Author: 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 in our fav Abbott Elementary characters’ TBR stacks

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

Class is in session, and your homework? Watch Abbott Elementary.

The new ABC sitcom created by the funny and talented Quinta Brunson is the mockumentary-style comedy we needed. It’s absolutely one of the best sitcoms right now, and with stars like, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, it’s easy to see why.

And reading is fundamental to a great education, so what kind of books would make up these teachers’ TBR stacks?

JANINE

Janine is sweet and a little naive but overall is the epitome of what a teacher should be: Caring, almost to a fault, and ready to do whatever it takes to motivate and educate the young students in her second-grade class. We know she definitely has a TBR stack that’s as inspirational and excitable as she is.

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman

The poetry collection by the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

This is an electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing. It’s a whip-smart and dynamic thriller with sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Eighteen-year-old Daunis has never quite fit in. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold. The only bright spot is Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother’s hockey team. But as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses he’s hiding something. And everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.

GREG

Oh, Greg. Even though you eat plain boiled chicken and have a hard time opening up not just to your students but to your colleagues, we can’t help but love you and your awkward glances to camera. Greg is a surprise in himself, and the books on his TBR might surprise you as well.

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

This book is a gloriously entertaining novel of heists, shakedowns, and rip-offs set in the 1960s. It’s a family saga masquerading as a crime novel, a hilarious morality play, a social novel about race and power, and ultimately a love letter to Harlem.

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Drawing on her life as an indigenous scientist, and as a woman, Kimmerer shows how other living beings offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learn to give our own gifts in return.

Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour

This book is a hilarious, razor-sharp skewering of America’s workforce, a crackling, satirical debut novel about a young man given a shot at stardom as the lone Black salesman at a mysterious, cult-like, and wildly successful startup where nothing is as it seems.

AVA

You either love her or you hate her — and you can trust that she does not care either way. You can count on the fabulously funny principal of Abbott Elementary being up to date with the hottest books of the moment and ready to drop whatever it is she’s doing to talk about them.

Miss Me With That by Rachel Lindsay

Rachel Lindsay rose to prominence as The Bachelor’s first Black Bachelorette and has since become one of the franchise’s most well-known figures — and outspoken critics. But there has always been more to Lindsay than meets the eye, and in this book, she finally tells her own story, in her own words.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Soulful and uproarious, forceful and tender, this book is both an intimate memoir and a galvanizing wake-up call. It is the story of how one woman learned that a responsible mother is not one who slowly dies for her children, but one who shows them how to fully live.

Luster by Raven Leilani

Irresistibly unruly and strikingly beautiful, razor-sharp and slyly comic, sexually charged and utterly absorbing, the book is a portrait of a young woman trying to make sense of her life — her hunger, her anger — in a tumultuous era. It’s also a haunting, aching description of how hard it is to believe in your own talent, and the unexpected influences that bring us into ourselves along the way.

BARBARA

Can we go back to kindergarten and have Barbara be our teacher? (Okay, but really.) This education veteran knows how to dish out tough love but never doubt that she would drop whatever she’s doing to help those she cares for. From faith to fiction, we think Barbara would gravitate toward books that really make you think — and we would happily listen to all her thoughts on them in the break room.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

A stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white. Bennett offers an engrossing page-turner about family and relationships that is immersive and provocative, compassionate and wise.

Uncommon Ground by Timothy Keller and John Inazu

These two authors bring together a thrilling range of artists, thinkers, and leaders to provide a guide to faithful living in a pluralistic, fractured world. Providing varied and enlightening approaches to reaching faithfully across deep and often painful differences, this book shows us how to live with confidence, joy, and hope in a complex and fragmented age.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

This novel follows the parallel paths of these sisters and their descendants through eight generations: from the Gold Coast to the plantations of Mississippi, from the American Civil War to Jazz Age Harlem. The book illuminates slavery’s troubled legacy both for those who were taken and those who stayed — and shows how the memory of captivity has been inscribed on the soul of our nation.

MELISSA

From food to family to telling Janine like it, Melissa is down to earth and refreshingly honest. She talks tough, but we know she’s got a heart of gold and is ready to fight — figuratively and literally — for what she believes in. Like her, there’s definitely more to her TBR than meets the eye.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

With humor and heart, Zauner tells of growing up one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Eugene, Oregon; of struggling with her mother’s particular, high expectations of her; of a painful adolescence; of treasured months spent in her grandmother’s tiny apartment in Seoul, where she and her mother would bond, late at night, over heaping plates of food.

Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby

Irby is forty, and increasingly uncomfortable in her own skin despite what Inspirational Instagram Infographics have promised her. The essays in this collection draw on the raw, hilarious particulars of her new life, and this book is Irby at her most unflinching, riotous, and relatable.

