Author: Jennifer Vance

For authors, there are few things more exciting than checking your inbox and seeing an alert with your name on it. 

Google Alerts are a valuable tool that can help you keep track of when your name, book title(s), or overall brand are being mentioned online. Beyond monitoring your own name, setting alerts for your genre, book themes, or competitors, these alerts can also keep you informed on industry trends and relevant conversations.

This can be especially useful for staying up to date on new reviews being posted, as well as interviews and other media coverage. And it allows authors to engage with readers and thank them for their support — or address any concerns if needed. And of course, it helps you stay on top of potential PR opportunities!

Piracy is also incredibly rampant nowadays, and an alert system allows authors to respond proactively, whether it’s correcting misinformation or reporting unauthorized copies of their work.

How to set up Google Alerts

Honestly, this is one of the more simple things you can do on the internet, and you can even create multiple alerts!

1. Go to Google Alerts.
2. Enter your search term (we’ll have more on deciding those terms below).
3. Customize the settings using the dropdown options.
4. Click “Create Alert.” (And yes, that’s truly it!)

Tips for setting up Google Alerts

The main alerts you’ll want to set up will be for your book(s) and author brand.

• Use your book title in quotes: “Book Title”
• Use your name in quotes: “First Last”
  • If your name is common, consider adding identifiers: “John Doe science fiction”
  • Also include alternate versions of your name or common misspellings.
• Track phrases like: “Author Name interview” “Book Title review”
• You can also track your website or blog name if it’s distinct enough.

Once you’ve got your alerts set up, you can then adjust the options so you receive only the most relevant alerts.

• How often do you want alerts? This will differ for every author, depending on how many books you have out, your genre, and of course, how often you check your email. Options include:
  • As-it-happens
  • Once a day
  • Once a week
• Where do you want your sources to come from? The default is “automatic,” but you can also specify news, blogs, web, books, discussions, or videos.
• What region and language are you using? This can be especially helpful for authors looking for local media opportunities or for an author who writes about a specific area and wants to stay up to date on what’s happening there.
• Best results vs. all results: You can start with “all results” for, well, complete results. And once you see the types and amounts of results you’re receiving, you can then narrow down to best results if needed.

Like anything on the internet, nothing is usually perfect the first time out the gate. If you’re getting too much spam or find your results are irrelevant, work on refining your keywords. Or, if you’re missing mentions, set up broader searches or try new keyword variations.

A side note on operators

Operators are special characters or words you can add to your search query to refine and improve the results of Google Alerts — or any Google search — that help filter, broaden, or target specific content. But what are they and how do you use them?

1. Exact Match (” “): Finds results with the exact phrase instead of individual words scattered across a page
   1. Example: “fantasy author”
2. OR (capitalized): Finds results containing either term (helpful if you go by multiple names)
   1. Example: “Your Name” OR “Your Other Name”
3. Minus (-): Excludes results that mention a term (useful if your name is shared with a famous person)
   1. Example: “Your Name” -basketball
4. Site: Finds mention of your name only on a certain site
   1. Example: “Your Name” site:goodreads.com
5. Filetype: Useful for tracking keywords in specific file types
   1. Example: “Book Title” filetype:pdf

Keep track of competition and/or trends

If there are other authors or titles you want to keep your eye on, you can set up alerts for them as well. Fantasy authors will want to make sure they know when Rebecca Yarros or Sarah J. Maas are releasing a new book. Or consider setting up alerts for your specific genre or niche, i.e. paranormal fantasy or LGBTQ+ crime fiction.

You can even set up a specific folder in your email for Google Alerts to avoid cluttering your inbox and keep everything organized.

Seeing where your name pops up can lead to unexpected opportunities, such as guest blog invitations, podcast interviews, or even collaborations with influencers. So start setting up alerts and furthering your author brand!

Jennifer Vance

Jennifer Vance is a publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

A website contact page isn’t just a necessity for authors — it’s an opportunity. Done right, your contact page can help turn your casual readers into engaged superfans. But how do you make it easy for real readers to reach you while keeping spammers and unnecessary distractions at bay? 

Here’s everything you need to know about crafting the perfect author contact page.

Why you need a contact page

You already know it’s important to have a website, with each element in its rightful place. Your website is your digital home, a hub where readers can immediately find you. So knock, knock: Think of the contact page as the front door. If readers, media professionals, or potential collaborators want to reach you, make sure they can actually reach you — and without jumping through all the hoops. 

A well-designed contact page encourages meaningful interaction, strengthens reader relationships, and can even help grow your mailing list.

Elements of an effective contact page

Most authors want to make it easy for readers to reach them, but at the same time, you don’t want to be bombarded by spam. The key is balancing accessibility with smart spam prevention.

