Self-promotion or self-delusion?Naturally, publicists have their own ideas of success. Big points
are scored for booking authors on national TV. Handling a best-
seller is status enhancing, too, especially if that best-seller was
"made." Celebrity authors are the easiest to sell. Topical nonfiction
is great, too. ("An Ebola book? Yes!") Guess which authors, though,
are at the very bottom of publicists' wish lists? Yup, you guessed it:
novelists. And last in line are first novelists.
Novels are not appealing to the media. When they must pitch
novelists, most publicists focus on the author's own story. A check-
ered past, a wacky personality, awards, odd writing habits... irrel-
evant as these tidbits are, they are more likely to arouse people's
interest than a novel's plot summary.
Looks, personality, and human interest are the key to media
appeal. That brings me back to the main question: if you are a nov-
elist, should you be promoting yourself? Does it even work?
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence, of course; talk to the born-
agains. Heck, talk to me: I have a few clients who seem to have done
themselves a world of good through self-promotion. Still, there is
nothing like scientific proof that it works. Even so, most publishers
like to see their authors try it. They may even offer support with
local ads, posters, and such.
Self-promotion is better than no promotion. But how much
better? Enough to make it worth all the time, trouble, and
expense? That depends on several variables, each of which needs
examination.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE?
First, are you promotable? As a do-it-yourselfer, you alone must be
the judge. (Obviously, don't ask your mother or your teenage kid;
they are no more objective than you are.) Quiz yourself. Do you feel
attractive? Do you like to meet people? Do you love to talk about
yourself? Can you formulate a message and get it across?
Sure, you think. But most people feel that way. How realistic are
you being? Ask yourself some extra questions. Do you know the
name of your publicist? Do you maintain your own list of contacts?
Do you already speak in public more than once a year? Have you