Five Families by Selwyn Raab

This is a vivid story of the rise and fall of New York’s premier dons, from Lucky Luciano to Paul Castellano to John Gotti and others. This definitive history brings the reader right up to the possible resurgence of the Mafia as the FBI and local law-enforcement agencies turn their attention to homeland security and away from organized crime.

JACOB

As nerdy and awkward as he can be (and as bad as he is at roasting) we’re glad the students at Abbott have Jacob as a teacher. Even though he tries a little too hard to be woke, we know his heart’s in the right place. And the books he’s picking up would go perfectly on any millennial’s shelf.

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen

A tour de force of interwoven perspectives and sustained suspense, its action largely unfolding on a single winter day, this is the story of a Midwestern family at a pivotal moment of moral crisis. Franzen’s gift for melding the small picture and the big picture has never been more dazzlingly evident.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

The Guncle is a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer. It’s a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

A singular and stunning debut, this novel is about the forbidden union between two enslaved young men on a Deep South plantation, the refuge they find in each other, and a betrayal that threatens their existence.

Why is developing an author brand important? PLUS tips to help you develop your brand now

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

You probably hear it all the time: What’s your brand? Are you developing your brand? How are you cultivating your brand?

The word “brand” can feel so highfalutin, it’s easy to tune out with the rest of those buzz words we hear so often. But essentially, it’s just your reputation as an author. Think about it as what readers are saying about you on message boards and comment threads — all those times and places they think we aren’t looking.

“This author teaches me about periods in history I never thought about…”
“They inspired me to read a different genre…”
“I love them because their characters are based on Sesame Street puppets…”

You get the gist. Your personal author brand is a set of standards and practices that readers can come to expect from you. If you’re a fact-driven true crime writer with a deep knowledge of musical theater, embrace it. If you write romances that incorporate your volunteer work at animal shelters, use that to build your brand.

Anyone can write, but being an author means you’ve gone the extra step to publish your hard work to reach a certain audience. Why should a reader pick up your book instead of one by another author?

Discover your why and then put that knowledge and effort into the how.

Know your message

And it can’t be, “I want to sell books.” If you spent all this time writing a book, you’ve invested a part of yourself into the endeavor and you should be aspiring for more than just sales.

Maybe you’re a middle grade author looking to inspire children to read more nonfiction. Or maybe you’re a thriller author looking to highlight injustices in the justice system.

Whatever your message is, make it clear. And make it count.

Know your audience

Your book, your message, your brand — it’s not going to be for everyone, and it’s unrealistic to expect that everyone is going to hop on board. Every reader has their own individual tastes. And while many readers’ interests span multiple genres, you can only focus on the readers who you know will get behind your message.

Building your audience definitely takes time. Once you have a grasp on that audience, consider building a street team to further your efforts to reach similar readers and promote your work.

Be consistent

Your author bio, headshot, social media handles, etc. should be the same — or close to the same — no matter where someone is reading about you. The last thing you want is to gain a new fan and then they have a hard time finding you.

And speaking on that author photo: We know, we know, it’s a pain to have done, but getting a professional headshot really is important. First impressions really are everything — check out our post on why it’s important to take a great author headshot.

Get creative

Whether it’s your website or social media or swag you mail out with books, remember to carry that consistency with you — but don’t be afraid to get creative!

You don’t have to be a Photoshop or Illustrator whiz to create on-theme graphics. Sites like Canva and Adobe SparkPress are user-friendly and have a variety of templates you can use and adjust to fit your brand.

Decide on 4-5 colors that resonate with you (if your books have a color theme, even better, you can borrow from that). If you rock monochromatic looks in your personal style, incorporate that into the graphics you share on social media. Or if you’re partial to pastels, make that the theme of your email newsletter.

Also select 2-3 fonts you can consistently use across all social media platforms, your website, etc. Play around with weight and size within those font families, but generally try and stick to a maximum of 3 fonts.

There are millions of authors out there — focus your attention into cultivating an aesthetic that sets you apart from all of them.

Continue evolving

Think about it: Coca-Cola isn’t using the same logo it used 50 years ago, so it makes sense that as you grow and develop as an author, so will your brand. It’s okay to change, and change is necessary. You might discover down the line that your message or audience have changed, and your brand should ultimately reflect that. You’re never truly done when it comes to solidifying your author brand.

Ask around

Crowdsource your friends, family, colleagues, strangers at the supermarket, etc. to figure out what works. If your own family and friends can’t make sense of your brand, you can assume strangers of the internet will have an even harder time. Run potential blogs by people to see if they make sense to post. If you’re questioning how a social media post looks, ask someone you trust to take a look. Just like you would trust a writers’ group or a publicist, use your personal network to affirm that your efforts to solidify your brand are cohesive.

