Move The Needle . . . A Needle . . . Some Needles
Marketing Tips: Part Two
by Federico Erebia, SCBWI guest blogger
Welcome back!
Be sure to read Marketing Tips: Part One to get some historical perspective on my publishing, marketing, and publicity journey.
I’m going to cover a lot of topics in this blog post. Many are interconnected, so I suggest reading it all, then going back to areas of interest. Use my suggestions that are right for you, leave the rest, and perhaps revisit this in the future.
I will use a lot of my own links and examples because sometimes it will be easier to “show you, not tell you.” Where have I heard that before?
SELF CARE
Remember to care for yourself on your journey. Do what feels right for you.
BUDGET
We all hate them, but it’s helpful to have a budget for your marketing and publicity. Many of the items listed below are free, and others are low cost.
TIP #1: Your accountant can help you with details, but many expenses are considered business expenses.
TIP #2: Books that you buy to support your fellow authors,
travel [conferences, festivals, fairs, panels],
subscriptions [Publishers Weekly, etc.],
fees [conferences, website],
memberships [SCBWI, 12x12PB],
swag, mailings [Giveaways],
computer programs [Scrivener, Procreate, Adobe],
and office/writing supplies can be tax deductible.
Even your writing space can be considered a business office.
ADVANCES & ROYALTIES
Your ultimate marketing and publicity goal is to sell books. There are many paths to selling books, both before and after its launch.
It’s worth talking a little about advances and royalties. An advance is the amount of money an author gets paid prior to the publication of their book. It is often paid in two or more installments. Once your book is published, a certain number of books, ebooks, and/or audiobooks need to be sold before you will get paid any more money. This is called “earning out your advance.”
TIP #1: The larger your advance, the more units need to be bought by consumers before you earn out your advance, and vice versa. Hopefully, that makes sense.
TIP #2: Simple math can tell you “When will I earn out my advance?”
https://thepublishingcalculator.com is a great calculator created by Hana Lee that does the math for you!
WEBSITES
There are countless books and articles about this topic, and there are recent posts in this SCBWI blog about it, so I won’t go into a lot of details.
I suggest having a website where folks can access basic information about you and your writing/book(s). It can be free of cost, and simple, with at least three sections: About The Author; About The Author’s Books; How To Contact The Author.
Or, it can be much more elaborate and detailed.
TIP #1: Twitter Card
If you use a Drag & Drop website builder, you can add a Twitter Card on any of your pages: When you type your webpage’s URL in a Twitter post, a clickable image will show up in your post.
For example, copy and paste bit.ly/PD662023 into a Twitter post. The entire image that pops up is clickable.
Now copy & paste SCBWI.org into a Twitter post. There is no image, but the link will still take you to the SCBWI website.
TIP #2: A clickable image will attract more interest and engagement, which you can track, if you use a Bitly link [see Bitly below].
TIP #3: Goodreads Widget
You can embed a Goodreads widget on any webpage so that your readers can see only the 5-Star reviews your books have received. Because . . . why not?
For example: go to bit.ly/PD662023 and scroll down until you see the 5-Star reviews of Pedro & Daniel.
TIP #4: Learn about Search Engine Optimization and Meta Keywords [if you wish]: SEO Basics
SOCIAL MEDIA
I suggest nurturing at least one social media platform where you can interact with your writing communities, which will be so important along every step of your writing journey. My primary social media platform right now is Twitter: The writing community, and the features, are too important to jump ship.
TIP #1: Try to have one handle [username] across all platforms that is easy to guess or recognize. Folks are more likely to tag you, if they can guess your name. [@FedericoErebia vs. @authorofyabooks].
TIP #2: Avoid the ampersand (&)! Too late for Pedro & Daniel.
TIP #3: Use capital letters in your handle [@AuthorOfYABooks vs. @authorofyabooks]
TIP #4: When possible, use an image, a custom GIF, a video, or a Twitter Card in your Twitter posts. Any of these increases engagement, compared to a post with only text.
