This column will be a hodgepodge of ideas because sometimes it’s good just to throw some suggestions out there and see what sticks. First suggestion is for you to build your own bookshelf on Shelfari.com, in case you haven’t. It’s just another way to have a virtual piece… Read more   

Oftentimes when writers and publicists build their media lists, they neglect to add the bevy of freelance journalists that now make up a substantial part of the print and online world. For over ten years I worked as one of those freelance journalists and contributed to many different publications in… Read more   

The Net continues to buzz about Twitter, and at least once a week I have an author ask me what “Twitter” is, if I “Twitter,” and if they should “Twitter,” too. So I thought I would do a short write-up on Twitter (the application—not actually doing the write-up… Read more   

I’m a giant fan of do-it yourself PR, and there are many successful ways you can do your own PR when it comes to reaching out to bloggers. But I’ll share with you one sure way you won’t get responses to your pitch. I actually received the pitch I show… Read more   

One of the things I’m asked fairly often is, “What is a blogroll?” and then “Why do I need a blogroll? What will it do for me?” The best way I can explain a blogroll is that it’s a list of your favorite websites, bloggers you admire, and even blogs… Read more   

There are many authors who have already published and are in the process of publishing more—and they just don’t have a blog and don’t want to have a blog. Guess what? That’s really okay! Furthermore, you can still connect and reach out to bloggers or online forums about your book,… Read more   

Last week, three authors I’ve worked with (as their online outreach publicist) scored fantastic wins both in silver and gold categories for the Axiom Awards, which were founded by the Jenkins Group. The authors were Geoff Livingston, Erika Andersen, and Lois Kelly. Often when I work with authors,… Read more   

About once a week I get an email or phone call from someone wanting to know whether they should join a writing group to help them write. I’ve been in several writing groups over the many years that I’ve written as a journalist and essayist, and I can tell you… Read more   

Recently I stirred up a bit of debate when I noted on a podcast interview that I don’t always recommend that authors have a blog. You could have heard a virtual pin drop for a moment as this statement was met with silence! When you’re an author, one of the… Read more   

If you’re an author, one of the things to remember is that it’s good at times to be disruptive in terms of the chatter around your particular subject. It doesn’t mean, be disruptive to the point that you are a downer and critical of everyone else who is writing on… Read more