gjenkins01

The “Blurb” – A Writer’s Marketing Journey, pt 6

Everyone knows the ‘blurb,’ aka the quote usually on the back cover of a book that tells readers what’s go great about this particular book and why they should read it. But not every wrier may know how important and useful blurbs are. What is a ‘blurb’? In short, the blurb is a short paragraphContinue reading “The “Blurb” – A Writer’s Marketing Journey, pt 6″

Author’s Marketing Journey, pt. 5 – Website Building

I spent the entirety of my ‘Marketing Monday’ working on my website: grantmatthewjenkins.com. Most authors, particularly novelists, have them these days, and a website is an essential part of any marketing plan whether your are rep’d or self-published. Where do you start? For my website, I used the open-source, web-based software, WordPress, because I haveContinue reading “Author’s Marketing Journey, pt. 5 – Website Building”

Proof and Publication Date

I think we’ve finally figured out all the problems with the proof copy of Ivory Tower, but considering all of the issues I’ve had and time I’ve spent on it, I’ve decided to push the release date of the book back to Feb 1. That will give me time to get hard and electronic copiesContinue reading “Proof and Publication Date”

Problems with the new proof

If I could put a frown emoji here, I would. (Not really, ha ha.) But I must admit that it’s frustrating to receive a new proof of my novel and still find problems in it. Let me just say here that I am confident that my publisher, Nick, will fix it and make sure thingsContinue reading “Problems with the new proof”

An Author’s Marketing Journey, pt 4

I’m learning that marketing and promoting your own book is a long haul or, if you prefer a sports analogy, a four-quarter game. Although it is tempting to skip “Marketing Monday,” or whatever time you’ve set aside to do this PR work, perseverance is more than half the fight. For Its Own Sake One ofContinue reading “An Author’s Marketing Journey, pt 4”

What happens at the proof stage of publishing?

In my last post, I announced that I got the proof copy of my novel, Ivory Tower, in the mail from the publisher, which was great. Proof copies let you take one last look at your book–the physical book itself–before it goes out to the world. Whether you are publishing with a big house orContinue reading “What happens at the proof stage of publishing?”

Author’s Marketing Journey, pt 3

Today, I focused on connecting with bloggers, either requesting reviews of my novel, Ivory Tower, or asking to be part of a blog tour. If you have never heard of a “blog tour,” check out this great explanation by children’s book author, Nick Jones, on the Irish magazine, writing.ie, itself a great resource for bothContinue reading “Author’s Marketing Journey, pt 3”

Proof copy is here!

Ahhh, there is nothing like holding your own book in you own hand for the first time. The weight of it, the texture of the cover (matte, in this case), and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it. I always advise my student writers to revel in moments of accomplishment and bask in theirContinue reading “Proof copy is here!”

Author’s Marketing Journey Pt 2 – What is an Advance Info or “Sell” Sheet?

In my last post, I included an image of the Advanced Info Sheet (AIS) for my novel, Ivory Tower. Here it is again, in case you missed it: This document is used by publishers (like yourself) to inform venues, magazines, reviewers, and distributors about a new work. It’s also called a “sell sheet” among otherContinue reading “Author’s Marketing Journey Pt 2 – What is an Advance Info or “Sell” Sheet?”

Jan. 1st Release Date!

Atmosphere Press has just announced that my latest book, Ivory Tower, will be released on January 1, 2020! What a way to ring in the new year, ay? It will be available on Amazon January 15, but you can pre-order it now! Ivory Tower is a campus crime thriller about Margolis Santos, a charismatic filmContinue reading “Jan. 1st Release Date!”