TIP #5: You can tag up to 10 usernames on an image [not GIFs or videos], which frees up characters in your post, which is limited to 280 characters.
TIP #6: When possible, tag your publisher! Tagging them helps their algorithm and yours! You, your publisher, your book, and your post get boosted.
TIP #7: When referring to your book, use this formatting on social media [note the publisher tag]:
PEDRO & DANIEL (@LevineQuerido, June 6) before launch, and
PEDRO & DANIEL (@LevineQuerido, 2023) after launch.
TIP #8: To avoid confusion, don’t use the tag (@) when referring to your book in a bio, email, etc.
Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido, June 6) before launch, and
Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido, 2023) after launch.
TIP #9: Ask your friends/Street Team to boost your post. All of the following help, some more than others:
ReTweets are the best! When someone ReTweets your Tweet, their followers and yours will see it in the ReTweeter’s timeline!
Quote ReTweet [best if they tag you, your publisher, your book; and use other hashtags]
Like the post.
Comment in the post.
TIP #10: Research your hashtags. Not all hashtags are beneficial.
TIP #11: Create your book’s hashtag, and use it consistently (e.g., #PedroAndDaniel). No ampersands. : )
TIP #12: Try to include a Pre-Order link with all of your book’s posts. Folks don’t like having to look for the information, or to click too many times to get what they want.
BITLY
I highly recommend using the free Bitly program to shorten and customize URLs.
For instance, the Pedro & Daniel webpage on my website is:
https://fjebooks.com/pedro--daniel.html
Instead, I use bit.ly/PD662023 which is short for Pedro & Daniel, June 6, 2023. It’s easy to remember, and easy to type.
TIP #1: An ampersand (&) can’t be used in URLs or social media hashtags!
TIP #2: Shorter, custom URLs use fewer characters, and generally look better.
TIP #3: Be somewhat consistent in your customization [see PD examples below].
TIP #4: On Twitter, type bit.ly/PD-launch not https://bit.ly/PD-launch
TIP #5: Bitly keeps track of every click on your link(s):
You can see what posts and marketing campaigns are working.
Bitly tells you what countries are engaging with your links!
TIP #6: Use these data to help you hone future media campaigns. For example, there was a significant increase of link clicks in posts that used custom GIFs . . . so I use custom GIFs whenever possible.
Examples of my [easy to remember] links:
bit.ly/PD662023
bit.ly/PDonEdelweiss
bit.ly/PDonNetGalley
bit.ly/PD-launch
bit.ly/PDGReads
LINKTREE
This is a free tool that can give folks access to all your important links: your contact information, website, Pre-Order campaign, your book’s Goodreads/BN/Amazon pages, Edelweiss/NetGalley, etc.
TIP #1: Use custom thumbnails for your links.
TIP #2: Make your headlines easy to read for quick scrolling and access.
Example: https://linktr.ee/FedericoErebia
TIP #3: I made a free QR code on Bitly that sends folks to my LinkTree.
TIP #4: Tape your QR code to the back of your phone. When you don’t have business cards, bookmarks, etc. on you, you can easily share your QR code, LinkTree, and all your information.
TIP #5: Place your QR code on your book’s sell sheet and bookmark.
GOOGLE DOCS & SHEETS
TIP #1: Get a gmail account. You will need one for many opportunities that will require you to sign in with gmail.
TIP #2: Learn how to use Google Drive, Folders, Docs, Sheets, Forms, Meet, Calendar. You will need to use most of these along the way. They are fairly easy to use, especially if you’re familiar with Word, Excel, etc.
GOODREADS
Use Goodreads with caution! It has a Jekyll/Hyde personality. I’ve seen too many authors languish on the site because of negative, sometimes hateful, reviews. It reminds me of the Mirror of Erised.
That being said, it’s very important to the success of a book for several reasons.
Goodreads is the primary place for folks to leave a review before the book launches. These reviews are used elsewhere, including WorldCat.org.
It can be a terrific way to promote your book, and there are ways to tip the scales a little in your favor.
