The BookMark . . . publishing industry information and tips from BookMasters.

The BookMark is our free monthly newsletter featuring news and information of use to publishers, authors, retailers, and others involved in the publishing industry. On the fifteenth of every month, The BookMark will deliver useful tips, helpful news, and upcoming events directly to your electronic in-box. Now in addition to our publishing and printing news, we will be including monthly articles on Book Sales and Marketing by combining our book distribution monthly newsletter, The Advocate, with The BookMark to create an all-encompassing Book Sales and Publishing Industry Newsletter. If you would like to receive a free copy of the The BookMark in your monthly e-mail, please visit http://www.bookmasters.com/subscribe.htm and complete the subscription form.

IN THIS ISSUE: Industry News & Events

BookMasters to Attend Book Expo America

Author 101

Upcoming Events

BookMasters to Attend Book Expo America

A number of BookMasters, Inc., and AtlasBooks employees will attend the annual BEA Trade Show to take place in Los Angeles, California, from May 29 to June 1. Among those attending will be BookMasters’ executives C.O.O. Dave Wurster, President Ray Sevin, and Sales Manager Paul Stevenson. Sales executives Shelley Sapyta, Sue Bray, Cathy Purdy, and Emily McQuate will also attend. Representing AtlasBooks will be executives Matt Wurster, Distribution Sales Manager; Randy McKenzie, National Sales Manager; and Amanda Dowdy, Buyer Relations Manager.

The AtlasBooks and BookMasters, Inc., booths - numbers 846 and 847 respectively - are located between halls G and H, next to the university press section. Events like this offer the opportunity for the staff to meet with publishers and buyers. Buyers, publishers, and individuals can discuss printing, composition, distribution, or sales services. Anyone who would like to set up a specific appointment with the attending staff members can contact them by calling 888-537-6727 or 419-281-5100.

The Web site for Book Expo America is http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/.

Author 101

An agent’s primary job is to represent the writer and protect his or her interests. Much of this involves the selling of the book and negotiating the contract and fees. The work of a good agent continues long after the ink on the contract is dry. A good agent monitors the publisher’s actions, makes sure that they are keeping their bargains and putting forth their best efforts to promote and distribute their clients’ books. They also are watchful for future opportunities and push for follow-up books, additional printing runs, added publicity, and other benefits.

For most writers, getting a literary agent isn’t easy. Agents don’t make money unless they sell books, so they’re selective about the clients they take. Most agents simply can’t afford to waste their time and energy on writers whose works won’t sell. So increase your chances of getting an agent by understanding the process from the agent’s perspective and following the protocols.

Excerpted with permission from Author 101: Bestselling Book Publicity, by Rick Frishman and Robyn Spizman. Contact Rick at FRISHMANR@PlannedTVArts.com or www.author101.com

*********************************************

Marketing to Non-Bookstore Buyers

Acquisition librarians must be aware of your title before they can order it. Therefore, promotion to the library market is as critical as it is to others. Author appearances drive patron interest as much as they do through retail stores. And since librarians pay particular attention to their patrons, your media performances can stimulate word-of-mouth advertising among them.

Trade shows are an excellent place to introduce your book to librarians. There are national (American Library Association), regional (New England Library Association) and local (Connecticut Library Association) shows at which you can exhibit your books. Dates for all these conventions can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/events/eventsconferences.htm then click on “Events and Conferences.”

Excerpted from Beyond the Bookstore a Publishers Weekly book by Brian Jud http://www.bookmarketing.com

*********************************************

Promote Your Books at Local Book Festivals
By: Sarah Bolme

I recently saw a car toting the bumper sticker: “Think Globally, Act Locally.” I experienced a flash of insight and realized that this bumper sticker was talking to authors and publishers (before I had always assumed that this bumper sticker was speaking about environmental issues). As a book producer, you want your books to become international bestsellers. This is a great goal. However, to attain this goal, you must start promoting your books somewhere. The best place to begin promoting books is locally in the city and state where the author and publisher reside.

One great venue to promote books locally is through book festivals. Many towns host annual book or literary festivals. Some are only one-day events, while others span a week. These festivals are generally hosted by libraries, reading groups, non-profit organizations, and even author or publisher associations. Book festivals offer some great opportunities to promote your books.

1. Sell your books at a local book festival
Book festivals feature publishers, authors, and bookstores selling books. Since book lovers attend book festivals, many opportunities for exposing readers to books and selling books are present at a book festival. Some festivals allow local authors to set up a table to sell books for free while others charge a fee to rent a table to sell books. If you set up shop at a local book festival make sure to take plenty of promotional materials to hand-out to increase your exposure and future sales.

2. Be a featured local artist by participating in a literary reading
Local book festivals love to feature local authors. Festivals offer “book readings” and other author presentations to draw attendees. Many festivals actively seek local authors to participate. Authors and publishers can contact a festival’s organizing committee to let them know of an author’s availability to participate.

