In a previous article, I gave some pointers on publicizing your book. So I thought I'd add to them today -- you can never have too much good publicity advice!

Let's go over the basics... You have a book out... now what? When you've finished writing, your job is far from done. Promotion is challenging to most authors -- writers tend to be people who sit in a room and write -- but it is a necessary part of being published in the new millenium.

But where do you start?

The first thing to know is that publications and reviewers work months in advance. If your book came out last winter, it's already too late to start promoting it in any of the major media outlets. So learn from this time; and if you have something coming out in the near future, make sure to ask for reviews as soon as possible.

If your book is on amazon or bn.com, ask people you know to write a positive review and post it there. If anyone writes to you and says they like your book, ask them if they'd be willing to say so on amazon and bn.com. Better still, give them a direct link so they don't have to spend time figuring out how and where to post such a review.

Be creative! Have you ever heard of Bookcrossing.com? It's a wonderful system whereby books are left in public places to be picked up (and eventually passed along again) by other readers. Check it out on the Net and send some copies of your book out via Bookcrossing!

If you don't have a Web site, don't wait another moment to get one! It's your best way to reach readers. Include a list of appearances, links to reviews, and a blog. (Remember that Customline Wordware specializes in Web sites for authors and publishers -- call someone who has specific experience in the area you need.) Keep a reference to your site and your book in your signature line for additional free exposure as you participate in email lists and online forums.

Do as many readings as you can. (Not just bookstore signings; these can be awkward unless you're extremely well-known. I used to be Community Relations Manager in a bookshop, and the number of signings that were made up of just me and the author was appalling and discouraging. If you're going to do a bookstore signing, make it an event: tie an activity in to the theme of your book in some way, and use that activity to promote the book!) Find out of there are cafes or bookstores near you (or near where you plan to be on business or vacation) that would be willing to have you do a reading.

Even if you cannot do an official "signing," stop by bookstores and see if they have copies of your book. Talk to the booksellers (they are your current best friends: they'll hand-sell a book they think is worth it) and offer to autograph the books they have in stock. Ask if it can be faced out on the shelves.

If your book is appropriate, go for the school angle: call local high schools and ask to do a reading for an English class or an assembly. Libraries will also sponsor local writers to put on an event or a reading. The point is to get yourself -- and therefore your name -- out there.

Try local radio shows; they're often looking for someone new to interview, especially those drive-time shows. And get in touch with me: I host a weekly radio show called "The World of Publishing" and I sometimes interview new and emerging writers!

Draft a press release (or, better still, engage Customline Wordware to do one for you: you'll never get a second chance to make a good first impression!) and send it to every paper in your area, and to the free online PR services like PRWeb. Get the word out!

Anyone have any more ideas, things that have worked for them? Add them here, please! I don't pretend to have an exhaustive list of ideas, but it would be grand to collect a substantial "how-to" resource here!

And that will get us all a step closer to being... beyond the elements of style!

Jeannette Cézanne
Customline.com