Ask for help

We get it; writing is it’s own full-time job. And we know many authors are doing much more than writing. It’s okay to ask for help, and if you have the budget and resources available, allocate out some of that responsibility. If you hate dealing with social media, hire someone who can plan and create graphics for you. If you don’t know how to run your email newsletter, find someone who can teach you or take on that responsibility.

Put in the effort

The more time you spend engaging with your audience and truly getting to know them, the more you’ll receive from them in return. It’s easy to schedule social media posts or write a blog every now and then, but to truly connect with readers, you have to care. Listen to your readers and respect their opinions. You may even find that you’ll learn something from them that will help you develop your brand.

Be authentic

Believe us: Readers can tell when it’s fake. When you’re thanking them for reading and reviewing, make it sincere. If you love a photo they took of the book, let them know.

Bachelorette Nation: Here are 15 romance books we’d give our roses to

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance






It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Nope, not Christmas or Thanksgiving — a new season of The Bachelorette is upon us! I am so ready to dive deep into Michelle Young’s journey for love, and it’s also the perfect excuse to break out some swoon-worthy romance books. Want to find the perfect read worthy of your rose? We’ve got you covered!

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

With a shiny new design degree but no job in sight, Cindy moves back in with her stepmother, the executive producer of the world’s biggest dating reality show. When a contestant on Before Midnight bows out at the last minute, Cindy is thrust into the spotlight. But being the first and only plus-size contestant on Before Midnight turns her into a viral sensation — and a body-positivity icon — overnight. To make it to the end, despite the fans, the haters, and a house full of fellow contestants she’s not sure she can trust, Cindy will have to take a leap of faith and hope her heels — and her heart — don’t break in the process.

The Charm Offensive by Allison Cochrun

Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert

Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. When her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding, her parents draw the line. It’s time for Eve to grow up and prove herself — even though she’s not entirely sure how. Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car — supposedly by accident. Yeah, right. Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore… and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers — and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze.But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television? Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets a call from Main Squeeze, who wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition: Under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men — and herself — for a chance to live happily ever after.

Beard Science by Penny Reid

Make a deal with the devil and you might get what you want, but will it be what you need? Jennifer Sylvester wants one thing, and that one thing is NOT to be Tennessee’s reigning Banana Cake Queen. Ever the perpetual good girl and obedient daughter, Jennifer is buckling under the weight of her social media celebrity, her mother’s ambitions, and her father’s puritanical mandates. Jennifer is officially desperate. And desperate times call for Cletus Winston. Cletus Winston is a puzzle wrapped in a mystery covered in conundrum sauce, and now he’s in a pickle. Despite being convinced of his own omniscience, extortion by the exalted Banana Cake Queen of Green Valley has taken him completely by surprise. So… what’s a maniacal mastermind to do? Likely, the last thing you expect.

A World Between by Emily Hashimoto

In 2004, college students Eleanor Suzuki and Leena Shah meet in an elevator. Both girls are on the brink of adulthood, each full of possibility and big ideas, and they fall into a whirlwind romance. Years later, Eleanor and Leena collide on the streets of San Francisco. Although grown and changed and each separately partnered, the two find themselves, once again, irresistibly pulled back together. Narrated in sparkling prose, A World Between follows two strikingly different but interconnected women as they navigate family, female friendship, and their own fraught history.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

Millie Morris has always been one of the guys. A UC Santa Barbara professor, she’s a female-serial-killer expert who’s quick with a deflection joke and terrible at getting personal. And she, just like her four best guy friends and fellow professors, is perma-single. So when a routine university function turns into a black tie gala, Mille and her circle make a pact that they’ll join an online dating service to find plus-ones for the event. While the guys are inundated with quality matches and potential dates, Millie’s first profile attempt garners nothing but dick pics and creepers. Enter “Catherine” — Millie’s fictional profile persona. Soon “Catherine” and Millie’s best friend Reid strike up a digital pen-pal-ship…but Millie can’t resist temptation in real life, either. Soon, she’ll have to face her worst fear — intimacy — or risk losing her best friend, forever.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast. They’re polar opposites.The only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

When violinist Anna Sun accidentally achieves career success with a viral YouTube video, she finds herself incapacitated and burned out from her attempts to replicate that moment. And when her longtime boyfriend announces he wants an open relationship before making a final commitment, a hurt and angry Anna decides that if he wants an open relationship, then she does, too. That’s where tattooed, motorcycle-riding Quan Diep comes in. But being with Quan is more than sex — he accepts Anna on an unconditional level that she herself has just started to understand. However, when tragedy strikes Anna’s family she takes on a role that she is ill-suited for, until the burden of expectations threatens to destroy her. Anna and Quan have to fight for their chance at love, but to do that, they also have to fight for themselves.