3. Volunteer to host a writing workshop for festival attendees
Book festival organizers are always looking for additional “draws” to entice the public to attend their book festival. As an author, you can volunteer to teach a short writing workshop on your area of expertise. If you write fiction for teens, volunteer to host a fiction writing workshop for teenagers. Likewise, if you write non-fiction, volunteer your service for hosting a workshop for beginning writers. If you are a children’s book illustrator, consider presenting a quick art lesson or art project for children. Again, contacting the festival’s organizing committee to let them know of your interest and availability will allow you to optimize on this great publicity opportunity.

Finding Local Book Festivals
Authors and publishers can use the Internet to search for local book festivals. Generally, typing “book festival” and your locale into a search engine such as Google™ or Yahoo® will yield a number of results.

Two other good resources for finding local book festivals are:

The Library of Congress (LOC)
The LOC’s Center for the Book has an extensive listing of book festivals and fairs around the country. One list shows festivals by month they take place (www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bkevents.html), while the other list features festivals by alphabetical order and by state (www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bookfair.html). Each of the festivals listed on the Library of Congress Center for the Book are either free to the public or only charge a nominal fee for attendees, making these festivals the best bet for lesser know local authors to be able to participate in a manner that brings optimal exposure.
Festivals.com
This Web site specializes in listing festivals of every flavor. However, you can use the site’s search engine to search for festivals by state or by key word such as “books” to find local book festivals. The Web site is located at www.festivals.com and offers advertising opportunities at any festival listed on their site.

Sarah Bolme is the director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net). Sarah’s newest award-winning book, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com.

April 14–16, 2008
London Book Fair, Earls Court London, England
www.londonbookfair.co.uk

May 29–June 1, 2008
BookExpo America, Los Angeles, California
www.bookexpoamerica.com

June 13–16, 2008
BookExpo Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
www.bookexpo.ca

October 15–19, 2008
Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt, Germany
www.book-fair.com

This calendar was up-to-date and accurate as of February 15, 2008. Information was culled from a number of sources. BookMasters cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the information within. Please visit the listed Web sites for more information.

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© 2001 — 2008 BookMasters^® © 2001 — 2008 The BookMark All Rights Reserved

