M. E. Wood

PROMOBEATS INTERVIEW

Judy Reeves

Please join me in a big Word Museum and PromoBeats welcome to Judy Reeves.

Moe: Please tell us what name(s) you write under, the name of your book(s), the genre of your book(s), and the formats.

Judy Reeves: Name I write under: Judy Reeves
My books: A Writers Book of Days, A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life, 1999, New World Library, Novato, CA, 240 pages, paperback Writing Alone, Writing Together, A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups, 2002, New World Library, Novato, CA, 176 pages, paperback Genre: Writing books, A Creative Writer’s Kit, New World Library, Novato, CA, (144 page paperback book & 25 cards in a gorgeous gift box)

Moe: What do you do to promote your book(s)?

Judy Reeves: One advantage I have is that my nonfiction books are about writing which means I can do a writing workshop rather than just a “signing.” So I think the bookstore appearances are more successful than if I were promoting a work of fiction (which I hope to get published next).

Some of the usual stuff: postcard mailings to my mailing list, website, listings in catalogues with any classes or workshops I teach, announcements to local press, set up special workshops, signings/workshops at bookstores and other venues, urge friends to review on websites (Amazon.com, etc.), email announcements, attempt to set up radio/TV appearances locally, not always successfully. Set up signings/workshops when I travel for other purposes (no travel allowance allocated by publisher) and sometimes, on my own when it seems economically feasible (i.e. I can stay with friends, etc.)

I’ve also been fortunate that I write a regular column for a magazine, so my book(s) were listed with each issue. (Personal Journaling magazine, FW Publications)

And, it didn’t hurt to have Writer’s Digest select my books for their book club, which they did. A Writer’s Book of Days was a featured alternate. And, in 2000, they named it one of five “hottest books for writers” in a feature article. I used that (and still do) as a “blurb” line.

I also have gone into bookstores and offered to sign any books they had in stock. Some liked that, esp. Barnes & Noble, and put a sticker on the front of the book. Gave it a face out position on the shelf. For a while anyhow.

My publisher sends books out for reviews, places a few ads, sends postcard mailings.

Moe: What method or methods of promotion have you used that works well?

Judy Reeves:
1. A feature interview in the Style Section of the Los Angeles Times that was a real gift. (an old friend of an old friend set it up.) This happened with the first book, A Writer’s Book of Days.
2. Presented “free” writing workshops at bookstores and other venues where the book could be sold.
3. Listing with the bi-monthly column in “Personal Journaling” magazine
4. Led workshops at conferences with large attendance (and large mailing lists)
5. I have high hopes for the new website with its link to Amazon, but it’s too soon to tell. Of course, then there’s the promotion for the website itself.

Also, because I taught at a major university, my book was listed in all the catalogue mailings that went out, which numbered in the tens of thousands.

I think media appearances are terrific if you can get them. I never have been too successful, but then my efforts weren’t as dogged as some other authors I know.

Moe: What method or methods of promotion have you used that have not worked well?

Judy Reeves:
1. Postcard mailing to literary centers (fairly hefty expense, no return that I was aware of)
2. Signings/discussions at bookstores that were a) not promoted well & b) held on a Saturday night (can you imagine?)

Moe: Where did you learn how to promote your books? Is there a special place or places where you find good promotion information?

Judy Reeves: My publisher provided a set of guidelines that focused especially on using local contacts and local media. (Be a hero in your own home town). I also checked out a couple of books on the topic, one “Jumpstart your Book Sales” (I think it was titled. I’ve left my writing library in a storage unit while I’m in Barcelona.) Also, listening to the experience of other writers, doing what has worked well for them. (Like your column?) Lots of books out there.

Also, in a previous life I worked in PR so I had some sense of good promotion and public relations. Although, when it came down to it, I didn’t do all the things I know how to do, or that are touted by the books I reviewed.

Moe: Do you like to promote? Or do you find it frustrating?

Judy Reeves: Promotion takes a big effort and lots of time, sometimes expense, too. But, because I love to teach and lead workshops and hang out with writers, doing workshops at bookstores was a real joy. But trying to set up the workshop appearances and trying to get media attention can be frustrating. Doing the mailings (which means printing out and pasting labels on postcards or other mailings) is a real time consumer. So, some of it is frustrating. Time spent with no results. Or worst than no results, out and out rejection. (You’d think we’d be use to it by now.) The thing is, we should all know going into this thing, that these days, after the book is written, and if you’re lucky enough to be published, the second job starts. And that is the job of self-promotion. It’s a given for almost any author. (Grishams, Kings, et al notwithstanding)

Moe: Have you been interviewed as an author? By which mediums?

Judy Reeves: I’ve been interviewed on radio and in print, and “live” at workshops. Been in films, but never on TV. (Actually haven’t pursued this as actively as I could have.)

Moe: Do you have any good promotion tips for your fellow authors that you would like to share?

Judy Reeves: Be bold! Be organized! Make a plan and follow it. Don’t expect too much from your publisher. Don’t take rejection personally.

Moe: Please add anything else here you'd like to say.

Judy Reeves: I never thought I’d be the kind of author who would skulk around bookstores and put my book face out on the shelf, but I’ve done it. I’ve asked my friends to do it too. I also wanted to add a note about the press releases and "one-sheets" that both New World Library and I did for my books. The press kits that were compiled by NWL, which I added to, were used to support requests for media attention, I used the "one-sheets" in addition to the postcard mailings as leave-behinds when I called on bookstores trying to set up signing/workshops.

Moe: Please add a short bio, your personal website url, your publisher(s) and book(s).

Judy Reeves is a writer, teacher and writing practice provocateur whose books include A Writer’s Book of Days, A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life (New World Library, 1999) and Writing Alone, Writing Together, A Guide for Writers and Writing Groups (New World Library, 2002). She has also edited a number of books and chapbooks, including Weavings; Hot Nights, Wild Women; and A Woman’s Place, Stories, Poems and Tall Tales from Women on the Road. Her work has appeared in the San Diego Reader and other publications. Two of her plays written with the Second Story Writers, a women’s writing ensemble, were produced by the Fritz Theater. She also writes a regular column for Personal Journaling Magazine. As a writing instructor she taught at the University of California, San Diego; California State University, Fullerton; San Diego State Writers’ Conference; Southern California Writers’ Conference (San Diego and Oxnard); Pasadena Writers’ Forum and other venues including, in San Diego, CA, The Writers’ Room, where she was an associate and The Writing Center, a nonprofit literary arts organization which she co-founded. Her newest publication, A Creative Writer’s Kit, and was released by New World Library in the fall 2003.
Visit her official website.

02/04