Reviews and recommendations in online bookstores like Amazon.com and BN.com are a powerful selling tool. Many shoppers read book reviews before making a purchase, and reviews can be the tipping point that causes them to click the Buy button.
Here’s a list of the things which should be included in your media kit. Mine consists of 8 pages and I’ll use it as an example. It is important to note that because I have no way of knowing who will download my media kit, I did not include a Pitch Letter in its electronic form. I do, however, include one for every printed kit I send out.
After serving as the editor of Guide to Literary Agents for years, I figured I knew everything about the publication process. But when I released a humor book late last year (How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack), I quickly found that while I was well versed in what happens before a book is published, I had a lot to learn about what happens after a release.
Don’t you wish someone could tell you how close you are to getting published? Don’t you wish someone could say, “If you just keep at it for three more years, you’re certain to make it!”?
Developing a support system of your peers makes complete sense. Networking with other authors and small publishers provides mental stimulation, emotional comfort, and a source for getting your questions answered.