Insecure Writers Want to Know
Great questions this month. I can’t wait to learn more from all of you, kind IWSG friends, regarding book launches. I’m a newbie at book launches. I’ve only launched one book, Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. And for my book launch, I did what I always do. I turned to my experienced writing friends to learn how to do it.
With the help of a more experienced writer, I prepared a Media Kit about Victoria Marie Lees, the author, listing my previous publications and offering topics I can speak about in posts, interviews, and podcasts.
I created personal emails to those I know and offered Advance Reader Copies of Determination through Book Funnel. I’ve used Book Sprouts, Library Thing, and Book Sirens to give out ARC copies as well. All in pursuit of those treasured book reviews. This is why I can’t thank you enough, dear IWSG friends, for reading Determination and leaving reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Writers helping writers. That’s what Insecure Writers Support Group is all about.
I’ve also created lots of posts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram about the topics of my college memoir in hopes to create a buzz for people to want to read the book. I didn’t receive much engagement, unfortunately.
I’ve sent out email pitches to a few mothers’ groups online and my community college, as well as other community colleges. I’ve pitched to the University of Pennsylvania, my alma mater, to create an essay for them. No bites!
Penn did purchase my book and place it on the alumni shelf. I said I could come into the bookstore and do a reading. But they never responded. The Pennsylvania Gazette [alumni magazine] shared a short blurb about my book on their alum page.
As always, I am open to any suggestions you may have to promote the sale of your books.
Now I’m off to see what elements YOU include in your book launches. I love learning from you all. Happy IWSG Day, everyone!
Thank you for stopping by my little spot on the web. Please come again! And please sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter to find tips on writing and camping. It’s greatly appreciated.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for March: PJ Colando, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, and Natalie Aguirre! Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
It sounds like you’ve done everything you can to promote your book. I don’t know if there are particular ways authors who write memoirs promote them, but it could be worth looking into.
Always worth looking into how other memoirists market their books, Natalie. Thank you for your kind words. Always appreciate your insight here at Adventures in Writing.
You just keep after it. Another blogger friend had a book on living on a house boat for years and she just kept hitting all the potential targets until it all started to stick.
Solid advice here, Alex. I need to keep going. No matter how much it seems like it is not working. Thank you! Happy IWSG day!
Glad being part of this group helps with your sales and the all-important reviews!
“What I say is, a town isn’t a town without a bookstore.” — Neil Gaiman
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge international blog hop
I so agree with Neil Gaiman. Every town needs a bookstore. Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing, J Lenni!
It sounds to me like you did a pretty awesome job! The key is releasing more works and building launch after launch. But really, you killed it with hitting all the bases here!
Of course you are correct, Crystal. Think, Vic! Book after book after book launch. I’m just not sure I have it in me to write more books. I need to get serious about this.
Thanks, Crystal, for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Thank you for your kind words.
I think you’ve done a lot! You made me realize that I need a media kit, or at least an info sheet. The last time I was at a live sale event, someone was at least somewhat interested in using one of my books with a book club; it would have been really good to have something to hand her with that sort of thing–bio and topics I’d talk about, etc. Thanks!
Thank you for your kind words, Rebecca. It’s true. Media Kits/Info sheets can be very important for writers as a handout at events and sales tables. I never thought about making it available in hard copy to hand out at events. Thanks, Rebecca!
My launch was such a newbie approach with limited reach- blog posts, Twitter/FB/Insta. But my publisher did put a release as out with Publishers Weekly and through their book sales site. Yesterday, my agent strongly suggested Tik Tok Shop…so that may be my next direction. Thanks for sharing your release ideas. It really helps to see what others are doing
Yes, Miffie, we all learn from each other for sure. The Grim Reader is important reading for anyone trying to kill someone. In fiction of course. It helps that your publisher notified Publishers Weekly and book sales sites. All the luck with a Tik Tok Shop. Have a great day!
Wow, it definitely seems like you put a lot of work into launching your book! We should all take notes.
Thank you, Sarah. I worked hard, for sure. Unfortunately, I still need to do more. To help others find Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. To read it and possibly leave a review.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing. Happy IWSG day!
You have done a lot! What I keep hearing about marketing–and it’s my pet thing to read about right now–is that you have to keep trying things. And also sometimes you won’t see immediate results. Do you know who your target readership is? Although I don’t have a book out yet, I’ve been joining facebook groups for my target readers. It’s also good market research–and since I’m part of this subculture as well.
I’m so glad that ISWG has helped! This group is awesome!
Yes, IWSG is the best for sure, Jenni. Mothers and women who think that the opportunity of college has passed them by are my readership. But I can also say those who learn differently. Those who were told they shouldn’t reach for their dreams. Those seeking to believe in themselves.
Wow! I need to narrow my “readership” down. As to where to find these readers, I’ve joined mother’s groups and memoir groups. I need to keep looking and be more consistent in my interaction online. It’s all about finding the time.
Thanks for sharing your insight at Adventures in Writing, Jenni!
Those all sound like solid approaches!
Thank you so much for your input here at Adventures in Writing, Yvonne. Have a beautiful day!
I think you have done some great things to promote your book, Victoria! And I know you’ll keep at it. Thanks for all you shared.
Thank you for your kind words, Louise. They mean a lot to me. Stay strong, dear friend!
Sounds like you did everything right.
I suggest contacting Toi Thomas (part of our IWSG group) for a feature on her blog or podcast (she has loads of things going on, go check it out).
Ronel visiting for IWSG day <a href="https://www.ronelthemythmaker.com/like-herding-cats/" Like Herding Cats
Thank you so much for this insight, Ronel. I truly appreciate it. I will venture over to Toi’s blog and see if I can become a feature on her blog or be interviewed on her podcast.
Thanks again for your help, Ronel!
Wow, I’m impressed with your wide assortment of efforts to reach out and promote your book.
Your kids are going to love looking back and remembering so many adventures they experienced over the years.
Thank you, Lynn, for your kind words. Yes, I hope my kids do enjoy remembering our adventures together. I certainly do.
Thanks for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. Have a great weekend!