A couple weeks ago, I learned from my online sources that fiction writer Joanna Penn was launching her new book with a “virtual book tour.” How fitting, I thought. You see, I think Joanna is just about the most internet-savvy writer out there. I’ve written before: if you want to know what to do to promote your writing, just watch Joanna and do what she does. [Just for fun, search Google for <Joanna Penn Pentecost>, and look at the results.]
You can do just that by reading Joanna’s blog. This is one resource that writers should really dig into. Don’t just accept the latest blog post. Check out the archives, examine Joanna’s sidebar. You will experience a real crash course.
As you probably know by now, a “virtual” book tour is one that is made without leaving your computer. A writer simply organizes a blitz of pre-arranged blog interviews. An quick accumulation of attention by bloggers is an effective way of getting the word out.
For some details about how to do this, read a guest column at Joanna’s blog that deals with the subject: Blog Tours for Authors: The 5 Commandments of Blog Tourists. For yet another take on the subject, read The Benefits of the Virtual Book Tour, posted just today at Fiction Writers Review.
Related articles
- Kensington Author Kristina McMorris on nationwide virtual book tour (bookmarketingbuzz.com)
- Top 10 Blogs for Writers 2010 (copyblogger.com)
- BlogTour.org now up. (darcsfalcon.wordpress.com)
- Indie author Simon Royle interviews Joanna (teleread.com)
- Blog Book Tour Planned for February 2011 (suddenlyfrugal.com)
Sorry, comments are closed.
Comment by
Joanna Penn
22 Feb 2011
Thanks so much for the mention Tom! I’m glad you enjoyed the book launch and the virtual book tour was indeed a huge affair! 32 blogs in one week
It was a lot of work to prepare but definitely worth it in terms of buzz. The sales figures for week 1 were exciting and also, those incoming links will help page rank for SEO. Recommended!
Thanks, Joanna
Joanna Penn´s last blog ..How to Grow Your Reader Community with an Author Blog
Comment by
Elisa Michelle
23 Feb 2011
Honestly, Joanna makes marketing look like a walk in the park. I know it’s not, but it’s great to have someone so willing to share great information around in the blogging world. Good links, definitely worth reading and bookmarking.
Time to break out the promotional ideas!
Elisa Michelle
Comment by
Tom Colvin
25 Feb 2011
I just learned that author Kathy Cano-Murillo will soon launch a virtual book tour — she’s already got 80 bloggers/websites lined up. If you readthis comment in time, you can follow her tour as it unfolds. Just follow her on Twitter @CraftyChina.