Approaching the Local Newspaper

Most local papers (unless you're talkinga bout the Washington Post or Boston Globe) don't do much in the way of reviews, but they love "local author" stories.

I don't know if "press kits" are still done, but you might try googling it. Basically a cover letter (mentioning your availability for an interview), with a press release and basic information about the book and its availability and your bio and a copy of the cover (front and back). They'll particularly love it if you offer an angle to the story beyond "local author." In your case, it's the diabetes element that broadens the appeal to the paper's readers. Not everyone is as fascinated as we are by books, but they're likely to be fascinated by medical stories or charity projects or however you want to pitch it. If your mother was well-known in the community, that would be another angle you could pitch. Think about how the paper's readers would view the story,and what they might be interested in, so it's not just a story about some person who's done something (written a book) that they have no interest in doing themselves. Talk about something other than writing. Concentrate on how you can hook non-writing readers?

Maybe you can put on a couple of book signings/diabetes chats with the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association at a bookstore, coffee shop, or library.

Also, consider contacting your local radio station. Just last week, the guests on my radio show were the county library's marketing person and a local author, whose books are being heavily promoted here in Durham (NC).

Also, don't hesitate to send a quick email to the reporters who cover the relevant beats (books, arts, community news, health). Don't pester them, but a quick email with the above press kit items (emphasizing the local nature of the news) may generate a quick reply. Just make sure to ID the right person. Newspaper websites usually have a list of reporters with their topics.

Quiggs1982 said:

The problem is that I have no idea how to properly approach a newspaper about this.

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Pick up the phone and call. It really is that easy. Tell the person who answers that you're a local author who has just published a book and they'll get you to the right person.

At newspapers I've worked for or dealt with, it was almost always the features editor, though newspapers have cut so many positions you may only have one editor left.

Good luck.

Jeff

Quiggs1982 said:

Thank you for all the tips. I have a press kit put together, and I am in the process of sending it out.

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Best of luck, Quiggs! I think local author is always great copy for the newspapers, especially because you are donating. I think picking up the phone is the best bet, too.

If you are a member of Edelweiss, you can look at the marketing strategy put together for memoirs and non-fiction books. Most of it probably won't be relevant, but it may give you a few more ideas as well as your idea to approach the local papers. I use it for review copies of books - but it's interesting to see what publicists do to market a book.

http://edelweiss.abovethetreeline.com/

Great to hear!

Think this would work for fiction, too?

My experience is that if you want something in the local paper you write out first what you want it to say as a local interest piece in a style that suits them.

Now call and ask would they be interested in doing something on the thing you'd like in there, you can e-mail them the info right now.

I've found this can often get your piece in practically word for word.

I actually sent a message to my Timers Journal via FB and they answered with yes. I'll be doing an interview in the next few days for War Gate.

ETA: They did a front page story (not feature), and it was a great article. they mentioned three of my books, put one cover up and supplied blurbs for all. I was quite surprised. The article is here:

http://times-journal.com/news/article_1a5fe2c4-09ba-11e2-8643-001a4bcf887a.html

I simply asked them if they would be interested in doing an interview, since I was a local author. They replied back via email and set up the appointment. I had no idea that a FB inquiry would work at all. Someone suggested it to me. I got instant results. Very lucky.

tri