Fay Thompson, Author/Artist

Networking is a cornerstone of marketing. Who do you know that might be interested in your novel?

* friends
* family
* co-workers
* people in groups you belong to

Start in your home and spiral outward reaching out to your immediate local community.

#writingcommunity #booksky #promotions

Pens with your name/book title on them are a good match for a writer. Here is a link to promotional pens. People like and use pens. You can also use your website link on them.

[not affiliated with this site] #writingcommunity #booksky #promotions
www.4imprint.com/tag/89/Pens?...

Carry a satchel of your promotional materials in your daily vehicle in a container to keep them pristine. Hand them to people. Be presentable. Be positive. Ask your adult family members to give them out to their friends and co-workers too. Sharing is good.

#writingcommunity #booksky #promotions

All of your promotions should be double branded:

* Your name
* Your latest novel

Always include a link and/or QR code. Make your promotional materials interesting and fun. This means use things readers will like and keep. Invite people to share the goodies.

#writingcommunity #booksky #promos

Promotion opportunities are everywhere. As a writer, you are aiming for 2 things: your name recognition AS an author and your latest novel's name recognition. You promote both together building brand and product at the same time.

#writingcommunity #booksky #promotions #local

The pool was full today. The water was warm though :)

I always have to reboot my brain once I'm home. Summer sessions should end soon which will help.

That's a good genre to read in.

People like swag.

If you belong to a writing group (larger one) then you will be invited to events. Build up a group of promo items that are different. They should be attractive, have some fun element, make people look at them several times. Adults play too.

#writingcommunity #booksky #promos

Remember: Your promo can be nearly anything. You can generate a crossword puzzle with some art on it that you can print off cheap include a story blurb, a QR code, a link to a linktree .pdf to give to people to generate fun/interest. Be creative. Support your novel.

#writingcommunity #booksky

I will be offering my promos on my website attached to my fan collector form in both .pdf printables for new fans or to be mailed to your snail address if you want the full color promo. These will be available ongoing (I will pass the link when ready). Promos are eternal!

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My promo idea for the event is to have a free 'give away' for each book I'm representing. I have a sample page from my Victorian House coloring book to give away and my articulated character bookshelf decor will be promo for "The Bug Mage". I give each away for a fan email.

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Book shelf art and decor are a thing. People are using edge work and box sets to elevate their bookshelves. Don't feel limited by what people are already doing, make your own inventive choices. Make your book bookshelf collectible from the onset.

#writingcommunity #booksky #bookshelfdecor #promos

When you are considering a promo or swag give away it should enhance novel name recognition, include some kind of blurb, include art, include fun. Be helpful, useful or have some reason to be retained.

For a real life event you use the promo to actively collect email addresses.

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My objective with physical promos is to gain new fans and gain name recognition locally. Creating any kind of buzz starts with the author doing something. This current book is illustrated with an age range older than MG but okay for MG. My real launch is likely next year.

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My today writing project is a promo. I am creating an articulated paper doll (a mage) people can assemble and use for book shelf decoration. It is for an October event and likely pre-launch of the hardcover. I have the doll drawn out but need to draw clothing on it.

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Your 'muse' is typically found in your brain food or what you read. The more diverse your reading the more you stimulate your brain into working better. Read everything. Take your brain for walks in the brain of other authors. It's a type of brain exercise.

#writingcommunity #booksky #brainhealth

Some mental problems are cyclical. It is always a good idea, if you seem to have frequent issues, to get a paper calendar and track what you eat, how much, drink, ingest, coupled to your mood (depression) and notable productivity. These are associated. It's temporary.

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Mental wellness has different aspects. One essential part is physical health and caretaking. You are the caretaker of your body and must do your best to be a good caretaker. You aim toward a longer life and more joy. Keep track on a calendar of your daily mood.

#writingcommunity #booksky #attitude

Good Morning Tuesday people!

Today is a bring a good attitude to your day day. Try to intentionally think positive thoughts about your current writing project. If you notice lots of negative judgments, consider that attitude as potentially disabling. Fight it.

#writingcommunity #booksky #mental

Thank you, Laylaa :)

You are likely to reread a novel multiple times while you are actively writing it. You should catch typos but not get too into editing or grammar fixing. You want to try to stay in reader mode while your novel is raw. Finish the entire novel before editing.

#writingcommunity #booksky #edits

If you are months out of working on a novel, reread the entire novel before continuing to write. Try to experience the story as fresh as you can. It is a good time to fill in your glossary as you read and to make a note of plot points (on real paper) these will help you.

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If you have been several days away from writing, when you return to your document go back 5k words and simply read. This will immerse you back into the plot and let you come up to speed naturally when you reach your current end spot to continue...

#writingcommunity #booksky #rereading #immersion

Yes, it is very much an intentional decision. Most writers do very little or nothing. #writingcommunity #booksky

You can also find out who in your town is good at marketing. You can call them for a consult to help you generate a plan. Don't get 'sold' on them doing the work for you. Yes, you might be lazy or frightened to be responsible for your own novel marketing.

#writingcommunity #booksky #moneystuff

As you become educated about marketing (generally) you will see the money problem. You will see why I spend so much time talking about saving money for the future you to be able to really help your book sales and career building. This is the business of writing.

#writingcommunity #booksky #money

Typically, you want to start your marketing efforts 2 years before your launch date. These will include generating a fan base email list of at least 100 fans, putting short stories related to your novel into markets, creating name buzz and excitement for your launch.

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You can get a book on basic marketing from the library for free.

This book will chapter by chapter tell you the main ingredients to a marketing campaign. Take notes.

Follow along with the book campaign recommendations applied to books for you.

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By requesting a detailed marketing plan six months before launch you become able to organize your own marketing campaign for your novel. Marketing is all about becoming visible to your future readers. Usually by spending money for visibility access. Plan on it.

#writingcommunity #booksky #money

What your publisher doesn't spend on marketing your novel will leave a gap. You have the biggest interest in a successful novel. To your publisher, you may be a write off against top novels where they spent a lot on a large return. As a tax write-off, your career suffers.

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