You’ve sent the query. The publisher is interested. The contract has been signed. The book has been written, edited, tweaked and finished. The presses are rolling. Bookstores and libraries have pre ordered.

What next? Sit back and wait? No. This is when it really starts to get busy. Here are some opportunities to promote your book. Many of them mean pounding the pavement, and most are free. If you are a well published author, the publicity machine is already well in train. If you are an unknown author you have to do the hard yards, but you can also be innovative.

* Attend writers conferences relevant to your genre. If you can get a guest speaker spot, all the better. Guest speakers are usually asked to do an author signing in conjunction with book sales.

* Have a booth at a trade conference relevant to your book topic or theme. If your book is e.g. about adoption, you may be able to have your book (and yourself) featured in the program or as a display. You may be able to ask your publisher if they will donate a few copies for lucky door prizes.

* Set up an author website or blog. Some authors have a website specifically for the particular book, and link this to their main author site. Two sites is of course, more expensive, and is more likely used by established authors with a big publicity campaign around the book.

* Join online forums where there may be interest in your topic e.g. specific areas such as adoption. Also consider forums for parenting, work at home mothers, writers, early childhood educators etc.

* Read blogs related to your book, and comment at them. As blogs are interactive, you can establish relationships with other bloggers, especially if you have a blog or website for them to link to.

* Approach your local newspaper to interview you and to review your book. Send out press releases to newspapers. Do any have a children’s book section?

* Approach your local radio or TV station to feature you.

* Approach local groups and schools who may want a guest speaker.

These are just a few ideas. As you start the ball rolling, the people you interact with will become your advocates, and suggest other options and contacts to you. The important thing is to get that ball rollng and keep it rolling.

Writing for Kids & Teens