One of the best parts of attending a conference like ThrillerFest is the opportunity to sit in on workshops and sessions where people discuss the business of writing and publishing in an open and honest manner. And then, if you hang around the bar long enough, you'll really get the scoop.
Not all of this advice is applicable to every author -- and not all of it is stuff that I necessarily agree with. But it's all worth thinking about and considering.
Communication:
- Establish a good relationship with your editor, publicist and other people at the publishing house. (This sounds obvious, but apparently a lot of people still don't do it.)
- Tell your editor what your expectations are and ask them what their expectations are. (This is also information it's essential that you relate to your agent.) Make sure that all of you are on the same page.
Internet:
- Have a dynamic website.
- Have a blog. (I'm dubious about this one, largely because of the time involved versus the payoff, but some people swear by it.)
- Use MySpace and other social networking sites. (I have similar hesitations about this one.)
- Web advertising is relatively cheap and can be very effective. Consider using a service like AuthorBuzz.com.
Reviews:
- Know who the reviewers are. Know which outlets review books like yours.
- Get to know the reviewers on a personal basis.
- Make sure those people get a copy of your book in a timely fashion.
Networking:
- Get to know other writers -- they can give you advice, contacts and blurbs.
- Get to know reviewers, magazine writers, their editors and other assorted media people.
- (For example: at ThrillerFest, there were two producers from the Glen Beck Show talking to people.)
- Conferences (whether ThrillerFest, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Love Is Murder, Romantic Times or whatever) are a great way to do this.
Promotion:
- Play to your strengths; if you're not good at something, don't do it. You'll probably just end up hurting yourself.
- A big tour might not be feasible (or affordable), especially for a newer author. But you can visit booksellers in your town and those close to your town. If you've got friends or family who'll put you up, maybe you can venture further out as well.
- Consider writing a short story for an anthology. (For example, ITW is currently putting together two of them, both of which will be very high profile.)
- Consider writing by-lined articles or book reviews.
- Most importantly: get your name out there however you can.
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