Interview of Amanda Gray Author of Dave is Brave

Dave is Brave

Copyright: Amanda Gray 2009
ISBN: 978-0-646-51763-6
Price: AUD $14.95 (RRP)
Format ebook, paperback, hardback, CD: Paperback
Genre/age group/type of publication: Children’s picture book, ages 3-7 years.

Dave is Brave is the first book in the Learn to be Buddies series. This is a series of picture books written like social stories for children of all abilities aged between 3 and 7 years. The series will use realistic pictures and true-to-life storylines to demonstrate specific values or social skills in a fun and engaging way. Dave is Brave tells the story of Dave as he stands up to Golly, who is being a rough.

“Golly was a bully when he didn’t act like a friend.”

Dave stands up tall and says, “Stop!” showing children how to be assertive without being aggressive. When Golly realizes how his behavior has affected others, he says, “Sorry.” demonstrating the reparation of friendships. The story ends with everyone playing happily together.

Amanda Gray

www.learn2bebuddies.blogspot.com
www.learn2bebuddiesDOTcom.au

amandagATlearn2bebuddies.com.au

Amanda Gray is a Special Education teacher. She currently works at the University of Newcastle (Australia) educating undergraduate teachers about inclusive practice. Before coming to the University, Amanda worked in schools and early learning centers, where she developed a passion for supporting children experiencing emotional or social difficulties. The Learn to be Buddies series was born out of this passion. To date, Amanda has had a number of articles and a play published in Explore, a Pearson Education children’s magazine. Dave is Brave is her first children’s book.

AMANDA GRAY INTERVIEW

Aday: How have you promoted your book?

Amanda: I first began by setting up a website – which was a big learning curve for me. But it has been a good platform to disseminate information. To let people know about the website, I started by sending out paper newsletters to schools, preschools, early intervention services and therapists for children with disabilities. I also began blogging and connecting with other bloggers. This led to connections on social networking sites, with most interest coming from my many Twitter and Facebook friends and fans. But I have also used more traditional methods, with several appearances on local radio and an editorial in a local paper (all free). I also pop a mail order form and professionally printed postcard into each book I sell as I find that word of mouth recommendations are the most effective sales tool.

Aday: How did you identify your audience?

Amanda: In writing the book I had a general sense that the book could be used for all young children, but especially for those children who needed explicit instruction in social skills. It quickly became evident as I publicized the book that those most interested in the Learn to be Buddies series were families and services supporting children with Autism. Though regular schools and preschools are purchasing the book to support anti-bullying education, it is from people connected with Autism that I have received the most feedback about Dave is Brave.

Aday: Your background lends credibility to your book. How can someone attain trust when they lack a formal education?

Amanda: I think that credibility comes with personal experience as well as a formal education. For example, if you write about your experiences you have as much credibility as a person with a degree on the subject. But in both cases we need to avoid “preaching” or talking as though we have all the answers, as both personal experience and formal education has its limits.*smile*

Aday: What market do you want to penetrate most? How are you attempting to do it?

Amanda: I would love Dave is Brave to go where it is needed most. I have always been passionate about helping families support their children in learning social skills, so I would love to spread the word to parents. I began with schools. Now a number of playgroups have heard about the book. In the near future, I am hoping to juggle my commitments at University with visiting schools, playgroups and libraries to read to children and/or their parents. I would then send information about Dave is Brave home with them. This information could be in something as simple as a bookmark. I am also hoping to develop a fundraising scheme for schools, playgroups and preschools, whereby they receive a percentage of the profit from sales.

Aday: How did you determine the activities and lessons in your teacher’s guide?

Amanda: When working with my illustrator, each picture was carefully designed to reflect a particular skill that I wanted children to learn from the book. So the facial expressions, body language and positioning of the characters all contributed to shaping the activities and lesson guides. The two games were designed based on the growing audience for the book. The Feelings Game was designed based on the importance of helping children with Autism understand and interpret facial expressions and emotions. The How are You Feeling?! Board Game focuses on the development of coping skills, a key element of helping children to be resilient in the face of difficulties such as bullying.

