Many authors use the positive PR value of winning writing contests to propel their marketing campaigns. Late last year, Writer’s Digest and ForeWord Magazine announced their annual quests to find the best work published during the past year. While many entries were received, there were several notable books identified. Eight of them were written by AuthorHouse authors. Since receiving the notoriety, each author revealed his/her plans to expand their individual success.
--
Robin Hines uncovered a novel his father, C. Vernon Hines, wrote almost 50 years ago. His decision to publish the novel and enter it in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award proved beneficial, as his father received an honorable mention for his book, Tell It Not In Gath.
“This is new territory for me … I’ve talked to a couple newspapers, they’ve done a couple of reviews,” Hines said.
Hines hopes to get the attention of the major local newspaper in order to expand publicity.
“We’re learning as we go,” Hines said. “It’s challenging and I hope it becomes rewarding.”
--
Mary Anne Butler didn’t expect to be nominated. She was on the path to relaxation until she was nominated for the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award.
“I’ve done at least 15 speeches and almost as many signings before this,” Butler said. “I was winding down until this happened.”
Although unexpected, Butler is becoming active in promoting her book Journey to a Land Called Hope. She contacted ForeWord Magazine after becoming a finalist and requested seals to place on her book in order to help with sales. Prior to having been nominated, Butler would sell her book at book clubs and arts and crafts shows. Since her nomination, she has scheduled a promotional appearance at a library in New Jersey.
--
Reginald Shires has had at least half a dozen Web sites carry his book, The Leopard’s Call, since the time it came out. In order to further his success, Shires plans on contacting editors at major newspapers.
“My main obstacle is to get the reviewers to review it,” Shires said. “It’s not always easy because it’s a self-published book.”
But he is still hopeful. This month, a magazine will be featuring an article about his book. Shires continues to send out news releases and send copies of the book to various places in order to gain recognition.
--
Debbie Alferio, author of A Forever Kind of Love was very excited to be one of nine finalists in the romance category of the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Award.
“It is a privilege to me,” Alferio said. “My work has accomplished what I set out to do.”
Alferio will be a featured author sitting on the romance panel at the Ohio River Festival of Books in Huntington, West Virginia - a seat she will be sharing with a New York Times best-selling author.
In order to further the promotion of her novel, Alferio will be placing award seals on her books and attending book signings— actions she hopes will help further sales. She will also place the information on her Web site and send out press releases to her local media.
--
Wendy Ellison Mullen has been getting sales despite not actively marketing her book. Her first place win with Ronnie Wood’s Smile and Where It Led has seen some popularity, but not from the market she was expecting. The puzzling thing is that her major audience is not Rolling Stones fans.
Mullen claims her public stretches “from the 15-year-old Stones fan to a 70-year-old philosophy professor, to two English professors from ‘across the pond.’”
She is getting recognition from The Rolling Stones board and the fan club will be giving away copies of her book as prizes. Although book signings may not be at the top of her agenda, Mullen is still enthusiastic about her story.
“It’s a great airplane read- it should be in every airport,” Mullen said. “It’s a page turner.”
--
Chris Jones has a different goal than most writers. He writes as a hobby to entertain others.
“I write for different reasons than other people,” Jones said. “It’s a good way to occupy my mind (in the winter).”
When notified of his honorable mention for his book The Inheritance, he included some of the reviews he received by judges on his Web site. When he speaks at libraries or other venues and when he is interviewed by the media, he mentions his nomination.
“My objective is not to make millions of dollars; it’s to entertain those who want to read,” Jones said.
--
Anne Montgomery wrote her book almost 10 years ago and is still getting publicity. Since her honorable mention in the Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards, she has attended book signings. Because her book, The Jerusalem Syndrome, is based on the mysterious October 1995 train wreck, Montgomery finds it fitting to promote more during the fall months. When she attends signings, she is sure to bring her winning certificate and plaque along with photos of the actual wreck to peak interest in passersby.
Since judges send critiques of the stories to authors, Montgomery plans on using some of the quotes to gain attention.
Montgomery plans to use the critiques sent by contest judges to heighten the appeal of the book. By blowing up the reviews and placing them near photos of the crash, Montgomery hopes to attain more public interest.
Although Montgomery agrees that selling is challenging, she continues to promote her book through book signings.
--
NB VanYoos was shocked to hear he was a ForeWord finalist for his novel Onyalum Retribution.
“I’m going to be using the award seals on personal copies I sell,” VanYoos said.
He believes the seals will help stock local book stores.
Since becoming a finalist, VanYoos has made modifications to his Web site and sent out press releases.
The award has also provided him with motivation for his next novel.
“I’m working on the second book in the series so this award will definitely help spur me on,” VanYoos said.
--
Gordon Kirkland was recently nominated for a different award: The Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour selected his book When My Mind Wanders it Brings Back Souvenirs as a finalist. He immediately sent out press releases to the local media. He has had television and radio interviews and a five-page featured spread in this month’s Canadian edition of Reader’s Digest. With close to 30,000 contacts, Kirkland is able to successfully market his publications and awards.
--
Using the positive PR of contests, authors are better equipped to showcase their talent through other avenues such as book signings and reviews. By using these contests to market their publications, these authors have taken yet another step forward in the publishing journey.
By offering promotional assistance such as special-rate advertising discounts in national publications to individualized marketing kits, AuthorHouse is able to offer further support to authors after reaching the point of publication.
