Book Reviews

There's nothing "Frugal" about this information-packed guide. Computer savvy authors will love this book because of all the helpful websites, suggested by both Carolyn and fellow authors. One of her 10 publicity "no no's" is to never publicize your book, but to "brand" yourself. A whole chapter is devoted to the importance of branding, and, here again, the author suggests websites - for designing logos and business cards.

All book promotion avenues are covered, such as book signings, book reviews, conferences, discussion groups, catalog and corporate sales, and building a website. An Appendix contains sample queries, media releases and cover letter for an interview on national public radio. Carolyn also addresses questions plaguing authors, such as plagiarism and whether to hire a publicist.

She has the comforting tone of a mentor and writes with the precision of a surgeon - In the chapter on building a media kit, she writes: "We're going to get biological so that you can begin your media kit today. We're going to build the skeleton of our kit so that as you add tendons and muscles to your credentials, you have a place to store the information. A strong structure that has been fleshed out as you become more and more qualified….will require only a little grooming…Having the bones in place will help you visualize the progress of your writing career..."

This is a book that you'll return to again and again. It belongs on every author's shelf - beside the computer.

Carolyn is the award-winning author of three books; her first novel, This Is The Place (AmErica House 2001), won eight awards, and Harkening (AmErica House 2002), a collection of stories, won three. The Frugal Book Promoter - How to do What Your Publisher Won't (Star Publish 2004) won Best Books 2004 from USA Books News.com. The book is available at Amazon.com