Your contact page should offer multiple ways for readers to reach out in the way they’re most comfortable. Here’s what you should include:

• Contact form: The easiest way for readers to reach you without exposing your email to spam bots.
  • Keep it simple: Name, email, subject, and message fields are usually enough.
  • Avoid excessive required fields (like asking for a website address).
• Your email address (optional): If you display an email address, make sure to format it as “yourname [at] email [dot] com” to reduce spammers.
• Phone number (optional): Some authors choose to include a Google Voice or even a Zoom phone number that directs to voicemail, so readers can leave messages without exposing their personal numbers.
• Mailing address (optional): Yes, snail mail is still a thing! A P.O. box or UPS box can allow readers to correspond with you the old-fashioned way without compromising your privacy.
• Social media links: Include only the platforms where you’re active so readers can reach you in real-time. If you’re not engaging on a platform, leave it out.
• Other professional contacts: If you have a publicist, literary agent, or publisher, this is a great place to list their details for business-related inquiries.

Keeping spammers out of your inbox

To protect your inbox (and your sanity) make sure to:

• Use spam filters like Akismet or built-in form protection tools.
• Enable CAPTCHA, but avoid overly difficult ones that frustrate real users
  • For instance, ask them to enter a number or something similar instead of all the boxes that contain streetlights.
• Regularly test your contact form — at least once a year if possible —to ensure it’s working properly. You might forget you got a new email address and all the sudden that form is broken and you’re no longer receiving submissions.

Make your contact page easy to find

Don’t bury your contact page. Instead:

• Place it in your main navigation menu labeled clearly as “CONTACT”
• Consider adding a short, friendly message like, “I love hearing from readers! Reach out using the form below.”
• If you’re including multiple contact options, organize them in an easy-to-scan format.

Bonus tip: Grow your email list

Your contact form is also a great way to expand your mailing list — just be transparent. If you offer an email signup option, make sure users can opt-in rather than being added automatically. (Because we’ve all been automatically added to an email list and gotten annoyed and then had to unsubscribe.)

A well-structured contact page fosters connection while protecting your time and privacy. By implementing these best practices, you make it simple for people to reach you in a meaningful way. Take a few minutes to check your contact page — because the next message you receive could be from a superfan ready to champion your work!

Looking to update your website or build one from the ground up? Contact us (on our contact page of all places) to get started!

Jennifer Vance

Jennifer Vance is a publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

Books Forward is celebrating 25 years in the book marketing biz in 2025. That means if an author has had a question about publishing a book, we’ve probably heard it! And our goal is to help guide authors along the way, no matter their publishing path. Because there’s no single correct way to market a book, and as the business changes over time, so will your strategy.

In honor of our 25 years of positioning authors for publishing success, here are 25 of the most common questions we get asked:

THE BASICS

1. How do I query a literary agent?

Indie authors can certainly attract a traditional publisher through an agent pitching their book on their behalf. Though securing an agent can be a lengthy process due to varied submission requirements and long response times, it remains the key route to traditional publishing.

2. I’m hearing a lot about AI — how will it affect me?

AI can be a valuable tool when used ethically, but you need to be able to identify it and know what to use it for. AI should never be used to write full books, and we are only just beginning to see the legal consequences play out from how AI companies are using copyrighted material.

3. What are bookplates and do I need them?

Bookplates are a great way for authors to “sign” their book for anyone. They’re small labels you affix to one of the front pages of your book. Some authors opt for more simple ones and some do more intricately designed ones that coordinate with their book’s cover. If you can’t meet someone in person to sign their book, sending a signed bookplate their way — or a few to a store stocking your book — is a great alternative.

4. Do I need to invest in bookplates and other swag?

If you don’t have the budget for something, don’t stress over trying to provide something extra to readers. But swag can definitely be a great way to help your book stand out from all the others that reviewers and media outlets receive every day. Need some inspiration? Check out some of our ideas here.

5. I need help networking with other authors, where do I start?

Networking in general can be daunting, especially when you’re asking a fellow author to blurb your book or collaborate on a project. Start by getting comfortable online: Commenting on posts by authors you admire or sliding into the DMs of someone you think would make for a great collaboration partner. Attend events when possible, and be present and engaged. Ultimately, if you are open to helping others, they’ll be open to helping you. Check out more of our networking tips here.

SOCIAL MEDIA

6. Do I have to have social media?

Short answer: No, don’t do anything you don’t want to do. Anything we’re forced to do, we won’t do well. But ultimately, social media can be a valuable tool to help you build and grow your author brand. And we get that it’s overwhelming! Deciding on the platform that’s right for you is the first decision you need to make. There are so many creative ways authors can promote themselves and their books through social media — it’s a popular resource for a reason!

7. I heard I need to be on TikTok — do I need to be?

TikTok, and video content creation in general, is so much more time intensive than other social media platforms that we only recommend signing up if you’re ready to put in the work. Learning to use the app and really engaging with it is the best way to learn how it works, but we also have some more TikTok tips here.

8. What are some things I can do to up my social media game?

Consider adding audio and video assets! Video gets so much more engagement on platforms nowadays, and there’s a variety of ways you can incorporate this type of content that doesn’t even require you talking in front of a camera.

PUBLICITY

9. Do I need a publicist?

Maybe we’re biased, but we think so! Book marketing is a full-time job, and most authors want to spend their time writing. A good publicity firm will help you decide on an actionable plan to set you and your book up for success — like deciding if you need a press release for your book — as well as help you avoid the pitfalls and scams that are so prevalent across the industry.