Aday: What piece of advice would you give a writer about promoting their book(s)?

Amanda:

1. Start small – friends and family, work networks and small newsletter runs can start people buzzing about the book.
2. Only do it if you are passionate about the subject – if you believe in what you are doing it is much easier to get others to believe in it, too.
3. Be humble and not too pushy - listen and take on board feedback, but don’t take it personally. Not everyone will love your book.
4. Focus on your target audience – don’t try to please everyone and establish your credibility with those who will like your book.
5. Be prepared to give away a few books. *smile*

BE SURE & COME BACK ON 11-12-2009 TO LEARN OF THE WAYS AMANDA GRAY HAS PROMOTED HER BOOK & SUGGEST A FEW NEW AVENUES FOR HER TO EXPLORE & TO READ A REVIEW.

How to Write a Book Marketing Plan for a Publisher or Agent

Consider a couple things before and while writing your book marketing plan.

1. How is your book different than other books in the genre that have similar subject matter?
Go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or other sites that supply the back of book blurbs.

2. What demographic will buy your book?
Do not concentrate who will read the book, because the reader and buyer may not be the same person.

3. How will you let people know your book was published and is for sale?
You need to widen your circle of contacts. If you only sell your book to the people you know, you're going t sell books that are in the hundreds. We want to sell our books to thousands or millions.

Media

Radio –there are ___ radio stations in the area. In order to interest the radio stations in you/your book you'd _____ (Put your hook in the blank. How are you going to interest them? Contest? Holiday tie in to your book?)

Blog Talk Radio – how many stations? In order to interest the radio stations in me/my book I’d _____ (Put your hook in the blank. How are you going to interest them? Contest? Holiday tie in to your book?)

Television – there are ___ local television stations In order to interest the them in me/my book I’d _____ (Put your hook in the blank. How are you going to interest them? Contest? Holiday tie in to your book?)

Newspapers there are ___ newspapers in the area. In order to interest the newspapers in me/my book I’d _____ (Put your hook in the blank. How are you going to interest them? Contest? Holiday tie in to your book?)

Blog Book Tour there are a network of writers with web logs When the book is released for purchase, I will tour # ___ blogs of writers (what other different types of blogs or websites? (If you know the book's intricacies, [are foods eaten or talked about, does you main character play a sport, have a hobby, an aimal/pet? ) In order to draw people to the blogs you will promote them through the social networks (name them and explain your affiliation You may need to join more. (Put your interview topics, the types of posts on blogs – topic for guest blogging articles, in the blank. How are you going to interest them? Contest? Holiday tie in to your book?)

Magazines & Newsletters – there are magazines that focus on __________ I’ll contact them for reviews/book interviews/interviews on __________ subjects

YOU’RE WANTING TO SHOW HOW YOU CAN GET THE WORD OUT. USING THE MEDIA IS THE EASIEST MEANS TO GENERATE A DEMAND FOR YOUR BOOK.

The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle Review & Book Marketing Brainstorm

The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle

Written by Shari Lyle-Soffe
Illustrated by Kevin S. Collier

BLOG: http://sharilyle-soffe.com

ISBN: 978-1-933090-88-7

FORMAT: print, e-book, CD

PUBLISHER: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

Book Review

The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle is three stories in one picture book. Each story teaches a lesson through the character’s experiences.Have you ever heard of a praying raccoon? Brace yourself as the two brother's attempt to extricate themselves from their misadventures with God's helping hand.

In the first story, “The Search”, Rooter has come of age and is allowed to forage for food on his own. That’s not exactly true. Mother and father make him take his baby brother along. Snuffle disappears and Rooter’s imagination churns up some dire outcomes. He was not responsible. What will happen to Snuffle? Will he find him?

