Friday, November 2, 2007

Creative Marketing

I enjoy hearing about creative ways authors are marketing their books. Vickie McDonough recently emailed to tell us about a unique marketing opportunity that she jumped on to promote her historical Oklahoma Heartsong series--Sooner or Later, The Bounty Hunter and the Bride, and A Wealth Beyond Riches. Oklahoma, Vickie's home state, will soon be celebrating its centennial.

Vickie said, "With the Oklahoma centennial quickly approaching on Nov. 16th, Tulsa is preparing to bury another time capsule. It will be buried Nov. 10th at Veteran's Park. The capsule will be opened in 2057, and the contents will be on display at the historical society. People were asked to bring in items they wanted to donate to the capsule. I took my books and explained that I was a Tulsa native and author and that my books were set during the pre-statehood days of Indian and Oklahoma Territories. The lady took them and seemed excited about including them in the capsule!" Vickie went on to say, "It is really cool to know that at least some of my books will be around fifty years from now. I'm sending a press release to the local papers in hopes they might do an article and give us some free press."

I'd have to agree with Vickie, it is really cool that in 2057, the capsule will be opened and her books will be remembered and put on display. I'll be 76 at the time; maybe I'll still be around to make it out to Tulsa for the event! :)

Post a comment and tell us the creative ways you've marketed your books.

On a personal note, it's November now, which means I've got the Christmas music playing! As for Jodi, she is doing great. She'll be three months old (already?!) on November 6th. Her favorite activities include eating, sleeping, going shopping with Mommy, and looking at herself in mirrors! :)

6 comments:

Kristy Dykes said...

What a great idea Vicki had! Fantastic! So neat how the date of the event and the titles already published lined up. A God thing. Wonderful for Vicki and for Heartsong! Congrats!

That sweet Jodi is just darling.

Rhonda Gibson said...

I agree... Vickie is a smart cookie.

Jodi is such a sweetie pie.

Mary Connealy said...

Hi, this is a great idea. Especially with our books now centered in states.
My sister was in Alaska last summer and she brought me a bunch of stuff from small gift shops and tourist places. They sell Alaska novels in a lot of those places. I'm going to contact them and try to get them to carry Golden Days.

Mary Connealy said...

And I love your pumpkin baby, JoAnne

Pam Hillman said...

I'm unpublished, but my historicals and my contemporaries mirror life on the farm and country ways and days. Every time I start plotting a book, the left (or is it right?) side of my brain starts thinking of ways I can promote the book when it's published.

Love Vickie's time capsule story. What a great opportunity. We did a time capsule when I was in college and they listed off all the contents at the ceremony, so Vickie should get some exposure now and later.

Anonymous said...

Vickie,
That's a great idea! Your historical romances are perfect to celebrate the state's 100th year.
(I hope they pack these up better than they did that '57 Chevy they unveiled last summer.)