their stories? They get out there and tell people in whatever way makes sense!

I’ve been doing this for a long time and have tried many ways of blaring my books out to anyone who’ll listen, including being on panels at conferences, giving talks at chapters of local writers’ organizations, whatever I can find. I’m doing a blog tour and have done several before. I’m volunteering to write articles for various publications.

Do they help? Who knows? I do sell books, but I’ve not had a bestseller. Not yet. But I’m working on it—and the promotions surely don’t hurt.

So what do you do when you have a book published? How do you publicize it? I’d be delighted to hear new ways of doing it, and the other writers who read this would most likely enjoy hearing it too. What works best for you?

And even if you’re not a writer, what kind of publicity do you like to see best from writers?

Let’s get out there!

20 thoughts on “Promotion”

  1. Linda, your first paragraph sent me straight back to bed. Upright once more, I offer my comments:

    Okay, what do I do to promote my books? Due to in-born laziness and a bit of mistrust of certain social media platforms in case they are mean to me, I mostly spend time debating whether to check my FB page to post a comment, and then I read my royalty statements every day, and daydreaming about being able to afford hiring a top publicist. . One of my books is now being sold in France, in addition to the UK, US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, which means I can buy my favorite Yorkshire Gold tea, the loose version, of course. I am also exploring the use of bookstagrammers, mostly because it is an ugly sword but promises great feedback. I applaud you, Linda, for your book output, absolutely breathtaking, and thank you for sharing info about your latest. I assume you have a ceiling-high bookshelf to hold them all. Congrats.
    jill

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Wow, your books are all over the world, Jill. Some of mine are too, partly thanks to Harlequin. My bookshelf needs some work now since it is a bit crowded. Thanks for your comment and your thanks.

    Like

    Reply

  4. Promotion is difficult, Linda. Hiring a publicist is very costly and not necessarily effective. But being on a panel or talking at a local library does sell books. We did a lot of those through Sisters-in-Crime when I was Speakers Bureau Directer. But it takes a lot of effort. You are always one of the examples I use when I talk to writers because of the sheer number of books you have published, but also because you keep trying new things. Congrats on the two new mysteries. (from Gayle)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. Yes, congratulations on the two books this month, Linda. I’ve never published a book, so I don’t have experience there. But one thing that comes soon after all the publishing strategy you give, would surely be REVIEWS from early ARC and purchase customers. Encouraging readers to review would help sales, right?

    Also, I don’t know why this site is now listing MEMBERS as “anonymous.” I’ll tinker a bit. I guess I could always enlist the help of a FIVER person again. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. My goodness, Linda, I never cease to be impressed with your output! And I remember as, Gayle, mentioned, we all benefitted from her Speakers’ Bureau panels. Those often led to other speaking engagements – and more book sales.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. Miko here. Congratulations on your latest publishings. Having a solid, organized way to promote your books is crucial, whether it’s through social media (not my preferred method, nor my typical readers’) or by doing in-person appearances. I usually begin with a book launch, along with special pricing on my older books. It not only sells my current release but often prompts the audience to start with my first novel, or buy the entire set.

    Like

    Reply

  10. My most successful promotion was from using newsletter services like Bargain Booksy, Ereader News Today (ENT), Robin Reads. I haven’t sprung for BookBub–yet. I have my own quarterly newsletter. I’ve tried social media, but always feel like I’m howling in the wind. This weekend I’ll be selling at a local book festival. Congratulations on your latest two, Linda. Maggie

    Like

    Reply

  12. Linda, I’m always sooo blown away by your output and success! I have no advice because of lack of success on all fronts!
    Go, go–if I could just write more—like I said, I’m in ah! (I would offer I’ve done my best sales at live events) Mad

    Like

    Reply

  15. I echo everyone’s comments here on how prolific you are Linda. Two books! Plus writing the blogs for a blog tour is also very time consuming. I’ve done those before and wasn’t sure how much of a difference they made. I do a lot of promotion on FB and IG although many of my readers aren’t on either. My newsletter is not a monthly thing – it’s pretty rare but in this last one I asked readers who wanted to enter a giveaway and who weren’t on social media, to send me an email. I was stunned by the volume of replies. I’ve always heard that a mailing list is the best way to go. I have used a virtual assistant to help me with graphics which has been good; I balked at hiring a publicist but at the end of the day, I just think it’s organic and it takes time. I think back to before social media … those authors with their typewriters did okay … oh – and I LOVE your Alaska Untamed Mysteries. I hope you are writing more!!

    Like

    Reply

  16. Thanks so much, Hannah. And thanks for reminding me to do a newsletter too. I have a decent mailing list. And I will need to do a giveaway as well.
    Linda

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment