Authors Guild Launchpad: Book Marketing & Publicity Promoting your work is one of the toughest parts of being an author. Authors Guild Launchpad is a resource hub for tools and strategies to help with marketing and publicity—and stay tuned for more to come! Share on Twitter (opens in a new tab) on Facebook (opens in a new tab) on Linkedin (opens in a new tab) via email Members of the Authors Guild have been loud and clear about the need for additional help with book marketing and publicity. That’s why we launched a new program for book marketing and publicity exclusively for members: Authors Guild Launchpad. Plan your next book launch with Launchpad resources that you can use at your own pace: recordings of webinars with industry experts, a workbook to help you map out your promotional efforts, a collection of recommended reading and service providers, and more. Launchpad webinars include a series aimed at adult fiction and nonfiction releases and a separate series for children’s literature. Additional Authors Guild programming that addresses book promotion are rounded up at the end of this page. Stay tuned for additional opportunities in Authors Guild Launchpad. Our pilot sessions brought small cohorts of authors together with marketing and publicity professionals for private, virtual meetings, providing a space for personalized advice and networking. We will announce future iterations of the program soon. Click the button below to see Authors Guild Launchpad recordings and other resources that are available now. View Launchpad Resources Please send questions or feedback about Authors Guild Launchpad to marketing@authorsguild.org. Get Started: Book Publicity Overview Begin with our Overview of Book Publicity for a brief yet thorough primer. This article addresses current practices, the difference between marketing and publicity, and what actions authors can take. After reading, you will have a clearer understanding of which areas you want to dive into further. Read Overview of Book Publicity → Book Marketing & Publicity Checklist Our downloadable Book Marketing & Publicity Checklist is more of a workbook to explore various avenues of book promotion, rather than a true “checklist.” The best course of action depends on you, your book, the market conditions at the time of your book’s release, and many other factors. Download Checklist → Helpful Links Our collection of Book Marketing & Publicity Resources rounds up dozens of articles, podcasts, newsletters, and much more on a wide range of topics. Browse Links → Recorded Webinars Launchpad webinars have covered the basics of marketing and publicity, including what authors can do themselves, how publishers’ marketing and publicity departments operate, how to get media coverage, and planning launch parties and book events. The first series focuses on books for adults, and the second series focuses on books for kids. Launchpad Webinars: Adult Literature Diving into Book Publicity A detailed overview of book publicity: what publishers’ in-house teams do, what freelancer publicists do, and what authors can do themselves. Preparing for Publication Day Authors of recent books reveal what worked well, what did not, and what they recommend authors do to best position themselves for a successful launch these days. Channels of Communication, Part 1 Focused on social media, author websites, and newsletters. Channels of Communication, Part 2 Focused on branding, influencer outreach, swag, and giveaways. Pitching Pieces: Essays, Op-Eds, Book Lists Editors provide advice for conceptualizing and pitching “off the book page” coverage in literary and general-interest media outlets. On the Road and At Home: The Role of Events Advice for planning, securing, and preparing for launch events, book tours, and festivals. Launchpad Webinars: Children’s Literature Publicity for Children’s Books A detailed overview of book publicity for kid lit: what publishers’ in-house teams do and what authors should know about publicity campaigns, reaching reviewers, and the festival circuit. Getting Reviews for Young Adult Books An explainer on how mainstream review outlets and bloggers select YA books to review, and how authors can improve their chances of coverage. Getting Reviews for Middle Grade Books An explainer on how mainstream review outlets and bloggers select MG books to review, and how authors can improve their chances of coverage. Getting Reviews for Picture Books An explainer on how mainstream review outlets and bloggers select picture books and chapter books to review, and how authors can improve their chances of coverage. Kid Lit Coverage: Essays, Op-Eds, and Q&As Editors provide advice for conceptualizing and pitching “off the book page” coverage in media outlets, plus creaive ideas from the panelists who are also authors themselves. Working with Freelance Publicists for Children’s Books Demystifying the process and expectations for kid lit authors who hire an independent publicist. At Home & On the Road: The Role of Events & School Visits A discussion of the many forms kid lit book tours can take, including school visits that are arranged through bookstores with a guaranteed book buy rather than a speaking fee. School & Library Marketing: What Authors Should Know Behind-the-scenes info about how publishers market books to school and library buyers and what it takes to appeal to this market. The Digital Age Author, a Six-Part Series with Jane Friedman For further ideas on book promotion, Authors Guild members can review this informative six-part series that was produced in 2017. Establishing and Growing Your Author PlatformBest Practices for Author Websites and BlogsEmail Marketing 101 for WritersSocial Media for Authors: How to Make It Worth Your TimeSelf-Publishing 101: Understanding the Landscape and OpportunitiesThe Basics of Marketing and Promoting Your Work Online Free Resources from the Authors Guild Foundation Below are additional webinars and articles about marketing, publicity, and book promotion. Recordings of events put on by the Authors Guild Foundation are freely available to the public. Marketing Best Practices in Marketing, Promotion, and Reader EngagementAmazon Ads for Traditionally Published AuthorsMarketing for Indie AuthorsMe, Myself, and ROI: Doing Your Own Marketing Publicity Article: What to Expect When You’re Publishing: Publicity 101Media Training for Authors, Part I: Producing Videos and Giving InterviewsMedia Training for Authors, Part II: Public Speaking Tips to Sell More BooksMedia Training for Authors, Part III: How to Get and Keep Media AttentionThe Modern Author’s Press Kit with Sarah N. Fisk Social Media & Newsletters Social Media for Authors: How to Make It Worth Your TimeReaching Influencers with a Marketing PartnerNewsletters: Building a Community You Can OwnArticle: The Dos and Don’ts of Self-Promotion Events & Touring How to DIY Your Book Launch (Whether Self-Published or Traditional)Building a Successful Relationship with BooksellersSchool Visits: Booking, Planning, and Navigating a Timely Revenue StreamArticle: I’m Published! Now What? An Author’s Guide to Creating Successful Book Events, Readings, and Promotions Case Studies: From Manuscript to Marketplace From Manuscript to Marketplace offers candid talks between an author and members of their publishing team about each step of the publication process: acquisition, editorial, marketing, and more. View From Manuscript to Marketplace Recordings Become a Member Join the Authors Guild and begin benefiting from your membership immediately. Join now
