Here are Books Forward’s top tips for authors getting starting on their book journey:
- You don’t have to be on every social media platform! Find the one that works for you, and stick to it. This will be way less overwhelming, and lead to your content being much more authentic when you actually enjoy what and where you are posting. That being said, you should have a website – even a simple one is fine – with any information that people might need.
- Utilize Canva. Canva is a graphic design platform that is used to create social media graphics, posters, presentations, and other visual content. It also has a wide array of templates that authors can utilize!
- Make a press kit with information about your book and yourself available on your website. We publish all of our authors’ press kits on our website, so you can see an example here. This is helpful for media outlets or anyone who is interested in learning about you and your book. It’s an easy document to send to anyone that has all the info they’ll need!
- Create Bookplates! Bookplates are stickers, essentially, and a simple way to give a signed copy of your book to readers. We make Bookplates for some of our authors, and there are plenty of resources out there that you can use to make your own!
- Discuss with your publisher early on what they will be handling versus what you will be responsible for. Some publishers set up advertising campaigns, and have marketing plans in place etc., but some do not. It’s okay to check in with them so that you know what your extra costs may be to promote the book.
- If you want to get an industry review for your book, you need to make sure copies are available way ahead of your book’s release so you can include any good blurbs on the final copies of the book. All industry reviews typically have a long lead time, even up to three months.
- Knowing some comparable titles for your book can be really helpful for marketing and promoting your book. It also can help you determine some authors to partner up with for giveaways, virtual events, etc.
- It is normal for interviews to happen through email nowadays, but they won’t always be that way. Sometimes they will be by phone, through a podcast, over Zoom, or in person (in person is actually fairly rare!)
- It’s okay if you don’t get great attendance at events that you have, or if you don’t get invited to festivals, etc. Especially as a new author, it takes time to build up your following! Throw yourself your own event / launch event and invite all your family and friends. They will be your first fanbase, and can really help get the word out about your book! Have fun with them and celebrate the massive accomplishment of writing a book.
