How to Build a List of Media Contacts: Using Google Effectively to Search

How to Get Top Authors to Give Endorsements for Your Book

In the months before your book is published, you should begin reaching out to fellow authors to request endorsements. Ideally, testimonials should come from authors in your field, and the more well-known the author is, the better for building credibility with potential readers. While you may think that big-name authors are untouchable, that hasn’t been […]

Elements of a Speaker One-Sheet

If you’re just getting started in professional speaking, one of the most important pieces of marketing collateral you will need is a speaker sheet. This is a simple document that can be given to those who would book you to speak at an event, and also available for download from your website. There are a […]

How to Setup a Pre-Sale Campaign for Your Print Book and Ebook

A strong book launch campaign can have many benefits: Generate word-of-mouth Rack up book reviews Get the attention of industry pros (literary agents and editors), potential clients, peers, media, and anyone else you want to impress Put some money in the bank Bring new life to backlist titles (previous books you’ve authored will usually get […]

Checklist of Items to Take to Speaking Engagements

When you’re invited to speak at an event, you are usually offered a display table where you can sell your books or display promotional materials (and if you aren’t offered one, be sure to ask!). Here is a checklist of items to bring along to ensure you’re prepared. Large rolling suitcase—This makes it easy to […]

PR Secrets to Capture Traditional and Online Media Attention

I know this might sound weird coming from a CEO of a PR agency, but PR is not rocket science. Now, don’t get me wrong, PR is just like anything in business — knowing how to do something only takes you so far and doesn’t necessarily ensure your success. Take writing a book, for example: […]

How to Write like a Historian… Without Actually Being One by Laura Suchan

“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Rudyard Kipling (1865- 1936) As part of the advanced memoir writing class I teach, one of the  assignments is for the participants to write a brief narrative linking their family history  to  historical events happening on a local, national or international scale.   […]