The Frugal Book Promoter contains marketing information for writers by a writer. Chapters include information on:

• Public relations- what it is, how to get it free, and what to avoid


• Differences between branding, bios, and pitches


• How to build a media kit and contact the media


• How to build credentials


• Writer's conferences


• Using the web


• Contracts


• Hiring a publicist


• And many other ideas for publicity (like book fairs, contests, and discussion groups)

Some sophisticated advice included branding yourself rather than publicizing an individual book. Anyone interesting in marketing his or her books needs to consider how to sell themselves as an author so they can create a fan base that keeps buying.

A whole chapter is included on writing thank you notes. It may seem inane, but as presented, appears to be an important PR tool. Thank you notes create goodwill and help people remember you.

Excellent tips included tracking and statistically analyzing your publicity efforts. If you can quantify your marketing efforts by how many inches of advertising space, or number of press releases sent, you can correlate promotion efforts and sales. She also recommends doubling each number the following year for increased success.

One of the more interesting chapters is on Amazon.com. You can use the ideas in this chapter for Amazon, or extrapolate the ideas to other online book outlets like Barnes and Noble. Information includes how to take advantage of some of the extras like bios and displaying book indices, and how the ratings and advice sections work. It also solves the mysteries of the Amazon's Top Reviewers List and other cryptic stuff. There are ideas on how to use Amazon's “So you'd like to” article exchange, and sneaky ways to use Listmania.

Whether you are still writing your manuscript, or have already published and want to create a new surge in buyers, this book is for you. It is a useful reference guide containing info on many esoteric topics for every level, from beginner to established pro.

For more information, go to her website at http://carolynhowardjohnson.com. Keep up to date with her blog at http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson