Monday, May 25, 2020

Book Promotion: How I Promoted The Marvelous Mechanical Man by Rie Sheridan Rose @riesheridanrose #bookpromotion

Book Promotion: How I Promoted The Marvelous Mechanical Man

By Rie Sheridan Rose

Promoting The Marvelous Mechanical Man, and The Conn-Mann Chronicles in general has been an interesting learning curve. When I realized several years (and three books) ago that my small press publisher didn’t have the resources to dedicate to one author alone, I made the decision to take back the control of the series and do everything myself.

It’s been a fairly steep curve, but I’ve learned a lot about marketing and publicity. Though, Heaven knows, there is a world more to learn!

One of the things I’ve realized is that it helps to have a consolidated presence online. My Twitter banner relates to the series; I have a Facebook page for the books; and they have their own website. Of course, none of these things get updated as often as they should, but that is the subject of a whole different post.

I have learned through the years—and much trial and error—that certain things work, and other marketing items are a waste for me. For example, I have boxes of pens in my marketing cabinet that have long ago dried up. No problem. Since the Conn-Mann series is set in the 1870s, I have invested in pencils this time. They don’t dry up and never go out of style. Plus, kids love them, and that might get parents to give a second look.

I met the lovely siblings behind Teapunk Teas at a convention, and together we have created three tea blends based on characters in the series: Jo’s Morning Jolt; Alistair’s Afternoon Delight; and Leonora’s Illuminating Libation. Each one is tied to their character in taste and text on the tin. Another interesting and effective marketing tool. We have cross-pollination this way too, so see who you can partner with to create something different and unique for your brand.

Postcards can be highly effective marketing tools. Particularly when the image is consistent with my convention banner and other items. The back currently lists the first four books with a blurb about each.

One of my biggest hits marketing-wise was a real surprise. Always trying to think outside the box of table lures, I came across some tiny plastic cats. As cats feature prominently in the series, I bought several bags and found a wooden box shaped like a trunk to put them in. I have a sign on the box that we have to get rid of some of the kittens and asking people to adopt one for fifty cents. I sell more kittens at conventions...again, drawing in the kids. Though I have some customers who return year after year to get more kittens.

My main point here is that thinking of what is unusual about your book or series and finding a way to market that can lead to unexpected sales in the long run.

About the Author

Rie Sheridan Rose multitasks. A lot. Her short stories appear in numerous anthologies, including Nightmare Stalkers and Dream Walkers Vols. 1 and 2, and Killing It Softly Vols. 1 and 2. She has authored twelve novels, six poetry chapbooks, and lyrics for dozens of songs. These were mostly written in conjunction with Marc Gunn, and can be found on “Don’t Go Drinking with Hobbits” and “Pirates vs. Dragons” for the most part–with a few scattered exceptions.

Her favorite work to date is The Conn-Mann Chronicles Steampunk series with five books released so far: The Marvelous Mechanical Man, The Nearly Notorious Nun, The Incredibly Irritating Irishman, The Fiercely Formidable Fugitive, and The Elderly Earl’s Estate.

Rie lives in Texas with her wonderful husband and several spoiled cat-children.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: https://riewriter.com/ and https://theconnmannchronicles.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RieSheridanRose
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConnMannChronicles/

About the Book:

Title: THE MARVELOUS MECHANICAL MAN
Author: Rie Sheridan Rose
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 270
Genre: Steampunk Adventure Romance

BOOK BLURB:

The Marvelous Mechanical Man is the first book in a Steampunk series featuring the adventures of Josephine Mann, an independent woman in need of a way to pay her rent. She meets Professor Alistair Conn, in need of a lab assistant, and a partnership is created that proves exciting adventure for both of them.

Alistair’s prize invention is an automaton standing nine feet tall. There’s a bit of a problem though…he can’t quite figure out how to make it move. Jo just might be of help there. Then again, they might not get a chance to find out, as the marvelous mechanical man goes missing.

Jo and Alistair find themselves in the middle of a whirlwind of kidnapping, catnapping, and cross-country chases that involve airships, trains, and a prototype steam car. With a little help from their friends, Herbert Lattimer and Winifred Bond, plots are foiled, inventions are perfected, and a good time is had by all.