Cornering Local Market of Book’s Setting

Typically, local media focuses on authors who reside locally. But when Colorado author Ann Lowry released her Wisconsin-set novel, The Blue Trunk, we knew its deep ties to Wisconsin’s history offered a unique opportunity. While Ann resides in Colorado, her story’s connection to Eau Claire’s hidden past created an opening for local media interest.

By creatively positioning the book as “Eau Claire’s secret history,” we reached audiences eager to engage with their community’s untold stories.

Creative Pitching Leads to Big Local Wins

Our campaign focused on pitching the book’s real-life inspiration, emphasizing its roots in Wisconsin’s asylum history. This approach resonated with media outlets across the state, leading to standout placements like a morning edition interview on Wisconsin Public Radio and a feature on WQOW (ABC 18). These high-quality gains sparked additional statewide interest, including an upcoming feature on Wisconsin Stories.

Demonstrating the Power of Local Media

Rather than solely targeting media based on Ann’s residence, we leaned into the book’s setting to expand her reach. Ann’s engaging interviews highlighted both the personal connection behind the story and the broader historical themes, capturing the attention of Wisconsin audiences and creating a ripple effect of media coverage.

This campaign is a testament to the value of local media in driving awareness and engagement. By creatively positioning The Blue Trunk within the historical context of its setting, we secured meaningful coverage that reached the community most likely to connect with its themes. Ann’s success shows that local media—when approached strategically—can be a powerful promotional tool.