Hi,
I finished my book on Sears Homes (only took two years to write!) and now I need some marketing ideas. Y’all have been the source of lots of great ideas and info in the past and now I need some help.
I’ve been trying to figure out how to get a copy to the HOME tv shows – like Bob Vila’s show – and HGTV, etc., but their websites only offer generic addresses and no info on the show’s producers.
Any ideas on how to get this book in the hands of people who may want to promote it? I hate to just send out the book and have it end up in the trash because it goes to “Fans of Bob Vila” or something.
Thanks for your help. Please offer any and all ideas on promotion. Hubby of 24-years just said, “toodles” and I have about 90 days to make this book a smashing success.
Thanks.
Rose
Alton, IL
Replies
Rose: More information is needed. What is the book about, for example, remodeling, restoring, or maybe the history of Sears Homes? There are all kinds of catalogs that sell books on every phase of home restoration. Let me know.
Rose-
I think you are smart in wanting to avoid any 'cold' calls in pursuing the publishing of your book. You need to make personal contact through an introduction of some kind. Once you've got a publisher interested, be prepared to do a LOT of re-writing- that's the norm, so don't be discouraged.
Actually, if it were me, I'd first talk to some of the folks here at Taunton just to get a start in some direction. See if you can get some advice from Andy Engel, who is an executive editor for Fine Homebuilding. He visits this forum frequently and is a friendly and helpful kind of guy..........That's what I would do.
Good luck. Tell us more and how you make out. Sheesh, seems like Bob Vila and Sears would be very interested in your project.
Cheers, Ken Hill
Thanks for the fast replies.
The book *is* published and it's a book on the history of Sears homes, including "how to identify Sears homes," and details on how they were built and info on Sears mortgages, how to find Sears homes within communities, how to establish city-wide programs to preserve them and where to look for them.
In summary, it's a book *about* Sears homes and the title is, "The Houses That Sears Built; Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sears Catalog Homes."
My high goal is to help folks FIND and IDENTIFY Sears homes (I've found that 98% of Sears homeowners had NO idea they were living in a Sears homes until I appeared on their doorstep and told them).
I hope I don't get thrown out of here for this, but here's a link...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0971558809/qid=1019358105/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_1_1/103-1634636-3671055
I'm marketing the book myself (self-published, too) so I would love to hear any and all suggestions.
Rose
In The happy hunting grounds of Sears homes - Alton, IL
I would not try the "tv" shows, but rather there associate magazines.
And the mag's all have address and publishers names in them.
And don't forget American Bungalow. They also sell books.
Also try http://www.crafthome.com
They have lots of books in the A&C movement
I think an article on a Sears home just appeared in The Old House magazine (haven't read it yet), maybe try them ? Lee Valley like books with a historical twist, give them a call (Ottawa head office). And have you contacted Sears ?
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario
Rose
know of a Sears home that's been in the family since the early 50's.Don't know much history, but I've worked on it alot.Located in Bartlet IL.Hope you find answeres.
You could develop a couple of several-page articles using your material and sell them as magazine articles to a variety of magazines. (Did Smithsonian already do an article on Sears homes?). Your author bio would, of course, include that you are the author of "_________" which would serve as a great free plug for the book.
P.S. Don't sell the same article to two magazines. They get upset at that.
I'd try contacting "Old House Journal"
Hiya Rose -
Didn't know you were still hanging around these forums - I just started a thread this morning about your book at:
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=19895.1
I wouldn't have known you'd finished the book, but I saw it laying on the table at Mom and Dad's last night. Opened the front cover and it said: "Thanks for buying my first book", and then you'd signed it. Guess that means it will be worth a bundle one of these days when you become a famous writer ???
As for promoting it - how about taking out an advertisement in fine Homebuilding, or other magazines? Or maybe a banner ad on some websites ? Or maybe you can find another internet forum dedicated to writers, and ask some of them for promotional ideas.
Dad said he'd let me borrow the book when he was finished with it. I'll let you know what I think.
Best of luck in promoting it.....................Ron "Boss Hog" Strohbeck
Rose:
First, congratulations! OK- across America there are hundreds of local radio stations with talk format that are desperate to fill air time. Day in, day out they have to broadcast something. The hard part is reaching them to get bookings. Yes Rose, you need an agent. Don't panic, the trade magazine "Talkers" lists quite a few. Also, do a google search on "Talk show guests".
One, start by reading Talkers Magazine to learn what goes on behind the scenes. Two, practice by giving talks at your local historical societies and museums to get used to speaking in public and to develop your one minute, five minute and fifteen minute "schtik". Three, knock 'em dead.
Break a leg!