PROMOBEATS INTERVIEW

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Tera Leigh

Please join me in a big Word Museum and PromoBeats welcome to Tera Leigh.

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.

Tera Leigh:

*Complete Book of Decorative Painting 2001 (North Light Books) -Named "Top Ten Craft/Hobby Book of 2002" by the American Library Association -Winner of the Crafts/Craftrends Award of Excellence for Painting Book Category 2003

*How to Be Creative if You Never Thought You Could 2003 (North Light Books)

*Crafters' Internet Handbook: Research, Connect, and Sell your Crafts Online - Contributing Author (Muska & Lipman Publishing) 2002

All books are non-fiction art/craft/creativity books in paperback format.

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

Tera Leigh: I work extensively with my publisher. I found that I had to prove to the publicity department that I was willing to work to help make them look good. Once I had established that credibility, they have been willing to work with me far more than some of their other authors.

Among the things I do include asking for a list of publications they have sent review copies and I send a follow up letter with information about me, background about the book, and copies of magazine articles, my bio, etc. to introduce myself to the publication. I find this helps keep the book from becoming lost in the river of paperwork flowing across reviewer’s desks. After seeing the list, I also send them a list with addresses of other publications that I think would be appropriate for them to send books for review. I follow up to find out when the books go out and send follow up letters to these publications as well.

I had postcards printed (Vistaprint.com) with the cover of my latest book printed to send to local bookstores to raise interest about book signings. I follow up with local chains. My publisher can usually tell me the name of the events coordinator, but if not, I just call and ask.

Because my books tend to feature products, I suggested that my publisher create a co-sponsored book tour. This was something my publisher had never done. We are doing a seven-city book tour co-sponsored by four or five companies whose products are featured in the book. Keep in mind that publishers often think “inside the box” but are willing to try something new if you will do the homework and make it easy for them to look good.

I use my website and online mailing list to promote awareness of my books long before they are in print. I also use this to promote my book signings, etc.

I go to major tradeshows in my industry and make appointments with editors and TV producers to give them a copy of the book and talk to them about ways in which I might help them while promoting my book.

I send detailed and visual press kits to TV and radio stations that do book talks or feature the type of work I do.

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

Tera Leigh: All of the things I listed above work well, as long as you are committed to making them happen. PR is not a one shot project. It is ongoing and starts the moment the manuscript is in the publisher’s hands and continues as long as the book is in print. The publisher has hundreds of books to promote. Your book isn’t going to get a lot of attention after the initial push unless you are out there “beating the bushes” to create PR for the book. The more you do, the more the publisher is willing to do, and the more they will be willing to do for the next book.

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

Tera Leigh: I hired a publicist before the book was in the bookstores thinking that she could help me spread the word and build my reputation. I found that without a product to show, it was very hard to get solid PR. Also, the publicist I hired – although recommended by an industry insider – really didn’t have the kind of connections in the industry needed to get high level PR to help me.

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

Tera Leigh: I read everything I can get my hands on. I subscribe to a dozen mailing lists on a variety of subjects from PR to industry information. I network with this information. Being able to pass on a tidbit of information to someone at a high level at my publisher or on a TV show, for example, builds your credibility.

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

Tera Leigh: I like to promote now that I understand how to do it. No one knows my books and products better than I do, so I am naturally the best advocate for them. For me, the key was to see my work as a product and not self-promotion. Once I made that separation, I began to become more creative and willing to take risks in the people I contacted and the way I presented the products.

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

Tera Leigh: Yes. Newspaper, magazine, TV, radio, and internet sites.

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

Tera Leigh: For me, there were two key realizations that helped me: 1. No one will do it if you don’t, and 2. it isn’t about you, it is about the product. I am passionate about what I do and I want to sell books so that I can continue to do it.

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

Tera Leigh: When you are promoting, keep in mind that newspapers, TV, radio, and magazines need content. If you provide them that with a good press release and press kit, you are making their job easier and they are going to like you. Keep on top of what is happening in your industry, and in publishing. Read every PR book you can find, even if it is not exactly on topic for what you do. You will learn. You will adapt some things but you will make it happen.

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

Tera Leigh is the award-winning author of “The Complete Book of Decorative Painting” (North Light Books), which was named to the "Top 10 Craft & Hobby Books of 2002" by American Library Association’s Booklist magazine. Her new book, “How to Be Creative if You Never Thought You Could” provides encouraging words and insightful anecdotes that make it easy for readers to discover their creative spirit. Tera Leigh has retired from practicing law to pursue a more creative lifestyle. In addition to her books, she is a columnist for CNA, PaintWorks, Quick & Easy Painting, Tole World, and Country Marketplace magazines. You can contact Tera through her official website.

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