David Margolick at Books at the Bar

If you read this blog even sporadically, you know that I'm a big fan of the Books at the Bar. It's a terrific author series at the New York City Bar Association (organized by NY State Judge - and NYSL member- Diane Kiesel) that features new-ish books on topics with at least some legal bent. The other great thing about it? The wine and cheese reception with the author beforehand! Oh, and it's FREE.

This month's author talk honors Black History Month with author David Margolick who will discuss his new book, Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock. Margolick relies on the famous photograph of the first day of integration at Little Rock's Central High School on September 4, 1957 and follows the two girls -- one white, one black -- who were framed in it to examine that historic event through their lives.

I hope to see you all there...

David Margolick
Wednesday, February 29, 6pm
Books at the Bar
42 West 44th Street (betw. 5th and 6th Aves)

Elizabeth Yamin and Ron Singer at The Painting Center

NYSL member Elizabeth Yamin will be exhibiting her artwork at The Painting Center through February 25.

The Painting Center
547 West 27 St, Suite 500
212-343-1060
Tues to Sat 11 am to 6 pm
For more information, click here

Also at the Center: on Saturday, February 25 at 4pm, Elizabeth's husband Ron Singer will be reading from his work.

Sarah Pinneo's Blurb is a Verb!

On Tuesday, the Library's Writing Life Daytime Talk Series was thrilled to welcome back former member Sarah Pinneo, whose popular blog Blurb is a Verb, features adventures and misadventures in book publicity. Sarah shared what she's learned on the topic firsthand (by publicizing her Ski House Cookbook and her new novel Julia's Child) and from other writers. She was gracious enough to share her notes - and valuable web links...



Sarah says:

Postcards - You must have these!
- Your "Christmas Card" List: if you don't tell your friends when and where to buy your book, they won't buy it
- Postcards are cheap! I like NextDayFlyers
- Envelopes which fit poscards are size A6. Staples sells inexpensive A6 envelopes, and Paper Source sells beautiful ones.
- Booksellers I have loved: send a postcard and a note to booksellers who ought to know you're nearby

Events
Private Parties: much likelier to be well attended than bookstore events
Libraries: many public libraries will hold book events
Bookstores: have a STUMP SPEECH = why I wrote this book, fun research details, visuals, why you should care about this book
Sponsors?: If your book lends itself to alliances with companies, don't be shy!

Your web presence: Blogs and Twitter and Author Websites
Guest blogging: rent your audience
-Quality of blogs, not quantity
-Don't feel you must become a blogger. Driving traffic to your blog takes as much time as driving it to your book

Author Page
-You do need a landing page with your contact information: example.
-"Buy Links" should be more than just Amazon. Include B&N, Powells, IndieBound, and local booksellers.

Facebook: Unless you love it, skip it. "Sharers" will still link to you on Facebook. Goodreads: What is it even for, besides humiliation (possibly author talks); RedRoom is useless for authors.

Amazon - take control of your Amazon presence!
- Sign up at AuthorCentral
- Tagging: "tag" your book so that searchers can find you
- Solicit reviews from your friends. It matters.

You and Your Publicist
House Publicist
-Knows the book venues only (perhaps)
-New model: send out books, no follow-up
-Feel free to give a presentation: here is my reader, and here's where you can find her

Hiring Help
-Publicist: get someone good, and know what you want. Sector + follow-up.
-Publicists who do excellent work include: KMSPR's Kathleen Schmidt and Lauren Cerand, among others. {note from Carolyn - also check out Gilda Squire who gave a fabulous Writing Life talk Beyond the Book Tour: Marketing Your Book back in 2010.}

Paid book blog tours: Blurb is a Verb post about book tours

Melania Levitsky's Chekhovek

Chekhovek is a new comedy based on nine short stories by Anton Chekhov that has been adapted for the stage and directed by New York Society Library member Melania Levitsky. The play's on now through March 4, 2012.

Chekhovek: A New Comedy
The ArcLight Theatre
152 West 71st Street
Info