Sheryl Monks

As the primary publicist at Press 53, I have learned much about the ins and outs of book marketing.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

Marketing Strategies
Whether you're hoping to supplement the marketing efforts of your publisher or develop a complete marketing campaign for your self-published book, I can help maximize your efforts.

Contacts
My contacts include journalists, bloggers, book reviewers, well-known authors, bookstores, libraries, visual artists, business owners, university faculties, art organizations, and a host of other important people with an interest in promoting literature.

Scheduling Events
Not having representation presents a big problem to writers scheduling their own events. Booksellers need to know you're a professional.

Book Endorsements/Blurbs
We'll explore your options and select candidates based on a variety of criteria. Authors without representation often feel awkward asking for endorsements of their work. I can help.

Jacket Copy
Compelling, well-written teasers on book jackets drive sales. If you're having trouble encapsulating your 300-page book into a few sentences, let me take a crack at it.

Pitch Letters
There's a secret to getting people to do what you want, and I know it. You won't believe how simple it is.

Website Copy and Content
Your website should be a hive of activity. If it isn't, I've got ideas to help you reach your readers.

Brochures, Postcards, and Flyers
Out on the book tour, you need professional promotional materials. Every time you hand something to someone, you create an opportunity to discuss your work.

Press Releases
Like the pitch letter, there's a secret to writing effective press releases. There's more to it than announcing your book.

Guest Blog/Article Placement
The internet provides an endless assortment of free marketing opportunities for writers. You'll need expert guidance from someone with a vast network of bloggers and friends in the internet community to find and secure the best outlets for your book.

Email Marketing
It's free, yes, but email campaigns require more finesse than other marketing efforts. Send too many, too often and they go right in the trash.

I can take on a limited number of freelance projects.

For more information, email me at sherylmonks@aol.com

VISIT MY NEW BLOG

Interviews, essays, articles, and other how-to advice on book marketing

Calling on writers, publishers, editors, agents, book publicists, and others who have taken the long, hard journey beyond publication (or helped someone else take the journey). Send me your stories, essays, articles, interviews, and tips on the what's, when's, why's, and how-to's of your book marketing adventure. Tell us about the people who helped you (or got in your way). We want to hear about booksignings, press kits, reviews, launch parties, virtual book tours, small presses, big presses, networking, YouTube, bookstores, and all things relevant to building platforms. Tell us how to pitch stories to lifestyle editors, how to land spots on panels, how to customize workshops for festivals and conferences, how to work with in-house publicists or build our own campaigns. How much time does it take, how much money, and who pays for what?

Consider this a place to indirectly promote your own work. As long as your emphasis is on providing resources for writers, small presses, and others looking for help, we're glad to hear about your new book, your small press or its authors, etc.

Also, please drop me an email with requests. Is there a particular issue you're struggling with? Have you hit a hump? Sound off on the kind of content that would be most useful to you as you embark on your own book marketing campaign.

I look forward to hearing from you.

~sheryl