My last post looked at my process for writing a novel back in 2010 – 2013
This post is all about planning promotional activities and marketing.
Blog posts and other plans:
I must admit that I now think on my feet with blog posts. If I have a novel just published I tend to write a series on:
- The research
- The locations of the novel, real or imaginary
- The characters (or those I missed out!)
- Events, for example sales, book signings or book talks
Otherwise I have a monthly book review, occasional guest authors or anything which inspires or interests me in the book world at the moment.
While reminiscing through my box of notes, research, planning and first draft of my second book I was surprised to see how well I thought ahead and planned my blog posts way back in 2013:
Then even further back in 2010, not long after my first novel Riduna was published by Pegasus, I kept lists of notes regularly:
Even an old post its of personal and house matters too š
I suppose this is a little quaint looking back.
Embracing the technical age
I promise that:
- I have embraced IT for writing and editing now,
- but also for scanning research docs. I use the internet for research as well as first source materials too, you’ll be please to know.
- I keep spread sheets of contacts, possible events and outcomes,
- and another spreadsheet page of research materials and sources,
- with another spreadsheet page for a list of experts to request that they read through relevant extracts to give me feedback, to ensure my facts are as authentic as possible. I am indebted to such people who are so kind to give their time in this way.
…but I still use a book diary for recording events by hand too, including blog posts and for planning what to do in the next month.
Diana Jackson 