Publicity 101—For the Fiction Writer

Say the word publicity and what image pops into mind? Or if I ask you to picture a publicist at work what is it you envision? If the image is hazy, you're not alone. The number one question people ask me upon learning I'm a publicist is: Soooo, what is it exactly that you do?

It's a good question. In fact if you're a writer, it's an essential question. Let's face it, being a writer means being a small business owner. You've spent the time learning the craft. You've invested hours (if not months and years) of your life into your novel. You've worked on proposals, short synopses, long synopses, query letters. You've joined blogs, loops, attended conferences, written reviews, and scoured Writers Market Books. You've endured rejection letters, manuscript requests, and the suspense of waiting for the pub board's decision. You've rewritten, edited, and have finally gone to print. Now, like all new small business owners, you need a Strategic Business Plan.

Cringe, I can hear those tire screeches and that horrible sound of metal crumpling. This wasn't what you expected! You've done the work, by golly. You've spent hours hunched over your keyboard, giving your novel your lifeblood, sweated and shed tears as you polished prose. You've done your part . It's the publisher's job now.

Well, maybe. If we're talking the 1920's or you're already a best seller. But what if it's 2006 and this is your first novel, or if you're a mid-list author who's holding what could be your breakout novel? For those of you who are bestsellers, how can you best work with your publicist to maximize both of your time and efforts to reach the largest possible audience? Even if you're on the bottom of the totem pole, your publishing company most likely has an in-house publicist or works with a PR firm. What's the best way to approach them? How should you not approach them? And just what is it that they're doing for you? Perhaps you're even asking why in the world you would choose to invest in or even try publicity. After all, there's marketing and distribution.

Well, let's open the door and start the discussion. In addition to being an aspiring novelist, I've been privileged to work with Glass Road Public Relations and am thrilled at the opportunity to empower others with knowledge.

Gina has graciously offered me the Friday blogspot on Novel Journey to teach publicity. I've been lining up media professionals, book reviewers, contest judges, etc., to share their insight and give us a behind the scenes peek. I'd love to hear from you, learn what questions you have. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can e-mail your questions to embellished (at) bellsouth.net, or post them anonymously in the comment section.

Next post: Why Publicity?

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