NEW RULES FOR AUTHORS, by Bella Stander PDF Print E-mail
rulesDue to the Writers Guild strike, Bill Maher couldn't proclaim any "New Rules." But I could--and did!  Mine are inspired by the authors I constantly encounter who don't think about having a website, or don't update their site with information about their latest book, until just before--or worse yet, after!-- publication date.

Rule #1:
Having a website is not an option; it's an absolute necessity.


Rule #2:
You must have a website domain (preferably yourname.com) registered by the time your book's catalog and jacket copy are being written.

Rule #3:
Your book's catalog and jacket copy should include something like, "Learn more about Jane Author at her website, janeauthor.com." (Some publishers have a policy against this. I hope they wise up soon.)

Rule #4:
Your website must be live and UP-TO-DATE by the time your publisher's catalog is printed. Why? So that journalists, book review editors, writers' conference and book festival organizers, etc., can learn more about you and your book, and find out how to contact you directly.

Rule #5:
Update your website at least once a month. Make sure your book news and events calendar are current. (No howlers such as  "Coming in May 2007.") As soon as an item in the "Upcoming" section is past, move it into the "Past Events" section. Add new blurbs; quotes from reviews, interviews and news stories, with links to the full pieces. You don't have to be a techno-nerd to learn how to do this yourself; your site designer can show you how.

 

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Bella Stander
Book Promotion 101 - Workshops & Consulting for Authors
Blog: Reading Under the Covers

 
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