L. Diane Wolfe is a professional speaker and author. Known as “Spunk On A Stick,” Wolfe is a member of the National Speakers Association and the author of numerous books. Her latest title, How to Publish and Promote Your Book Now, covers her publishing seminars in depth and provides an overview of the entire process from idea to market.

Overcoming Obstacles With SPUNK! The Keys to Leadership and Goal-Setting, ties her goal-setting and leadership seminars together into one complete, enthusiastic package.

Her YA series, The Circle of Friends, features morally grounded, positive stories. Wolfe travels extensively for media interviews and speaking engagements, maintains a dozen websites and blogs, and assists writers through her author services.

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The Publicity Window by L. Diane Wolfe

The time between the setting of a book’s release date and that actual date is called the publicity window. The greater the distance between those two points, the more opportunity to promote. Publishers often allow a year or more, but those who self publish can do it faster. The key is not too do it too fast.

Production will also occupy some of that time. The book must be professionally edited, cover designed, manuscript formatted, etc. Those things can’t be rushed either.

So many opportunities are lost when a book is hurried to market. With the ease of self-publishing, many authors miss out on early promotions because the window is just too small. They zip through production and don’t even begin promoting until after the book’s release. When that book comes out, it’s much easier to sell when marketing momentum is already in place.

Here is a promotional checklist. Some items are the responsibility of the publisher. Others apply only to print books. But it demonstrates the necessity of ample time for pre-promotions:

Brush up on speaking and people skills (Don’t laugh – you’ll need this one!)
Establish or increase online presence
Place book cover and information on those sites
Make a list of personal and business contacts
Select book reviewers
Prepare review copy materials and sell sheet
Send out review copies
Select potential blogs/websites/podcasts tour hosts
Schedule virtual book tour
Select potential physical book appearances
Schedule physical book appearances
Write and post/submit articles
Create book trailer
Write media release
Select potential media and send release/pitch story idea
Design and print bookmarks and other items
Send announcements to book sellers, libraries, and other retail outlets
Send book information to genre websites and confirm correct on seller’s sites
Participate in launch day party online and/or real world

That’s quite a list! Think you could complete even half of it in two months?

Whether you have a publisher or you are the publisher, give yourself time for early promotions. Make a list, a timeline and resist the urge to rush the process. Take your time and do it right. Your book is worth it, isn’t it?

Have you always dreamed of publishing a book but didn’t know where to begin? This book walks you through the steps of identifying markets, budgeting, building an online presence, and generating publicity. Get the whole story on:

• Traditional publishing
• Self-publishing
• Print and e-book setup, formatting, and distribution
• Finding your target audience
• Generating reviews and media interest
• Networking and developing an online presence
• Promotional materials and appearances

Uncover your ideal publishing path and numerous marketing options before you begin. Writing is your dream. Give it the best chance for success! Available as a trade paper back and e-book at Barnes and Noble and amazon.com.

“She gives an unbiased take on the advantages and disadvantages of traditional publishing and self-publishing and publishing paths that combine the two… It’s the perfect book for those who want an overview to begin the decision-making process.” – Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning series of how-to books for writers. 

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Thanks for sharing this useful information with us, Diane. More and more of us are poised to self-publish, and we need all the help we can get. Our work isn’t done when the book is published, however. I think that’s the part that overwhelms many of us.

Find out more about Diane and her books at her website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.