Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions asked about promoting your book.



 

General Promotion Plans

  • What is the Overall Goal
    • KSB Promotions will work with you to try and make as many people aware of your book(s) and author(s) as possible.
    • We talk with each client and discuss who is most likely to buy the book(s) and where these people are most likely to read or hear about it. This will help determine the targets for the promotional efforts. Top

  • What will KSB Promotions need to know about me?
    • We have a questionnaire which will be sent to each author upon signing a promotion agreement.
    • We will then talk with the author after it has been returned to make sure that we have all the information we may need. Top

  • What initial information will KSB Promotions need from my publisher?
    • We will need from the publisher/author basic information about each book, including the number of pages, if there are illustrations, an index, etc.
    • We will also need to know from the publisher the key dates when material is expected, and when it will be available to send out to various media. Top

  • How will KSB Promotions get advance comments on my book?
    • We will discuss with the publisher and author appropriate people to approach regarding advance comments.
    • We will contact six to eight people to see if they are willing to review the manuscript or galley.
    • We will send appropriate material to those who agree to preview it, then follow-up to get their comments. Where necessary, we will help edit the comments for optimum impact, getting final approval from anyone whose comments we altered in any way.
    • If requested, we will prepare a thank-you note to be sent with the finished book to those who provided comments. Top

  • How will KSB Promotions notify publishing industry magazines?
    • We will send information in the correct form for the appropriate announcement issues of Publishers Weekly and other trade publications, after receiving approval from the publisher.
    • Where possible, we will follow-up to make sure information was received and answer any questions. Top

  • What about major magazines?
    • We will select appropriate magazines to contact, getting final approval from the publisher.
    • We will contact the appropriate editors at these magazines to try and interest them in considering the material for excerpt, mention, review, or use in some way in their publications.
    • We will send the material they request, and follow-up to answer any questions.
    • A full report will be sent to the publisher. Top

  • How are advance review galleys sent out?
    • Following each publication's guidelines we will send bound galleys and information, according to their rules, to the six to ten publications who require early information for review consideration. These may include, if appropriate, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, ForeWord, Kirkus Reviews, The New York Times Book Review, Bloomsbury Review, etc.
    • Where possible, we will follow-up and make sure the material is received, and will check if a review is scheduled. A report of these efforts will be sent to the publisher.
    • Optional Services:
      • We can send galleys to additional national publications.
      • We can prepare information to be sent with each galley. Top

  • Does KSB Promotions prepare general media releases?
    • We will prepare a general purpose media release from the manuscript or book.
    • We will send it to the publisher for comments, and make agreed upon changes.
    • We will then prepare a camera-ready master (with art, if appropriate).
    • Variations on the initial release, or subsequent specialty releases, will be negotiated separately. Top

  • What about media releases with more specific information?
    • We will prepare additional information sheets about the book to send with the general release.
      These might take the form of:
      **Recipe or text excerpts, "Ten Tips for ...," "Did You Know," etc.
      **A "Praise For" recap of quotes from reviews and articles from previous editions or for other books by the same author or other books in a series.
      **An author bio sheet to accompany review copies or send with the releases.
    • If several of these supplemental releases are to be prepared for the same book, a project price can be discussed. Top

  • Who will get information about my book?
    • We will hand pick from the KSB database appropriate media to receive releases, media kits, and/or review copies.
    • We will provide self-adhesive labels.
    • We will provide a printout of the selected names and publications for the publisher's file.
    • If we provide additional information on the printout, additional charges will apply. Top

  • What about special media lists?
    • From directories and other sources, we can add specialty publications and editors to the database and generate appropriate labels. Top

  • What follow-up does KSB Promotions do?
    • Together with the author and publisher, we will determine the key media to contact.
    • We will contact them to make sure the book and information has been received, and encourage coverage. Top

  • What about media tours?
    • Prices vary depending on the number of cities, and other variables. A rule of thumb is $800 for mid-size cities (e.g. Orlando, Atlanta, Cleveland, St. Louis, San Diego, etc.); $1200 for large cities (e.g. Boston, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., etc.); and $2500 for New York City or Los Angeles. If the national shows are contacted separately or in conjunction with other cities, the fee will need to be discussed.
    • For the above fees, we will contact producers and editors to gauge interest.
    • We will then send appropriate information to those interested.
    • We will make the necessary follow-ups to try and schedule interviews.
    • We will prepare a schedule for the author and publisher. Top

  • What consulting services does KSB Promotions offer?
    • We will be available via telephone, e-mail, and in person if appropriate, to discuss overall publishing and promotion questions.
    • We will make ourselves available to brainstorm with the client about other promotion ideas.
    • We will provide the client with other appropriate leads for visibility. Top

  • What other services does KSB Promotions offer?
    • Copies of any review sent to us will be forwarded to the client.
    • We can handle release mailings (including having releases printed; stuffed into envelopes; and mailed) or review copy mailings (assemble books, releases, review slips, and personal notes when appropriate).
    • We can present the client's book to appropriate media at conventions we are attending. Top

  • What out-of-pocket expenses can I expect?
    • The publisher/client is responsible for all telephone calls (primary); postage; copying; fax expenses; supplies (e.g. mail bags, envelops, pockets); etc. These are all billed monthly, with receipts when requested. An administrative fee is added to cover trips to the copy center, post office, etc. All invoices are payable within 30 days.
    • Primary out-of-pocket expenses (release printing, postage for major mailings, etc.) are due PRIOR TO MAILING. Top

  • Will I have to sign a contract?
    • The promotion options outlined here can be selected in many combinations. The goal is to help clients create the right plan to give their project maximum exposure, complement their efforts, and fit their budget.
    • Once the elements of the project are decided, an agreement will be prepared, outlining specifically what is expected of the client and what is expected of KSB Promotions. Top

  • When is payment expected?
    • A portion of the total project fee is payable upon the signing of an agreement.
    • The remainder of the fee is payable in three to five installments as various portions of the work are completed. This is outlined in detail in each agreement. Top