Dave, thanks for that wonderful question: What do you hope readers are still thinking about after they finish your book? That frames the conversation in an exciting way and focuses it on readers. The best thing we can do for people is create a conversation that matters and invite them to continue.
Now's the time to prime the pump with getting the word out. Start with your Substack subscribers and any other e-mail addresses you have. Lean on those ARC recipients to get word of mouth out. Get some signing/readings set up at book stores, libraries, etc. If you can get contacted with local newspaper and radio stations, go for it and time it for release. It looks like you're putting a pitch together, and that's good. Talking about your novel to a crowd works. September will come sooner than you think.
Personal appearances and meeting readers face-to-face can pay big dividends. I saw how it worked for Tim Dorsey and wrote about it last Monday. He started with driving all over Florida to make appearances, and that paid off with building a following. You could probably write off a tour in southern California as a business expense. With the story taking place there, you should find readers in that part of the world.
Anyway, best of luck with this phase of the process. People got to know abut the novel so they can buy it.
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who appreciated that question, Doug. Writing can be such a self-centered pursuit. Our readers deserve plenty of consideration.
Dave, thanks for that wonderful question: What do you hope readers are still thinking about after they finish your book? That frames the conversation in an exciting way and focuses it on readers. The best thing we can do for people is create a conversation that matters and invite them to continue.
Now's the time to prime the pump with getting the word out. Start with your Substack subscribers and any other e-mail addresses you have. Lean on those ARC recipients to get word of mouth out. Get some signing/readings set up at book stores, libraries, etc. If you can get contacted with local newspaper and radio stations, go for it and time it for release. It looks like you're putting a pitch together, and that's good. Talking about your novel to a crowd works. September will come sooner than you think.
Personal appearances and meeting readers face-to-face can pay big dividends. I saw how it worked for Tim Dorsey and wrote about it last Monday. He started with driving all over Florida to make appearances, and that paid off with building a following. You could probably write off a tour in southern California as a business expense. With the story taking place there, you should find readers in that part of the world.
Anyway, best of luck with this phase of the process. People got to know abut the novel so they can buy it.
Thanks for all these suggestions, Tim. They give me some of the extra confidence I’m pretty sure I’m going to need!
It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who appreciated that question, Doug. Writing can be such a self-centered pursuit. Our readers deserve plenty of consideration.