The Dating Playbook by Farah Rochon

When it comes to personal training, Taylor Powell kicks serious butt. Unfortunately, her bills are piling up, rent is due, and the money situation is dire. Taylor needs more than the support of her new best friends, Samiah and London. She needs a miracle. And Jamar Dixon might just be it. The oh-so-fine former footballer wants back into the NFL, and he wants Taylor to train him. There’s just one catch — no one can know what they’re doing. But when they’re accidentally outed as a couple, Taylor’s game plan is turned completely upside down. Is Jamar just playing to win . . . or is he playing for keeps?

The Roommate by Rosie Danan

Clara Wheaton is the consummate socialite: over-achieving, well-mannered, predictable. But when Clara’s childhood crush invites her to move cross-country, the offer is too tempting to resist. Unfortunately, it’s also too good to be true. After a bait-and-switch, Clara finds herself sharing a lease with a charming stranger. Josh might be a bit too perceptive for comfort, but there’s a good chance he and Clara could have survived sharing a summer sublet if she hadn’t looked him up on the Internet…His professional prowess inspires her to take tackling the stigma against female desire into her own hands. They may not agree on much, but Josh and Clara both believe women deserve better sex. What they decide to do about it will change both of their lives, and if they’re lucky, they’ll help everyone else get lucky too.

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

After a messy public breakup, soap opera darling Jasmine Lin Rodriguez finds her face splashed across the tabloids. When she returns to her hometown of NY to film the starring role in a bilingual rom-com, Jasmine figures her new “Leading Lady Plan” should be easy enough to follow — until a casting shake-up pairs her with telenovela hunk Ashton Suárez. After his last telenovela character was killed off, Ashton is worried his career is dead as well. With their careers on the line, Jasmine and Ashton agree to rehearse in private. But rehearsal leads to kissing, and kissing leads to a behind-the-scenes romance worthy of a soap opera. While their on-screen performance improves, the media spotlight on Jasmine soon threatens to destroy her new image and expose Ashton’s most closely guarded secret.

Recommended for You by Laura Silverman

Shoshanna Greenberg loves working at Once Upon, her favorite local bookstore. And with her moms fighting at home and her beloved car teetering on the brink of death, the store has become a welcome escape. When her boss announces a holiday bonus to the person who sells the most books, Shoshanna sees an opportunity to at least fix her car, if none of her other problems. The only person standing in her way? New hire Jake Kaplan. Jake is an affront to everything Shoshanna stands for. He doesn’t even read! But somehow his sales start to rival hers. As the competition intensifies, Jake and Shoshanna grow closer and realize they might be more on the same page than either expects…

The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa

A wedding planner left at the altar? Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on Carolina Santos, either. But despite that embarrassing blip from her past, Lina’s offered an opportunity that could change her life. There’s just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best (make that worst) man from her own failed nuptials. Marketing expert Max Hartley is determined to make his mark with a coveted hotel client looking to expand its brand. Then he learns he’ll be working with his brother’s whip-smart, stunning ex-fiance. Max has been public enemy number one ever since he encouraged his brother to jilt the bride, and Lina’s ready to dish out a little payback of her own. Soon Lina and Max discover animosity may not be the only emotion creating sparks between them. Still, this star-crossed couple can never be more than temporary playmates because Lina isn’t interested in falling in love and Max refuses to play runner-up to his brother ever again…

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When her stepfather decides enough is enough, he cuts her off, sending Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington. Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. She’s determined to show her stepfather — and the hot, grumpy local — that she’s more than a pretty face. Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The two are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. And as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan — and this town full of memories — may have already caught her heart.

street team

What is a street team and how should I use it?

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

As an author, have you ever thought about just how great it would be if you had a network of friends you knew would be dedicated to helping you promote your book? Sound like a fantasy?

Enter the street team.

A street team is a group of readers that help you promote your book, usually the most loyal fans of your previous books, or books in similar genres.

The relationship built between author and team members is beneficial for both parties. Team members will have access to their favorite author (you!) as well as other exclusive content. And as an author, you’ll have a team dedicated to promoting your upcoming book by posting and talking about it to their network of followers and friends — building up buzz ahead of your book’s launch!

How to recruit team members

The first step after deciding to compose a street team is, of course, recruiting members. If this is your first time getting a team together, try and shoot for between 20-50 members initially. More is great! But keep in mind you’ll have to keep track of if everyone is doing their part and promoting on their end. Exclusivity also helps make everyone on the team feel more special as well. A fun way to cement that exclusivity: Consider coming up with a creative team name!

And remember, team members need to be active online. There will be opportunities to promote your book in person — like talking with a bookseller or book club — but word-of-mouth will be most effective online and on social media.

