Marketing Children's Books YOUR Way

I've got options, but each books needs a special plan for marketing.

I’ve got an insanely long, almost 3000 words, comprehensive article for you today about marketing. But first, let me tell you about a couple opportunities this fall. For about eight years, I’ve taught Picture Book Writing at the Highlights Foundation along with Leslie Helakoski. And we are back this fall! First, we’ll do a two-night mini webinar online - great for anyone, anywhere, just $59.

But if you want in-person, hand-on depth, we have a working retreat that’s perfect for you. The price includes room and board for 4 nights/3 days. If you’ve never been on campus at the Highlights Foundation - wow! - you’re in for a treat. They know how to treat writers right! Leslie and I have taught together for so long that we finish each others’ sentences. She’s a legacy-published author-illustrator, and I’m a feisty indie publisher. It’s fun! Come join us!

Now - on to the marketing!

Marketing Strategies That Work

On June 2, 2020, at the height of the COVID pandemic, I launched a new book: EROSION: How Hugh Bennett Saved America’s Soil and Ended the Dust Bowl.

Before COVID struck, I had every expectation that the book would do well. Second graders must study erosion, and the biggest example of that in US history was the Dust Bowl. I was hitting a dual sweet spot of science and social studies in the elementary curriculum. And I was offering up a hero—a soil scientist—who saved the day.

But – COVID.

Four years later, Erosion continues to be one of my most successful books. How did that happen? Marketing.

Before I give you details on the Erosion marketing, let me cover marketing by looking at three stages of the publishing process: pre-publication marketing, launch marketing, and post-publication marketing. Once we look at your options, we’ll talk about Erosion again and see how I managed to create sales in the midst of the pandemic.