In the second story, “Rooter’s Rule”, Rooter’s parents make him share. Even a friend scolds him for not sharing with his little brother. Rooter doesn’t understand why everyone wants him to share everything. Will Rooter ever learn to have a giving heart and share?

In the third story, “Danger at River Bend”, Rooter’s mother warns him not to go to the River Bend. His beaver friend, Sloppy assures him it is perfectly safe, and it has the perfect skipping stones. Snuffle wants to learn to skip stones. He agrees to go with Sloppy. Rooter ends up following along. Will they get caught? Why did Mother think it was dangerous?

Shari shows the resentment an older child can feel for younger siblings. Rooter’s inner dialogue is portrayed realistically. Any child, that has a younger brother or sister will identify with Rooter. Shari shows how struggles are handled with prayer and introspection.

The illustrations by Kevin Collier draw the readers into the story. From the raccoon’s black mask stretched across his soulful eyes to the contents of a trash can, the pictures cause a child to fall head over heels for the “The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle". On Shari’s web page http://www.rooterandsnuffle.blogspot.com/ you can scroll down and watch a video. In the video, Kevin will teach you to draw a raccoon like Rooter & Snuffle.

Visit Shari’s blog and listen to the interview on the J.C. Lamb Show or enjoy listening to the duos very own song while you watch Rooter & Snuffle’s music video.

Book Marketing Brainstorm

This is an author that has pulled a lot of marketing ideas out of her hat. She has a song of the duo singing. Check it out.They are singing their own song in a music video. http://www.sharilyle-soffe.com/ Click on Rooter and Snuffle under SHARI's SITE DIRECTORY.Download a coloring page, complete a word search, watch a video to learn how to draw a raccoon with the artist, Kevin Collier or go to

You can also listen to the character's interview on the J.C. Lamb Show just click on their logo. She's even donating $1.00 for every book sold as a CD.

I d to strain my brain to come up with any ideas.

WEBSITES & BLOGS

If the author chooses to do a blog book tour, she can google butter beans (Rooter's favorite food), raccoon rescue, or frog legs. Look for sites other than your regular review sites. Sites that have recipes might be a place to help promote your book & have little or no competition.

STORES TO STOCK THE BOOKS

Stores in campgrounds, wilderness refuges, natural history museums, camping equipment stores and nature stores would be good places to have stock your books. Find a national chain or popular store and get them to use your book as a promotional item. (gift with purchase).

WEBSITE CONTEST/GIVEAWAYS

Have vegetable dye temporary tattoos made and offer them to children on your website for FREE if they send you a SASE.

Coloring or drawing contests - create promotional items - like stickers (using illustrations & printing them on computer printer address labels or make a stationary gift set (print illustrations onto envelopes & paper and place them in a folder (for about .25 at local stores in the school supply section). You could even personalize them with a child's name.

AUTHOR APPEARANCES

Contact your local Campfire Group Summer Day Camps or Christian church camp about their summer programs. (It would be best to schedule it during the time the parents visit the camp (need paying customers or book sales). Offer to attend a camping trip out and be the entertainment. You can play the Rooter & Snuffle song & teach a fun dance.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS TO PROMOTE SHARI LYLE-SOFFE's BOOKS.

National Novel Writing Month

WHO can participate?
If you want to write a book, you can join like-minded authors attempting to do the same.

WHAT is NaNoWritMo?
It is the National Novel Writing Month. Writers attempt to write 50,000 words. For support and camaraderie join the online registry at http://www.nanowrimo.org.

WHEN is NaNoWritMo?
Every November the event is held.

WHERE is NaNoWritMo?
You can find others in your geographic region. Attend parties and get togethers. Many areas hold write-ins (where people go and write as long and as much as you like.

WHY is there a NaNoWritMo?
We authors can use some gentle prodding to get the job done.

Rooter & Snuffle Interview with Shari Lyle-Soffe

The Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle

Written by Shari Lyle-Soffe
Illustrated by Kevin S. Collier

Blog: http://sharilyle-soffe.com

ISBN: 978-1-933090-88-7

Format: print, e-book, CD

Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.

