Customer Reviews

From Book to Bestseller; An Insider's Guide to Publicizing and Marketing Your Book!

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I admit, most of the contents of _From Book to Bestseller_ were not new to me because I've already read other books on marketing for self-publishers, which contained much of the same advice. I found this book to be rather breezy and fluffy in comparison. I also admit that I'm an editor as well as an author, and this book is in need of editorial work. To get my pet peeves out of the way, it's time for the copyeditor and layout artist to discover:

* Curved quotation marks
* That reviewers will not respect a publisher who calls an ARC an " advanced" reading copy (it should be "advance")
* A better use of white space in the layout--especially, using less of it
* And, that certain tips don't have to be repeated in multiple chapters, because this is a book, not a series of independently published reports

Having gotten all that off my chest: _From Book to Bestseller_ consists of a series of very short, bite-sized chapters, like little reports. Its real strength is its advice on radio and TV appearances, rather than on some other and often very successful marketing methods. There is little information on mailings to consumers, bookstores, and libraries; on the mechanics of writing catalog copy, ad copy, and press releases; or on the use of wholesalers and distributors.

This book makes little attempt to discuss the comparative values of different marketing methods, or on how to analyze whether a given method is working for your particular book. Because an infinite amount of time and money can be spent on marketing, but much of it will not bring results for a given book, this is a significant weakness. _From Book to Bestseller_ sometimes implies that just "getting exposure" automatically sells books. That is not in fact the case.

For example, there is an upbeat chapter on starting a syndicated column. A syndicated column can be a useful revenue stream for a professional journalist. But since it takes substantial time and effort to not only get syndication, but to write column after column after column, it's an exceedingly time-consuming way to just publicize a book. An author can hardly mention his or her book in every column. It is much easier, and just as effective, to do a one-time press release mailing to journalists already writing columns.

I would recommend _From Book to Bestseller_ only to authors and self-publishers who want to market their books primarily through TV, radio, and personal appearances--and who have already done research to determine whether these very time-consuming methods are likely to market their particular book well.

From Book to Bestseller is the full meal, from appetizer to dessert, on the art of marketing a book. Penny Sansevieri has written the definitive guide to the process of self promotion. If she does not cover it, you don't need to know it.

With so many books being published every day (statistic used in the book is 195,000 a year) it is up to the author to find a way to make his book standout from the rest. It is especially true for authors that so not have paid media specialists working for them. This resource guide gives both debut and experienced authors the tools and information to be able to get the word out about their books. The lay out of the book is conducive to easily accessing and processing the information. Large type lets the reader focus on understanding the suggestions, well thought out, complete chapters and sections form a logical progression through all the different stages of promotion. It is extremely thorough in addressing the many facets of book marketing from creating a successful media and press kits, It includes the addresses and contact names for many for radio stations, associated press, reviewers, and tv (even Oprah). Web addresses that cover a wide assortment of needs are also listed throughout the book and under Helpful Web Sites.

Her hints include such interesting information as the best time of year to pitch an idea, the best time of the week to have your book arrive at the reviewer's office and why mass emails are not a good idea. it is the strength of the book that it does cover such ideas that most authors will not have considered. It is truly specialized knowledge. For the simple cost of a book authors receive in depth information they can only get from a professional in the business of marketing and self promotion. Not a bad deal at all.

Although this book was written with authors as the target audience it could also be helpful for anyone beginning to market a new product or or even a new business. Sansevieri has an insiders knowledge about the business of promotion that can be translated into PR for authors or entrepreneurs.

(It is ironic that, with all her expertise, Ms Sanseviei would get her book to a review site she does not include in her book. Oh well- we can assume she will rectify that and add Front Street Reviews in future editions.)

From Book to Bestseller, written by book publicist and media relations specialist Penny Sansevieri, is an amalgam of useful information and a must-buy for authors who are serious about marketing and promoting their books practically and efficiently.

In her friendly, engaging, yet no-nonsense writing style, Sansevieri shares the secrets of successful book marketing based on her own personal experience as the author of an Amazon bestseller, as well as her experience working with other authors and the media, including her work as instructor for the popular "Get Published Today!" workshops.

Everything from how to handle book signings and pitch to the media, preparing media kits, creating a marketing campaign, getting into catalogs and book clubs, developing spin-off products, branding yourself as an expert can be found between these pages, and more. Sansevieri includes lots of links and resources, making it easy for the author to begin marketing a book right away.

