Saturday, April 19, 2008

Paperback Writer

So, the paperback of Practically Perfect in Every Way comes out on May 6. It has a new cover, a reader’s guide of sorts, and the correct spelling of seretonin. I’m all kinds of excited.

I’m also a little nervous. It’s no big secret that in publishing, you have, max, three months to make a splash before the next crop of books rises up and takes over the shelf space. So part of the job, with nonfiction anyway, is putting on a publicist hat and (if I can take this metaphor and torture it), the hat is about as comfortable for me as a bale of straw. I think I’ve gotten pretty okay with it, though. But I’ve come to a wall; I’m not quite sure what else I can do to publicize PPIEW.

Except, maybe ask you? If you’re interested in writing about the book—whether it’s a review, an interview with me, or a suggestion for your book club—I’d be ever so grateful. I have some TV and radio experience, too, if you need a somewhat chunky lady with fabulous new shoes to book on your show. (jennifer dot niesslein at comcast dot net.)

Even posting this request kind of weirds me out. I guess I’m trying to practice what I preach: If you need help, ask for it. And it’s true: you should, I should, we all scream for ice cream. But the other part of me, the part that believes in chaos and randomness and what will be will be, is at work, too. I pre-ordered the paperback on Amazon and wrote a small, kind note to myself. It’s to remind me that even if the three months pass without a blip, you can still revel in small victories and use them to keep on trucking.

17 comments:

Gina Kelly said...

Jennifer, I've had your book in my huge stack of "books to read" for weeks and weeks and it's finally coming up next after I finish "A new Earth". I'm excited to read it, and have no doubt that it's wonderful.
Self-promotion isn't comfortable for most of us, but you gotta do it. Good for you for asking for help. I can't think of a lot right now that I could do to help, but I'm going to put a link to your book on my blog, for what it's worth.
By the way, I can't wait to see you on Oprah. Just puttin' it out there!

Dawn said...

We should brainstorm some promotional ideas. I love promotion. I heart promotion. I am a little geeky about it. I'm just sayin'.

Alison said...

I write a monthly book review column for a web site. I'd be happy to review Practically Perfect. Email me at hairlinefracture [at] gmail!

Alison

Anonymous said...

Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Dieta, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://dieta-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.

The Other Laura said...

Jennifer, I am slightly ashamed to admit that I haven't read your book yet, waiting, I was, for the less dear paperback price. Once I've ordered and read, I would love to talk about it on my little blog. The topic's a pretty good fit for the kind of writing I do.

By the way, I am at this very moment reading my April copy of Brain, Child and it is knocking my socks off with all the smartness, all the heart!

BabelBabe said...

i mentioned your book when i first read it but why don't you line up a blog book tour? I'd love to have you on my blog, with a proper review and maybe an interview, and i could painlessly : )hook you up with some of my book blog friends...not that you need me...email me if you are interested in any/all....

Tiffany said...

I will go and order your book! I listed your website on my blog today and hope to send you some new fans.

I will also email the link to my book club.

Keep up the great writing, it's such a pleasure to read.

Tiffany

BabelBabe said...

oops, forgot to give you my email...
babelbabe (at) comcast dot net

Jennifer said...

Oh, you people! You're so awesome.

Thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Nicole D. Johns said...

Your book is in my goodreads to read shelf. I will get it soon. I am about to be without a book.

I have a fairly large parents group, would you consider a conference call/book club type thing?

Julianne said...

Off to pre-order it on Amazon. I'll mention it on my big ol' blog with just shy of 100 readers a day! Wahoo! It's the equivalent of going on "Ellen."

You're welcome.

Jennifer said...

Thanks, Julianne!

And Nicole, I'd LOVE to do a call in thing!

jessica handler said...

You're gonna be in PB! More sales!

I'm learning promotion, too - learning how to think differently about how to do it. So far, I'm not thinkin', so I don't have any brilliant ideas, other than the VBT thing - whose blog can you "guest host" as if it were a talk show? Anyone you know got a very popular blog who can interview you and link to Amazon?

Just thinking.

Betsy said...

Hello. Having viewed Mary Poppins, the movie, at least 37 times, I have a six year old, and listened to the soundtrack three times that many, I have to say, I love the title of your book. I am a feature blogger over at Babycenter.com and would love to review it. Any chance you are offering "review" copies? I live in the sticks of Vermont and it could be weeks, or months, before I get to a book store. bshaw@vermontel.net

jessica handler said...

And sometimes, publicity just happens. My mom called me today to ask me if I knew that my friend Jennifer's book, (which I gave her as a gift) was coming out in paperback.

I said that I did, and where did she find out - does she read Jennifer's blog? (Weird to speak of blogmistress in third person here, but accept it as a dialogue effect.)

No, she didn't know there was a blog, but she got a message on Amazon when she logged on to buy something the other day.

So, Amazon's doing some of the work, but the odd thing is that since I bought the book for HER, how come SHE comes up as an affinity buyer? Must be whatever she bought is somehow in a likeness group with PPIEW.

Word of mouth marketing?

Jennifer said...

How cool is that, Jessica?

Unknown said...

LOVED the book, and I will be sure to pimp you on my blog. You're the only person I know who feels the same way I do about FLYlady.