Author, Ava Pennington

Hi, everyone! Ava here, from the sunny (as in hot, hot, hot!) Treasure Coast of Florida.The calendar says August, but I’ve been writing October on all my paperwork – because that’s when my first book will be released!

As much as I’m eager for October 1st to draw near, I’m conflicted, too. I can’t wait to hold my book, but the fast-approaching date has ushered me into the world of marketing. I’d much rather focus my energies on finishing my next book, but as we all know, that’s not an option. My first baby needs to be introduced to a waiting world. Okay, so maybe the only ones waiting are my husband and a few friends and family, but with the marketing activities I have planned, that will soon change (she said hopefully!).

That’s where this blog comes in. On the second Wednesday of each month, I’ll share what I’ve been doing to market my book, One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell Books). I’m the first to admit that I’m not an expert when it comes to marketing, so I’ll be posting about what I’ve done right…and what I could have done better. Because marketing is not my area of expertise, I’ve sought the advice of writer friends who have preceded me on this journey.

Activities I’ve planned or completed include:
–    purchased business cards with contact information and the book title
–    scheduled a book launch party for October 16
–    pitched and completed several magazine articles related to my book topic
–    established an author website and blog
–    opened Twitter and Facebook accounts

…and that’s just the beginning! I still need to complete the arrangements for the launch party and create an email newsletter database and contact bookstores for signings and maintain activity on Facebook and Twitter and Shoutlife and LinkedIn and…breathe, Ava, breathe! Of course, somewhere in all that I also want to finish my current work-in-progress!

I know it will all get done – and each month you’ll be able to read about what worked for me and what didn’t. For my September blog post, I’ll focus on the activities associated specifically with the book launch party.

Feel free to add to the discussion by commenting on these posts, or send your questions to my personal blog or my website. We can learn from each other!