TIP #1: Your Street Team, Debut Group, or other friends can “like” 5-Star Reviews so that they rise to the top of your reviews..
TIP #2: Your Street Team, Debut Group, or other friends can add you onto lists.
TIP #3: Your Street Team, Debut Group, or other friends can “vote” on your book within a list.
TIP #4: Yes, this seems like cheating, which is why I’m sharing what so many authors do.
It reminds me of my struggles with exams in the first year of medical school. Most students had access to previous year’s exams, and yes [it’s still hard to believe] some tests were exactly the same, year after year. Some of us were clueless that others had such an advantage.
TIP #5: You can create a widget for your website so that only 5-Star Reviews are shown for visitors to your site [see Website].
TIP #6: The primary goals of a Goodreads Giveaway are for folks to become aware of your book, and for it to be added to shelves on Goodreads.
TIP #7: The second goal is to get the ARC into the hands of folks who will read, and most importantly, review your book on Goodreads [and Barnes & Noble, etc.]. Before the launch, Amazon won’t allow reviews.
TIP #8: Every time someone interacts with your books [add it to a shelf, gives it a rating, gives it a review, etc.] this information is shared with that person’s friends/followers. It’s like a Ponzi scheme, but in a good way?
TIP #9: Publishers often offer 100 ARCs in a Goodreads Giveaway, but a much lower number does not seem to affect whether a person enters the giveaway.
TIP #10: If possible, negotiate with your publisher for a lower number of ARCs in the GG, and send the remaining ARCs to those who express interest in your book on social media, librarians, teachers, booksellers, etc., and/or have a social media giveaway.
TIP #11: I suggest a Print Book Goodreads Giveaway 3-4 months before launch, when ARCs are available. If you won’t have printed ARCs, then use the Kindle option.
TIP #12: The standard package is fine, unless you have money to burn.
TIP #13: I suggest a second Print Book Goodreads Giveaway around the time of your launch. This can be for printed ARCs or final books.
TIP #14: For each GG, everyone who has shelved your book will get a notification email that there is a giveaway for your book. Many will enter the giveaway because of the notification. Then the Ponzi scheme starts . . . their friends/followers see that they entered the giveaway, so they may enter . . .
TIP #15: By the time of this second GG, your book has had reviews, perhaps starred reviews, has been added on Goodreads lists, or BuzzFeed or blogger’s lists, so you will likely have a much more impactful second GG.
MAILINGS
TIP #1: Remember to use media mail service when sending ARCs and books.
TIP #2: Flat swag can be mailed in an envelope, often with a regular postage stamp. Enamel pins and other swag are much more expensive to mail.
ARCs
Advanced review copies of your book can be digital [eARCs], or physical copies of an uncorrected proof. During the pandemic, most publishers sent eARCs for trade and other reviews. At this time, some publishers have begun printing physical ARCs, but it appears that some won’t resume.
For those that do have physical ARCs, remember that the main goal before your launch is to get reviews [see Reviews]. Some giveaways will go to folks who may never read it, and will never review it. Try to target folks who have expressed interest in reading your book, teachers, librarians, booksellers, etc.. If they like/love it, fingers crossed that they will write a review.
TIP #1: On the back of your ARC, tape a sell sheet, or any other information that will help entice a librarian or bookseller to buy your book [trade reviews, starred reviews, blurbs] when you hand the ARC to them.
GIVEAWAYS
I’ve addressed Goodreads Giveaways. You can also have social media giveaways.
TIP #1: On Twitter, you can ask folks to follow you, subscribe to your newsletter, ReTweet/Like/Comment.
TIP #2: Ask your publisher what their preferred spreadsheet formatting is for sending books to winners.
PRE-ORDER CAMPAIGN
TIP #1: Partner with a local independent bookstore.
TIP #2: Offer signed or personalized books, if folks order through your bookstore.
Example: bit.ly/PD-PSB
TIP #3: For added incentive, offer swag: bookmarks, stickers, book plates, pins, illustration cards, etc.
TIP #4: Flat swag is much cheaper to mail than enamel pins, book totes, etc.