The book is well structured, clear, and easy to navigate. Besides its practicality, it is written in a very `personal' style, giving the reader the feeling that she is chatting with a publicist. So have your highlighter and Post-its ready, as this is a book to be dissected and kept on the desk at all times. Highly recommended.

I found "From Book to Bestseller" to be extremely informative. I gleaned many useful tips to use in marketing my own book "The Death of Mammography," such as the idea of postcards in marketing, which I am currently utilizing. The chapter on media is very helpful, especially timing your pitch. I also made use of the plentiful names and addresses of press and television contacts. Overall, an excellent book for those authors (like me) who are publishing with a small press and want to get more involved in marketing their books successfully.

As a POD author I don't have the funds to hire a professional publicist and have been dreading the idea of promoting my own book with little or no assistance. Penny's book is like a how to manual on the first steps to publicizing a book. It contains things that a new writer (particularly a fiction writer) would never have thought were even available. There are other books out there that will perhaps describe in more detail one or a few of the areas covered in this book (in fact Penny even states up front that this book should be used more as a guide than absolute Bible), however Penny covers it all from a self-published author's perspective, after all, she's one herself! And not many experts in this area can say they understand that side of it. I highly recommend it and I am excited to get started on my own promotional campaign using Penny's advice.

David Tucholski
Author of The Good I Stand On
www.thegoodistandon.com

'From B2B' is an amazing guide. Lots of times, people take some experience or knowledge and pour that plus their heart and soul into the book.

In this case, author Penny Sansevieri, has done all that and MORE, much more. Her personality, wisdom, insight and know-how shimmer in this terrific how-to. She's an expert in this field and this book shows all, tells all.

Read Every page and you WILL take Your Book from Book TO BESTSELLER.

This book is a "Must Read" in this category.

Eric Gelb
Copywriter, Book Marketing Expert & Editor,
PublishingGold.com
www.PublishingGold.com

This was an excellent book filled with valuable information for anyone publishing and promoting their book. The best I have found anywhere.

C.Bruce Wells
Author of "What Middle-Aged Men Want From Women"

I recently wrote and self-published my first book, TO KNOW ME IS TO LOVE ME. The ideas and information I gained from Penny's book, FROM BOOK TO BESTSELLER were outstanding. I pre-sold 1,000 copies without even trying! When valuable information is offered, results like mine are not that uncommon.
Thanks Penny for writing FROM BOOK TO BESTSELLER!!

"From Book to Bookseller" is packed from one end of this book to the other with instantly useful, approachable, and do-able information for authors at all points on their promotional journey. The writing style of this book is very inviting without sacrificing a single bit of terrific content.

[...]

Penny Sansevieri is a successful writer for a good reason: not only does she possess the ability to communicate in a very logical and straight forward way, she has the ability to lock on to our attention and hold us there until she completes her spiel! That fact alone should make everyone who is in the writing business pay attention to this very fine resource book.

Sansevieri begins with the assumption that the reader has completed a book and is ready for the world to know about it. Yes, she is a marketing expert (one of the best) but she is more than that: she is a mentor who knows the vulnerabilities and insecurities of writers and better yet, she knows how to deal with them. In a very orderly manner she offers sound advice on how and when and at what pace to present books to the media, to book clubs, to reading groups, to the people who create the all important 'buzz' about the new book, to potential reviewers and blog writers, and how to land readings in bookstores and the etiquette and management of those readings as sales opportunities.

Scattered throughout this invaluable book are names, addresses, and rules for contacting all manner of people and resources that will save the new authors without agents hours of time and frustration. She has innumerable gimmicks for publicity (postcards and bookmarks with an image of the book's cover, audience-directed PR lines, etc) and she freely gives of her experience and advice as to what works and what doesn't and where to place the emphasis on the longterm marketing of the author's product.

This is not just a yellow pages for authors - far from it. This excellent book is one to keep stuffed in your book bag to remind you at every encounter in the panoply of promotional experiences just how to psych and prepare yourself for the myriad opportunities to have a great time selling your book. Addendum: Penny Sansevieri has sent out to Reviewers (a technique she wisely explains within her book) a promo packet that is one of the best to arrive in this reader's mailbox - colorful, succinct, backup materials, and a warm letter from the author thanking the potential reviewer for taking the time to consider her proposal. THAT makes for a terrific date with Penny! Grady Harp, November 06