In “The Misadventures of Rooter and Snuffle” two raccoon brothers rely on their faith to see them through difficult, and sometimes dangerous, times. They learn to find the answers for themselves. And although these brothers may not always agree on everything, in the end they always care about each other..

Author Biography

Shari Lyle-Soffe lives in the woods of Southern Oregon with her husband, a dog, and two cats. Her yard is frequented by wildlife in the form of deer, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossum, and birds. These visitors always seem to find a home in her books.

Interview with Shari Lyle Soffe

Author of the Misadventures of Rooter & Snuffle

Aday: Where did you come up with the two lovable raccoon characters?

Shari: They are a combination of two raccoons that used to visit our back porch when I was a child, and the relationship between myself and my younger brother.

Aday: I’m just getting my first taste of what it is like to hand my book over to an artist and let them draw what they see. Were you on edge about what Kevin Collier might come up with for your book? Did you envision something in your head that he created differently, good or bad?

Shari: On edge? I was excited to see how he would draw them. I was thrilled when I saw them. He does wonderful work. As an author my own vision may not be the best vision. You have to trust that you have created characters that will inspire the illustrator with what you envision. It isn’t important that you pictured a red door and he made it blue unless the red door is important to the story. I was pleased that he captured the sweetness of the two characters, that was how I saw them.

Aday: What caused you to include the exercises in the activity pad?

Shari: In all honesty that was my publisher’s idea. I can’t take credit for it. She is very big on value added books. I have to agree with her that it is nice to get something extra for your money.

Aday: What are your on going promotion plans for the book?

Shari: To promote them right along with my new books as they come out. I do what I can to make people aware of them through networking at organizations I am part of, and I am always looking for new ways to get the word out. Promotion is not a static thing. You have to keep looking for new ways to go. Where would Coca Cola be if they had used the same advertisement and hadn’t look for innovative new ways to reach the buying public?

Aday: What role have artists taken on to help promote and sell your books?

Shari: Kevin has been wonderful about creating coloring pages and drawing lessons using my characters. He also uses our characters for demonstrations at school visits and on television. We are blessed to have him.

Aday: What is the most challenging part of promoting Rooter & Snuffle?

Shari: Getting them into public schools. The books have very slight religious content. The raccoons pray or say a blessing, and one book mentions the creator. It is very mild but some schools are wary of that kind of content. Parents are happy to see that included and they buy the books. They are popular among homeschool parents too.

Aday: Did you start out writing Rooter & Snuffle as a series?

Shari: Not really. Each book contains three short stories. The idea for a series actually came from Kevin Collier. He opened my eyes to new opportunities when I was on the verge of giving up. I had listened to naysayers about e-publishers so I hadn’t even given them a try. Kevin taught me to open my mind. I told you he was a blessing.

Aday: What if any differences are there to your promoting a series and a stand alone book (at book signings, teacher visits, etc…)

Shari: Not really any differences that I can think of other than making people aware that there are more books in the series.

Aday: How do you approach resistant bookstores to get your books stocked?

Shari: I keep pushing until they give in. After all, a book signing is mutually beneficial to the author and the book store. I also let it be known that I will notify the newspaper, etc., and I ask what they want from me. Persistence is very important just like in my book Nothing Stops Noah.

Aday: Do you see the end of the Rooter & Snuffle series? What has enabled it to continue?

Shari: I haven’t given up yet. My publisher and illustrator have both indicated they would like to do another. It just hasn’t come together in my mind yet. I think the themes are responsible for it continuing. The stories have common themes that build character. Young children need to learn about sharing, caring for others, caring for the environment, peer pressure, bullying, etc.

Aday: Thanks for the interview Shari!

COME BY FOR THE BOOK MARKETING BRAINSTORM & REVIEW.