Where to find members

  • Reach out to friends and family who would be a good fit
  • Check in with any beta readers you may already have
  • Go through previous relationships with book bloggers and people who have previously reviewed your book
  • If you’re promoting the next book in a series or a book similar to a previous work, reach out to people who have positively reviewed your book on Goodreads, NetGalley, Edelweiss, etc.
  • Announce in your mailing list, newsletter or on social media that you’re looking for team members

Have people fill out a Google Form so you can go through and pick who would be best for the team, or create a form/page on your website where they can enter info. Ask them things like what social media accounts they have, other books they’ve read in your book’s genre, any specific ideas for how they’d like to see your book promoted, etc. Consider keeping a tab on your website where people can request to join and you can consider building up your team for future books.

How to communicate with your team

So how do you keep track of communication with members once you’ve assembled your team? You’ll need to have an online space where all members can have access. Consider creating a private page on your website that only team members can access with a password. Or an easy option: Create a private Facebook page with just you and members — just make sure everyone in your team has a Facebook account!

Wherever you decide to keep team communication, you should make it a goal to post here regularly as well (we know, basically another social media platform!!). But interaction is important: It helps team members get to know you and vice versa. And it builds a great relationship with your team for future releases.

Notes on communication

  • Try and keep content focused around you and your book. After all, the goal of your street team is to promote your work!
  • Organize things like author interviews/takeovers with other authors to cross-promote and provide new content for your team members.
  • Make sure your team has access to any kind of promotional materials, both digital and physical. This could be bookmarks they can pass out to friends or flyers, stickers, buttons, etc. that they can drop off at local bookstores and libraries.
  • And again, exclusivity is important! When making announcements, make sure team members are one of the first — if not the first — group you reach out to and alert of something new. For instance, if you’re planning a cover reveal, your team should be able to see the cover before the general public.
  • You can also consider hosting a special launch event/party with just team members to celebrate all their hard work leading up to your book’s launch!

How to incentivize team members

It’s important to keep your team active and engaged during the book promotion process. The easiest way to do that is to create a challenge system where members must complete a task to receive a special reward, i.e.: After they post about the book on all their social media accounts, they’ll get a sneak peek of a future book excerpt. For bigger challenges/rewards, you can have drawings for prizes, i.e.: If someone gets a book club to read your book, they can be entered for a video chat session with you.

Potential rewards for your system

  • First access to any advance reader copies
  • Early access to extra written content like short stories, prequels,
  • Signed copies of books
  • If they aren’t already, consider allowing them to be beta readers for future novels
  • Sneak peeks at cover and title reveals, excerpts from future books etc.
  • Early and/or exclusive access to content on your author website or blog
  • Bonus book-related content like printable artworks, maps, bookmarks etc.
  • A video chat session with you (or potentially with an author friend as well if you’re working on cross-promoting!)
  • Promotion of your team members’ blogs and social media accounts on your own channels
  • A shoutout in the acknowledgements section of subsequent books

Potential challenges for members

  • Have them leave reviews of your book(s) on Amazon, Goodreads, Bookbub, other bookseller sites, their own personal blogs, etc.
  • Posting Instagram photos (if you don’t already have a hashtag around your book/series, now would be a good time to think of one!)
  • If they have a blog, hosting you for an interview or guest post.
  • Sharing others’ reviews and social media posts about you and your books
  • Sharing your blog posts and reposting posts from your social media accounts
  • Posting shoutouts of you and your book on their own social media channels
  • Talking about and recommending your book(s) to their family members, friends, etc.
  • Requesting your book(s) at their local libraries and suggesting them to any book clubs

There’s no set limit on how often you dish out challenges and rewards, but weekly challenges are a good goal to shoot for. You want challenges to be often enough to keep members active and engaged, but you don’t want to give them too many challenges that they are overwhelmed. Being a team member should be fun — not a chore!

Organize your system in the beginning of your book promotion period so that as the weeks go on, all you have to do is keep track of if team members are completing the challenges. And don’t forget to let everyone know that the rewards are not the main purpose of the team: They’re a way of thanking team members. The goal is to get the word out about you and your book to new readers!

 

Books Forward staff’s fav reads of 2020

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

Needless to say, 2020 has been…a year. But one thing we could always depend on throughout the weird year was our favorite thing: books. Check out some of the reads that the Books Forward staff read this past year and absolutely loved — some of them might even make it onto your 2021 TBR!

Ellen, senior publicist:

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

I really leaned into hardcore fantasy this year, and Priory was an absolute standout: The way the author weaves together the story tendrils, the flawed and intriguing characters, the casual queerness in the world and THE DRAGONS all really resonated with me.

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

Sometimes I have a hard time with memoirs that touch on heavy subject matter, but Chanel Miller is an astounding writer and person, and I’ll read anything she writes.

Corrine, junior publicist:

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the second I picked it up to the moment I finished it 24 hours later.

