How to Promote Your Book

Here is a summary of what I learned at Milton Kahn's "How to Promote Your Book" workshop:

The focus of the publishing business has undergone many important changes over the years...

Gone are the days of "the book tour." Revenue takes precedence over developing new writers.

There is a huge turnover rate in the publishing business. Publicists and editors, who are arguably the most important, are also the first ones to get cut.

As a publicist, Kahn emphasized that he thinks that most publishers are clueless about PR. Publishing houses are flooded with books, and therefore only have a set amount of time to think about each new title.

The people who want it the most are the ones who make it. There is a lot of work that goes into getting published -- and writing a book and publishing it is only the beginning.

The issue you write about must be "sellable" to the media, such as current events or self help.

Who you are is vitally important. You need to develop a presence, an on-air personality.

To query television shows and magazines:
- Send them a synopsis of the issues.
- Don't expect the television personality or magazine editor to read your book.
- Hopefully their viewers / readers will.

Milton Kahn is Oprah's neighbor. He says that she has the final say about what is on her show, but her people are the ones who choose you. Oprah can sell 150,000 books from one show.