How to Promote a Book

This summer, I announced upcoming publication of my first book.

I addressed certain details of the e-book, including its title, timing and impetus, in this podcast episode. I’m preparing the collection of short stories for publication this fall. I’ve been thinking about how to promote the book, which got me thinking about how to promote books in general. In my five-part series for my nonfiction press, Autonomia, I reported on my book journalism.

Mine was a methodical approach in my early years of journalism when I sought to read important nonfiction and fiction books for the purpose of writing a review, interviewing the author and making money while gaining experience in journalism and becoming more knowledgeable. This strategy could acquaint me with book writing and publishing and afford me the opportunity to meet and interview authors in person and make arrangements through a publicist with top publishers. It was an interesting and illuminating experience from which I gained value and experience. I was able to observe firsthand that the author is shortchanged and subordinated to the publicity and publishing process. Book journalism suffers, too.

Much has changed in the publishing industry since my book journalism took root. Accordingly, I’ve adapted my thinking on what constitutes good book publicity and promotionalism. I haven’t gone to the other extreme. For instance, I do not advocate “gaming the system,“ such as soliciting good reviews of my book for the sake of having a generically favorable review. To my horror, I’ve observed authors adopting this dubious practice—including Objectivist authors, particularly one author claiming to have written “bestselling” books who explicitly told potential readers of his book to go to Amazon and write a favorable review, even if they hadn’t read the book (he was serious). This is a deceitful or dishonest practice.

These are my recommendations and this is my solicitation for promoting my book and it’s strictly on the condition that you read and enjoy it—or don’t—come what may:

• Pre-order and purchase the book

• Read the book with focus and without distraction

• Think about my book—-identify the stories’ themes—highlight, notate—think twice

• Check your premises and trust your judgment

• Write and tell me what you think in a private message, review, recommendation or endorsement in any format whether critical or favorable; I want to know your thoughts

• Feel free to accentuate the positive or criticize with fidelity to the stories’ context

• If you’re so inclined, buy books for readers you think might gain value

• Become an ambassador for my first book; talk it up at your discretion

• Post a link to buy the book on your media feeds, noting why you like the book

• Invest in the book’s promotion to disseminate stories of value

• Reach out to schedule this author to appear at your event to discuss the book

• Show respect for yourself for the sake of the new intellectual because I’m confident that when the intelligent reader of any persuasion reads this book, he will think highly of you and you will rise in esteem in his judgment; in this sense, promoting that which you value promotes your health, wellness and self-esteem

Thirty Years in the Press

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