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What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

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I think I'll take parts from a few professional reviews I've received.
I felt like the person I spoke to at Bostick was honest and knowledgeable. The result was about what we expected for my release. If the market's flooded with memoirs, show why yours is special and meets some very specific felt needs out there - which I know yours does.

Even if you get 15 responses, they may or may not end up interviewing you or writing about your book. There aren't any guarantees in this business. But who knows?

And if people in the media request books for review, make sure to follow up on them. A week later, call to make sure they received it and to see if they need information. If you don't hear back after some time, feel free to contact them again. After all, you gave them a free book!
HI Steve,
I guess, I lost a little confidence when I got the email. I sent a small excerpt, and two professional reviews (Both highly recommending counselor to read the book) One reveiwer had a Masters Degree in substanve abuse and she commented that she learned more from reading my book than any text book. I sent that along. I even sent a review by an alcoholic who said it wasn't often that an alcoholic gets to read how badly they hurt their family members emotionally.

I thought having talked at rehabs, halfway homes, been on TV and Radio that it would be stronger with my Press Release. It has taken me three years to bulid up that profile.

My publisher Infinity Publishing said they would give any requested books out for reviews so I added the email to my Press Release. If I decide to do it, I'll call them and ask them to let me know who requested them. Otherwise, you are right, it 's very expensive. Like all of us, I've spent a lot on "free" books. The bad thing is if they don't tell me, I won't know who requested the book.
Alberta, I think this advice from Steve is right on the money. You know why your book is urgently addressing a widespread problem. Your job (which you've been doing, of course) is to bring that urgency and importance to the attention of media outlets. Each media outlet has their own sense of how often they will cover a story on alcoholism, for instance, or childhood obesity, or any other topic. Since in local news the maxim "if it bleeds, it leads" still holds true, you might think about creating one channel of promotion focused around the violence in your story. Just a thought.
Thanks, Joel,
I sent them a picture of myself and my book cover. People can't get over the cover. They say it tells it all. If you go to my site www.albertasequeira.com you will see it. I put a reviews from a counselor and an alcoholic, added my topics discussed in interviews; like, why I believe the Patient Privacy Act should be looked at differently, Why I believe the "reason" for drinking should become more important than the abuse, along with about four more. Hopefully, they will be wanting to hear my answers. I added all my TV, Radio, Newspaper interviews, where my appearances were with halfway homes, rehabs, and businesses and libraries.
I can't think of much more to add. I talked about losing Richie and the sequel coming up with losing my daughter, Lori.
When they say your Press Release will probably hit 5-15 out of 15,000 to 20,000 that's not much. I'd be happy with 100!
I just wrote an article for our local newspaper commenting on a huge write-up they had on alcoholism. It was titled Cutting Out Alcoho. I sent a three page letter. I'll let you know if they cover it. The worse is no.
Sara,

I use Stephanie Richards http://www.thewritewayllc.com/bio.html . She's a publicist who has a Masters in Professional Writing. Plus, she's a nice person, easy to work with, is organized, and completes tasks on schedule.

I use press releases in several ways: 1) send it out through a press release company. 2) send a copy of the release when I send out a book copy for review 3) put it on my press page (web).
Hi Sara,
I'm in the process of signing up today myself with Bostick. They still say I may only get 5-15 replies, which they consider to be a normal rating. Let me know how you do and I'll do the same.
Let us know how it goes! Did he recommend waiting till Monday or Tuesday of next week to actually send it from Bostick, since it's a holiday week?
Sara, that's wonderful. They are going to send mine out Monday at 11am. Good luck. I hope the media request keep coming in for you!
Congrats on using Bostick and the press release process. But why don't we also try something a little different. How about we interview each other on Twitter? Let me know what you think. Peace and Light...Gary
Sounds good to me Gary, but I get confused on these sites.

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