Brittany, digital marketing coordinator:

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

This book had a high-intensity, unpredictable ending — I felt like I was in the latest Netflix binge-worthy show and needed to finish it ASAP. The way Cole twisted gentrification into a thriller left me even more shook at how deep rooted systemic racism can be. This book is scary in more ways than one.

Jenn, publicist:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

I feel like I’ve talked about this book so much this year but that’s how good it is — Gyasi’s writing is some of the most beautiful prose I’ve had the honor to read, and the way she weaves multiple stories between generations is a true work of art.

Wool by Hugh Howey

I’m not usually a fan of science-fiction, so I was pleasantly surprised with how into this book I got (and I’m talking stay up way too long, losing sleep into it). I was immediately sucked into the story and world Howey built and now have the rest of the series on my TBR.

Jackie, publicist:

Bunny by Mona Awad

This creepy horror story praised by Margaret Atwood as “genius” is also surprisingly funny as a satire of MFA programs, and definitely one of the weirdest, most unforgettable books I’ve read!

Angelle, lead publicist:

How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones

Saeed Jones recounts his life in a series of vignettes, reflecting on his adolescence growing up in the South, his budding sexuality, race, relationships, family dynamics and grief. I picked this incredible memoir up as a group read with the Books Forward team, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know!

What’s your sign? Pair your Zodiac with these stellar books

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

 

Ah, astrology. Whether you’re a casual believer, a devoted birth chart developer, or you think it’s a load of Taurus dung, we all have a sign. And if our Zodiac truly aligns with our personality, that means there’s a book out there that’s just meant to be read by us. Check out this list we’ve compiled of books compatible with your astrological sun sign (aka, the sign that falls on the date you were born).

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

If you’re an Aquarius, you’re likely highly intellectual, using your knowledge to help others. If we’re spot on — and we usually are — you should pick up “How to Be an Antiracist,” by Ibram X. Kendi. The book fuses ethics, history, law and so much more to create a primer for how to begin reshaping the way we think about race in the U.S. Utilize your humanity-driven style and forward-thinking attitude to learn about paving the way for a more equitable society.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Oh, sweet Pisces. If only everyone were as selfless and adept at forming strong relationships like you. In fact, it kind of reminds of us Percy Jackson from “The Lightning Thief,” by Rick Riordan. It’s only fitting that a Pisces’ ruling planet is Neptune aka Poseidon aka Percy’s dad in this popular middle grade series. Whether it’s using your intuition to suss out traitors or honing in on your compassion to save your friends, we have a feeling you share a lot in common with this demigod.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Running head first into dangerous situations, Aries are known for being aggressive and taking action, so “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn matches perfectly. The protagonist, Bree, is an overachiever (we can literally hear all the Aries who applauded at being overachievers) who gets in over her head but manages to kick ass anyway, saving her friends (and possibly humanity) along the way. She’s a natural leader with protective instincts and a fiery disposition that serves her well.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

If you’re a Taurus, you likely don’t put a lot of stock into your Zodiac, but that doesn’t mean your sensual nature and passion goes unnoticed by the rest of us. Ruled by Venus, the planet of love, you’ll need to pick up a book that expresses that longing in the most powerful of ways, like in “Call Me by Your Name,” by André Aciman. Tauruses consider touch and taste the most important of all the senses, so the ever-patient bull will latch on to the SOMETHING attraction and intimacy that build in this beautiful novel.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Two sides of the same coin, Geminis are hard to pin down. Ruled by Mercury and an open mind, you’re great with communication and writing, like Monique in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.” But your inquisitive and fun-loving nature will also have you wanting to expand your horizons and see what else the world has to offer — and Evelyn is just the reclusive Hollywood star to open your mind to new ideas and experiences.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

So you want to show off your tough outer shell without letting people see your emotional core? Ah, typical Cancer. Well lucky for you, you can have that electric love while still maintaining your moody suspicion of said love, like in Sally Rooney’s “Normal People.” Your emotional and imaginative nature will pair well with the give and take between Marianne and Connell — and the challenging but deeply sympathetic disposition of Cancers matches the complex love story.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Bold and beautiful (and prone to the dramatics) Leos aren’t afraid to shy away from the spotlight or speak their minds, and that makes “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callendar a great pairing. Just like Felix, Leos know who they are — even if sometimes that confidence wavers, and they aren’t afraid to flaunt their artistic talents. Funny, heartwarming, and with added romance (we know you lions are a sucker for a love story!) this YA novel is perfect for this ferocious fire sign.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

You can’t get anything past a Virgo (seriously, go ahead and try). So Virgos need a book that will match their analytical nature and their hardworking approach to life, much like Michelle McNamara, author of “I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.” A compelling account of a serial killer that terrorized California, the true crime genre isn’t always for the faint of heart — but a Virgo can definitely handle it.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

