LADYKILLER: launch plus 4 months

My thriller, LADYKILLER, came out in April 2007 from Oceanview Publishing. Now that the party and the book tour and the initial signings are over, here's a progress report and a few words of advice based on my experience with this book.

• Get a great publisher. Oceanview is amazing. Other new authors report little or no marketing support from their publishers, but Oceanview has been wonderful. And not just the first 2 weeks either -- they are still at it! We have gotten over 30 reviews in publications big and small including important venues like Publisher's Weekly, Crimespree, Deadly Pleasures and Mystery Scene magazines; January Magazine, FreshFiction and Bookpleasures online. They are almost unanimous raves!
• Signings are terrific but don't forget to also drop by bookstores to sign stock. Most of them welcome authors. Protocol is to ask for the manager, know where your books are, sign them (bring your own sharpie), and make sure they get the Autographed Copy sticker. It helps to get the manager's name and introduce yourself to all available employees. Ask them to recommend your book to customers who like thrillers. Follow up with a note, if you're really on target.
• Online is important. A website is a necessity, but there are other aspects to successful online marketing. Listserves like DorothyL and Rara Avis go to thousands of readers, librarians, booksellers, reviewers and other authors. It is invaluable to be reviewed there by Gloria or Theodore Feit or other major voices. MySpace and the newer more targeted CrimeSpace are also crucial for book marketing. I can't tell you how many MySpace friends have messaged that they are buying the book! And I've made new friends as a result of this excellent blog. And it's fun!
• Look for unusual opportunities -- I have had good luck with customers in my nail parlor. I notice who is reading a thriller during their pedicure and talk to them. With luck, soon everyone is asking about my book and I'm distributing bookmarks like crazy. Also, the gym. Mine has a bulletin board where a couple member authors display sales sheets. I have authographed books held in sweaty hands there several times. My trainer and the gym manager are my informal marketing reps.
• Keep your publisher informed. Make sure you report on every signing and drop-by stop. Add every new contact to their mailing list as well as your own. If you see a new review or mention, tell them. Remember, your publisher is your most important client as a marketer.

Essentially, the message here is that books are sold one at a time. There is no magic bullet. Someone told us it's a marathon, not a sprint. They weren't kidding. Both my husband and I have very demanding day jobs, are writing our next novels, and maintain an active social life. We see most Broadway and off-Broadways plays, many movies, watch a lot of series TV and entertain a lot. But every day we work a little on marketing. It adds up.