Saturday 25 April 2015

Promoting a Book


Once a book is written, how does one go about promoting it? Things have changed out of all recognition since the days when authors like Anthony Berkeley, Ethel Lina White, and many others declined to allow their publishers to print biographical information or even, in some cases, to publish their photographs. Nowadays, authors - even those whose publishers boast substantial publicity departments - have to get stuck in and promote their books. But it doesn't come naturally to many writers. Most of us still value our privacy, and we're very well aware that self-promotion is, as always in life, fraught with danger. It can become tedious (and self-defeating) when an author keeps banging on endlessly about their magnum opus.

So with The Golden Age of Murder, I'm groping for a suitable balance. Mind you, I simply can't resist announcing that The Times has this morning described the book as a "richly rewarding study of the genre" - definitely a quote to cherish, and the sort of thing you dream of as an aspiring writer!

I can also report that the book has been chosen as one of Lovereading's Books of the Month for May, and that I've also written a number of articles linked to the book for a range of publications, including Oxford Today in the UK and Publishers' Weekly in the US..

In the run-up to publication, I'm also taking my first ever blog tour, contributing to some wonderful and very varied blogs. I'm truly grateful to the bloggers in question - when you read their blogs (and you should!) the generosity of spirit that is the hallmark of the best blogs and indeed the best bloggers is very evident. The plan for the tour is as follows:

27 April - Janet Rudolph's blog - Mystery Fanfare
28 April - Margot Kinberg's blog - Confessions of a Mystery Novelist
29 April - The SleuthSayers blog - Rob Lopresti has kindly invited me on to his fortnightly slot
30 April - Sergio Angelini's blog - Tipping My Fedora
1 May - Elaine Simpson-Long's blog - Random Jottings
2 May - Moira Redmond's blog - Clothes in Books
3 May - John Norris' blog - Pretty Sinister Books.
4 May - Patti Abbott's blog - Pattinase
5 May - B V Lawson's blog - In Reference to Murder
6 May - Christine Poulson's blog - A Reading Life
7 May - Kristopher Zgorski's blog -Bolo Books

All these blogs appear in my blogroll, which incidentally I hope to update soon. The blog tour is timed to coincide with my trip to Malice Domestic, when, among other nice activities, I'll be taking part in a panel about the Golden Age moderated by Doug Greene, a real expert on the subject. Doug read an early version of the book and also kindly allowed the publishers to reprint some wonderful photos in his possession.

Then it's back to the UK, and more events, including festivals in Carlisle, Cheshire and London. Believe it or not,I'm also a keynote speaker at a conference about James Ellroy in Liverpool in July, and again my subject will be the Golden Age. Preaching to the unconverted, perhaps, but I'm sure it will be fun.

Before that, in mid-May, there is Crimefest at Bristol. On the first afternoon of the convention, I'll be moderating a panel focused on (yes!) The Golden Age of Murder, with a terrific group of panellists including this year's CWA Diamond Dagger winner, Catherine Aird. Lots to look forward to...

17 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I would be most happy to,have you stop,by my blog.

Anonymous said...

Well done and congratulations. Enjoy your blog tour too. Always good fun.

Anonymous said...

Looking forward to hosting you, Martin :-).

Martin Edwards said...

Thanks! Patti, I shall be in touch soon!

Jason Monaghan & Jason Foss said...

One of the problems in promoting a book is that it doesn't feel very 'English'. We have to get over that...

Anonymous said...

My book arrives on the 28th and it is eagerly awaited and then Bristol and London-never enough

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Martin, many congratulations! I'd be delighted to feature your book on my blog and provide links to where readers can buy it.

BVLawson said...

Ditto to what Patti said, Martin. I would love to have you guest post at In Reference to Murder, too (reference type books are obviously especially welcome!). Best wishes with your tour and upcoming events.

Martin Edwards said...

Prabant, Bonnie, thanks very much. I'll be in touch shortly...

Harriet said...

I've been reading it -- nearly finished -- and have loved every minute. So interesting and informative, and such a page turner too! Hoping to have a short Q&A or something similar for Shiny New Books, where the review will appear.

Martin Edwards said...

Harriet, I'm delighted. I've dropped you an email.

Robert Lopresti said...

I just finished the chapter on The Floating Admiral. Am still enjoying it tremendously.

Martin Edwards said...

Thanks, Rob - delighted to hear it.

J said...

The Mysterious Bookshop here in NYC often gets signed copies of British books. If they don't get this one, I'll settle for a U.S. copy.

Clothes In Books said...

Looking forward to hosting you, Martin... and of course very much looking forward to the book.

Christine said...

Congratulations, Martin! So much looking forward to reading it.

Martin Edwards said...

J, Moira and Chrissie - thanks very much.