No, not I–That  is, I know some things very well but a lot of things I'm either just learning (blog-sphere, for instance) and marketing via the internet.  I'm advised by the pros who know that I should "advertise" my published books via my Blog.  I will do this, but first, a little how-to history:

My first advice is BEFORE YOU TRY TO MARKET A BOOK, to try marketing  shorter pieces–travel, essays, short stories, etc.  Look at the most recent edition of Writer's Market  where you will find the guidelines for published magazines.  Which ones do your read?  Look up the editor's guidelines and send the editor something that pertains to, enlarges upon, takes a different point of view from something he/she has published in the latest (or a very recent) issue.  Look also in Writer's Market (at the back)  for a listing of open contests.  Winning a few dollars in a contest will not only encourage you but make you more diligent in searching for a market that will purchase your contest winner. 

I had sold more than 100 travel pieces, how-tos and essays before my first book was published.For those of you trying to market a book,  check the guidelines  for agents.  (These are in the front of the W.M. book.  Look at the latest 2009 edition because agents and requirement change annually–sometimes more often!

My first children's book was published after I met the editor in the children's section of my local library.  I was introduced by the librarian who knew I was a writer.  Until that time, my only children's credits were short stoies in a couple of children's magazines.  Of course, I was delighted to meet a real live book editor!  She was searching for people to write children's nonfiction along a particular theme:  These were the "About Books."

I was then employed in publicity and P.R. for the local Chamber of Commerce.  My entire time on that job was  spent sending out news "about" events in the community, "about" leading citizens, "about" local City Council decisions.  When the editor told me she sought "About" titles, I suggested "About News And How It Travels" as a title.  She invited me to send her an outline. My outline included information for children that ranged from writing letters to sending telegrams, to phone calls to reading newspapers, etc.  That was the first of three "About" books that were published over my byline. 

More next time about "getting your foot in the door" at a publishing house.

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