Edward Motketsan of Winona, Minnesota gets some super ideas for promoting his suspense thriller titled Logo. It’s about a government conspiracy. Combating terrorism, the National Security Agency sets up a surveillance network using a privately owned company to manufacture and distribute their device all over the world. The hero, Edward Davis, is a research & development engineer working at this company who happens to stumble onto the plot.
From Willetta L. Heising of Dearborn, Michigan:
“Host a lunch for as many Ed Davises (the book’s protagonist) as you can find within an hour’s drive of Winona, Minnesota. If you have a favorite restaurant in La Crosse you can draw from Wisconsin, Minnesota and maybe NE Iowa (think tri-state publicity). Send a copy of the book, along with a clever luncheon invitation (Ed Davis, you’re a HERO!), to the Ed Davises you locate with the white pages. Arrange for a group photo (everyone holding a copy of your book) which you will send to each participant (with your thanks) and their local newspapers. If you can find a TV or newspaper reporter named Ed Davis you’ll be over the top! Invite at least one reporter to the lunch.”
From L.A. Hunter of Manchester, Pennsylvania:
“On my website at Romeosplaybook I offer my guests a f~ree book mark and magnet to anyone who sends a self- addressed, stamped envelope.”
From Gail Sideman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
“Truth is often stranger than fiction and with the threat of terrorism in the news every day, tie in real life concerns with that which drew the author to write the book. How do the tactics the characters practice relate to what the Department of Homeland Security or others do?”
From Candy Tut of Woodland, California:
“Call AirAmerica. It’s the newest and possibly the only talk station on
the air in the U.S. which is not conservative-run. Discuss the potential
for a scenario exactly like the plot of the book. Tell them about your
research while writing it. Get acquainted with one or more of the DJs.
Call them back so they know you. Send them a book.”
From Gayle Trent of Bristol, Virginia:
“Try to set up a signing at a local cinema when a movie that shares the same genre as his book (such as “Open Water” or “Collateral”) is debuting. Fans of the genre will be there to see the movie, and I imagine quite a few will be thrilled to meet Edward and buy his book. I signed my parenting anthology “Laughing and Learning: Adventures in Parenting” at a local cinema during the debut of “The Cat in the Hat.” I knew lots of parents would be bringing their children to the movie. Plus, people who were there to see other movies stopped by to ask what I was doing. I signed books on Friday evening and all day Saturday, and it was very successful.”
The Publicity says: No one suggested using the amazing pulling power of amazon.com. Randy Gilbert, an expert on how to use amazon for publicity, even if you haven’t written a book, says authors, speakers, consultants and others can spread the word about what they do at Amazon and beyond, including a sneaky way to piggyback off a competitor’s success. “How to Make Amazon a River of Gold.”