The PR Conundrum

 

Well, it's that time of year again. Time for me to start the PR work for my latest book, "Everyone's Gone to the Moon." You would think by now that I would be an old hand at this after 13 books. Plus all of my media connections. Turns out, the PR game is constantly changing and using media connections is getting more and more difficult.

I'm working on a new 10-part (maybe more) podcast series for the book, book trailers, TRYING to learn the ins-and-outs of social media promotion, the usual, but when it comes to good old fashioned media - radio, tv, newspapers (online, too), magazines - I am finding that more and more I'm getting the response, "There are too many books out there", even from the media contacts I have made over the years.

What I'm seeing is that media outlets are getting bombarded by book review and interview requests. According to my sources, it's not only the sheer number of requests they receive each month, but also because many books they receive have not been vetted or edited and the media outlets do not want to take the chance of getting burned, so their response is to refuse considering spotlighting any new releases.

Was it the pandemic that caused this sudden burst of authors hitting the scene or have I been too self absorbed in my own writing and PR work to notice the dramatic rise? Whatever the reason, the market is really tight out there and conventional media attention is waning, falling by the wayside like AM radio when FM caught on.

Public relations work for a book is, to me, like climbing Mount Everest - uphill all the way. This old dog is still trying to learn the ropes of PR work online and through social media (it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks.) The publishing companies do help some, but it all boils down to the author doing the grunt work and breaking that PR bubble.

I'd love to hear what all of my author friends out there have to say about the PR conundrum and how it's going for you.

Until next time...

G.I. Jive Proposal Continues

 

Seems like I'm always working on a book proposal and every time I say it's ready to go, it's not. I find more great stories to add to the mix. The same is happening with my latest proposal, another non-fiction history book, GI Jive: World War II and the Music That Helped Win the War.

I keep coming up with more and more wonderful songs from the era to include in the book that will tie together the history of World War II, life on the home front and battlefield with interviews and oral histories from those who lived through it, and the music that helped keep the world motivated to stop enemy aggression and conquest.

I was flipping around the TV the other night and came across a movie I haven't seen for a while - Hollywood Canteen with the Andrews Sisters, Betty Davis, Joan Leslie, and more and this song came on. It is the story of the "canteen" where soldiers, sailors, and airmen could go to dance, eat, and have a good time. There were many such canteens across the country, but this one, put together by Betty Davis, had to have been the best. All of the big Hollywood stars would volunteer to work and perform in the canteen.

I completely forgot about this great song by the Golden Gate Quartet, The General Jumped at Dawn.

As I said, the book will focus on the music that helped buoy the spirits of those at home and on the front lines during World War II. The title came from one of my favorite songs by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Ok, I like ALL Louis Jordan songs but this one sticks in my head for days after I hear it. The G.I. Jive. Enjoy!

There will be more updates on the status of the proposal coming soon.

New Articles Have Posted

 

Been tied up wrapping up too many projects...again...and haven't been keeping up with my latest TravelAwaits posts. So, here I am with three new pieces.

The first one is about a great visit I recently had to the town of Monroeville, Alabama. Dubbed the "Literary Capital of Alabama" it is home to one Nelle Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird. A great quaint little town to visit. (READ THE ARTICLE).

Next, I was asked to write something about Florida. The state has so many great natural and historic sites to visit. that TravelAwaits asked me to pick a few of my favorites. (READ THE ARTICLE).

Finally, I had the opportunity to write about one of my favorite National Recreational Trails - the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail in Orange Beach / Gulf Shores, AL. I've been walking / biking these trails for many years and it just gets better and better. You never know what to expect in terms of fauna and fauna. Recently, the trail was named USA Today's #1 Recreational Trail in America. (READ THE ARTICLE).

That's all for now. Plenty more to come!