Thursday, October 21, 2010

Today’s Stop - HEL

Not THAT hell - Helen Ginger’s site, Straight From Hel! My guest post is about not underestimating your audience, something I learned from my blogging friends.

And big thanks to my hosts yesterday at Mystery Writing is Murder and The Non-Review

Here’s something else I learned this week. (Yeah, I’m still really new at this promotion stuff.) There are ways to help an author besides buying the book.

Ask your local library to stock it. I guess all it takes is one - three requests. Cool, huh? Then you get to read it for FREE! (And if anyone requests my book, be sure to mention the awesome review in last month’s Library Journal.)

You can post a review on Amazon or another site. (Guess you have to buy it then. Or, get it from the library! Back to free again.) Of course, if you didn’t like the book, a bad review doesn’t really help the author… (Now, that’s a scary thought!)

Any other ways to help an author?

Besides awesome blog posts?

Thanks again - you guys rock!!!

49 comments:

Jamie Gibbs said...

I'm loving the exposure that CassaStar is getting, it's fantastic.

I still think that nothing beats good old word of mouth. I've a few friends who are scifi fans, so they tend not to read my fantasy blog. But I can give 'em a recommendation to CassaStar and it'll be right up their street :D

Melissa said...

There are so many ways to help authors, I love that because of blogger, I am so much more aware of this now and can help out as much as I can - as well as learn for the future!

CassaStar got so much support this week and I hope it continues to get support. I'll go ask the three different libraries (all for different cities) around where I live on the weekend... I need to return a bunch of books. And no, I'm not quite sure why I feel it's necessary to go to so many different libraries...

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jamie, I appreciate that!

Melissa, thank you - that's really sweet of you to do that. Hope I can return the favor one day!

JournoMich said...

I never thought of asking the library! We're there every 2-3 weeks for kids' books, so I can definitely do that.

Other ways...I hear the Amazon reviews are really helpful. And I can't think of any more right now!

Michele
SouthernCityMysteries

Ella said...

I would think if highly recommend in Library Journal it would be on their list to stock it?!

Yes, Amazon reviews really do help or hurt an author! Will do what I can. I know my son will review it; Me too~

Copyboy said...

Not sure it'll help, but a good friend of mind recently published a book and has done all the stuff you're doing. If you ever want to ask him anything I can forward your email to him.

Unknown said...

I'm sorry, Alex, there are no libraries near me. However, as soon as I read the book, I will place my review on amazon and goodreads.

CD

Unknown said...

Hmm, I will also add the review to my blog and down the road I hope to get an interview. I would like to read the book first.

CD

Jules said...

I'll be phoning the library today! In fact there are 4 cities close enough to call....let your fingers do the walkin' :D
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Cherie Reich said...

I still think it is totally awesome that you are in Library Journal.

And, you can go to local bookstores and tell them about your book. If they haven't already stocked it, then they likely will. Most love to support local authors. Then, you can even do a book signing there. They like that too.

Karen Lange said...

One publisher I review for says to take the book when you go out and read it in public. Author interviews and giveaways are good, too.
Wishing you all the best,
Karen

ediFanoB said...

My local library in Germany does not buy science fiction books in English.

I posted my review of CassaStaR on amazon.uk AND amazon.de (there are more people in Germany who read books in english than one think).
Both should appear in around 48 hours.

A lot of people read and follow amazon reviews. There are still so many people who don't read book blogs.

Of course you find my review also over at GOODREADS :-)

I agree with some other comments that one should talk about the book and to take it with you in public.

Old Kitty said...

Loved your piece about broadening one's appeal over at Hel's!! :-)

Take care
x

Sangu Mandanna said...

Just read your guest post and it's fabulous, Alex! SO true about audiences - you never know how much a story may appeal to a wide range of people until you've gotten online and put the word out!

Chris Phillips said...

See you in Hel!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Alex:)

I am amazed to see the tremendous amount of work which is carried out to promote the book.

I thought that you can personally visit some schools,colleges, book shops,clubs and library's in your area and carry out a few reading sessions with a group of audience.If books are bought in your presence you can give them books autographed by you.

I wish you a grand success.

Best wishes:)
Joseph

Carolyn V. said...

I hope it gets into our library soon. I didn't know all we had to do is request it three times. Good info.

Kelly Polark said...

I love her blog title!!!! Will go over and check your stop at Hel.
Good idea to also ask the library to stock it. I have done this a few times, but need to do it more often!

Anonymous said...

I'll call our locl libraries and aske them to order your book. I'll let you know how it goes!

Stephen Tremp

Helen Ginger said...

If you go into your local bookstore (indie or brand name store) and they don't carry that author's book, ask them to stock it. If they won't, then order it from them. If several friends order it, they'll probably stock a few.

Ishta Mercurio said...

You could do all those things - buy the book, ask your library to stock it, and give it a positive review (if you liked it).

