While publicists in different industries all learn and hone similar skills, these skills are not always transferable from one industry to another. Take book publicity for example. In the 10 plus years that Over the River Public Relations has been in business, we have worked with a number of authors and publishers, who come to us after they worked with a different publicist and didn’t see many results. In some cases the author was an expert in a particular field and they hired a publicist who specializes in that field. In other cases, the publisher hired a local PR firm hoping they could help out with reviews, interviews, internet outreach, etc. The one conclusion all of these people came to is that ultimately they need a publicist who specializes in books. Book publishing has always been an industry that marches to the beat of its own drummer. It runs differently – for better or worse – than other businesses. So if you are an author out there thinking of hiring a publicist to help promote your book, you should hire a PR company that specializes in book publicity. They will have the contacts, the connections, and the understanding of how the book media works. A book publicist will have the same skills as any other publicist, but he/she will also know the idiosyncrasies of the industry. And that skill only comes with being an insider to this crazy business that we all love.
Right-Sizing Your Home
New client Gale Steves – former editor in chief of Home magazine and industry consultant – has written the book, RIGHT-SIZING YOUR HOME: How to Make Your House fit Your Lifestyle. This unique guide shows you how to discover space you never knew you had, rethink it, and truly make your house work for you. It is just out and already has received a lot of attention. Check out the interview Gale just did on the syndicated radio show, Stu Taylor on Business and read Dan Gregory’s (editor in chief ofwww.houseplans.com) great review. Become a fan on Facebook and get all of the latest news about reviews, interviews, and upcoming local appearances. There is lots more to come!
Alan Jacobson’s Newest Thriller Will Pub This Fall
For everyone who read Alan Jacobson’s pulse-pounding thriller, CRUSH last Fall, the wait is almost over for the continuation of the fast-paced story set in Napa Valley. VELOCITY (October 2010) is the third book in the Karen Vail series and it is even more explosive than the other two. We are reading the manuscript now to prepare for the publicity campaign, and we can’t put it down! As the story opens, Vail’s boyfriend, Detective Robby Hernandez, has disappeared without a trace. There are no clues to his whereabouts, other than a blood stain — and potential connections to the serial killer, John Wayne Mayfield. What lies ahead is like nothing Karen Vail has ever experienced.
As the New York Times bestselling author, Michael Connelly describes it, “From the first page VELOCITY is as relentless as a bullet. Karen Vail is my kind of hero and Alan Jacobson is my kind of writer!” If you haven’t read any of Jacobson’s thrillers, start with 7th VICITIM, the first in his Karen Vail series. Nelson DeMille calls Alan Jacobson, “a hell of a writer, and his lead character, Karen Vail, is a hell of a lady: tough, smart, funny, and very believable.” James Patterson agrees: “Karen Vail is as compelling a character as any created by Patricia Cornwell, or yours truly.”
There is still time to read the first two books in the series before VELOCITY is published in early Fall. Visit www.alanjacobson.com or www.vanguardpressbooks.com for more information.
Stop Making Excuses and Read This Book!
We are excited to have the opportunity to work with motivational guru, Brian Tracy and his new book, NO EXCUSES: The Power of Self-Discipline for Success in Your Life (Vanguard Press Hardcover), which pubs today. The beauty of this book is that Brian Tracy shows how the power of self-discipline can help you achieve success in all three major areas of your life – your personal goals, your business and money goals, and your overall happiness. The book features helpful exercises and easy-to-follow guidelines to teach you how to be more successful in everything you do. For more information visit www.briantracy.com and www.vanguardpressbooks.com. You can also stop by Vanguard’s booth (#4227) at BEA later this week.
Authors Can Blog For The Huffington Post
We are big fans of The Huffington Post, not only as a source for book reviews, political news, and entertainment, but also as a great way for authors to get publicity. How? The Huffington Post combines breaking news and blogs to deliver unique perspectives on a variety of issues and topics, and they are open to authors writing original content for their site. For example, one of our authors, Carole Mallory – whose recent memoir, LOVING MAILER, chronicles her nine year affair with the iconic author, Norman Mailer – just posted an entry that compares her experiences as a cover model in the 70s with a recent photo shoot she had for a feature in the New York Times’ Style section: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carole-mallory/is-technology-destroying_b_566179.html. Another client, Rosalyn Hoffman, author of BITCHES ON A BUDGET had a post about simple Mother’s Day gifts for every budget: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rosalyn-hoffman/5-simple-mothers-day-gift_b_566016.html. And this wasn’t the first time either author has blogged for The Huffington Post. Check out who else is blogging for them at www.huffingpost.com.