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Home . Services List . BookMasters . AtlasBooks Distribution . Bookstore . Subscribe . Archives Volume 6, Issue 2 February 2008
The BookMark is our free monthly newsletter featuring news and information of use to publishers, authors, retailers, and others involved in the publishing industry. On the fifteenth of every month, The BookMark will deliver useful tips, helpful news, and upcoming events directly to your electronic in-box. Now in addition to our publishing and printing news, we will be including monthly articles on Book Sales and Marketing by combining our book distribution monthly newsletter, The Advocate, with The BookMark to create an all-encompassing Book Sales and Publishing Industry Newsletter. If you would like to receive a free copy of the The BookMark in your monthly e-mail, please visit http://www.bookmasters.com/subscribe.htm and complete the subscription form. IN THIS ISSUE: Industry News & Events BookMasters to Attend Book Expo America Author 101 Upcoming Events BookMasters to Attend Book Expo America A number of BookMasters, Inc., and AtlasBooks employees will attend the annual BEA Trade Show to take place in Los Angeles, California, from May 29 to June 1. Among those attending will be BookMasters’ executives C.O.O. Dave Wurster, President Ray Sevin, and Sales Manager Paul Stevenson. Sales executives Shelley Sapyta, Sue Bray, Cathy Purdy, and Emily McQuate will also attend. Representing AtlasBooks will be executives Matt Wurster, Distribution Sales Manager; Randy McKenzie, National Sales Manager; and Amanda Dowdy, Buyer Relations Manager. The AtlasBooks and BookMasters, Inc., booths - numbers 846 and 847 respectively - are located between halls G and H, next to the university press section. Events like this offer the opportunity for the staff to meet with publishers and buyers. Buyers, publishers, and individuals can discuss printing, composition, distribution, or sales services. Anyone who would like to set up a specific appointment with the attending staff members can contact them by calling 888-537-6727 or 419-281-5100. The Web site for Book Expo America is http://www.bookexpoamerica.com/. Author 101 An agent’s primary job is to represent the writer and protect his or her interests. Much of this involves the selling of the book and negotiating the contract and fees. The work of a good agent continues long after the ink on the contract is dry. A good agent monitors the publisher’s actions, makes sure that they are keeping their bargains and putting forth their best efforts to promote and distribute their clients’ books. They also are watchful for future opportunities and push for follow-up books, additional printing runs, added publicity, and other benefits. For most writers, getting a literary agent isn’t easy. Agents don’t make money unless they sell books, so they’re selective about the clients they take. Most agents simply can’t afford to waste their time and energy on writers whose works won’t sell. So increase your chances of getting an agent by understanding the process from the agent’s perspective and following the protocols. Excerpted with permission from Author 101: Bestselling Book Publicity, by Rick Frishman and Robyn Spizman. Contact Rick at FRISHMANR@PlannedTVArts.com or www.author101.com ******************************************* Marketing to Non-Bookstore Buyers** Acquisition librarians must be aware of your title before they can order it. Therefore, promotion to the library market is as critical as it is to others. Author appearances drive patron interest as much as they do through retail stores. And since librarians pay particular attention to their patrons, your media performances can stimulate word-of-mouth advertising among them. Trade shows are an excellent place to introduce your book to librarians. There are national (American Library Association), regional (New England Library Association) and local (Connecticut Library Association) shows at which you can exhibit your books. Dates for all these conventions can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/events/eventsconferences.htm then click on “Events and Conferences.” Excerpted from Beyond the Bookstore a Publishers Weekly book by Brian Jud http://www.bookmarketing.com ******************************************* Promote Your Books at Local Book Festivals By: Sarah Bolme I recently saw a car toting the bumper sticker: “Think Globally, Act Locally.” I experienced a flash of insight and realized that this bumper sticker was talking to authors and publishers (before I had always assumed that this bumper sticker was speaking about environmental issues). As a book producer, you want your books to become international bestsellers. This is a great goal. However, to attain this goal, you must start promoting your books somewhere. The best place to begin promoting books is locally in the city and state where the author and publisher reside. One great venue to promote books locally is through book festivals. Many towns host annual book or literary festivals. Some are only one-day events, while others span a week. These festivals are generally hosted by libraries, reading groups, non-profit organizations, and even author or publisher associations. Book festivals offer some great opportunities to promote your books. 1. Sell your books at a local book festival Book festivals feature publishers, authors, and bookstores selling books. Since book lovers attend book festivals, many opportunities for exposing readers to books and selling books are present at a book festival. Some festivals allow local authors to set up a table to sell books for free while others charge a fee to rent a table to sell books. If you set up shop at a local book festival make sure to take plenty of promotional materials to hand-out to increase your exposure and future sales. 2. Be a featured local artist by participating in a literary reading Local book festivals love to feature local authors. Festivals offer “book readings” and other author presentations to draw attendees. Many festivals actively seek local authors to participate. Authors and publishers can contact a festival’s organizing committee to let them know of an author’s availability to participate. 3. Volunteer to host a writing workshop for festival attendees Book festival organizers are always looking for additional “draws” to entice the public to attend their book festival. As an author, you can volunteer to teach a short writing workshop on your area of expertise. If you write fiction for teens, volunteer to host a fiction writing workshop for teenagers. Likewise, if you write non-fiction, volunteer your service for hosting a workshop for beginning writers. If you are a children’s book illustrator, consider presenting a quick art lesson or art project for children. Again, contacting the festival’s organizing committee to let them know of your interest and availability will allow you to optimize on this great publicity opportunity. Finding Local Book Festivals Authors and publishers can use the Internet to search for local book festivals. Generally, typing “book festival” and your locale into a search engine such as Google™ or Yahoo® will yield a number of results. Two other good resources for finding local book festivals are: The Library of Congress (LOC) The LOC’s Center for the Book has an extensive listing of book festivals and fairs around the country. One list shows festivals by month they take place (www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bkevents.html), while the other list features festivals by alphabetical order and by state (www.loc.gov/loc/cfbook/bookfair.html). Each of the festivals listed on the Library of Congress Center for the Book are either free to the public or only charge a nominal fee for attendees, making these festivals the best bet for lesser know local authors to be able to participate in a manner that brings optimal exposure. Festivals.com** This Web site specializes in listing festivals of every flavor. However, you can use the site’s search engine to search for festivals by state or by key word such as “books” to find local book festivals. The Web site is located at www.festivals.com and offers advertising opportunities at any festival listed on their site. Sarah Bolme is the director of Christian Small Publishers Association (www.christianpublishers.net). Sarah’s newest award-winning book, Your Guide to Marketing Books in the Christian Marketplace, can be found at www.marketingchristianbooks.com. April 14–16, 2008 London Book Fair, Earls Court London, England www.londonbookfair.co.uk May 29–June 1, 2008 BookExpo America, Los Angeles, California www.bookexpoamerica.com June 13–16, 2008 BookExpo Canada, Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.bookexpo.ca October 15–19, 2008 Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt, Germany www.book-fair.com This calendar was up-to-date and accurate as of February 15, 2008. Information was culled from a number of sources. BookMasters cannot be held liable for the accuracy of the information within. Please visit the listed Web sites for more information. Recommend The BookMark to a friend. Click to Subscribe to The BookMark. If you feel you have received this newsletter in error, please click to Unsubscribe. Questions, comments, or content for The BookMark? Let us know. Suggest topics you'd like to see appear in The BookMark. Prefer a text only version? Subscribe. © 2001 — 2008 BookMasters^® © 2001 — 2008 The BookMark All Rights Reserved