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Marketing and Publicity for your Writing with Joe Marich
10 things writers should think about BEFORE they even begin their outline (or if they are already in the writing process, to stop and think of these things before continuing). So far, everyone has found these 10 things very helpful.
When they type, “The End,” the job of a writer is just beginning, not ending.
Writers need to think of themselves as a small business owner. This discussion usually beings with raised eyebrows, and then it clicks-in for them.
The importance of jacket art and how to tell if their jacket art will be effective in grabbing potential buyers’ attention. This is a VERY popular segment.
How to create an effective “elevator pitch” about their book. In essence, how to answer, “So, what’s your book about?”
The importance of “enticing,” rather than “explaining,” when discussing their book. Also a very popular topic.
How and why to make sure their first 30-50 pages are exceptionally interesting – that’s about how many pages potential reviewers will give their book before deciding whether to review it or not. I’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and I can tell them that this is the most important thing they need to take away from our discussion. It is SO important to understand this, particularly in the current marketplace and media landscape.
I talk a lot about story structure, the inciting incident, character, sense of place/time, dialogue, excessive exposition, etc., which is what book reviewers are going to be hyper-critical about.
Then I open it up for Q&A’s.
Joe Marich is founder and President of Marich Media. With an emphasis in literary, entertainment, and consumer product media relations and marketing, Marich has worked in public relations for more than thirty years, planning and executing local, national and international campaigns for book launches, consumer products, special events, fund-raisers and openings in the theatre, art, fashion, television and film industries. He has also been a Keynote speaker at a variety of literary conferences and workshops.
Representing author-director-producer, Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, ER) for over 16 years until his untimely death in November 2008, Marich coordinated global media tours, personal appearances, and interviews for Dr. Crichton, working closely with his publishers in the U.S., as well as his international publishers throughout Europe. In addition to Michael Crichton’s work, Marich has launched over 800 fiction and non-fiction books for various authors over his 30+ year career.
Adding to his impressive list of successful authors, Marich was responsible for the publicity and media relations for Australian best-selling author, David Rollins, who made a splash in America with his first best-seller titled The Death Trust.
Over the years, Marich has also been involved in public affairs and crisis management for all the Warner Music Group labels and has provided counsel to Virgin Records, United Talent Agency and Oracle Corporation bringing special skills to the clients by preparing them in media training, special projects presentations, and developing and producing electronic media kits for satellite feeds.
Prior to starting his own company, Marich worked with such distinguished clients as Rock the Vote, DC/Marvel Comics, New Line Television and Alliance Communications, Virgin Records, Oracle Corporation, and United Talent Agency among others.
Marich is also the author of a public relations book for Delmar Publishers titled, Literary Publicity: The Final Chapter, which was launched February 2001.
Earlier in his career Marich worked for Douglas Cramer, a top producer and studio executive, and Aaron Spelling and Charles Rosin (executive producer) on the original popular television series, Beverly Hills 90210.