Ginger Hair Out for a Walk

Took my Ginger hair for a walk this morning along 24th Street for the first time since my return from New York.  Looked pretty good in the mirror before I left and must have looked good to passersby because I got lengthy looks and lovely smiles from men and women.  Either that or they recognized me from the newspaper.

We snagged our first interview in the Noe Valley Voice (November 2012 issue)--and I didn't even have to send a news release. Okay, it's not the New York Times but in our village of 20,000 it's big time.  We were two of seven local authors interviewed for a lengthy article on new books from Noe Valley authors.  Surprisingly, the neighborhood heavyweights--Cara Black and Bill Yenne--were not included.

People may not be reading print media as much elsewhere but in our neighborhood, which is full of tech-employed 20-somethings, they/we do read the Voice.  Photos of the book cover and our main author photo were included, in black and white in print but glorious color online, which you know already if you clicked on the Voice link above.

Although the article did not drive hordes into Phoenix Books, the local bookstore carrying Ginger Snaps, it has resulted in more looks of recognition and some lovely smiles.  Some of the LORs seem to be Gay as well.  That's promising.

Obtaining press for your book is part of the selling and promoting process.  At least it's writing.  I admit to being a little lackadaisical about accomplishing this.  But you should send your book out to online and print media reviewers.  Usually, all they need is a pdf but check first.  There are lots of online Queer lit bloggers.  They take some finding but their readers are your target market if your book is  Queer.  If it's not, believe me, there are bloggers out there somewhere reviewing your kind of book.  You just have to find them.

You should also send press releases to online and print media.  And use social media.  (I'm blogging, aren't I?)  And contact radio and TV if you think you have a chance.  Hopefully, everything you do will help you sell more books.  If it doesn't, well, it may at least give you 15 minutes of fame--like my hair and me.

Speaking of selling, check out our Ginger stuff:
     Ginger Snaps the Book at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3577527
     ginger/gingerphile t-shirts at http://gingergingerphiletee.logosoftwear.com