Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books (Ground Rules series) [Paperback]

Dawn Josephson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Ground Rules series | Publication Date: January 12, 2004

Strategies for creating a compelling book marketing kit that draws the attention of book buyers and the media are presented in this insider's guide to successful book promotion. Laying a solid foundation for the development of all book marketing materials, this step-by-step guide includes tips for developing an author biography that makes the author irresistible, organizing an article to position the author as an expert, and getting a foot in the door with an informative catalog sheet. Addressing specific solutions for unique needs, the advice provided is appropriate for those just publishing a book as well as those interested in pumping some life back into already existing titles.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The most concise, informative book I have ever read." -- Karen Ammond, President, KBC Media Relations

"This is the resource you need to guide your book's promotion." ~ Tony Scire, author of "The Power of 2"
-- Review

"This is the resource you need to guide your book’s promotion." -- Tony Scire, author of The Power of 2

"With tips like these, any author can create outrageous results." -- Jill Lublin, best selling author of Guerrilla Publicity and Networking Magic, CEO, Promising Promotions

About the Author

Dawn Josephson is an editor, ghostwriter, idea development consultant, and public speaker. She has been an editor-in-chief for Cutting Edge Media, a national magazine publisher; a frequent contributor to The Entertainer, a Central Florida arts and entertainment magazine; an advertising copywriter for small and mid-sized businesses; and a technical writer for Computer Support Inc., a national software company. She lives in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 170 pages
• Publisher: Ground Rules Press (January 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974496618
• ISBN-13: 978-0974496610
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,837,378 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right way to do it, January 16, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books (Ground Rules series) (Paperback)

I wish everyone who sent me a book for review had read this book. "Putting It On Paper" contains all the basics of what a bookseller should and should not include in their press kits. Areas covered by the book include the media kit, the cover letter, the press release, mock interviews, author biographical information, a book sell sheet, a catalog sheet, extra sales materials, and even writing an article to achieve back door sales. The bottom line is that you may have the best book ever published but if readers don't know it exists then they will not buy it. That is where promotional pieces come in. Getting the book reviewed, getting distributors to carry it, or getting independent bookstores to sell it, no matter what your marketing direction you will need a promotional piece. The advice is thorough and detailed including sample layouts and templates. If you want your book to sell, "Putting It On Paper" is the road map to creating the right promotional pieces the first time and a recommended read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AN INVALUABLE TOOL FOR ANY WRITER'S TOOLKIT, March 2, 2005

By 

Jennifer Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books (Ground Rules series) (Paperback)

Many writers dream of the moment their book is accepted for publication. The hard work is over. All they have to do is turn over their perfectly edited manuscript to the publisher, cash their royalties checks, and wait while their publicist turns them into the next household name.

Little do they know that the marketing of a book is very often left in the lap of the writer themselves, as publishing companies don't have the time or budgets to spend launching the career of an unknown.

So what is a writer to do?

For starters, they must create a media kit. Not just any media kit, but the best, most alluring media kit out there. A media kit that will make a distributor, book seller, or editor stand up and take notice. A media kit that will stand out, propel orders, and get their book in the public's face.

PUTTING IT ON PAPER tells writers exactly how to create that media kit. Dawn Josephson, founder and president of Cameo Publications, knows her stuff when it comes to garnering public exposure. A writer with 14 published books and over 1,000 published articles, Josephson has had experience with nearly every side of the publishing industry, from being Editor-in-Chief for a national magazine publisher to being a regular contributor to a regional arts and entertainment magazine. Her experience allows her to help business leaders, writers, and professional speakers maximize their own exposure through writing.

PUTTING IT ON PAPER spares no details when describing the various tools that should accompany every author's media kit. For each component of the kit, Josephson includes lengthy explanation as to its benefit within the kit, then follows the explanation with templates and a great many real-life examples that are helpful to the point of invaluable.

With the exception of one poetry book written as post-9/11 self-help, all of Josephson's real-life examples are of pieces of media kits for nonfiction books. However, she admits, "Every book, whether it's a novel, a children's book, a memoir, or a business book, needs a press kit." (p. 17) This attention to non-fiction books only might leave writers of fiction or children's books yearning for an example they can more closely follow to suit their needs. However, enough examples are given as to give a writer of another genre a good head start in creating a media kit tailored to fit his or her work.

PUTTING IT ON PAPER is an excellent tool for any writer who might someday write and sell a book. It is an eye-opening glimpse into reality for the hopeful writer, an invaluable tool for the newly published, and a terrific reference guide for the veteran needing to spruce up an outdated media kit.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Just What I Needed!, March 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books (Ground Rules series) (Paperback)

After writing a book and then reading all the other books on how to promote it, I was stumped. I had great ideas on which outlets and reviewers to approach, but I had no idea what to send them. Do I send a book to review with a quick note? Do I send a full package of materials that's longer than the book itself? What kind of information did the media and bookstores want to see? These are all the questions I had, and this book answered each and every one. By the time I finished reading Putting It On Paper, I had every element of my press kit created, and the results are outstanding. I've already had numerous media outlets contact me as a result of my press kit, and my book just got picked up by a large distribution house. Plus, I was able to arrange for three book signings with local bookstores. I highly recommend Putting It On Paper to anyone who has published a book.