If you’re a Libra, you’re probably always trying to find the perfect balance in your life. So what about a suspenseful book that shakes things up, like “Little Secrets” by Jennifer Hillier. As the case for her missing son grows cold, Marin is looking to tip the scales (see what we did there?) in her favor to find him — and unravel a web of secrets and lies in the process. Libras aren’t strangers to seeking justice, so this thriller will fit perfectly in their collection.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

The most passionate of the water signs, you can’t go wrong with having a Scorpio by your side. Like Aries, Scorpios are great leaders, people you can depend on — like Rue in the upcoming YA fantasy “Wings of Ebony” by J. Elle. After having her life turned upside down and discovering her godly ancestry, Rue is faced with the daunting task of saving not only her magical world but her earthly one as well. Full of bravery and determination, she definitely reminds of our Scorpio friends out there.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Like other fire signs, endless curiosity and energy notoriously denotes a Sagitarrius. “The Extraordinaries,” by T.J. Klune perfectly captures that energy and imagination where fan fiction meets real life superheroes. You’re a little extra sweet precious cinnamon roll — with a touch of saucy humor — just like the main character, Nick. And whereas other signs might be more closed off when it comes to expectations, your mind is open (and constantly churning) to a world of endless possibilities.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Rounding out the Zodiac is the Capricorn, the independent and responsible influences some of us could use more of in our lives. Some may say Capricorns are know-it-alls (we didn’t say us!) so a book breaking down the process of learning — and unlearning — is a good fit for them, like “Flowers for Algernon,” by Daniel Keyes. This one is a hard-hitting book about the limits humanity will go to for intelligence. When a breakthrough experiment seems too good to be true, the limits of the human brain are examined at the expense of one man’s life. 

So, did the stars align to find you the perfect new book recommendation? If you want to find your book pairings for your moon and ascending signs — complete your natal chart to add even more compatible books to your TBR!

Top audiobooks to get you through your self-mandated isolation jogs

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

So you decided to take up jogging during quarantine so you could have some time outside the confines of your house? Great in theory. But now you’re outside in 100-degree heat, cursing the healthy part of you that insisted on getting Vitamin D instead of doing push-ups inside. 

Cue audiobooks. 

What better to distract you from the awkward way you hold your arms or that annoying bead of sweat dribbling between your eyebrows than an audiobook so amazing you forget you’re actually running (OK, probably not forget, but I can dream). 

Here’s a list of some of my favorite audiobooks that have gotten me through my own self-mandated isolation jogs during the pandemic:

“Such a Fun Age,” by Kiley Reid, narrated by Nicole Lewis

Fiction is difficult for me to listen to on audiobook. My mind wanders. I realize half a chapter in that I haven’t been paying close enough attention to the plot and I’ve missed something. But Reid’s book constantly held my attention from the first page (or if we’re talking audiobooks, the first second?). This is such a quick, compelling read that I was shocked when it was over. And maybe, just maybe, I’ve convinced myself to listen to more fiction on tape.

“Kitchen Confidential,” by Anthony Bourdain, narrated by the author

This is an audiobook I honestly find my self coming back to over and over again. I’ve always been a huge fan of Bourdain’s shows, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed getting a gritty inside look at the restaurant world through this book. Funny and honest and raw, this is definitely required reading for foodies everywhere.

“We’re Going to Need More Wine,” by Gabrielle Union, narrated by the author

Memoirs are great, and memoirs by celebs are just *chef’s kiss*. Union’s book has made me literally laugh out loud on the jogging trail, as well as completely stop me in my tracks. Her writing flows so easily and is so personable — it felt like I was listening to a friend tell me their life story. And did it inspire me to pour my own glass post-run? Perhaps…

“Calypso,” by David Sedaris, narrated by the author

This was my first Sedaris book, and something about listening to it at 1.5 speed while dodging ducks and small children on my run has me believing it’s the quintessential way to listen to him. Sedaris has a way of writing that is part standup, part extremely personal diary entries, and somehow it all works together. After finishing this one, I was clamoring to reserve his other audiobooks through my library.

“Becoming,” by Michelle Obama, narrated by the author

Obama’s book is loooong but also so worth it. Honestly, I could have listened to it even if it were 40 hours long. I would take an entire collegiate course on Michelle Obama if I could. Her storytelling is stunning and vulnerable and also incredibly powerful at the same time. I recommend this book to so many people, and I distinctly tell them to listen to the audiobook if they get a chance.

“Furiously Happy,” by Jenny Lawson, narrated by the author

Lawson is SO funny. I’m serious, like side-splitting, snorting laughing funny. With the way 2020 has gone, this is one of those books that’s great to tap into when I need reassurance that yeah, life may suck a bit — but laughing at yourself and the ridiculous situations you end up in makes it suck a bit less. Lawson’s sincerity and bluntness about mental illness is so refreshing. If you think you can’t sit back and laugh at your own depression or anxiety, think again.

