In a recent issue of The Bookwoman, the official publication of Women’s National Book Association, Fern Reiss gives hints on how to publicize your novel. One of her methods is to put a nonfiction hook in your novel. Hooks provide a potential platform as well as leverage for publicity. Riess’ words shot through me. Of course! Brilliant!
I often guide writers through the pitfalls of creating the Middle of your story in two ways. The use of antagonists is one. The other is to create an unusual world. When the protagonist leaves the old world, they enter the story world. Not only does this technique support your writing, as Reiss points out, creating such a hook leads to so much more.
Write what you know. Create the story world around your passion — that which you know and love.
Or write about that which you do not know, but fascinates you enough to immerse yourself in until you become an expert.
Readers and audiences love to learn or experience something new and exotic. Provide that in the world you create in the Middle.
Take raising a wild coyote (the core of a new memoir coming out 12/2 by Simon and Schuster — The Daily Coyote) or learning about life as a queen (as in CW Gortner’s new historical novel by Ballantine Books: The Last Queen). Not only do the exotic worlds of contemporary Wyoming and 1492 Spain provide excitement and plot twists, they also provide a potential platform from which to publicize your work.
For instance, Barnes & Noble writes of Daily Coyote: “This full-color illustrated book will change your view of an entire species.” This is big, news worthy, and holds importance beyond the book itself, beyond Shreve herself. News outlets — T.V. and radio, newspapers and magazines are more likely to do a story on Shreve and her book based on that one statement than simply doing an interview about the book itself. Therefore, the unusual world she elaborates on — raising a wild coyote — becomes her platform which an entire publicity campaign centers around.
What unusual world does the story world in the Middle of your story involve???
I know everyone says write what you know but I think my view is a bit different – my view is to write with passion, with a creative confidence that knows no limits. Approach writing the way you would a sport with a single-mindedness but keep your heart open so that those moments of surprise, of grace, of contrast will come through in your story…Mary Kennedy Eastham, Author, 'The Shadow of a Dog I Can't Forget' and the novel-in-progress 'Night Surfing – A Story of Love & Wonder in the Waves of Malibu
My story is set in rural China, and a great deal of the middle takes place in a teashop. So when doing publicity I often bring Chinese teacups to the host/hostess, dressed in my red Chinese jacket. I’ve found that people really enjoy being able to pick me out right away from the cover of my book, and are pleased to have the teacups. I have fun with this as well.
Interesting concept you suggest.
My story world is in England during World War II with key scenes centering around the Battle of the Bulge. The publicity options would be to release the book around major anniversary dates and use my expertise about WWII as my platform.
Never thought of it like that. Thanks for stimulating my imagination and planning ahead.
This wisdom is a wonderful way to approach the difficult and daunting task of broading the scope of book distribution. In truth, as writers, we get pulled into that unusual world. We become captivated, like tourists in an exotic land.I find that often I must “come home” from the visit (finish the book or story) before I can truly see the other world and elaborate upon it and refine its theme or “hook” that will make it so much larger than just about the book or for that matter about me as the author.
I believe we have to be archeologists once the work is complete, for, there is much to discover and for many of us, it’s “higher purpose” rests below the surface. This discovery can make all the difference in outreach and the success of promotion.
Absolutely beautifully put, Luisa. Thank you…..
Martha, thank you for posting this subject. Promoting a novel or memoir is a major challenge because unless you are already a best-selling author or your publisher has committed a six-figure marketing budget for your book, how do you give your book the attention it deserves?
I remember how excited I was when my mother-daughter novel Love Made of Heart was released by New York publisher Kensington. Although I landed readings/signings at bookstores (through friends’ and colleagues’ help), I soon received this response from media folks: “We can’t interview/invite you. Not interested in novels…”
Then, Elisa Southard (non-fiction author and PR coach) came along. She said: “YOU are bigger than your book. What are the ‘issues’ in your novel?”
Then, Anny Cleven (Area Marketing Director at Borders Books) reminded me that I was shedding light on ‘mental illness’ and ‘domestic violence’ in the Asian-American community.
Kim McMillon, friend and colleague, pitched me to be a guest on KPIX “Bay Sunday” when she saw that I was ready to speak out on the issues. I became Teresa LeYung Ryan who advocates compassion for mental illness and the author who helps survivors of family violence find their own voices.
Now that I’m a career coach for writers, I encourage all my clients to build their platforms by articulating the themes in their stories as community/national/global concerns.
So, after you have used the tools from Blockbuster Plots to structure your story and you have the first draft of your project, look for the issues or self-help elements to weave what Martha Alderson calls “thematic significance.”
Writers who have spent years working on their books (fiction or non-fiction) deserve recognition for their dedication. I want to see all diligent writers shed light on “the issues” and thus speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Happy Writing!
What ever happened to just writing a good story?
Your post and the replies have been enlightening. Beautifully said by all parties.
My issue was higher class/lower class prejudices and learning to change one’s way of thinking.
Hugs, JJ
You must write a good story, a great one. But you also must help to get it out to your readers. People have many books and other entertainments to fill their leisure time. They’ve got to find yours to know how good it is.
The settings of my books are centered around crafts–quilting and rubber stamping. Consequently, I market heavily in those areas. Both of these groups hold conferences and I’ve been able to get my books there with me, hand selling. I’ve contacted many small shops and most are happy to have a book signing. For quilt and stamp shops, it’s something new.
Both of these groups are very internet savvy, something I’ve barely scratched the surface of.
This is a great thread of discussion. So many wonderful thoughts.
An editor I once had said, “Authors are the last to know what their books are about.” We’re so busy getting the story down, we don’t see the larger picture. But as Teresa so aptly pointed out, it’s our job to find that picture and capitalize on it.
Jana, I see you found a way to get your lovely picture up!! Congratulations.
Yes, these are great comments. Something for writers to think about while juggling all the other important aspects, too.
No one said it was going to be easy but writers are most generous in sharing what works for them…
My novel, Midori by Moonlight, takes place mainly in San Francisco, and is about a young woman who escapes her native Japan to search for her American Dream and the perfect dessert. Among many platforms I have tried out, I have marketed the book to readers interested in Japanese culture and foreigners who live or have lived in Japan as well as to fans of Japanese animation movies (anime) and Japanese comics (manga) and to those studying the Japanese language. Still, I feel the book can appeal to anyone who will find themselves charmed by the protagonist and her struggles with English, adjusting to a new culture, and her journey toward the realization that what she thought she wanted might not have been what she really needed. Midori is also an aspiring pastry chef and is pictured holding a cupcake on the cover. At my readings and signings I brought cupcakes (albeit store-bought!), which were always a hit.
As for the comment, what about just writing a good story…well, those days are gone, I’m afraid. Most all novelists and memoirists are responsible for their own publicity or a good deal of it. There are just too many books in competition with each other. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to get your book noticed among all the thousands of others, but we just have to keep plugging away. And, believe it or not, marketing can be fun too. 🙂
My hope is that this post and all these generous writers’ comments encourage writers to consider how they are going to reach their potential readers.
Know the answer to that and you increase your chances of getting published.
Of course, it’s all about the writing, but it doesn’t hurt to plan for the day your book is on the shelves.
Great post! This really gives me a lot to think about as I write my nanowrimo draft this month.