SWAG
Common swag includes bookmarks, illustration cards, enamel pins, pins, earrings.
TIP #1: For bookmarks, I suggest 4over4.com. Uprinting required a border, and could not guarantee that they would not cut off some of my art [?!]. Vistaprint’s quality is not as good.
TIP #2: A refillable printer was a great investment. My sell sheets, illustrations, and book cover prints look terrific - just as good as a custom print at Staples.
TIP #3: Never buy anything without looking for a coupon or discount code. : )
TIP #4: Print your cover or other design on fabric, and make swag. I printed various patterns featuring my book cover onto various types of fabric. I have made book totes, shoulder bags, scarves, shawls, ties, and I’ve designed a sports jacket for my launch and other events.
TIP #5: For custom fabric, I suggest JoAnn.com
TIP #6: Use a high resolution [at least 300 dpi] and large file size [up to 35 MB] for best quality.
Here is a post with some of my handmade swag:
https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia/status/1658178090160250896
SELL SHEET
This is a one page flier with all the information a bookseller or librarian would need to learn about your book, and to buy it: book cover, synopsis, ISBN, publisher, publication date, headshot, bio, social media handles, website.
TIP #1: Use a QR code that sends folks to your LinkTree.
TIP #2: Take a copy of this sell sheet when you go to a library or a bookstore.
TIP #3: Print four sell sheets on one sheet of stock or photographic paper for a postcard sized print.
DEBUT GROUPS
Debut Groups may be for authors who have a first book coming out, a first book in a particular age group [PB, CB, GN, MG, YA], or it may refer to the debut of a book [not the author, who might have multiple published books].
Once you have a publication date/year, I suggest joining a debut group, or more than one. Most are free and don’t require any commitment from you. They can be very rewarding, if you put some effort into meeting and supporting your fellow debut authors.
TIP #1: Your Debut Group(s) will be a sort of Street Team.
TIP #2: I highly recommend them.
WRITING GROUPS
Various writing groups have been invaluable. They are filled with knowledgeable and friendly folks:
SCBWI
12X12 Picture Book Challenge
Poets & Writers
State and local groups: Boston Authors Club, GrubStreet
Writer’s Guild of America
CANVA VS. PROCREATE VS. PHOTOSHOP
TIP #1: There are dozens of videos to help you learn how to use these programs.
CANVA is a terrific program. You can do so much with the free version. It is particularly great for videos of various dimensions for the different social media platforms.
Nadia Salomon makes incredible videos with the free version:
https://twitter.com/Nadia_Salomon/status/1600845096148033536
TIP #2: If you join a Debut Group, they may pay for a professional version of Canva that all members can use.
PROCREATE is my favorite program, but it’s only for iPads. It’s a one-time cost of $12.99. The paper cut out graphic at the top of this post was made on Procreate. I’ve made multiple picture book dummies using Procreate.
PHOTOSHOP is incredible, but I’ve only scratched the surface. It’s got a price tag of $240/year. I primarily use it for making GIFs [of images I make on Procreate], which are my preferred media for Twitter.
STREET TEAMS
A street team is a group of people who will help you before/after your launch. They are like cheerleaders.
TIP #1: Give incentives [swag, ARCs, signed book] for activities they can do to help boost you and your book [post on social media, recruit other members, request a book purchase at your library].
TIP #2: Make it fun.
TIP #3: Create a Google Sheet where Street Team members can add their points
EMAIL SIGNATURE
Your email signature is a free way to advertise your books.
TIP #1: An image is worth many words which might otherwise go unread.
TIP #2: Have links [website, Pre-Order, Goodreads, Edelweiss, etc.]
TWITTER CARDS
Embed a Twitter Card onto any webpage [see Website above].
NEWSLETTERS
Lots of creatives swear that these are necessary and helpful, primarily to increase your mailing list.
There are easy-to-use emailing services to send information to those on your mailing list. These are often free, if your list is under 500 email addresses.
