Wow! What Must it Be Like to Have a Publicist!

Recently I attended a bookfest with several authors, a great majority self-published or published by a small press like I am. However, one author was there with her books that's published by a major New York house. Because I don't see much mention of her or her books on any of the lists I'm on, I suggested she might want to do a bit more promotion so that more people would know about her mysteries and have the opportunity to read them.

She told me she didn't feel the need since the publishing company had spent $20,000 on a publicist for her latest book. Whew! I can't even imagine that. Obviously, if that much money is being spent, publicity is being generated even though I haven't seen it. I'm guessing maybe ads in the book section of major newspapers and maybe endcap positions in bookstores like Barnes and Noble.

Having neither a big publisher behind me nor a budget for a publicist, I'll have to keep on doing what I'm doing and hope I touch a few readers who might enjoy my books.

I must confess I felt a tad envious. With a publicist doing all the work, I wouldn't have to blog or tweet, read and respond to so many lists, go to mystery cons or speak to Sisters in Crime groups or at libraries. I'd have far more time to write.

But--I wouldn't have the opportunity to meet so many people--people who have become true friends. So, I guess I'll be glad for who I am, the small publishers who have published my books, the groups and libraries who have asked to hear me speak.

Marilyn a.k.a. F. M. Meredith