Insane Publicity Ideas
Hi everyone,
Just felt like writing.
Currently in the process of finishing up all the final edits and loose ends involved in our two new books, LOG OFF and THE ISLAND, coming June 4th. And moving into a phase of constant emails, trying to figure out the best ways to spread the word about these new titles.
We’ve been emailing:
people who write for magazines and newspapers
people who host podcasts
people who run writing workshops and reading series
people who work in bookstores and might be able to stock our books and/or help us set up an event
people who we might want to read with us at these events
people who we have invited to join us in our secret podcast series
people who have requested ARCs
and many friends who might have good ideas and just want to help us!
It’s quite fun.
I was talking with Caroline last night and filling her in on everything that’s been happening. She was in Chicago over the weekend to do a reading at Pilsen Community Books, which she told me was really fun. And I was telling her that it feels like certain aspects of the publishing process are going more smoothly this year. (If you don’t know, Shabby Doll House published Caroline Rayner’s book The Moan Wilds last summer.) And that I have found myself with more time to dedicate to publicity, which was the plan! So I suppose we’re making progress.
It’s difficult, right? because everybody says, There are no outlets anymore! There are no venues for writing about writing! Well, yeah. But people are still reading books, so there must be a way to reach them.
Hi.
Today I resorted, once again, to asking ChatGPT one of the important questions I was thinking about:
It told me:
Using Oscar d'Artois' resemblance to Harry Styles to promote a book could be a creative and attention-grabbing approach, especially if the book's themes or characters have some connection to pop culture or celebrity culture.
Well no, there are no connections. THE ISLAND is about obsession, yearning, desire, consumer culture, yoga, ageing, religious impulses, sex, death, that kind of stuff…
However, some of the evil AI’s suggestions are quite funny:
Publicity Stunts: Organize publicity stunts or events that play up the resemblance. For example, you could host a look-alike contest where fans dress up as either Oscar d'Artois or Harry Styles and share their photos online with a hashtag related to the book.
#doratheexplorer #vampireslut #onedirection #booklengthhaiku #satanism #theisland
Or:
Media Outreach: Pitch the story to entertainment news outlets or celebrity gossip blogs. Frame it as a quirky angle or a fun fact about the book to grab their attention. If they pick up the story, it could generate buzz and attract new readers.
I don’t think that’s going to work… But it did lead me to spending way too long making this magazine cover:
Okay, there’s actually no connection between THE ISLAND by Oscar d’Artois and Harry Styles.
But I had another important question:
Fiona Apple features prominently in the opening section of LOG OFF when the narrator, Ellora Gao, decides to make a presentation about her as an important American historical figure, much to the chagrin of her history teacher.
Fiona Apple is, of course, an important historical (and contemporary) figure. And someone we at Shabby Doll House admire greatly. We would love for her to read LOG OFF. We think she’d like it.
ChatGPT suggested that we simply: Generate media coverage or publicity for Kristen Felicetti's book, especially if it relates to themes or topics that Fiona Apple is known to be interested in. If the book receives attention from reputable sources, it may pique Fiona Apple's curiosity and increase the likelihood of her receiving a copy.
Okay. So I’ve been trying to think about ways to do that. Maybe an appearance on Oprah would be enough?
I honestly don’t think Fiona Apple would be watching Oprah, but perhaps if Kristen were to mention her in the interview enough times, it might get back to her.
Her curiosity may be piqued.
Or maybe we also need to get Kristen on the front cover of a magazine.
Clearly, I’m procrastinating and should be responding to some real emails!
Let us know if you want to help us promote LOG OFF and THE ISLAND. We can send you electronic or physical review copies.
And they’re also both available to pre-order, if you just want to read the books in June like a regular person.
If you’re free tonight at 7pm ET, Sebastian Castillo (acclaimed author of SALMON, Shabby Doll House 2023) is doing an online reading.
And Kristen just sent out a super helpful list of random apps, workshops and other resources that helped her to finish LOG OFF. Maybe they could help you too!
Hope you’re having a good week,
<3 Lucy