How can someone get good publicity for a book they write and get published?

[James]

Hey everyone. I'm writing a book and I hope to be a great author someday. Certainly not the greatest but a great one like John Flanagan or Rick Riordan. How did they get the publicity for there books and themselves to become as admired as they are? Is it because they had there books published by a well known publisher? Or is it because there books were just really good and one person read it and eventually it was so good that everyone who read it loved it? I would really like help and some advice. Thanks.

[Questionable]

The best way is to give some to ur friends, neighbors, coworkers and family and ask them to spread the word. Talk to your local book store and sell some online too.

[Annie Nesbitt]

A good publisher does help (better distribution and publicity), but if this is you first book, you aren't likely to get a good publisher the first time. What I can suggest is trying NaNoWrMo, If you get 50 000+ by the end of november, they have publishers and writers look over your novel... I'm sorry I can't give you anymore advice... I'm new myself and I can just tell you what I have learned.
Good Luck!

[mlee]

First of all: Few are born writers. The rest of us have an interest and learn the craft of writing. Study (and practice) to show thyself approved.

These days the bulk of the work of promoting is left up to the authors unless published by a big house publisher. If self publishing use a company that allows you to keep your rights, current examples: http://www.creativespace.com. This allows you to sell your work to a big house if one asks. The Devil Wears Prada comes to mind as an example.

Okay, here's a general article:
http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/G...?nobounce=

Don't wait until your book is published. Start well before building a following (the act of promoting yourself is called branding) using social media like Twitter, Facebook, online writer's groups like http://www.YouTube.com, once you have published.

But then these are only a few ways. Here's a 1001:
http://www.amazon.com/1001-Ways-Market-Y...091241149X

[Crayons]

Well, authors whose books are published by a major publishing house like Harper Collins, for example, have the backing of their publishers, who can take out advertisements in literary magazines if they believe that the book is commercially viable. So there is a sort of advantage to signing with a major publisher, but success is not guaranteed.

Here's the thing: a book's success depends upon the amount of work that the author puts into both the writing and the promotion. In this day and age, we're all used to seeing JK Rowling and Stephen King and we don't realize that the majority of authors do not get publisher-funded book tours. The vast, vast majority of authors have to promote their own work. I read an article in Writer's Digest or some similar magazine that detailed the book tour of a first-time novelist. He visited book stores, book expos, and basically pitched his book to buyers. His publisher was pleased with this- publishers do not- I repeat, do not- want to work with an author who thinks that once the book is written that his/her work is done. It's only just beginning! The publisher in the article told the author that he was glad that he was willing to drive around with a box of books in his trunk to try and sell them.

Some (most) authors probably dread marketing their own work. They might think that they are too shy, that they will sound lame or vain, or just don't know where to begin. But a book's success is contingent upon the author's courage in getting out there and working to sell his or her story.

I would recommend, for you, to get started before the book is finished. Join Twitter. There are a ton of big name authors on Twitter. Follow them and start trying to make contacts with publishers, agents, editors, and fellow writers. This is the power of the Internet. Embrace it, but embrace it safely.

Then get involved in your community or the nearest city. Every city has at least a small colony of artists and writers. Get involved. It can open doors. Start introducing yourself to small bookstore owners, participating in poetry readings (or just attend them and network), sending your work out to magazines, and write some local authors for advice. It is a lot of hard work, but this is what it takes to be one of the greats in this day and age, it seems.

But here is the most important thing: don't worry about fame or sales. Forget the numbers. They're nothing. While networking is crucial, as I have said, nothing is more important than writing because you love to write and writing a good book. The Internet is fed by word of mouth. Bestsellers are made on word of mouth. Write something that deserves to be published, deserves to stand the test of time. Write honestly and from the gut. Don't even think about publishing yet. Just get your ideas down, focus on your craft, and hone your skills. You owe it to your characters.

I really encourage you to think about this previous paragraph because it is the most important factor in the success of an author. You can do it if you have passion, patience, a will to get back up when you fail (believe me, you will at one point or another- all of us have, and because failure only makes you stronger, embrace it and stand back up), and an uninhibited love of writing.

Good luck! I wish you all the best in your endeavors.

[Taylor Mc]

Build an Auidence.

[cathrl69]

"Is it because they had there books published by a well known publisher?"

In a word, yes.