In an ideal world, every publisher would hand a copy of Alison Baverstock's Marketing Your Book to every single one of their authors. It's written from the assumption that your book has been published by mainstream house: and this is its great strength. While most books on the subject are aimed at the self-published and ignore or try to discredit the techniques used by mainstream publishers, Alison Baverstock’s book shows exactly how the mainstream publishers promote their works and achieve sales figures that most self-published writers can only dream of.
This book gives clear, detailed advice on everything that writers can do to publicise their own books, and gives a lot of advice on what to avoid. Alison Baverstock has worked for years in book marketing and promotion, and it shows. If you've got a book to promote then you need to buy this one, no matter how you're published.
9 comments:
Thanks Jane, I'll look out for that one. I've read her other book, Is There A Book In You? and found it very useful.
Sandra, I've got that one, and will be reviewing another of Alison Baverstock's books when I get a chance to--it's How To Get A Job In Publishing. While it does the job it sets out to very well, it's also very useful in explaining how the different functions within publishing fit together. So it's helpful for writers, too, especially those who are new to the game.
And no, I don't know Alison: she did give a talk about marketing to my MA group once, a good few years ago, and was one of the better speakers that we had: concise, informative and funny. She definitely earned her fee!
Alison has given a couple of talks to the RNA, Jane. As you say, she knows her stuff and is informative and very approachable.
I read this book a while ago (a previous edition)and it is a brilliant book.
Highly recommended for both mainstream and self-publishing authors.
Stirling
Yes, it's an excellent book. The only thing I'd say about it and others on the subject is that it doesn't always distinguish between fiction and non-fiction (or between literary and commercial fiction), when in fact the marketing game is very different for the two.
Is There A Book In You is interesting too, because it tackles a question which most other how-to books don't. As one who had to sit down one day and decide whether to try to become a professional writer or not, I could have done with Is There A Book In You...
It might have been more useful if Alison had called it, "Is There a GOOD Book In You?" but I recognise that I'm overtired right now (it was the margaritas wot wore me out) and so that's perhaps not the most reasonable question for me to ask.
I'm very interested in this book, and will definitely grab a copy. Nothing published yet- self or otherwise, but it can't hurt to be prepared. I've got lots of stuff in the works, and will be working towards a career in writing. Thanks for the tip, I know instinctively that marketing one's own book is crucial no matter who picks it up, unless you happen to be Stephen King..or one of the heavy hitters. I doubt they do much else beyond showing up at cool events anymore. Ahhh, luckies!
Thank you for your comment, I really appreciate it. I love your blog! It is so full of wonderful information. I will add it to my list.
Linda Scarlett
Thanks Jane, I will definitely be getting a copy.
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