Suggestions for selling your book

1. First of all, before you publish, focus on your potential market and how to reach those people. If your book is a community history, for example, estimate how many people in the community will buy it.

2. Send an announcement of the book (with details of how to order it) to everyone you know. See if there are mailing lists (email or regular mail) that you can use to promote your book. Try to have details of your book included in newsletters. If you belong to any clubs or organizations, see if they will include details of your book in their mailings. Perhaps some of these organizations have websites where your book could be mentioned. People who live away are often keen to get things that remind them of home.

3. Have a book launching. Advertise it well (if possible, phone people and invite them). Have it in an accessible place, perhaps the community hall or the library. Provide refreshments. Have a program lined up: the authors introduce the book and explain its origins. The author or someone who reads well should read an interesting passage from the book (keep this short, say 5 or 10 minutes). Encourage questions and criticism. Try to have a lively discussion. Have a person ready to sell the books and the author ready to autograph them. You could offer a discount for people who buy the book at the launching.

4. Don't stop at one launching. Maybe there are other locations or other times which would work well too.

5. Take advantage of all free advertising: posters in store windows, the local library and on other bulletin boards; a story in the local paper; a letter to the editor and so on.

6. Go to every commercial outlet in your area, no matter how small or big, and ask to leave the book on consignment or to leave a notice of the book. If your book is about the history of the area, the local museum might be interested in selling it. Be sure to give the price. Be sure to keep a record of any consignments.

7. Chapters/Coles/Smithbooks and independent bookstores are usually keen to promote local authors. Offer to do a book signing for them, for example, before Christmas or summer vacation. Commercial bookstores take a high percentage but having your books in them is good promotion. Your book will be noticed.

8. Develop an hour-long talk that can be taken to Rotary, Kiwanis, women's groups, community groups, adult education classes at community colleges, etc. Then let them know that you are available.

9. If you have published a novel or a book for young adults or children, ask your local library if you can give a reading. If the book is appropriate for school children, your local school might be interested in having you read to a class. Be sure to make your reading lively and interesting and directed at the right age group.

10. If there is a reader's club in your area, join and introduce your book, but show an interest in others' books as well!

11. Participate in local craft shows and markets - usually only about $5 for a table. Display your book. Talk to people.

12. Join your provincial writers federation if there is one. Get to know who's who in the writing world and how knowing the field of writing might help you. Take your book to others' readings. Become a professional!

13. Find out if the local paper or radio station is interested in reviewing your book.

14. Always have books in your car and take them with you when you go to events. Take a few on holiday with you. When you talk to people about your book and they ask where they can get them, you will always have some with you.

15. Give copies to local libraries, museums and seniors residences, and to community groups for silent auctions and raffles. This is good promotion, and many such places will provide a tax receipt in return.

16. Don'’t lose heart if the book doesn't sell out in the first month or two. Most books are not time-sensitive and will continue to sell, although perhaps not as fast as when they first came out.

These suggestions come from our experience with Roseway Publishing and from comments from our authors. Thanks especially to Bonnie Davidson, who provided several helpful tips. If you have any suggestions you would like to pass along to us, we’d be glad to have them.