Must Have ARC Review for the Back of Your Book

I started thinking. [Scared? You should be. Lol] I was thinking about where to get reviews to quote on the back of your book.

FICTION BOOK:

-FUN

Television, Radio personality, teacher, librarian, any public official, college professor for family studies

-RELIGIOUS

Priest, preacher, religious authority figure, teacher, librarian

-CHARACTER BUILDING

Guidance counselor, child psychologist, social worker, college professor for family studies, child psychology

NONFICTION BOOKS

Experts in the field of study, museum personnel, professors/teachers, and all of the people listed under fiction books

NAMES WITH LETTERS AFTER THEM IMPRESS!!!

Tomorrow at 6:00 PM there's a radio show on the internet about getting reviews.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ThePublishingInsiders

Book Promotion Ideas & Blog Vacation

I had a caregiver that used to tell me if it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all. I think today makes me resemble that remark. lol Most of the time that's not true. A lot of people have it far worse. I have to get a new hard drive. I'm forced to work on my lap top. It doesn't have a lot of my accessibility features.
Next week is the Muse Online Writer's Conference. I'll be attempting to attend via my laptop. It will be a challenge. Hey I just need to look at the bright side. While I'm attending someone else is cleaning my house and making my meals. I even have a machine to breathe for me.

I do have a bit of bad news. The blog will be shut down for two weeks while I attend the cojnference and get my new computer in order. It's just too much work to use my laptop. In the meantime, perhaps I can leave you with some marketing homework.

MARKETING & PROMOTING IDEAS

Take your book and read it. Pretend it's a story that you aren't familiar. Are there any tidbits you can pluck to use in your marketing? How do you know?

• Who's the target audience? I read something the other day. Think about who buys your book not just who reads it.
• Does your book show how to build self esteem, cope in difficult situations, tickle the funny bone, etc... I write for children. The people that I need to target to buy my books are teachers, parents, grandparents, kids, general practitioners, librarians, therapists (I can be viewed as inspirational because of my disabilities and success.), child psychologists (My main character focuses on his strengths - determination, intelligence & unflappableness.).
• Are you an inspiration? Of course you are. Do you have children to supervise and try to find time to write; are you divorced, undereducated, disabled or dealing with any adversity?
• Put excercises on your website. Try to make them inventive and something the students can build their skills and enjoy. Visit websites aimed at teachers to create lesson plans for students. Think outside the box. Look at activities and educational game sites. You don't want to steal ideas, but use them as a spring board to create your own activity, assignment or lesson. Don't stick to the obvious language arts/English subject matter. Art, mathematics, physical education, science, computer, etc... type of lessons or activities can be combined or used solely. Here's a physical education/language exercise as an example.Every time a noun is spoken while the story or chapter is read hop once on your left foot and when a verb is spoken, hop once on your right foot. Or maybe you divide the room into groups & have each group do a funny action when their assigned part of speech is given.
• Have free sticker downloads. If the stickers fit on printer address labels, parents can print them out & give them to their kids. "Kantor loves ______ clean room." "Kantor helped _____ out the trash." "______ is mart like Kantor." Kids love stickers. If you're an artist, you can go crazy with creations from bookmarks, to coloring pages, to graphics that can be printed on iron on paper, to crafts. Use your gift.
• Have artsy type projects on your site incorporating your book or story characters, promoting reading & writing or fun things for kids to do. Have a Tic Tac Toe download 4 kids.( X= character 1 O's= character 2)
• Use Vista Print - put you book's graphic on a sticky note pad, journal, etc.. and have it as a contest prize. You can give away books, but if you only have 1 then people don't need to buy it.
• Offer a prize to teachers or librarians for a prize for a contest. (Your prizes should serve as a piece of advertising like a poster, mouse pad, pen/pencil holder on a desk or anything to be on display. (make sure your website is on them.)
• You don't have to have a publishedchildren's book. Maybe you write short stories or have ebooks. Who's your target audience? Create a giveaway for them.