Books Forward Authors Recognized with Awards and Accolades

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

We’re excited to celebrate a number of Books Forward family authors and their titles that have recently been recognized across the industry with various awards, nominations, and accolades. 

The Independent Publisher Book Awards, or IPPYs, were recently announced, and there’s a host of Books Forward authors featured among the winners.

Acknowledging independent authors with awards for more than 20 years, the IPPYs were created to “bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers.”

The Nautilus Book Awards announced its winners for 2019 — and there are quite a few Books Foward authors on the list!

  • Donald Rattner, “My Creative Space,” silver in Creativity & Innovation
  • Donna Cameron, “A Year of Living Kindly,” gold in Personal Growth (large publisher)
  • Richard C. Lyons, “The DNA of Democracy,” silver in All World Cultures Conscious Growth & Development
  • Hendrika de Vries, “When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew,” gold in Memoir & Personal Journey (large publisher)

The Nautilus Books Awards were created to recognize significant new cultural movements and the books that identify and publicize these movements. 

Multiple authors were named finalists in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the largest International awards program for indie authors and independent publishers.

  • Andrew Lam, “Repentance,” winner in Historical (Fiction)
  • Rachel Kowert, “Pragmatic Princess: 26 Superb Stories of Self-Sufficiency,” finalist in Children’s Picture Book (Educational 6 Years & Up)
  • Hendrika de Vries, “When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew,” finalist in  Memoirs (Overcoming Adversity/Tragedy)
  • Elena Schwolsky, “Waking in Havana: A Memoir of AIDS and Healing in Cuba,” finalist in both Memoirs (Personal Struggle/Health Issues) and Travel/Travel Guides
  • Michael Bland, “The Price of Safety,” finalist in both Science Fiction and Thriller
  • Alice C. Early, “The Moon Always Rising,” finalist in Chick Lit, Paranormal, and First Novel
  • Elayne Klasson, “Love is a Rebellious Bird,” finalist in both General Fiction/Novel and Best Cover Design
  • Monique Allen, “Stop Landscaping, Start Lifescaping” finalist in Cooking/Home/Garden
  • Kathleen Shoop, “The Christmas Coat,” finalist Novella (17,500-40,000 words)

Three Books Forward authors were recently recognized by the eLit Book Awards. With more than 65 categories, the eLit Awards are dedicated to honoring the best e-books published each year in North America.

  • Susan K. Hamilton, “Shadow King,” bronze (tie) in Fantasy/Science-Fiction
  • Kelly Oliver, “Jackal: A Jessica James Mystery,” gold in Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
  • Donna O’Donnell Figurski, “Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver’s Tale,” silver in Autobiography/Memoir

Other recent accolades include Donna Baier Stein’s “Scenes from the Heartland” being named a finalist for the inaugural 2019 Big Other Book Award for Fiction. Created by the online arts and culture magazine Big Other, the awards aim to “recognize excellence in literature, to promote and support the work of innovative writers and adventurous presses.”

Two Books Forward authors were recently named finalists for the 2020 Montaigne Medal as well as the Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List and honorable mentions for the aforementioned award. Recognized in those special lists are Elena Schwolsky for her memoir “Waking in Havana” and Janet Roger for her novel “Shamus Dust.” The Hoffer Awards honor the memory of American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting “salient writing, as well as the independent spirit of small publishers.” As part of the Eric Hoffer Awards, the Montaigne Medal is awarded to thought-provoking books that “either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought.” 

The 2020 Edgar Awards recently announced its list of winners, and Carol Goodman and her book “The Night Visitors,” are the recipients of the Simon & Schuster Mary Higgins Clark Award. The Edgar Allen Poe Awards, presented by Mystery Writers of America, honor the best in mystery fiction, nonfiction and television published or produced in the previous year.

Stephanie Raffelock tied for gold in the Aging Human Relations Indie Book category in the Human Relations Indie Book Awards. Her book, “A Delightful Little Book on Aging,” was recognized by the awards, which honor indie authors who indie authors with books “with a human relations focus related to various interactions among people in different settings such as work, organizations, school, home, family or in personal lives.”  

Finally, the Junior Library Guild has selected Suzanne Park’s debut novel, “The Perfect Escape” as one of its fall titles! The JLG is one of the leading voices in the library industry, providing a range of titles to libraries throughout the year. The guild’s editors meet with publishers of children’s and YA books throughout to narrow down their selections for their spring and fall lists.

Congratulations to all these Books Forward authors! We are excited and proud to see your hard work and perseverance recognized by industry leaders!