Friday, July 25, 2014

Book Review: Katie Davis' How to Promote Your Children’s Book

How to Promote Your Children’s Book: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets to Create a Bestseller 
by Katie Davis

A Book Review by Tina Cho


I’ve been a follower of author Katie Davis for a while, well-known for her “Brain Burps about Books” podcasts for the kidlit world. Katie is also knowledgeable and dynamic when it comes to marketing your children’s books. This summer I read her e-book, How to Promote Your Children’s Book: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets to Create a Bestseller. 

This book is a must-read for every pre-published and published author. Katie doesn’t leave one stone unturned. She covers it all, very up-to-date on marketing your book and getting yourself out there in a non-selfish way. I feel like I just took a children’s book marketing 101 class and can’t wait to implement it all. 

According to Katie, as soon as your manuscript leaves your hands into an editor’s hands, you should begin planning how you’ll promote your book. Katie discusses all sorts of creative options from a live book launch party to a virtual one of blogs.

She also explains how to use social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other sites to get your book’s presence out there. I learned so much about SEO (search engine optimization) and how to use key words to drive people to my site. She discusses web site design and how to work with a designer, why you should send out e-newsletters, make videos, book trailers, and teacher guides. She discusses school visits, Skype visits, and book festivals. 

Each chapter is full of instruction, recent examples of successful authors, and Internet links to help understand all the ways to promote your book. I like how the end of each chapter has a “take action” page with a list of things to try.

So if you’ll excuse me, I need to go plan on how to market my upcoming book!



Children's author/illustrator Katie Davis has published nine books and appears monthly on Good Morning, Connecticut, recommending great books for kids. She produces Brain Burps About Books, a podcast about kidlit, a blog and regular newsletter. 

9 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good book to have. Thanks for the thoughtful review, Tina.

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    1. Thanks, Laura. It has great ideas for marketing your book!

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  2. I read it too, Tina, and wholeheartedly agree with your review. This book is a comprehensive direct cut-to-the-chase guide for marketing children's books. Get it and do it.

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  3. I've downloaded the book and I'm ready to go, Tina! Thanks for the review.

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    1. Good for you, Patty! I hope you like it!

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  4. Thank you Tina.
    Do you think Katie would do an interview with you here. Maybe about writing process or her works in progress? Just a thot.
    Jan

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    1. Good idea, Jan. She is very busy though. Her assistant had to give me the pics for this blog.

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  5. Tina: Excellent review. Sounds like a *must have* book filled with useful tips. ~Suzy Leopold

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