Marketing A Novel

(What is outside my window: Snow has glazed the limbs of the trees and is softly falling.)

Friday I received an email from Peggy, Abingdon's long-time publicist. She gave me a glimpse into the marketing of my novel Surrender the Wind. I am sharing this with my blog readers, because there are misconceptions among many writers that publishers do nothing to promote their authors' books. Granted, this may not be the model that every publisher uses. But Abingdon is launching a new line of fiction. I like the word 'launch'. It implies the news about these novels will be set in motion, and thrust into the book industry with zeal.


So here is what I know so far. First, Peggy sent me a spread sheet with a list of bookstores in my area, from Frederick, Maryland, to Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. Since I know the area better than the staff at Abingdon in Nashville, I was asked to go through the list and see what stores would be appropriate for a signing. I begin that today.


In January, Christian Retailing Magazine announced that Abingdon Press is launching its first list of novels in the fall of 2009. In February, Publishers Weekly will also publish an announcement about the launch.


In April, Abingdon will print and mail their Fall 2009 Fiction catalog to more than 8000 reseller accounts. So, if you own a bookstore, or work at a library, you could acquire a catalog. Abingdon will print several thousand copies of 'fiction samplers' for distribution at events and for reading groups. If you have a reading group, contact Abingdon in April for a 'fiction sampler' of their fiction line, particularly for Surrender the Wind.


Organizations, reviewers, and key influencers will recieve the samplers, ARCs (advanced reader copies, and electronic samplers. Abingdon is rebuilding their website to include a fiction mini-portal with an e-newsletter, author event calendar, author interviews, and support for reading groups. Once the site is up and running, I'll post the link here.


There is a lot to do on my end, even though Surrender the Wind will not be available until August. I'll be sending announcements and making contacts with my library system, local bookstores, and reading groups.


I want to encourage aspiring writers to learn all you can about the business side of writing. Embrace it with joy, that it is a part of your career.


As an aspiring author, what things are you doing now to promote your name? What kinds of things are you doing to build a platform?