Other Stuff
One way to get some ink for your new release is to market yourself as an "expert" in an interesting category. For me, since Violet on the Runway is about modeling, that area was an easy choice.Here's an interview on lovetoknow.com's teen section: How to Become a Model. Great publicity for Violet, fun for me!
What's your area of expertise?
This week's contest is super-easy. Just tell me what your favorite Young Adult literature topics are (fashion, love, fantasy, sci fi, siblings, friends...?) or something you wish there were a Young Adult book about. Can't wait to hear what you think. You can comment here or on myspace.
Yes, I'm being nosy again, but I'll reward one lucky commenter (chosen at random from the hat, of course) with Lancome's Color Fever Gloss in "Seductive." The packaging looks like the top left image, and the color looks like the swipe. Purdy!
Teen book reviewers are my favorites. Why? Because that's my audience -- those are the readers I'm hoping to reach! I adore teens who blog and review. Here are a few who covered Violet on the Runway (thanks!):Teen Book Review by Jocelyn
flamingnet.com review by Flamingnet Student Reviewer EPot
Myspace blog review by Susanna-Cole
PS-If you've got a blog and would like to do an author interview, let me know! I can talk about writing, getting published, magazines... it'll be fun.
Last week's winner is: Laura! Send me your address, and I'll send you your autographed copy of Kissing Snowflakes!
I loved that you guys told me what you're reading--and I can't wait to get to a few of these books myself. Thanks for the ideas and descriptions!
This week (actually, all month), you can enter flip.com's Violet contest by making a flipbook about why you love fashion (if you do...). If you win, your name will appear in my third book, Violet in Private.
Good luck! And Happy Thanksgiving!
This week's issue of US Weekly calls The Economist an "egghead magazine." That cracks me up! Doesn't it just sound like the popular C-student putting down the nerdy A-getter? High school is alive and well.Also, the multi-talented Amber, who reviewed Violet on the Runway for Young Adult Books Central, is a finalist in Seventeen and Ford's Reader Model contest. See her profile here and vote for her if you think she's as cool as I do.
PS-Does anyone else read US Weekly? Make me feel better by confessing!
I heard about Intern Memo over the summer, and since interns are usually college-age and still in the Young Adult demo, I thought they'd be a great audience for Violet on the Runway. I started reading the missives Intern Memo sent out, and a lot of them had good advice. Because I'd worked in magazines, I decided to offer them a few tips for landing an internship in the magazine world, and I interviewed magazine colleagues to get a variety of perspectives.Last week, this issue of Intern Memo went out! They got a bit of content from me, and I hope a few more people heard about my first book. Win-win!
If you're an author, share your best promotion tip? If you're a reader, tell me how you usually hear about the books you check out!
I am obsessed with old magazines. Can't you just see Grace Kelly flipping through these vintage Vogues on a lazy, lounge-y winter's day? And I love ebay for things like this. Which is why I also adore this Lucky blog by Jennifer Romolini.So tell me, what's your favorite ebay purchase ever?
As you can see from the blurry photo at left, Amber's name came out of the hat this week, so she wins the Clinique Superbalm lip gloss. Congratulations, Amber! Send me your address.
This week, I'm giving away an autographed copy of Kissing Snowflakes, Abby Sher's fantastic new novel about the totally friendable Sam, who's such a straightforward, relateable character that I wanted to spend my winter break in a ski lodge with her, trying to figure out divorce and first loves and how to ski. If I had a winter break, that is. Point being: You want this book.
So here's what to do to win the contest: Just leave a comment here or on myspace, telling me what the last book you bought was, and how you liked it.
I'm in a curious (nosy) mood. Good luck!
I was in Banana Republic yesterday, amid racks of colorful cashmere sweaters and trendy shift dresses in silk and wool. It made me think: Weird!Remember when Banana Republic used to just make these safari tees with animals on the back? I had the lioness tee in sixth grade and I thought it looked so cool with khaki shorts.
PS - Today's the last day to enter the Win It Wednesday contest--the winner will be drawn and announced tomorrow!
It's great to think of events where your book would fit right in... and in Violet on the Runway's case, that meant fashion events, preferably ones that involved teenagers. So in addition to a New York Fashion Week show (FORM), Violet on the Runway was in gift at "Fashion Prep," a Boston Fashion Week event for teenagers interested in fashion, held at the Boston Public Library.And last month, I was invited to Lord & Taylor in Stamford, Connecticut to help judge "Fashion in the Bag." To celebrate the launch of their new rebranded shopping bag, Lord & Taylor challenged students to construct wearable designs from the bags. Everyone did an amazing job--designs included evening gowns, sandals, hats, doggy carriers and even a bikini made out of the new white, sunrise orange and Lord & Taylor signature logo shopping bags. (See photo of one of the winners, Ashante Davis, top left.) L&T bought enough copies of Violet on the Runway so that each entrant got one--and I sat there signing 200. Fun!
I met some fun, creative other judges (not to mention a talented group of students!), and the event got some press too:
Connecticut Technical High School News
The Wilton Villager
The Stamford Times
So, making yourself available for events is a good thing. Just another marketing idea...