How to Prepare for Being Published

Things You Can Do After Singing the Contract for a New Book

Jan 31, 2010 Kasey Hargan

You've just signed a contract with a publisher. Now what do you do? The wait may seem endless, but when staying busy locally, your book will arrive before you know it.

Prepare for being a published author by starting out in your own back yard. Regional media always wants human interest stories. Neighborhood libraries are delighted to offer local authors space for book readings. These will be valuable, confidence building experiences when the time comes for out of town appearances and signings.

Materials for Publicity

Write a press release on yourself or get a friend to help you. Give biographical information, writing background and how the publisher came to accept your manuscript. Tell a bit about the plot as a teaser to incite reader interest. Make sure you include your contact information. While you're at it, make up some postcards with a brief sketch of your book's plot and announcing the publication date. Leave blank spaces for adding in dates and other information.

Where to Send Them

Send your press release to local TV and radio stations (news directors), bookstores (publicity staff) and libraries. Also newspapers - and when sending to them, contact the "Lifestyles" or "Community" sections which usually do book reviews or author news. If possible, hand-deliver the press material and greet the recipient. This will make a good impression and give the staff a face to put with the material that they'll be reading. Be sure to make note of who gets the releases and their phone number. This will come in handy for follow-ups later.

Blog all about It

Create a personal website or blog to talk about your upcoming book. Open Facebook and Twitter accounts and develop a network of cyber-friends who will read your book and spread the word.

No time Like the Present

This is the time, before your book is published, to become known in your community as a "literary figure". Contact your local literacy program and volunteer to teach people how to read. Or sign up to drive the bookmobile. When your work is 'bookstore-ready', these involvements will increase your value as a human interest piece to local media.

Action Time

About a month before your book comes out, send the postcards to everyone who received a press release with the publication date added in and a note that you will be in touch with them soon. Then roughly two weeks after that, call the newspapers, radio and TV stations and offer to do interviews. Ask bookstores about book signings and contact libraries for a corner in which to conduct author readings/discussion groups. The postcards can also be tacked to community or grocery store bulletin boards as an additional eye-catching supplement to what residents have been reading and hearing about in the local media. In the blank space at the bottom, refer to any media stories about your book, such as "See the Sunday Times book review of 6/23".

The copyright of the article How to Prepare for Being Published in Book Publishing is owned by Kasey Hargan. Permission to republish How to Prepare for Being Published in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Signed Contract