Effective novel promotion isn’t easy, but Smith Publicity is one of the few book marketing firms which aggressively promotes novels through media outreach, and we do it very well. We’ve promoted hundreds of novels since 1997 and know exactly what it takes to do it successfully. We’ve developed customized book publicity services to match the needs of novelists.
Sandy Diaz and Smith Publicity Director of U.K. Publicity Operations, Ben Cameron, at Frankfurt Book Fair, 2009
We have three novel marketing services options:
- Three month comprehensive campaign
- Six week jump start campaign
- One month novel promotion service
Three Month Comprehensive Novel Promotion Campaign
- This is our most intensive novel marketing option, designed for novels rich in media friendly content and authors who are willing to engage media opportunities with both book interest and general interest outlets.
- With a three month novel promotion campaign, we create press materials, pitch multiple angles to reach our well established network of local, regional, national and/or international print (newspaper and magazine), broadcast (television and radio) and online (blogs, e-zines, etc.) media outlets.
- The types of coverage may include book listings/mentions/excerpts, feature stories and articles, author profiles, broadcast interviews, blog mentions, trend pieces and byline article and expert commentary opportunities.
- When necessary, we change up pitches and create new angles; always being flexible and exploring new opportunities.
- Depending on the author’s background and credibility related to the theme of the novel, we create pitches to secure media opportunities utilizing the author’s expertise in specific topics.
- Clients receive a written weekly update detailing our activities, details of media interest, and plans for the following weeks. Feedback is always encouraged as campaigns evolve dramatically based on client feedback, media reaction and breaking news stories.
Six Week Jump Start Novel Marketing Campaign
- This novel marketing campaign is designed for authors who are testing publicity waters or have a limited budget. It is a great way to see how the media is responding to an author and his or her book.
- It is essentially the same level of service as in our three month campaign–the three month campaign simply gives us more time to pitch different angles to more media.
- At the end of the six weeks, clients can always continue.
One Month Novel Promotion Service
- Our one-month book marketing service Novel Promotion Service is a focused campaign to outlets interested in novels. We promote the author’s book to publications (print and online) we know are receptive to novels in general, plus raise awareness within the book’s specific genre–i.e. science fiction, romance, thriller, or mystery, among others.
- Heavy focus is placed on soliciting online book reviews.
- We personally pitch to the author’s local press/media.
- We perform outreach to fiction-friendly media contacts and print publications.
- When the campaign ends, we provide the author with the contact information of all media contacts who expressed interest in the book and an informative ‘Tips for Continued Success’ kit which details industry tips to help the author continue to build awareness for his or her book. Our goal is to not only help authors begin to promote their novel, but to empower them to sustain the momentum of the initial efforts and secure additional coverage on their own.
When it comes to book marketing services and novel promotion, experience, creativity, and customized campaigns are crucial; that’s why you need Smith Publicity!
Articles and resources for authors/publishers
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Peter DeVico, author of From the Brooklyn Side
This was DeVico’s first book, a self-published Mafia-crime novel in the tradition of GoodFellas, but ‘pure’ fiction with no real-life elements.
Top media interest: Feature story in the New York Times and over 50 radio interviews.
“The publicists at Smith Publicity are consummate publicity professionals. As a result of their dynamic approach, they were able to arrange 50 successful radio interviews to help promote my novel… Media interest was phenomenal…and sales everywhere were vigorous. I recommend them highly.” Peter DeVico
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Maureen Dutton, author of Silent Night
Silent Night was Dutton’s second self-published book, a gritty thriller filled with themes of duplicity, murder and revenge that illustrates how easily life can spiral out of control when greed is the driving force.
Top media interest: UPBEAT Entertainment News Syndicate, NPR, Southern California Public Radio, SellingBooks.com, American Chronicle
“…What can I say but thank you, thank you thank you. I have had the most wonderful time working with you. I had no idea how creative and resourceful you would be. I have had radio interviews across the country and articles printed in various publications. Your expertise was astounding and you not only showcased me to the American public but you helped me realize what made me different and how I could showcase myself…I feel like I am leaving friends and will certain be back when I am ready to publicize my next book…” Maureen Dutton
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Debra Richardson, author of Flashpoint and Don’t Believe Everything You See
Smith Publicity conducted two back-to-back publicity campaigns for this Canadian author. Both thrillers, although unrelated, follow characters through stories of deceit, betrayal and murder.
Top media interest: Quill & Quire, Breakfast Television, LA Weekly, NPR, Calgary Herald, Metro Calgary, The Gazette, and over 12 radio interviews.
“They love what they do and it shows! They care about their clients and are always available to answer any questions an author may have about their campaign … or anything else for that matter. …retaining their services is the smartest marketing move I have made in the past ten years.” Debra Richardson
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K.R. Jones, author of Ghosts of Guantanamo Bay
Jones’ novel is a story about a marine and his wife who arrive in Guantanamo Bay for a two-year tour of duty unaware that they’ll soon uncover over forty years of the island’s best kept secrets.
Top media interest: BookPleasures.com, WJZ-TV, Frommers, Boston Globe, Pittsburg Post-Gazette, AOL.com, Cuba Absolutely, Better Homes & Gardens, Health Beat of America, Solider of Fortune Magazine
“Smith Publicity is a firm committed to customer satisfaction and immediate results. Although my budget was small, they worked with me to design an exciting campaign for my book that would grab the biggest audience in the shortest amount of time. They secured book reviews, radio interviews and television appearances in a matter of weeks, all the while, making me feel as if I were their only customer. I highly recommend this firm…” K.R. Jones
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John Buckland
author of Seven Days from Darwin
Top media interest: Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Catholic Digest, and U.S. Catholic.
"Initially I tried publicizing on my own, with exceptionally poor results. I sent out a dozen press releases to small market and local media and didn’t get so much as an acknowledgement. Smith Publicity was able to quickly generate coverage in venues where I had initially failed to receive any, and their nationwide list of contacts led to radio, magazine, newspaper and TV opportunities/appearances that I never would have gotten without them. Thanks Smith Publicity!”
John Buckland
