Publicity Tip

3 Ways Fiction Authors Can Get Publicity

by Diane Eble

Traditionally, fiction authors have found it very difficult to get publicity outside of media that reviews books. That's because they've been focusing on their book, rather than the topic.

The way novelists can get publicity is to highlight their expertise on a topic related to their book in a way that will interest the media.

Here are three ways to do this.

1. Focus on the issues your novel addresses. A novelist I know wrote a fast-paced adventure story concerning, among other things, world hunger. Publicity angles could include how organizations do or do not hinder relief efforts, how corporations fit into the picture (something her novel portrayed), what one person can do to fight world hunger, etc.

2. Draw on the research you did. If you've done extensive research for your novel, that makes you an expert on that subject, even though your book is fiction.

For instance, another author wrote a novel about a young woman who was raped and faced the dilemma of should she abort, even though it went against her beliefs? The author had done a lot of research of post-traumatic stress syndrome as it relates to abortion. One of the things she discovered is that abortion affects not just the woman who chooses it, but everyone else involved: the father of the child, the woman's family, even the doctor and nurses who might be involved in the abortion. While her novel graphically portrayed how all this plays out, the publicity angle is based on her expertise as someone who not only had an abortion, but did extensive research on it.

3. Team up with an expert who deals with an issue in your book. You can interview them in a teleseminar and then contact media people about doing a similar interviews with the two of you. I heard a radio show in which the host interviewed a novelist who'd written a book about a young woman with an eating disorder, an expert on eating disorders, and some women who themselves either struggled with or had overcome this problem. There's no reason you couldn't do something similar.

Publicity offers some of the best exposure for your book, as I've said over and over again. If you're a novelist, don't overlook this outlet. Brainstorm all the issues that relate to whatever goes on in your book. Keep abreast of news and trends and think through how you can fit in. See yourself not just as a novelist, but as an expert in some area related to your novel.

When you get publicity for your expertise on this subject, of course your book will get mentioned. You can talk about how your research played into the formation of your characters, etc., but remember to keep the focus on the angle that interests the media.

Further Resources … 

T o get more training in either publicity or teleseminars, here are a few suggestions.

1. Joan Stewart. Also known as The Publicity Hound®, Joan Stewart teaches thousands of authors how to develop strong relationships with the print, broadcast and Internet media that, in turn, help them sell thousands of books. I've been on her list for years and bought some of her reports; she's a wealth of knowledge. Click here to take a look.

2. Annie Jennings PR.  Annie often gives free teleseminars on Wednesdays, and many of them are offered later as  free MP3 downloads. She especially has a lot of great stuff about how to put up a media-friendly website. You can also sign up for her free tips on publicity.

3.  Alex Mandossian teaches how to do teleseminars in his Teleseminar Secrets course. You will learn how to do all kinds of teleseminars, including Virtual Book Tours His training is amazing—and he does group coaching for hours after his actual teaching calls. Take his free electronic marketing quiz and you'll learn something just from that. Alex "overdelivers" like no one else I've encountered.