An Author Needs a Publicist!
by Terry Haycock, Freelance Writer

Picture a combination of the "Energizer Bunny," the Road Runner, and a mildly earthy standup comedienne, and you might be close to describing what it's like to experience Jodee Blanco. Her petite stature seemed almost inadequate to house the energy within it as she paced back and forth in front of the podium while delivering her message: "There's no such thing as a book that can't be publicized."

Jodee shared that at "38" she has 18 years' experience as a publisher, author, agent, and publishing consultant. She "helps small book publishers publish better" and has put 15 books on The New York Times best seller list, five of which were number one, and some of which have been on the list for nine years. She serves on the faculties of New York University and the University of Chicago.

Jodee is also author of The Complete Guide to Book Publicity, and co-author with Catherine Lannigan of The Evolving Woman. Her latest work is due out this spring. Please Stop Laughing is a memoir of peer abuse and bullying at school.

"You can't just write a book," said Jodee. "The real work comes in the promoting. There is always a way to get something out there: Position yourself as a news story and use the press... Writing is only 10% of the work... promoting is 90%."

Closing with a "Stump Jodee," session, Jodee challenged the audience to describe a book that had no publicity angle. Anyone who stumped her would receive a free full day of consulting - a $3000 value. She fielded questions about books concerning the Civil War, ethnic cleansing, and spirituality. And she had a recommendation for each one! The moral is in Jodee's parting words: "There's no such thing as a book that can't be publicized!"

No doubt many of us will be repeating her mantra for a long, long time!

Suggesting we think of her as Ted Kopple in a tutu, Jodee offered the following tips to authors and publishers:

• Promote the author to promote the book.
• Find an angle.
• If your book is a novel, look for a non-fiction angle.
• The angle is what connects the book and the author to the audience. How does your book's subject relate to a current hot issue, a popular past time, a particular cause?
• Do for others from the heart and invite the press to witness it. Set up a series of 5-10 events with groups interested in the related cause. contact the local press and invite them to attend the event.
• Publicize the series of events as a tour. You could set up multiple events in one state and tout it as a statewide tour. You get statewide exposure without the cost of coast-to-coast airfare.
• Try asking for letters on the subject from local residents in your tour areas - then ask the local press to publish the best letter along with a bio of the writer.
• Announce your tour as a hit in your news releases.
• Once you gain credibility in the written press, contact radio and TV.
• Remember that publicity is 90% of the work.

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