I use Mailchimp which gives you data [and, I love data] about how your subscribers interact with your newsletter. You can embed hyperlinks into images and text.
Here is my latest newsletter:
FJEbooks May Newsletter
CONVENTIONS, CONFERENCES, FESTIVALS, FAIRS
If you have a publicist, they may submit you and your book to be featured in events.
TIP #1: In many cases, you can submit your own name, or your debut group can submit a panel proposal.
TIP #2: Many events pay for travel expenses, and/or pay the author a stipend.
TIP #3: Submissions for panel proposals are often due up to a year before the event.
TIP #4: Have a spreadsheet of events, submission deadlines, criteria, etc.
RATINGS VS. REVIEWS
Someone can rate your book [1-5 Stars] without a review. They can write a review, without a star rating. Or, they can give both a rating and a review. Each of these may have a different weight in an algorithm.
REVIEWS
Trade Reviews
This is a list of the most influential trade reviewers: BCCB, Booklist, Bookpage, Foreword, Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Shelf Awareness, The Horn Book
I’ve been blessed with starred reviews from both Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly. These have a life of their own with regard to marketing and publicity [see other sections]. Booksellers and librarians use trade reviews when they decide which books to acquire. They use other websites to gather this information [see WorldCat & Follet].
Non-Trade Reviews
Goodreads Reviews
These are very important, especially before the launch of your book, because Amazon does not allow you to write a review for a book before its launch [see Goodreads above]. These reviews are used by WorldCat.
Amazon Reviews
TIP #1: Amazon does not allow book reviews before your launch.
TIP #2: It often blocks Facebook or Instagram friends from posting reviews.
TIP #3: Don’t link your Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook or Instagram accounts.
TIP #4: Don’t use “Continue with - - -” to log into an account.
TIP #5: If the reader did not make a verified Amazon purchase [i.e., they read an ARC or bought it from their independent bookstore], there may be roadblocks to leaving a review. They can try again later.
TIP #6: Amazon limits the number of reviews your book can receive each day. Reviewers can try again a different day.
TIP #7: When your book gets 50 reviews, Amazon starts to promote your book. Over 100 reviews makes a significant difference in the algorithms.
TIP #8: Those numbers [50 or 100 reviews] may change, depending on verified purchases, ratings without reviews, reviews without rating, and the “quality” of the reviews.
TIP #9: I don’t think we’re meant to really understand their algorithms.
Barnes & Noble Reviews
Ask folks to cut & paste their review.
Social Media Reviews
These are a terrific way to get blurbs!
GOODREADS AUTHOR PROFILE
Once you have an ISBN for your book, you should be able to claim it, and create your Goodreads Author Profile. You may need to ask for a Goodreads librarian’s help.
AMAZON AUTHOR’S PAGE
You can claim and manage your Amazon Author’s page, where you can add your headshot, bio, book synopsis, and reviews.
TIP #1: Tweak and update your book’s synopsis. Only the first few lines are visible when someone visits the book’s page: make those sentences pop!
TIP #2: Before your launch, add reviews/blurbs when you get them.
TIP #3: Whittle reviews down to 1-3 sentences, or a few choice words.
See my book’s Amazon page here [I added all the details]:
PEDRO & DANIEL on Amazon
AWARDS
Research all possible awards for which your book might qualify, and ask your publisher to submit on your behalf. Occasionally, an agent can submit for you. Rarely, you can submit your own book for consideration.
TIP #1: Google Book Award + Age Category/Genre/Affinity Group/Themes
TIP #2: Google Book Award + States/Regions associated with you or your book.
TIP #3: Make a spreadsheet with the name of the award, criteria, submission dates, URL, etc.
TIP #4: Share this spreadsheet with your publisher.
Bonus TIP: A well-known, best-selling, Oprah’s Book Club author told our Poets & Writers publicity incubator cohort to “harass your publishers until they have submitted your books for all the awards on your list.”
ESSAYS
Writing essays is a particular type of writing, but having your essay published by a magazine or newspaper can boost name and title recognition.
