Our Advice for Novelists series continues with a publicist/marketing perspective. This is a series in which I've asked editors, authors, agents & publicists to respond to the question:"If you could say one thing to aspiring novelists, what would you say?"
Julie Gwinn says...
The one thing I would say to aspiring novelists is that the proposal is the key. Make sure the proposal not only includes the standard items, like proposed title, summary, plot and writing sample. But also include ways the writer can help to market their book, what platform they have to get the word out. Are they on the web? Do they blog and twitter? Do they have influential friends or family that can help with high-profile endorsements or reviews? Can they travel? Are they willing to visit area bookstores and libraries to meet with managers and librarians to help sell the book locally? Do they have media contacts and are they good with the media? These days, publishers are looking for authors that can "partner" with them to help sell the book, once the publisher has it placed in retail outlets.
--Julie Gwinn, Trade Book Marketing Manager at B&H Publishing Group.
