Archive for September 29th, 2007

My editor called earlier this week to discuss marketing. He was preparing for an in-house meeting with the marketing team and other editors. Luckily, I had already pulled together some thoughts about marketing materials (postcards, fliers, business cards, bookmarks, website), bookstores to approach, and conferences to attend. We brainstormed some about people who might be willing to comment on an advanced copy for us. I did some more quick research and was able to get him some more information to take into his meeting. I’ve picked up much of what I know about marketing and publicity for children’s books from conferences and books. At conferences, I’ve picked up other authors’ materials, studied catalogs, and signed up for marketing workshops. I’ve read that writers can spend up to half their time in the non-writing aspects of the business. As a long-time freelancer, I am well familiar with the querying, filing, and bookkeeping aspects of the business. What I am not used to is pitching myself as part of the product. I know I am still offering a service — this time in the form of presenting — but it feels a little strange.