How about, if it's appropriate, taking it to your kid's school and talking to the librarian about stocking it there?

Matthew MacNish said...

There's always Christmas gifts too!

KK Brees said...

Libraries are great places to check out titles and librarians can be a writer's best allies.

Talli Roland said...

Just been over there and commented - fantastic post, Alex!

RaShelle Workman said...

Hey Alex - You are one busy, busy bee - guy. Calling libraries is a great idea!

Golden Eagle said...

Libraries are a great option! There are many around here . . . hmmm!

I don't usually read Amazon reviews, actually, but I can see why they'd be helpful for the author.

Can't really think of anything else.

Arlee Bird said...

Of course a good review is always preferable, but sometimes I think a bad review can help--it depends on the source of the review and what they didn't like. When I look at the Amazon reviews to consider a product, I usually look at the worst reviews. There have been several times when I've gotten something because of what those reviewers said. Like they say: "Any publicity is good publicity." Getting recognized is a feat in itself.

Lee
Tossing It Out

ali cross said...

I don't have any new ideas, but YEP very cool to have your book available at the library. People can pick it up there, talk about to friends, review it on Goodreads and then ... voila! You have book buzz! Woot!

Marlene said...

I hope your first book is a success! You certainly do have a lot of fans in bloggyland! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Michele!

Thanks, Ellen - a review would be great.

Copyboy, I'll take all the help I cand get!

Clarissa - wow! That would be awesome. Let me know when.

Jules, that's sweet - thanks!

Cherie, I think we still have a Barnes and Noble.

Edi - thanks!! I appreciate that. I do have a copy in my car and bookmarks arrived last week from my publisher.

Thanks, Kitty!

Thank you, Sangu!

Thanks, Joseph!

Stephen, that's awesome!

Helen, that's a good idea.

Ishta, that would work if I had kids!

Yes, Matthew - buy early!

Thanks again, Talli!

Lee, it's still a scary thought.

M.J. Nicholls said...

Government money. A back scrub. Fellatio in the park. I endorse all these.

True Life and Fiction said...

Wishing the greatest success for your book. I might have to break down and buy it in hardcopy. Can you convince the powers-that-be to produce your book in e-format for my nook?

I'm so sorry I was not able to post something about the book on its release day. My Internet was not happy for the whole weekend and more. They eventually had to do some kind of resetting from some remote location.

I will also be sure to post a thorough review on my blog and everywhere else I can think of as soon as I read it.

Susan Fields said...

I saw that great Library Journal review on a few different blogs - congratulations!

Sara B. Larson said...

I've been seeing so many posts about your book all over the blogosphere. I can't wait to read it! Wishing you lots of success. :D

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

JL, look for it - my publishers did an eBook for the Nook! And that's all right - a review later would be awesome!

Thank you, Sara!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love the idea of talking to the library! I'll see what I can do! :)

Nicki Elson said...

Besides all of these things, I'm with Jamie on the word of mouth. That element is essential for a book to be really successful. So readers can request it at their libraries, read it, like it, write a review on it at: Amazon, Goodreads, their blog if they have one, and then go tell all their real life friends about it.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Word of mouth is a great way to spread the news. I hope it's all going really well for you :)

Bossy Betty said...

Congrats again, Alex! I'll check at our library.

The Words Crafter said...

Tell people. Lots of them. All your friends and acquaintances. Give it as a gift....

My copy is on its way, woohoo!

PK HREZO said...

Your Kindle price is awesome!!! I bought it last night for the fantastic price of $4.99. That's so affordable.

I'll be sure to do an Amazon review after I'm done reading it. It's great that you're all aover the blogosphere as I scroll down my Reader! :)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Thanks, Jemi!

Nicki - yeah!

Words Crafter - thank you!!

Thanks, Pk! I knew my publisher had priced it to sell.

BryStearns said...

I know a great way to help! Go into a busy bookstore and hold everyone at gunpoint until they all buy it. If said bookstore doesn't have book, have a siege, and let no one leave till the book gets there, then have everyone buy the book.

I worry myself sometimes...

Cheeseboy said...

I never buy anything because my local library ALWAYS stocks something I request. I've already put one in for yours.

lila said...

I am so glad to I've found your fabulous blog today!!...fabulous so much inspiration and fantastic posts!
Bless you
lila

NENSA MOON said...

Hi Alex,
Just passing here from Jemi's site.
Glad to know you!

have a wonderful day,
nensa

Enid Wilson said...

I think we need more encouraging reviewers in this world. We see too many negatives every day.

My Darcy Mutates

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Bryan how about I just chain myself to the register instead?

Cheeseboy, thanks!

Hi Lila and Nensa!

Yvonne Osborne said...

Hi Alex,
I'm seeing your name a lot lately. Congratulations. I didn't realize it was that easy to get your library to order a book. I'll definitely do that for you and two or three other bloggers who have recently been published.