The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
    Michael Maiello's picture

    We Have Work To Do!

    By Michael Maiello on Sat, 10/09/2010 - 12:16pm |

    I just ordered my Kindle edition of Blowing Smoke, which will be delivered by October 10th.  Can't wait to read it.  Couldn't help but notice that there are no user reviews for the book on Amazon yet.  I definitely plan to write one after I consume some book but, come on... some of you have read it already!  User reviews can pump book sales.  Please go to Amazon and write intelligently (as I know you all can) about why this book is worth people's time heading into the midterms.

    Genghis has been a bit shy about self promotion around here so I think we need to step up a bit for him.  Genghis... you doing any book store visits in the New York/Philly area?  If not, do you need or want some help setting some up?  I know some people in New York but would also be happy to cold call a few strangers on your behalf.  Send me an email and we can take that discussion off line.  I have some other ideas that might help as well.

    Ultimately, books are the original social media -- they're bought and sold by word of mouth.  Let's all try to take some time over the next few months to let people know that Blowing Smoke exists.  As you're commenting at various sites around the Web, mention Blowing Smoke (where appropriate, of course) and he could definitely use reviews at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Powell's.  If any of you have connections at web or print publications, please let them know the book exists.

    OKay, end of rallying speech.  Get to work!

    Comments

    Yay! Just ordered mine on Kindle! I was worried that it wouldn't be Kindle-ready, so thanks for the heads up! Good idea about user reviews. I have access to my copy on October 12th and plan to write a review just as soon as I can finish it! 

    G-I can't help with the book tour unless you're coming to Jakarta. But I know all the good bookstores here, so if you're in the mood for a winter trip to the tropics, let me know! 


    by Orlando on Sat, 10/09/2010 - 12:45pm

    P.S. You can also write a review at the Barnes & Noble Website:

    http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Blowing-Smoke/Michael-Wolraich/e/9780306819193


    by Orlando on Sat, 10/09/2010 - 1:47pm

    Thanks, Destor! You're the best. Right now, there is a planned signing at the K-Street Borders in DC on 11/9, and my publicist mentioned a possible B&N reading in Manhattan on 12/15, but neither are confirmed. I'm also trying to set up an informal event at a bar/cafe in NYC. Possible dates include 10/22, 11/5, or 10/30 (for Stewart/Colbert fans who can't make it down to DC). I'll put up a post about ithe events once they are confirmed.

    Publishers are hesitant to set up full book tours for first-time authors because the cost-benefit of the publicity is low, and it's often difficult to fill a room. They're definitely behind the book, however, and have arranged for it to be promoted on the tables in B&N and Borders starting next week. It will also be in Amazon's Featured Category all through November.

    That said, it's a chicken-egg thing. If Blowing Smoke shows signs of taking off, they'll invest more in marketing, and then the book will fly. So anything that you folks can do to help drive publicity early in the game could make the difference between nice first effort and a bestseller. Well-written online reviews are be fantastic. So is networking. Know someone who has a media platform? Recommend the book. (Heck, buy 'em a copy. I'll reimburse you.) Know someone who has a lot of friends? Recommend the book. Know someone who can read? Recommend the book. Know someone who has yet to be potty-trained? Maybe wait a few years.

    I'm also up for creative PR ideas. Destor, I'll email you to you to see what your thoughts are. Thanks again!


    by Michael Wolraich on Sat, 10/09/2010 - 3:18pm

    One other thought. If any of you write a post that relates to Tea Party / Beck / Palin craziness, you can stick a link on the end of it to my book. That way, if you your post happens to be featured in google news or goes viral, a lot of eyes will see it.

    But no prressure on that if you don't want to do it, seriously.


    by Michael Wolraich on Sat, 10/09/2010 - 3:27pm

    I just checked, and my copy (from Amazon UK) is scheduled to arrive in early November.  I'll make sure to write a scrathing critique glowing review once I've had a chance to read it. Major congrats on finishing what I assume will be an excellently written book, G!


    by CaliforniaPaige on Sun, 10/10/2010 - 9:05am