As an added bonus, Tamela has agreed to take any questions you may have, and answer them on the Hartline blog in a future post. Please ask them in the comments on this post, and I will forward them to her.
And now, here is Tamela...
No doubt you've gotten the memo that you can no longer write a book and sit back while the publisher sells it. Publicity people are now becoming stars at conferences as writers learn how they can work together to take a book to the top.
Much can be accomplished with blog tours. Some of my authors appear on blogs almost daily when their books are first released. This work is intense because it requires interesting answers to many questions. Some bloggers ask more provocative questions than others. The author who can make a blog engaging to generate comments and hits on the site is the author who’ll be invited back again and again, gaining more publicity.
Otherwise, writers should be prepared to go before audiences to promote their books. Sometimes navigating the media path can be tricky. Years ago when I went on television to discuss an article I’d written for a newspaper, the station offered no professional assistance with hair and makeup, and I was on my own in choosing what to wear, all in hopes I would appear pleasing on camera. My guess is that in most cases, authors are in the same boat today. Before your book tour, I recommend finding someone – and that may be the publicity person with your publisher or one you hire – make suggestions about your appearance and wardrobe. Use their experience with what works on television and onstage to let them guide you. In addition, watch the local and national news to see what works for your newscasters because what works for them will also work for you.
Also note what doesn’t work. Go for classic rather than trendy clothing. Trendy clothing is meant to draw attention to itself and define the wearer as fashion forward, but unless you have written a fashion book, this isn’t your best strategy. Classic clothing will not distract the viewer from your real message as a Christian author. If you aren't comfortable with choosing clothing, engage the assistance of a personal shopper at a good department store. The stores I know offer these services free of charge. Splurge on any alterations needed to make sure your clothing fits you. The investment will be worth your while because your appearance will be polished.
I advise women to go with a fresh, classic hairstyle and enough makeup to keep from looking washed out on stage or television. If you're unsure what looks best on you, visit a cosmetics counter at a department store to receive advice in exchange for buying a product or two. Then go out and about and get comfortable with your new look so you won’t feel self-conscious when you’re in front of your audience.
As you work to feel confident in your appearance, brush up on your speaking skills. If you didn’t have a chance to take communications courses in college as I did, you might try Toastmasters or CLASS, which meets each year before ICRS, to develop your speaking skills and to learn the components of a successful speech.
For interviews rather than speeches, I recommend rehearsing mock interviews with other writers. Throw terrible questions at each other and see how you do. Also, if you know who will be your host on any given show, listen to how the host treats guests. Be sure to keep any interviewer on the topic of your book. If you know the host is liable to be hostile, discuss this with your publicity person and get tips on how to neutralize what may be a negative interview.
As you move toward signing a book contract, these are among the steps you can take to prepare yourself for your time in the spotlight. Your publisher – and publicity person – will thank you.
Until next time,
Tamela
Tamela Hancock Murray, Agent
Hartline Literary Agency
10383 Godwin Drive
Manassas, VA 20110
www.tamelahancockmurray.com
http://hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com
Please leave questions you may have for Tamela in your comments, then visit the Hartline blog in the coming weeks for her answers.
Blessings,
Jen
