Category Archives: Marketing

Self-Pub Aftermath 4: Marketing Works, Sometimes

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After writing the book and getting it produced, the mantra for authors probably must be, “Reach out. Reach out. Reach ommmmm.”

Because of my experience with HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos, I am well used to rejection, or more frequently, to being ignored.

But sometimes, apparently, reaching out works, and people reach back.

Antioch logo

I queried the alumni folks at my alma mater, Antioch College, figuring that a story about one of their student’s year-abroad experience might be of interest. Last night, they contacted me and asked if I would be interested in talking with one of their writers. (Would I!)

To give them a leg up, I sent them links to the short QnAs I’ve done on Goodreads and Smashwords.

Lessons learned:

  • Slip a marketing message in wherever you can. (See previous paragraph.)
  • Sometimes it works. (Join the ORRRR Club. Order it. Read it. Rate it. Review it. Recommend it.)
  • Rinse and repeat.

 

Self-Pub Aftermath 3: Unexpected Traction

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Look what my nephew, Marc, found at the end of the Space.com coverage of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch today. (Not the young woman! On the right.)

image I’ve been promoting HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos everywhere I could, but I haven’t bought any advertising yet. (I’m looking at a one-day ad on kboards for its next “Book Discovery Day.”)

So, go Scribd!

And thank you, Marc. (Great job, SpaceX.)

 

Self-Publishing Aftermath 2: Still To Do

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A week after self-publishing HOTEL CONSTELLATION: Notes from America’s Secret War in Laos, I realize the aftermath is mostly about future math.

Did I hit all the available marketplaces?

No, but I’m working on it.

BookMark B small-FINAL

Bookmark 

It’s for sale online through:

It’s been submitted to the following distributors worldwide and should be available soon.

  • Baker-Taylor Axis360 / Blio and Baker & Taylor / Follett
  • cloudLibrary
  • Gardner’s Extended Retail and Gardner’s Library
  • Inktera Page Foundry
  • Overdrive 
  • Torino

I’ve been accepted as a Google Play Books author, but it’s taking forever to get everything exactly the way Google wants it. I have no clue what the issue may be.

For the record, Amazon controls about 85 percent of the online book market.

Have I sent it to all the review sites that might be interested?

No, but I have started the list, and I’m sending out queries today.

I’ll definitely post reviews, and I encourage readers to give it at least a thumbs up or thumbs down on Amazon and Goodreads.

How many books sold?

A lot.

I’ll let you know when I break even.

In the meantime, join the Hotel Constellation ORRRR Club. Order it. Read it. Rate it. Review it. Recommend it.

Tnx.