AUDIOBOOKS
For several reasons, I’m dependent on audiobooks for most of my novel-length reading. I love a well-narrated audiobook. Unfortunately, so many audiobooks are not done well [in my opinion].
TIP #1: Audiobook sales give authors significant royalties[see Hana Lee’s calculator above].
TIP #2: The narrator is so important to the audiobook’s success. If you’re given the chance to help in the selection, listen to their prior narrations, audition tapes, and available demos.
TIP #3: Some authors are terrific narrators [the Obamas, Padma Venkatraman, Daniel Nayeri]. In my opinion [stress: it’s my opinion] some authors should not narrate their books. There are many books I couldn’t finish because the narrator was not the right choice.
TIP #4: Post about your audiobook! Sell it! Tag the narrator(s) and the audiobook publisher.
LIBRARIES
TIP #1: Develop your sell sheet, and share it with others, so that they can make a library purchase request [see Sell Sheet].
JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION
“Junior Library Guild is the subscription box solution for the modern librarian.”
Ask your publisher to submit for this valuable distinction. It must be done months before launch:
https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/submission-guidelines
WORLDCAT.ORG
“WorldCat is the world's most comprehensive database of information about library collections.”
It’s not always up-to-date, but this site tells you which libraries have your book:
https://www.worldcat.org
TIP #1: WorldCat uses your Goodreads reviews [see Goodreads Reviews].
FOLLETT TITLEWAVE
“Titlewave® is your online collection development and curriculum support tool for school libraries, librarians, and educators, featuring professionally curated content and support tools that help you find the most relevant materials.”
TIP #1: They use your Edelweiss data in the PRODUCT OVERVIEW section. Your publisher enters the data into Edelweiss. Gently nudge your publisher to update the content [Summary, Praise] with a short summary of your trade reviews, especially starred reviews.
TIP #2: There is a REVIEWS AND AWARDS section, which is a list of all your trade reviews, and adds “starred” when applicable. It’s a “quick look” for librarians.
TIP #3: There is a FULL-TEXT REVIEWS section.
BOOKSTORES
Nurture your independent bookstore relationships. Buy your books through them.
YOUR BOOK IS YOUR GREATEST BILLBOARD
BOOK COVER
You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but many do. I wanted a work of art that you could identify from across the room. I really lucked out with the beautiful cover created by Julie Kwon.
BOOK SPINE
When you peruse books in a library or bookstore, most will not be facing you; you will be looking at spines. It helps to have one that pops!
ENDPAPERS
After the cover, the endpapers are likely the next thing readers will see. The endpapers for Pedro & Daniel, are meant to evoke the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and the 40 million lives lost to HIV/AIDS:
BLURBS
Blurbs are short quotes from a well known author and/or celebrity that are often on the front and/or back cover of a book. Gathering blurbs can be very stressful: in theory, they need to read an ARC before they can write a review/blurb, with enough time to have the book cover designed with the blurb.
Thankfully, my publisher doesn’t use blurbs on covers. But I still got many terrific blurbs from well-known authors and influencers.
TIP #1: Use Canva/Procreate/PS to create media to share your blurbs on social media.
ELEVATOR PITCHES
TIP #1: You’ll need an elevator pitch of a few sentences.
TIP #2: Practice, practice, practice.
INFLUENCERS
Reaching influencers is still a mystery to me. I don’t like to take selfies or videos, so TikTok isn’t a great tool for me. I don’t understand Instagram.
INDIE NEXT
I just found out about this at the NESCBWI conference. I don’t understand this fully, but it’s worth mentioning. It helps to know about this months before your publication date.
Details
Deadlines
Edelweiss Help
LIBRARY READS
I just found out about this, while researching for this post. Publishers need to initiate this months before the publication date. More info: https://libraryreads.org/for-publishers
BOOK RIOT/STORYGRAM/INSTAGRAM BOOK TOURS
I’m not convinced that these are worth the expense, but you should be aware of them. If they lead to reliable reviews on Goodreads and/or on Amazon, then they are worth the costs.