10. How do I get reviews?

The benefits of positive book reviews can’t be overstated, but where do you start? Beta readers are a great place to start: They’ll tell you what resonated with them and what you might need to work on, so you can anticipate what other readers will say. If you’ve already got an established readership, you can consider organizing some of those most-devoted readers into a street team. And check out our tips here on getting author endorsements, industry reviews, influencer coverage and more. And remember, with the good comes the bad: Make sure you are ready to handle any negative reviews that come your way. 

11. What kind of media coverage should I be looking for?

That will depend on each author’s goals, as well as other factors like genre, the book’s subject matter, and more. Learn about the variety of media coverage an author can gain here. And don’t underestimate the value that things like smaller bloggers or more niche media can bring when it comes to publicizing your book.

12. What makes a good pitch?

Media professionals receive hundreds — sometimes thousands — of emails per day, so how you describe your book, and ultimately cut through the noise, is incredibly important. Tailoring your message to who you’re reaching out to is a great step in book marketing, but check out our other tips for crafting a good media pitch.

13. Can I get my book in a celebrity book club?

Never say never! But we’ll be upfront: It is extremely difficult to get your book in the hands of Oprah, Jenna or Reese. Almost 100 percent of the books they pick are traditionally published by major houses, and many don’t accept pitches. But it can be valuable to stay in the know about popular celebrity book clubs and what types of books are in the zeitgeist.

14. I’ve never done an interview before. What do I need to do?

Publicizing your book does generally mean that sometimes you have to talk about your book! The key to preparing for a radio or podcast interview is just that: preparation. Do your research on the outlet you’re speaking with, as well as keep in mind talking points you want to make sure to hit. Many interviews nowadays take place over video call, so make sure you understand how video interviews work. We’ve got plenty of interview tips here for you to check out but most importantly, try and have fun! 

15. How can I get my book in front of booksellers and librarians?

Booksellers and librarians can be some of your biggest fans, handselling or recommending your book to patrons. Especially if you’re an independent author, getting your book out there can be tougher, but many bookstores and libraries love to meet with local authors! It can also be beneficial to have a pre-established relationship with your local library or store before visiting — connections are not built over a single conversation or in a single day.

16. Should I organize events around my launch date?

Gone are the days of multicity book tours paid for by publishers. Now, most authors — or their publicity teams — are helping them organize their own events. Organizing a launch event can be a great way to celebrate with your network of friends, family and readers, as well as get your work in front of a local bookstore and establish a partnership with them. Learn more about organizing launch events here.

17. How do pre-orders affect my release day sales?

Historically, pre-orders — or early purchases of your book fulfilled before publication day — have been viewed as a predictor of a book’s success by retailers. But the relationship between pre-orders and bestseller lists is far from linear. See more about which pre-orders count toward which bestseller lists, as well as tips on promoting a pre-order special here.

18. What do I do after my book launches?

Publication day is really just the start of a book’s life. Whether it’s continuing to gather media coverage, garnering more reviews, or utilizing digital advertising, there is so much more to do after pub day. Check out more of our recommendations here.

19. Should I enter my book for awards?

Awards can be a valuable asset to add to your marketing efforts. In addition to providing some critical acclaim, it helps your book stand out from the 2M+ books that are published every year. Even smaller awards help establish credibility for your work. Learn how to maximize award wins with some of our tips here.

DIGITAL MARKETING

20. What is reader newsletter advertising?

They are a great promotional book marketing tool where authors or publishers pay to feature discounted or free books, attracting readers with limited-time bargains. Costs vary based on audience size, and promotions typically require lowering ebook prices for a limited amount of time to boost sales.

21. Do I need an author website?

It’s one of the few things we really recommend every author have. Readers have to be able to find you somewhere. But it doesn’t have to be difficult! Check out our tips on elements to plan for your author website here. It’s also important to understand how to make your website SEO-friendly so that it shows up when people are searching for it.

22. Other authors talk about their email lists — should I have one?

An email list can be a valuable tool to give you direct access to your most loyal readers and personal contacts. But it can definitely be overwhelming starting from scratch, so make a list of priorities for your list and how you want to organize it and go from there.

23. What is Goodreads?

Goodreads is the largest book-logging platform available, so it’s useful to understand how it works for book marketing, which includes claiming your author page, engaging with users and reading and reviewing books. Check out more of our tips on how to get the most out of Goodreads.

24. What is NetGalley?

NetGalley is a great tool to help publishers and authors safely promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Make sure you’re getting the most out of NetGalley by checking out our tips and tricks here. And yes, NetGalley is different from Edelweiss, which you might also have heard about from your publisher. 

25. What is BookBub?

You’ve probably heard about BookBub featured deals and how they can explode an author’s ebook sales. But the platform is a good resource for both readers and authors. To learn how to maximize your presence there — and potentially nab one of those coveted featured deals — check out our tips here.

We know this only begins to scratch the surface to all the challenges you’ll face on your author journey. Whether you’re a seasoned author or setting out to publish your first title, book marketing can be daunting. If you’re looking for help, reach out to us today!

Jennifer Vance

Jennifer Vance is a publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.

Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.