May 2022
Last week we introduced the topic of press kits, a crucial tool for promoting an author and his or her book with the news media. As we said then, a press kit is a set of documents about an author and the author’s book designed to interest journalists and then help make it easier for them to interview and...
May 2022
Nothing I like more to hear from a journalist than, “Send me the press kit.” Why? you may be asking. In fact you may also be asking other questions starting with, What is a press kit? Or these: Why is it important? Do I need one?These are all questions I get from my clients, as well. They are great questions worth answering, so...
May 2022
If you are an author or aspiring Christian author, have you given any thought to how you’ll connect with Christian bookstores across the country? One good way to explore this is to attend the Christian Product Expo (CPE) and meet bookstore owners face to face.Those frontline booksellers can provide you with their invaluable perspectives as you make decisions on the...
April 2022
Guess what day it is today. Did you guess National Jellybean Day? Yep, I thought you might have figured that out. But it may be less obvious why we are talking about this (though I could take a poll and see how many other households, like mine, do still have some leftover jellybeans available for sharing. But I digress.)...
April 2022
It’s a joy to work with authors and to celebrate the wide variety of approaches and ideas they employ to tell people about their books. In this Buoyancy community, it’s important to us to support authors and encourage them to learn from each other. And, possibly let the examples of others serve as a bit of nudge when someone suggests...
March 2022
Most of the Christian journalists who interview authors have a specific show, podcast, or subject area for which they are responsible for their organization. Those shows have some parameters on the content that works for their theme or audience. Smart show hosts do a lot of planning ahead of time. Two examples and some lessons about this for today.While I was...
March 2022
In recent weeks, I’ve been working with some clients who finally have their books in hand. They are celebrating those piles of shiny new books they are selling and giving away, and are delighted to be talking to me about their press kits and availability for interviews.Fun times.But that reminded me to share this with you. Sometimes it's at about...
February 2022
Lift up your head and look around. If you are a writer, there is a wealth of resources all around to help you. And events and groups to meet with to encourage and support you. One of the resources out there we speak about here regularly is the Christian Retail Association (CRA), the trade association for Christian bookstores, as well as...
February 2022
Having a book signing any time soon? Or getting ready to start trying to book them? It might be a good time, as from where I sit, it looks like in-person events are on the upswing again. This is on my mind because I got some welcome news this week. One of my clients in Cincinnati with a new book...
January 2022
Pitched yourself to a journalist or bookstore recently? Or tried to convince your spouse, boss, kid, or friend of anything? Just a reminder today of something you already know: It’ll go better if you keep their interests in mind and present the idea accordingly. You know, a somewhat less crass version of “What’s In It for Me.”A couple of different interactions...
