Creative Book Marketing

"Tie your book to a current event..."

How many times have you read a version of this tip?

Until recently, I couldn't figure out a way to use this advice in my own marketing campaign. You see, I write mysteries - make believe murder and mayhem stories. It seems more than a little crass to consider tying my stories to the latest gruesome murder in an effort to receive free publicity. Just how would that call begin? "Good morning Mr. Producer! You know that story you ran last night on the slaughter of the much loved pastor of that little church over on main? In my recent novel, a minister finds his end in much the same way. Do you think the murderer read my book? Perhaps we can talk about it on your morning show..."

I think not.

Some mystery series have themes. The protagonist has a hobby (scrapbooking, knitting, antiquing) or a profession (catering, teaching, archeologist) that can be used to approach special interest groups. I wasn't that smart. My protagonist is a PI and her spare time hobbies seem to revolve around dating and helping out the homeless. She isn't even an expert PI. She's young, inexperienced, makes mistakes.

Early this morning I started to wonder about those National __________ Months. Who decides? Is there a list? Is there something for Hacksaw or the challenged Eva Baum?

Google to the rescue.

Did you know that 2008 is the International Year of:

• Languages
• Planet Earth
• The Potato
• Sanitation

What about the month of September? September is (partial list):

• Be kind to editors and writers month
• Library card sign-up month
• National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
• Menopause Awareness Month
• National Potato Month
• Pleasure Your Mate Month
• Healthy Aging Month
• Shameless Promotion Month
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• Hug a Texas Chef Month
  

And on the weekly list (partial list):

• Sept 8-13 Lind Dance Week
• Sept 27-Oct 4 - Banned Books Week - Celebrating the Freedom to Read
• Sept 18-21 International Women's Ecommerce Days
• Sept 21-27 Build a Better Image Week

Then there is a daily list that includes things like Be Late for Something Day, Google Commemoration Day, Salami Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day, Responsible Dog Ownership Day, Elephant Appreciation Day, and International Literacy Day.

Anyone (you) can find a tie-in to their book and use it for marketing - check it out at http://www.brownielocks.com/ or http://www.quamada.com/months.html

In case you were wondering - October is National Toilet Tank Repair month. Be ready.

Pauline Baird Jones Wins Again

Dream Realm Awards 2007 winners were announced at ArmadilloCon 30 on August 16. And in the category of Speculative Fiction Romance, the winner is...

The Key by Pauline Baird Jones!

Ms. Jones is no stranger to awards as her well-crafted stories have won many. Her latest entry, The Key, is full of suspense, action, humor, intrigue, and yes - a love story. The book is so well written and such fun to read, I can't imagine a reader who wouldn't enjoy this book. Congratulations to Dream Realm Awards judges for an excellent choice and a big thank-you to Ms. Jones for another great story.

This is the eighth annual event for Dream Realm Awards which were created "to recognize excellence in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in electronically published books." For a complete list of this year's winners, please click here.

If you are interested in meeting this award winning author, check out the release party for A Death in Texas on October 10 at Katy Budget Books in Katy, Texas.