I'LL BE BACK IN 2 WEEKS. HAPPY PROMOTING UNTIL THEN.

IF THERE ARE TYPOS, I APOLOGIZE. I'M LEGALLY-BLIND & DON'T HAVE A MAGNIFIER ON MY LAPTOP.

Halloween Book Promotion for a Non Horror Book

My book is definitely not Halloween, but I could still use the holiday to my advantage. There's no reason I can't. Here's how:

• Decorate table for the holiday.
• Give away your character's favorite ghoulish treat.
• Post his/her favorite recipe for Halloween treat on your website or on recipe cards to hand out at signings.
  Dress in a costume that resembles your main character and put a spider & cobwebs on your shoulder.
• Dress up as your character and put it in a costume. (My main character is a Pegasus. If I dress as a Pegasus that is a ghost for Halloween, the horse head & wings' shapes will be discernible under a white sheet & I could have the legs and hooves peeking out from the bottom of the sheet.)
• Have a big discount if children dress up to visit your signing in a costume.
• Have a Halloween costume craft of your character download on your website.
• Is their a sucker mold in the shape of your main character (animal or something that figures heavily in your book like cowboy paraphenlia)? Give away suckers in a sugar free flavor.

You can turn every holiday into a book marketing treasure. Do it!

Anastasia Suen School Visit Expert

Anastasia Suen

Author of over 100 Books

www.asuen.com

Author, teacher, and consultant Anastasia Suen is the author of 115 books and 5 book blogs. A former Kindergarten, 1st, 5th, and 6th grade teacher, she consults for several children's book publishers and teaches writing at Southern Methodist University and online.

Aday: Hello Anastasia. I’m thrilled to be interviewing someone as knowledgeable as you. Let’s see what gems you can share with us about school visits.

Anastasia: Thank you for this opportunity to visit your blog!

Aday: I recently took your course on school author visits. What do you find to be a common misconception about/mistake made with regard to school visits?

Anastasia: The most common misconception is that authors are rich! Program planners think I can come to their school free of charge because I'm making so much money from my books. Why is this so? It's because most of the public thinks that authors are paid in full for each book. They are shocked to learn that authors are only paid 3-10% of the book's cover price. I play a game of "hot and cold" to help students guess how much money I make as the author of a $16 hardcover picture book. When someone finally says 80 cents, the students are always very surprised. (Sometimes they gasp!) But its true, 5% of $16.00 is 80 cents.

Aday: What is the key to keeping the students attention during a presentation?

Anastasia: Engaging the students is key. I try to think at their level and to talk about what they will find interesting. What works for kindergarten does NOT work for second grade, or seventh! I also invite the students to participate. We chant together, we move our hands. I ask questions and for volunteers to help me. If we are working on the program together, they stay "with" me, and pay attention.

Aday: How do you get repeat invitations to schools?

Anastasia: If you see all of the students in a school on one day, they probably won't invite you back until ALL of those students have "graduated!" For an elementary school, that's 6 or 7 years away. The way to build business is to give a dynamic program and build a great reputation. That leads to NEW invitations at other schools in the area. Word-of-mouth is what sells school visits.

Aday: What’s the leading contributor toward having low school visit opportunities?

Anastasia: You'll build good word-of-mouth by understanding your audience. What schools want is to have you come and give their students something of value. They already teach reading and writing. What you offer is an opportunity to show that reading and writing matter. If your program is just about how great you are, word will get around and the invitations will stop coming.

Aday: Other than the number of books an author has published what affects the amount an author may charge for school visits?

Anastasia: Your books are one factor in your fee, but so is your connection with the audience. How dynamic are you? How well-known are you? What is the demand in your area?

Aday: How can an author market themselves for school visits when they have no published books and only a few stories or articles published?

Anastasia: It depends on what type of program you're offering. A storyteller doesn't need to have book published and neither does an artist. If you want to help students learn what you know, offer programs that share your unique knowledge.

