I was all set to write something tonight, and it depended on my uploading a photograph. Unfortunately, Photobucket appears to be out of order (it seems to be doing that a lot lately), and I’m flummoxed.
Just got word from my publisher that they’re buying an ad for West Oversea in Ted Baehr’s Movieguide. (No point looking for it, it doesn’t appear to be there yet.) That’s kind of cool, I think. Doubtless it will bring the book to the attention of Hollywood Insiders, and we’ll soon have a movie deal.
My publisher asks, “Where else should we buy ads?”
Any suggestions?
I think World magazine should be a consideration. Perhaps Relief Journal. I wonder if a video excerpt or promo could be assembled.
You probably don’t want ads in Asatru magazines. But historical reenactment societies that deal with that period, such as the SCA, would be good. So would science fiction and fantasy magazines. If there’s a society of C. S. Lewis admirers, that’s another good venue.
I agree about World.
Well, Relief and World have already been mentioned. By Phil. So I’ll just second that suggestion.
Because of course a complete stranger’s opinion is more important than your co-blogger’s.
And I was going to say World, too. It would be great to do it in the same issue that Veith mentions his recent reads in his op-ed; hopefully he would also give West a mention there, especially since he contributed a blurb.
Chestertonian Rambler, don’t believe that lie. Your opinion means a great deal.
And marketing through a C.S. Lewis society could be a great idea.
Before investing a lot in publicity, it needs to be available through regular channels, such as Amazon and CBD.
Finished reading my copy on Tuesday. My guess is that this will be a challenging book to market. The fantasy elements will turn off a lot of Christian readers while the Christian elements will turn off many fantasy readers. But as long as it’s only available direct from the publisher, neither group is going to get much of a chance to read it.
Previous offerings by my publisher are available both on Amazon and CBD. They assure me that this will happen eventually. Apparently their strategy is to sell it themselves for a while, until momentum builds, then offer it through other outlets.
It’s quite different from mainstream publishing, where you’ve basically got a month to get everybody’s attention, or else you’re pretty much gone and forgotten. It appears that Nordskog is planning to spend some time on this. But it does look strange in the early stages.
I’d suggest the online sci-fi and fantasy mags, although the marketing thus far (including the blurbs) seems more directed at the Christian market.
Lars, do you have any interviews lined up? That would be another good way to promote it.
I just checked Relief’s website, and they don’t appear to have advertising.
Our publicist is working on getting interviews on TV and radio.
I was thinking of print ads for Relief. I thought they had some space for that. Maybe not.
I wonder if ByFaith magazine or Ruminate magazine would consider this. They take ads.
You know, I’ve wondered what advertising this blog on Bartleby.com would cost. I wonder if a book ad there would reach people willing to buy it. What they have there now is the kind of cheap web ads you can see almost anywhere.
Nordskog is used to selling to the Christian market. I am going to go out on a limb and say they should also try to sell to the secular fantasy market.
Y’all are a missionary religion. If Fantasy readers can enjoy books about Quinteism there are five gods, and books that have religious main characters, there is no reason they shouldn’t enjoy a book where the main character is a Priest. Especially since Father Aillil is a “show, don’t tell” kind of priest.
Another idea: Send a copy to Justin Taylor at Between Two Worlds. Reformed folks don’t always get fantasy, but Taylor has shown himself to be open to various pieces of pop culture (for lack of a better term). Also, Google Reader tells me he has 4,120 subscribers. For perspective, Neil Gaiman’s Journal has 1,181.
Should we ask the guys at Thinklings for a review? Maybe send a copy to Jared Wilson?
Maybe Frank Wilson at Books, Inq.
I’m brainstorming now. The National Review. Books & Culture or Christianity Today. Kevin Holtsberry’s blog. The American Spectator.
Thank you all for your suggestions.
Try to get a review in Books and Culture.