Places Where Your Book Should Be

A marketing checklist for self-published and independent authors

Photo: Joanna Malinowska / Book Fair 2 / www.freestocks.org

As a self-published author myself, I know how hard it is to market your book and to find readers. Here’s a thorough checklist of places and ways to market your book. Some are obvious, and maybe some not-so-obvious.

If you are a beginner or the seasoned author about to click “publish” on your tenth novel, there’s something here for everyone. If you have more ideas to add or places that have helped you, I’d love to hear about them. Good luck out there!

BRICK AND MORTAR PLACES

1. Independent Bookstores — Your indie store is more apt to take a chance on you. Call ahead. Be polite. Make an appointment. Don’t go in with a chip on your shoulder like you’re a big-time author. You’re not. Booksellers have seen that charade before. Don’t ask them to pay upfront. Ask if they have a consignment program. Don’t bug them every day to see if they have sold out. If they are willing to let you do a signing or reading event, promote the hell out of it and get every family member and friend to come and to buy something! Filling an indie store with customers lets them know you are serious and they’ll remember that when you have another book out.
2. Chain Bookstores — This used to be a hard market to tap into years ago, but some…