Ever wondered how to publicise a book?
A few weeks ago I was sent a new book. It’s called Swept (Love with a chance of drowning) by Torre DeRoche and is a memoir about how a chance meeting in a bar found Torre, a self-confessed ‘city girl with a deep fear of water’ sailing on the high seas with the (incredibly hot sounding) Ivan.
It’s a great yarn, full of adventure (and duct tape), with an evocative cover.
It’s also self-published. Beyond the immediate questions that crowded to mind about the why of publishing your own print book in a world that seems to revolve around self-published Kindle editions, the next phase of questioning went immediately to the how of publicising such a book.
How do you make your non-fiction book stand out in a field that seems to be shouting with a million voices without the safety net of a publishing house behind you?
I decided to ask an expert. Katie McMurray, the powerhouse behind KatieMac Publicity, specialises in media campaigns for authors, experts, businesses, festivals and awards. She used to publicise 200 authors a year for the Sydney Writers’ Festival and is acknowledged as a leader in the field of book publicity in Australia.
The thing I love about Katie, mostly being on the end of her hard-fought campaigns to win editorial coverage for ‘her’ authors, is that she never sends me irrelevant stuff. She knows what I write about, she knows the publications and websites for which I write, and she hand-delivers me (okay, via email) updates about books (and therefore interview talent) that she thinks will come in handy for me. And they do.
She seemed like the perfect person to ask about how to publicise a non-fiction book. And she was.
Interview with a book publicist
What does a publicist actually do?
Katie McMurray: “A publicist achieves media coverage – stories in newspapers, magazines and online; radio and TV interviews. This is editorial, not advertising. We find what it is that best tells a story about our client and pitch that to journalists and producers. The best publicists have a consummate understanding of media and know what media are looking for. It’s like a combination of translation, story telling and sales.”
The general consensus seems to be that books are notoriously difficult to publicise – do you agree? What is the best traditional medium for finding readers?
KM: “All publicity work is challenging. We are competing for space and air time to get our clients media coverage. If you are an expert and you have a new book and something to say, media will give you the time of day. But you need to put your best foot forward and not presume that someone will want to interview you just because you’ve got a new book. You need to give them other compelling reasons to talk to you.
“In the book game, the saying goes that ‘radio sells books’. I think it takes a mix of well-targeted media, plus a great marketing plan (public speaking, newsletters, blogs etc) to get a book right out there.”
Most publishers now seem to expect writers to blog/tweet/Facebook… Are blogs really an effective marketing tool for authors?
KM: “A blog is a way to keep you connected to the people who most love your work. It’s a relationship tool. From a media and publicity point of view, a blog keeps your thinking fresh and keeps people interested in you. If my author-client is writing a regular blog, then I have regular new ideas to pitch to the media.”
Is it possible for authors/writers to overshare on social media and their blogs? Where do you think the line is?
KM: “I’ve not come across too much of this. I publicise non-fiction books by people who are experts. They tend to really know their stuff and their followers want to hear it.”
What are your top three tips for an author wishing to publicise a book?
KM: “Number one, have something to say and say it powerfully.
Two: Be somebody. Putting a book out does not mean the media will pay instant attention, so make sure you’re active in your industry and business through public-speaking, workshops, blogging etc.
Three: have your book professionally edited and talk to as many people as you can before you sign with a publisher or spend your money self-publishing.”
Would you love more writing tips and advice? Check out my book So You Want To Be A Writer: How To Get Started (While You Still Have A Day Job), co-authored with Valerie Khoo and based on our top-rating podcast.
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