Aday: Why should someone take your course? What can it do for them that they could not learn from a little research?

Anastasia: I've been teaching in the schools since 1977, so I know what works (and what doesn't!) My goal is to help you prepare a program - minute by minute - that you can use in schools. In fact, that's the homework for the first day of the workshop! After that, I'll show you how to decide on your school visit prices, create a mailing list of local schools, design a postcard, and create a system for your school visit book signings. As you complete each lesson, I'll give you feedback to help you create a special school visits program. (Yes, it's a "critique" workshop for your school visits!)

Aday: I recently took Anastasia’s course on author school visits and learned a great deal. It was well worth the money, and I’ll make it back with one visit. I feel confident and justified about advertising my visits for a fee. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in building a school visit element to their writing/illustrating career!

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR ANASTASIA.

Halloween Book Marketing

Mayra Calvani on Halloween Book Promotion

Christmas is a wonderful time for children’s book authors to market their Christmas picture books. And Halloween is the perfect time for horror authors. But, with a little thought, you may find a niche for your book in any season. But let's concentrate on this season.

There are many events you can plan ahead of time to sell books during the spooky month of October. For instance, you may do book signings at general bookstores, or, better yet, at horror specialty bookstores or a costume shop. You may host a Halloween party and invite all your friends, co-workers, relatives and neighbors. If you’re a children’s author with a Halloween-theme title, you can host a party for your children’s classmates, as well as do readings in schools and libraries.

The important thing here, however, is to make the event fun and ‘spooky’ for everyone. At signings, why not wear a costume? If your book is about witches, why not disguise yourself as one and arrive with witch’s fingers cookies and a caldron with dry ice for a special effect? If your story deals with vampires, why not dress up as one and offer glasses of a deep red drink? The same goes for zombies, monsters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. The idea is to play out the ‘theme’ of your book, and to get plenty of attention.

Decorate your signing table with spider webs, bats, rats or black cats, and other paraphernalia. Be friendly and always look at visitors in the eye when you talk to them. Offer them something to eat or drink—-anything that will make them want to stay by your table and look at your book. Your imagination is the limit. It’s up to you to make your book signing a success.

I once heard of an author who hosted a Halloween party at his home and sold over two hundred copies of his book in one night. He sent out invitations one month in advance to his relatives, friends, and neighbors. He also posted flyers in local libraries, bookshops, and around his neighborhood. Of course, he went all the way with decorations, food, and drink. His house became a ‘real’ haunted house, complete with props, creepy music, candelabra, dry ice—-naturally, his books were beautifully displayed at various locations throughout the house. Most guests were more than happy to purchase a copy of his book before leaving.

For book signings and readings, don’t forget to plan the event and contact the coordinators at least five months in advance, as they may have tight schedules during the Halloween season.

Remember that booksellers, especially specialty shops, are more willing to consider horror titles for shelf display during Halloween. So if you want your book to be sold in these shops, contact the owner or acquisition clerk several months ahead. You may approach them with an attractive brochure of your book, but preferably with a copy of the book itself accompanied by a brief cover letter. Happy Halloween marketing!

Article contributed by Mayra Calvani

Multi-genre author and reviewer Mayra Calvani has penned 10 books for children and adults. She's a regular contributor to Blogcritics Magazine and American Chronicle, as well as a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and Children's Writers Coaching Club. She keeps two blogs, Mayra's Secret Bookcase and The Dark Phantom Review.
Additionally, she's the co-author of the ForeWord Best of the Year Award winner, The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing.
Visit her newest, fun blog, Pets and Their Authors, where her golden retriever interviews authors' pets.
Mayra is also the National Latino Books Examiner for Examiner.com.
Check out her children's books at Mayra's Secret Bookcase.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OR TIPS FOR PROMOTING A NON HALLOWEEN THEMED BOOK? LEAVE A COMMENT AND SHARE YOUR IDEAS.