Creating an International Bestseller

The memoir market is crowded, but Barbara Donsky’s Veronica’s Grave stood out with its gripping true story of her mother’s mysterious disappearance. When Barbara partnered with Books Forward, we saw the potential to amplify her memoir into a major success — and the results exceeded expectations.

Strategic Pitching with a Local Focus

To maximize media interest, we carefully crafted press materials emphasizing the book’s emotional depth, unusual story and compelling narrative. We strategically aligned the campaign with Mother’s Day and targeted key local outlets in the Bronx and Manhattan — Barbara’s hometown and the setting for her memoir. By emphasizing the book’s strong local connections, we captured the attention of prominent New York media.

Media Frenzy and National Coverage

The approach paid off, and her memoir caused something of a media frenzy (with a little help from our team!) Veronica’s Grave was featured in The New York Post, New York Magazine and NY1 News. The story trended on The New York Post, becoming the outlet’s most-viewed article of the day and landing on its homepage. This momentum snowballed as the feature was shared by Bravo TV Online, Yahoo News, Gannett News and the Independent Journal Review.

The Books Forward campaign didn’t stop there. A national radio tour and features in Shelf Pleasure, Women Writers, Women’s Books and Book Pleasures further elevated the book’s visibility. The fusion of a unique story, strategic timing and targeted outreach built widespread buzz.

Achieving International Success

The media campaign’s success opened doors for Veronica’s Grave beyond its initial publication. The book’s international rights were purchased by a traditional publisher, giving this small press memoir a second life as a traditionally published book.

Our targeted, multifaceted campaign turned a deeply personal memoir into an international sensation. With a blend of local connections, national outreach and coordinated timing, Veronica’s Grave found its audience and earned the acclaim it deserved.