The
last program I attended on May 31
was "Platforms to Pitches: The Best
Way to Sell Authors or Books to
Agents, Publishers, the Media, and
the Consumer!" presented by Kim
Dower of
Kim-from-L.A. Literary & Media
Services.I met Kim and her colleague William Applebaum after I'd been blown away by their "Perfect Pitch" program at BEA in Chicago a few years ago. Now I always have them speak at my LA workshops; in fact I schedule around their availability.
Following are my impressionistic notes--my hand was getting tired after scribbling for 2+ hours at the producers' panels.
Kim proudly quoted a writer who'd dubbed her "the enemy of literature" because she'd had the temerity to say that a book is a product. [It is. Get over it.] She stressed that as an author, you are a PARTNER with your publisher. [I tell authors the same thing.]
The first step toward empowerment is to know about the publishing process and how the industry works. The publisher and author have the same goal: To make money and to sell books. [All this stuff should be a no-brainer, but oftentimes it's big news to writers.]
Ask your editor:
- When is the book coming out?
- When do I get in touch with publicity & marketing people?
- Is there someone assigned to
my book?
- Most important: Have you discussed hiring someone for publicity?
You have to look at nonfiction hooks to get your book into the "news" category. While writing--even if it's a novel--every time something happens having to do with the subject, put a news clipping in a folder.
You are part of the product. Kim hates the term "platform" [so do I], but we all need one. Ask yourself:
- Who am I more than a writer?
- What do I have to say?
- Do I have a personality? If not, how do I get one? [laffs]
ALWAYS BE POSITIVE, EVEN IF THEY'RE SCREWING YOU. [Big laffs at this.]
People like to work with people they like, so be nice. [This should be a huge no-brainer too, but alas not.] The publishing business is based on relationships. What else do we have? It's not for the money. [Big rueful laffs.] People in publishing are wonderful. But they're overworked and don't have enough help.
Don't take anything personally. Give the publicity department energy, not problems. Treat them like anyone you want to get along with. If you hate everyone at your publisher, tell someone else, don't tell them. That's what agents are for! [guffaws]
Closing points:
- People buy books when they
connect with you. So make
connections.
- Ask WHY before planning HOW. The heart of the "why" will get you to what you have to do
- Write up a PRACTICAL publicity wish list. Match it up with your budget.