Nine suggestions for promoting your book

Authors today are more responsible for marketing their books than ever before. For self-publishers this is assumed, but even for authors such as myself who publish using a hybrid model (assuming more production costs up front for a larger percent of sales royalties), the commitment to actually getting our books into the hands of readers can take as much time and energy as the writing itself.

While this list is in no way complete, it does reflect what was successful for me, and may help guide new authors wondering where to begin. Although my experience was in publishing a printed book, I believe it can be modified for e-books. This list assumes you've written a compelling, well-edited and sellable book. Without that, no amount of effort will save you.

Before your book is published:

1.  Connect with writers, editors, publishers, librarians, and booksellers.

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Book Review: The Night Has Teeth

The Night Has Teeth
by Kat Kruger

Most novels are strong in either one of two things: plot or characters. Generally, I prefer character-driven stories. I read to better understand human nature – what drives people, how they react in situations, what they think about and how they feel – and to make an emotional connection to the characters.

That said, The Night Has Teeth is stronger on the plot side, and though I don't often read young adult and supernatural fiction, I believe this is typical of that genre. There is tons of action, suspense, and mystery, which I expected, but I was surprised and delighted by how relatable the main character is, too. What sets this book apart is how real the protagonist is, even when he's a teenaged boy with a history of biting people until they spill blood on the schoolyard.

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Big Day Downtown, Part 2 of 2

When we support our friends and neighbors who own local restaurants and businesses in Halifax we invest in the local economy and allow our city to have a thriving, vibrant boutique culture. This in mind, I was happy to do my part to support local in the second installment of my Big Day Downtown.

Caffé Ristretto

It's unwise to pursue any adventure unrefreshed, and Caffé Ristretto in Bishop's Landing was the perfect place to fuel up with a cuppa. The barista was friendly and patient with me while I deliberated: the maple latte, mulled apple or cranberry cider, and mint hot chocolate all appealed, but on a crisp October morning I decided to go for the pumpkin latte.

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A long overdue introduction to Gatsby, old sport

We each have a finite amount of time in our lives, and it's certainly not enough time to read every great book that's been written. But there are some books that simply must be read, especially by one who claims to be, herself, a writer. How is it possible that I dodged The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald through high school and university? How is it that I owned the book, started it multiple times, and never finished it? I'm honestly unsure. Today I erase the shame of avoidance and can proudly say I've read The Great Gatsby, I'm glad I did, and I'd recommend it to another.

Fitzgerald's book about a group of bored, rich socialites summering in West and East Egg (fictionalized versions of Long Island's North Shore) took 100 pages to grow on me.

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Book club proves boys like to read, too!

While in Toronto last month, I was guest of honour at a prestigious event, a meeting of the Durie Boyz Book Club. The 13 members, all aged six and seven, were meeting to discuss my book Lunar Lifter at their June gathering.

I'm a huge fan of book clubs and have belonged to two different ones, but this was my first experience with a children's book club organized outside of a school or library. The Durie Boyz (so named because they live on or near Durie St. in Toronto's Bloor West Village) meet in members' homes. In addition to reading, they play games and have snacks themed around their reading selection.

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