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Monday, May 21, 2012

Unique Book Promotions

by
Lupe Fernandez

I have admired the promotion work such as book trailers, websites, swag, book readings, art shows and parties from such authors as:

Lisa Yee
(Read her amazing interview)
(Sorry, we haven't interviewed her yet.)
(Nope, not her either. Our Mexican in Residence missed Bosworth's Book Launch Party - The Management.)

So I've given some thought as to what I might do when my time comes to promote a book.

Sandwich Board Outside Independent Bookstore:


Sky Banner over Major Cities:

Offer Date with Literary Sex Symbol:

Other promotion ideas include:
  • Illicit Activity Tape
  • Mug Shot
  • Marriage to Celebrity
  • Saving school children from a burning bus or at least a slightly warm, yet uncomfortable bus.
If you have any unique book promotion ideas, please share.

20 comments:

  1. Lee WardlawMay 21, 2012 at 8:16 AM

    I love the horse shot!

    BTW, if you can link your book to any type of food, you'll be a hit! Examples:

    For my nonfiction book We All Scream For Ice Cream: the Scoop on America's Favorite Dessert, I hosted an ice cream social for my book launch, using real soda jerks!

    For Won Ton - A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, I served kitty litter cake at my launch.

    In my easy-reader Dinosaur Pizza, I included an easy, kid-friendly recipe for 'Dinosaur Pizza'. (You'll have to read the book to see what DP is!)

    These promo ideas aren't as 'sexy' as mug shots or burning school buses, but they did make an impression with teachers and librarians!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 21, 2012 at 9:22 AM

      Thanks, Lee. All your ideas make me hungry.
      Sincerely,
      Bon Appetite

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 21, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Ok, so when my books comes out, we will be featuring black beans and rice- arroz con frijoles, plaintains- platanitos and FLAN- no translation needed. And there will also be a dart game with Castro as the target. D hilde

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 21, 2012 at 9:23 AM

      Castro dart game sounds fun.
      Sincerely,
      Outside Agitator

      Delete
  3. Greg PincusMay 21, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    I think product placement in a major motion picture would be a good idea, as would having a float modeled on your book in the Rose Parade. Think big, after all. Think big!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 21, 2012 at 9:24 AM

      Rose Parade float. How about a semi-rigid airship shaped like a book?
      Sincerely,
      Gas Bag

      Delete
  4. Susan B JamesMay 21, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    I, too, love the horse picture.
    However that many celebrity dates can be wearing. I think you should hold a drawing. Everyone who buys your book gets one raffle ticket for the celebrity date.
    I love Lee's ideas but am not sure which food would work. Depends on which of your books gets published first.
    Greg's product placement idea holds merit. Imagine a character in the Hunger Games reading a copy of your book.

    ReplyDelete
  5. penelope anne coleMay 21, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    As a fellow foodie, I like all the food ideas, as long as they relate to the story. And the celebrity date raffle drawing is a good idea. Even a celebrity lunch auction, if you have enough celebrities to auction off. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 21, 2012 at 6:17 PM

      Penelope, I'm glad you like the celebrity idea. Now all I have to do is marry one. Alas, my girlfriend would object.
      Sincerely,
      Recovering Production Assistant

      Delete
  6. Karen CioffiMay 22, 2012 at 6:40 AM

    All Great Ones. I'll be passing this along.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Laurisa White ReyesMay 22, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    I had a magic show for the kids and a book scavenger hunt within the store. It was a hit!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 22, 2012 at 8:06 AM

      I would have a scavenger magic kid hit the store.
      Sincerely,
      Hat Rabbit

      Delete
  8. Donna J. ShepherdMay 22, 2012 at 8:09 AM

    When I visited a preschool to read "Where is Salami?" the teacher had hidden animals (some plastic, some stuffed) like the ones in the book all over the room. I read the book and then they went on the hunt - just like the little boy in the book. Great idea I wish I'd thought of! Teachers are the best!

    Donna
    Topsy Turvy Land

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 22, 2012 at 9:12 AM

      I'll try hiding cash in the classroom, and invite the faculty.
      Sincerely,
      Mr. Moneybags

      Delete
  9. Magic Carpet of 16x BooksMay 22, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    Really wild ideas, mates. For the launch of my next mid-grade, "Survival by Walkabout," a sequel of sorts to "Taconi and Claude," and also set in the Aussie outback. I could fly in tasty witchetty grub entrees, and host a boomerang throwing competition in our local park. Sounds bonzer to me, fairdinkum!


    *Books for Kids – Manuscript Critiques
    http://www.margotfnke.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 22, 2012 at 2:11 PM

      I would take the kids out to the Mojave for a walkabout.
      Sincerely,
      Dry Lake

      Delete
  10. Kathy McCulloughMay 23, 2012 at 5:11 PM

    I like the first three! And saving children is never a bad idea for good publicity! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Pen and Ink BlogspotMay 23, 2012 at 6:17 PM

      Shucks. Thanks for the compliment. I'm looking forward to your next literature outing.
      Sincerely,
      Comma Splice

      Delete

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