SOCIAL MEDIA ADS
Others might disagree, but I think Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, Twitter Ads, etc. are a scam. I was foolish the first time I wasted my money on a Facebook Ad. I don’t have a child-friendly word to describe myself when I wasted more money on an Instagram Ad. Feel free to disagree.
BANNER ADS
You can advertise your book on Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and other sites. I will have three Publishers Weekly email banner ads just before my launch. They are happy to work with individual authors and debut groups.
CLAIM YOUR GOOGLE KNOWLEDGE PANEL
Your knowledge panel is what you see when you Google yourself. When you claim your panel, you can help shape the content.
Claim your knowledge panel:
https://bit.ly/ClaimKnowledgePanel
MEDIA KIT/GOOGLE FOLDER
Store your downloadable media kit [book covers, headshots, biographies, synopses, and sell sheet] on a Google Folder that anyone can access from your website, LinkTree, etc.
Example, my FJEbooks shared folder:
bit.ly/FJEmediakit
HEADSHOTS
You will need at least one high resolution headshot. It’s ideal to have it cropped to three different shapes: portrait, landscape, and square [see Google Folder above].
BIOGRAPHIES
I recommend having variations of your bio in various lengths: a few sentences, 50 words, 100 words [see Google Folder above].
TIP #1: You will be asked for bios of different word lengths or character counts. It's good to have choices ready.
SYNOPSES
You will often be asked to share a synopsis of your book (e.g., “In 75 words or less, tell us about your book . . . ”).
TIP #1: I recommend having synopses of your book in various lengths: a few sentences, 50 words, 100 words.
AND NOW, THE DATA THAT SHOWS NEEDLE MOVEMENT
The following are data from Bitly.
Many folks from Germany, France, Belgium, the UK, Canada, Portugal, Israel, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Brazil, Suriname, and Mexico have clicked on my Bitly links. I find that fascinating.
There have been 1121 clicks on my Pre-Order links. I realize that most did not lead to a book sale, but those clicks indicate that 1121 individuals were motivated by my newsletter or social media posts to get more information about Pedro & Daniel. Of course, these are just folks who have clicked on my links. There are many ways to pre-order a book [without the use of my Bitly links].
There have been 541 clicks on links for Edelweiss and NetGalley, and most did request a digital ARC.
There have been 211 clicks for my book launch on June 6. Again, these are folks who clicked on my bit.ly/PD-launch link.
There are probably more topics which I’ll add over time.
What topics did I miss?
About Pedro & Daniel:
“An unforgettable journey of resilience and, most of all, love. Stunning.” - Kirkus Reviews, (Starred Review)
“Luminous. Riveting. Uplifting and heart-wrenching.” - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
Pedro and Daniel are Mexican American brothers growing up in 1970s Ohio. Their mother resents that Pedro is a spitting image of their darker-skinned father; that Daniel likes dolls; that neither boy plays sports. Both are gay and neurodivergent. They are alike, but they are dissimilar in their struggles, their dreams, their approach to life.
Pedro & Daniel is a deeply personal novel that spans from the boy’s childhood until they are young men. Together, they find joy and laughter as they endure abuses, coming out, first loves, first jobs, and the AIDS pandemic, in a coming-of-age story unlike any other.
ISBN: 9781646143047
Publisher: Levine Querido
Publication date: June 6, 2023
About Federico:
Federico Erebia is a retired physician, woodworker, author, and illustrator. He received a BA from the College of Wooster, and an MD from Brown University. Pedro & Daniel (Levine Querido, June 6) is his debut novel. He is on the SCBWI Impact & Legacy Fund Steering Committee, was in the inaugural Poets & Writers publicity incubator for debut authors, is a Grubbie Debut Author, and is a member of the Boston Author’s Club and several other writing groups. He lives in Massachusetts with his husband, and their westie and whippet, in the home he redesigned and renovated.
Website: https://FJEbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FedericoErebia
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/FedericoErebia
Book cover and interior illustrations by Julie Kwon
Headshot credit: Joel Benjamin
