Potential clients will on occasion request an alternative payment arrangement other than the typical retainer fee arrangement most PR firms including Westwind Communications require. I could discuss all day the various payment options offered for PR services such as “pay for placement,” “hourly fee” or “retainer fee”. In a nut shell, the retainer fee allows…
Author Archives: Scott Lorenz
Book Marketing and Book Promotion Using Book Signings
As a book publicist I have a strong opinion about book tours. Authors tend to think they are a great idea because they see celebrities and politicians like Larry King, Spike Lee, Rachael Ray, Hillary Clinton and other big names out on the circuit and think that’s the way to promote a book. Frankly it’s…
Can You Tie Your Book Into A Breaking News Event?
Can you tie your book into a breaking news event? Not everybody can, but if your subject has breaking news potential then you’d better be ready to take advantage of it. One such opportunity presented itself to Westwind Communications on February 19, 2008 when Fidel Castro announced his resignation. One of my author clients has…
Pulling Back the Curtain on New York Times Book Reviews
At a Harvard University speech, New York Times Book Review Editor Barry Gewen revealed unknown details about The New York Times Book Review’s “inner workings.” Authors wanting to get the scoop on the process will find insight into the minds of the reviewers at “The Gray Lady.” These inside secrets from that speech and gleaned…
33 Radio Interview Tips For Authors
You’ve landed the radio interview and it’s time to get ready to actually do it. Now what? As a book marketing expert and publicist I have booked my clients on thousands of radio interviews. Here’s a list of tips I give to my clients prior to their interviews. Keep this helpful list of interview tips…
Why Authors Need a Great Headshot with Tips on How to Get One
While the written word is powerful in landing a media placement, as a publicist I know that a great photo can cinch a media opportunity just as well and sometimes even faster. How? It’s simple. The photo immediately tells a TV producer if the author is going to look good on a TV interview. If…