Publicize Your Book: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves

by Jacqueline Deval

A publicity insider offers new authors a practical handbook on the best ways to publicize, market, and promote their books, explaining how to work with the publisher on a campaign and offering helpful advice on effective networking, developing a press kit, gaining newspaper coverage, preparing for tours and interviews, setting up bookstore appearances, and more

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction, Self Help, Business

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book yourself on Oprah and set up a Myspace page? Come on, Deval, that's your advice?!?! If there isn't an updated edition, it's over due.

Aside from it being due-date-expired, and even if it said to get on Ellen and set up a Facebook page, that kind of advice comes cheap. Who the hell couldn't think up on their own such an un-wild and not-crazy scheme like get on the most popular show on tv and tell the world about your book?

For rating's sake, it's a bloody good thing that beyond the above ridiculousness, this is otherwise a handy and informative book on how to essentially become your own publicist.

Since I was a kid, I've always known I wanted to write books.

Since I was a kid, I've always known I most certainly did not want to be a publicist.

However, being a writer apparently means being both in this publishing age. Deval's Publicize Your Book will help shore up some of those gaping holes of knowledge, should this be your career path of choice. Sure, some of it can be taken with a grain of salt. I mean, even if booking a spot on Oprah was still possible, we all should know that less than 99.9% of us have a Steadman's chance of landing the O before the Gail's of this world...sorry, that was a little off topic...what I meant was, it's not freakin' likely to happen, so I'm glad books like this one also include other, more plausible advice to go on.

[Norman Birnbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book published in 2003 and references websites and other content that haven't been online in a decade or two, there's actually plenty of good advice and insights into how to leverage themes and ideas in your book to secure media coverage. Just don't expect to land a spot on Oprah’s show.

[David Goodberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do you have a book published? Do you plan on having one published? Then yes, read this book.

Of course, what the description fails to say is that this book assumes you have a publisher, publicist, editor, agent, and your entire marketing crew. Is this a bad thing? No, but it would have been nice to know that is what this book is about before turning to the first page. But that aside, this book is helpful regardless of your publishing status. It provides examples of good times and bad, all things to consider and think about. Countless references, links, and resources to continue looking into once you have finished the book.

The bad? It's a bit too broad at times. There is a section about getting on the Oprah show. Well, since this would be the top wish for any published author, it would be nice to focus on easily achievable goals. There are any blurbs about "studying" shows you like in order to see if you are a fit for them or not - this is irrelevant because shows are always looking for diverse content and the simple fact that watching a show won't help you study unless you know what to look for.

If you have a publisher, publicist, and an entire entourage, this book is a must buy. If you are a self-publisher, this book will still offer you many hints and tips and should be read, but may end up being a skim - skipping sections that discuss solutions to book tours when your tour guide isn't acting up to par.

There is no right way to get your book out there and to make it successful. This book will expand your mindset. Is it the best? No, but it's worth looking into.

[Winna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book via Amazon, thinking it could help me with the marketing efforts for my new novel Kenangan Abu-Abu.

It gives a lot of ideas on book promotion, making me realize that authors do not just wait for a book to hit bestseller list. Authors need to work on their books and promote them. A lot is discussed, from publisher's work, editor's work, print promotion, media, book signing, interviews, pitching the media, internet marketing, and so on.

Sadly, most ideas do not conveniently apply to Indonesian authors. Our publicists and editors are sometime the same people, and their roles are slightly different. The media is somehow more limited, and the addresses and contacts provided in the book are based on the US, so it's not applicable.

However, some good ideas sprout and make me inspired. It's nice to learn, the author gives really good advice.

[Nicole Evelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars. This book is quite dated (last updated in 2008) because of how drastically the publishing industry has changed, but some of the advice, especially on marketing plans and media relations, is still valid. Definitely geared toward traditionally published author because indie didn't really exist yet. Not a bad place to start if you know nothing about marketing, but there are better, more up-to-date books out there. Would love to see this book refreshed for today's publishing landscape.

[Katie Thomas]

read this book to get a handle on creating a bestseller out of "Making Divorce Work." She recommends this book to all aspiring authors. Once you write your manuscript, you are at the 50 yard line. Even if a big house publishes you, you will still be largely responsible for the success of your own book. This book (published by Katie and Diana's publisher, Perigee) gives you a very realistic look at the industry and what to expect.

[Roxanne Bland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't prepared for this book at first. I thought it would be a story (and a funny one at that). But I soon warmed up to the witticisms this book has to offer. Some of them start out as timeworn proverbs (and end in something entirely new and different!), others, like don't forget to tip your ninja are funny just by themselves. All in all, I enjoyed myself immensely.

[Ann Addley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covers the book marketing process from marketing plan to DIY publicity. It includes lots of valuable information on publicity some of which may be aimed more at publishers than self publishers.

[Mika]

Great information.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a handy guide to do-it-yourself book publicity> I will let you knwo hwo it is when I make a million dollars off my book!

[Alex]

Publicize Your Book!: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves by Jacqueline Deval (2003)

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really helpful. I got a lot of great ideas and I recommend it to other writers.

[Annette Meurer]

Handy reference book from leading publishing expert on tips and tricks for getting your book the publicity it deserves.

[D. Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book! Very easy to follow and a must read for anyone in publishing.

[Leilani & Rich Darling-Linfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Covers many of the bases. Still reasonably up to date in late 2013. Her expertise comes from her professional experience and that's valuable.