Marketing Your Teen Novel On A Medium Sized Budget, by Laurie Faria Stolarz

by Steve Rossiter on January 2, 2014

Deadly Little Voices by Laurie Faria Stolarz - New York Times bestselling novelist

Do you have a medium sized budget to market your teen novel? First, implement some or all of the options listed in the last couple of posts, then look into implementing these suggestions.

$1000:

Upgrade to a professional web site. Remember when I said the web site was the single most important marketing tool? As soon as you can afford it, have a pro take over the design and execution for you. Get recommendations from author friends to find out who is affordable.

Attend a national conference or bookseller event, i.e. ALA, BEA, IRA or SCBWI. This is a great way to network. Be sure to bring along your business cards.

Have a professional author photo taken. A professionally taken photo may seem like a frivolous expense but a great pro photo can last you years. Plus, you get the added benefits of photo retouching.

Have book-themed giveaways made for you. One idea we love is having temporary tattoos made using your book’s cover or character. Be sure to bring them along to events – and again, remember to get permission for any copyrighted images.

Pay dues to organizations, like the Children’s Book Council, The Children’s Literature Network, ALA and IRA.

$2500:

Put together a media kit. This is like a traditional press kit, but with an accompanying CD-ROM or DVD. Content could included photos, an interview with you (have a pal be the interviewer), favorable reviews, etc. Get creative.

Throw a high-concept launch party. Provide book-themed food and beverages, and create activities that will also complement the book’s content. Consider hiring an assistant to help keep younger children occupied (and happy).

Attend a key conference. Treat yourself to attend a national SCBWI conference, for example. The trip will be worth the expense. Besides, it’s tax deductible.

Travel to meet your editor and/or agent. If you’re worried about maximizing your time away, try to organize a school or library visit or bookstore event to coincide.

Organize a cool giveaway through your web site. Purchase an iPod mini or a portable game system – whatever appeals to your readers – and make it the prize in a book themed contest.

$5000:

Hire the services of a PR specialist. You’ll still have to do some of the work on your own, but hiring a professional – especially one who specializes in the kid lit market – will give you a strong advantage. Sure, you’ll pay for that advantage – but this is a person who can organize a mini-book tour, allocate funds for well-placed internet ads, etc. At the very least, spring for a consultation that will set your self-funded promotional efforts onto the best track possible.

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Laurie Faria Stolarz’s author website: www.lauriestolarz.com

Laurie Faria Stolarz’s bio page

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