Marketing Different Books Simultaneously

Author Kathy Nickerson released a book in March and will release another one in July. Today she’s here to share how she’s managing the marketing of these books.

Kathy, thanks so much for joining us here today. I always enjoy your books and your blog. You have a sense of humor I like, and that comes through clearly in your voice.

In March you launched The Secret of Serendipity, a middle-grade novel, and next month you release Rose Hill Cottage, a women’s contemporary fiction. How have you handled the marketing for two books in such a short period of time?

Originally, I expected to market the two books together at mother/daughter or grandmother/granddaughter functions. But, I’m finding so many of my adult readers enjoy Serendipity, the books are both standing on their own. So, I am marketing two books at once, which I don’t recommend. But they both fit into the same venues nicely. I use social media, blogs, local appearances, festivals, and the most important tool of all, word-of-mouth. So, even though it is intense, the schedule is working.

I’m one of those readers who enjoyed Serendipity. I laughed out loud at parts, and found myself reminiscing childhood memories. I think no matter what the age group, if a book is well written it can be enjoyed by readers outside the target market.

Your debut novel released in Dec 2013. Are you doing anything differently with marketing this time, and if so, what?

I’m spending more money, actually. With the first book, I basically marketed with a zero dollar budget, just looking for every free avenue. This time, I reminded myself every business venture requires investment. So, in addition to the usual free options, I created postcards and a “sneak peek” of the first chapter of Serendipity and sent out mailers to elementary schools where I had contacts. By the time I visit all the schools I currently have scheduled, I will have given out contact information through free bookmarks to nearly five hundred children. And responses are still coming in.

With Rose Hill Cottage, I’m investing in some print ads in newspapers and magazines where my readers gather. Small newspapers rely on advertising dollars to stay alive, so they appreciate a local author who will support them and not just ask for free press every time. It doesn’t cost much, and it is simply a good business practice.

Are there any resources on marketing you would recommend to writers?

Yes, one of my favorite books on the subject is Everyday Book Marketing – Promotion Ideas to Fit Your Regularly Scheduled Life by Midge Raymond. She breaks down the major social media sites and tells the reader how to use them well. Then, I pay attention to groups such as Author Media, which has a wealth of information available.

Serendipity and Rose Hill both contain a member of the Glory Circle sisters from Thirty Days to Glory. What prompted you to create these senior citizen characters and how did you capture their thoughts and struggles so well?

Some of the most memorable characters in my own life are strong women with white hair and wrinkled cheeks. They have been such a blessing to me and have influenced my walk with God, my life decisions, my parenting, my marriage, and my basic gumption! I wanted to capture the value of people like that and remind readers that age and infirmity don’t stop our usefulness as members of society, especially in the family of God.

Was there any one person who was your inspiration for the Glory Circle sisters?

No, the ladies are a composite of my wonderful grandmothers, my mother, my mother-in-law, my husband’s grandmother, ladies in the church of my childhood, patients in my husband’s office, my friends, and me. They are a little bit of every woman-of-a-certain age I have ever known and a little bit of what I expect to be as I age. Or what I hope to be.

Tell us about Serendipity Circle and how you came up with the idea.

The Serendipity Circle is a book club between at least two people done entirely through written letters. I came up with the idea when I was thinking of ways to keep in touch with my granddaughters this summer. All seven of them live far away, and I wanted to do some kind of book club around The Secret of Serendipity.

I first thought of using Skype or Google Chat, but I loved the idea of writing letters to one another. I knew the younger girls needed to work on writing skills this summer, and letter writing is becoming such a lost art. Plus, we all know the thrill of finding a letter in our mailbox.

So, I developed a set of questions and had stationery designed. Then, I put together kits that even include the stamps. It is a one-to-one kit where each granddaughter writes to me with her answer to Question Number One, and I respond with my thoughts and my answer. Then we move on to the next question. Of course, that means I answer each question seven times. Our girls are writing so fast I can barely keep up. And their answers are so amazing I’m thinking of doing a companion book.

Several readers have joined the fun and are doing Serendipity Circles with children they love. My whole goal with this project is to see generations brought together through books the way Kara Jane and Mrs. Kirk came together in The Secret of Serendipity.

Readers can contact me through any of the avenues listed below if they would like details about getting a kit and starting a Serendipity Circle of their own. I’d love to see the circles spread.

About Kathy Nickerson

Kathy Nickerson writes from her home in rural Missouri where she lives with her husband of more than 40 years. During the day she works as the receptionist and office manager for her country doctor husband. In the evening she writes, amassing writing credits in magazines such as Discipleship Journal, Angels on Earth, Focus on the Family, Proto, and Kyria.com. She is the author of The Secret of Serendipity, Rose Hill Cottage, and Thirty Days to Glory.

Connect with Kathy at any of these places: kathynick.com, Facebook, Twitter

About The Secret of Serendipity

Kara Jane Bryant has plans for the summer. She plans to pout. She plans to protest. And she plans to completely lose herself in her favorite books until her parents give up the crazy experiment in country living. But Kara Jane had not planned on meeting the mysterious Mr. Kirk or learning the Secret of Serendipity. And that, of course, changes everything.

Available at CrossRiver Media, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

About Rose Hill Cottage

She just needs to get out of town. After the death of her husband, best-selling novelist Nora Kimble escapes New York City for a summer cottage in the Ozarks. She hopes to leave behind her nagging mother, an ambitious literary agent, and her own pressing sorrow. But when she arrives, she discovers her private lakeside retreat is crowded by a strange visitor and a community that refuses to let her grieve alone.

Available for pre-order at CrossRiver Media