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Shelley Burbank's avatar

I’m going to be on a local tv station’s “book talk” show in October. I’ll be able to share the link after it airs. At least with this sort of thing you have an audience who likes books. That’s why they are watching, after all. It’s not Jenna’s Book Club, but it’s a start, lol.

Jacqueline Hampton's avatar

Okay, doing anything media is terrifying, gotta say. Also, loved Mob Land (even though I had to put my hand over my eyes a couple of times). Have you checked out Smoke on AppleTV? It's yummy. BTW, I signed up for your class on 7/16 but I think I missed the link.

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

The link will arrive via email the day before the class.

Heather Mill's avatar

Excellent post, as always - even for a seasoned publicist. If you're looking for help/contributors for the newsletter database project, I'd love to get involved!

Aysu Selin's avatar

This is excellent information and powerful insight. Thank you for sharing, Kathleen.

Cassandra Powers's avatar

You're not alone re: Page Six :) ...Also, I wonder if local papers might be useful to pursue (the one in a writer's hometown, if it exists) or all those outlets too small or do they also not sell books? And do reviews, even if they don't sell books directly, count as 'earned media', related to your recent restack about AI take over SEO?

Shelley Burbank's avatar

I used to write book/author features for my local newspaper, and I’d also cover author signings/talks at the library, etc. So…if you aren’t from the town, set up a talk at the library or a local organization and notify the local paper, email a note, press release, sell sheet, etc. Will this be worth your time? Depends on your goals, I think.

B. Lynn Goodwin's avatar

This is terrific information. We don't have as wide an audience as some of these people, but we are always reading and reviewing a wide range of prose at www.writeradvice.com. Look at Hooked on Books.

Steph Rae Moran's avatar

Such valuable information--thank you!

Sally Ekus's avatar

This breakdown is GOLD.

Lara Starr's avatar

This was awesome. Thank you!

Kristin Fellows storyteller's avatar

Thank you!

Leslie Budewitz's avatar

Thanks, Kathleen. The Seattle Times, the rare remaining family-owned, progressive newspaper, also has good book coverage, though it tends to lean toward Washington authors.

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

Yup. So does the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but they lean toward MN authors.

Pilar H.'s avatar

I live in Seattle now, so I second The Seattle Times, but I keep reading Texas Monthly and buying their book recs.

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

Texas Monthly is excellent.

Christine S's avatar

I can not agree more wuth Kathleen about Core Four. Anna and her team are the best!

Kathy MacKay's avatar

Very helpful - thank you, Kathleen!

Jodie Chase's avatar

Great overview! Would love to also hear your thoughts about local TV coverage.

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

I don’t pitch a ton to local TV, but I’ve heard it can be good for certain authors/books. It used to be a lot easier to get people on them.

Jodie Chase's avatar

I've had some success pitching cookbook authors, but unfortunately, more and more stations have become pay-to-play. Definitely used to be easier!

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

I've seen A LOT of info for pay-to-play segments for TV. I suppose that's how they're making up ad dollars.

David T's avatar

Kathleen - Terrific column (as usual!) One note: Page Six is called "Page Six" because originally, it WAS on Page 6 of the Post! It's where it belongs as far as I'm concerned. It's how I used to read the Post in this order:

Front Page

Back Page

Page Six for Celebrity News

Inside Back page for TV/Entertainment

Sports

Then everything else....

Christine S's avatar

It changed its location after 9/11. I too grew up reading it on the 6th page.

Kathleen Schmidt's avatar

See that. I was not wrong.