Thursday, April 18, 2013

Honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month! by DL Larson

My new book, Promises My Love, is not quite ready.  Release is set for April 24 ~ if all goes well!  These last two weeks I have sent newspaper articles to several Illinois papers about my book and its release in April, honoring the Child Abuse Prevention month. 

A few reporters called for an interview and I was grateful to talk to them and explain the setting of my book in the 1840's, way before DCFS was established or child abuse was a national issue.  I've been doing what my publisher suggested, to promote myself releasing a book, rather than just the book.  So I mentioned in the articles that I worked for eleven years at Northern Illinois University in the Department of Children and Family Services.  We were in charge of on-going educational classes to social workers, clergy, policemen, guidance counselors, etc.  I listened to the professionals talk about every aspect of abuse, the heartache and the cleansing of forgiveness and the moving on in the victims lives.  It was quite an education.  From that experience I felt empowered to write about such a sensitive subject.  My character, Francis Frailey faces the dilemma of his abusive past while struggling with the daily intimacies with his young family.

This week I plan to send a glossy picture of my book cover to Illinois libraries and book stores.  I will include the price, ISBN number and a backcover blurb. I will mention that I am a librarian, a member of the WindyCity RWA and Historical Novel Society.  And of course, I will state that I am an Illinois author.
Yes, it will cost me money and time to send this information out, but it will also be an investment for future sales. 

I hope to do the same type of promotion on the internet.  I will set up a few blog tours and see what develops from there.  If anyone is interested in hosting me, I would appreciate a chance to visit your site.
Feel free to leave a message here at Acme Authors, or email me at dllarson_60518@yahoo.com

Til next time ~

DL Larson

4 comments:

Debra St. John said...

Hi Deb,

Sounds like you're really gearing up with those promo things. You have a great plan in place.

Good luck and congrats on your release next week!

Morgan Mandel said...

I can see you're very excited, DL, and rightfully so!

It's always fun having a new release.

Good luck with all your promo!

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com

Deb Larson said...

Thank you!! It will be a challenge to keep the momentum going!
DL

Margot Justes said...

Deb,
You're doing a marvelous job in promoting your book, and in the process offer great advice on what to do.
Margot