Meet Heather Kuehl, author of Malevolent Dead

In the eBook publishing industry, new writers are thrown into the mêlée without the faintest clue what to do. They have to rely on the knowledge and assistance from other published authors to figure out how to promote their new books. While there are companies that will promote your work for you, for a fee, in a struggling economy that isn’t an option for some new writers. Back in October I was the new eBook author and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Heck, I still don’t and Malevolent Dead will be my third published book. Every day I learn something new and I use it when I promote the next book. Here are some promo tips I’ve learned over the past year and guess what? They’re free! I mean, who doesn’t like free promo?!

1) Set up a blog, Twitter account, Facebook account, and website. Now with Google’s Blogger your blog can be your website since they offer multiple pages for your blog. Google’s Site maker is also free and super easy to use if you have your heart set on a webpage.

2) Blog Talk Radio is a great tool in promoting your work, but it can be overwhelming trying to find the stations that are right for your book. I made a small list of book friendly shows on my blog: http://heatherkuehl.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-talk-radio-stations-for-book-promo.html

3) Make a book trailer and put it on YouTube. I make mine using Windows Movie Maker, which is on most Windows computers. It’s an easy 1-2-3 process and it’s free!

4) Join message boards or groups with other eBook authors. They will often give helpful advice. While you’re there, see what blogs other eBook authors are guests on and request a guest spot or interview from those blogs.

5) Does your eBook publisher also have your books available in print? If so set up a book signing. Just be aware that you will have to purchase your own books to sell at the signing. This site gives over 40 tips for having a successful book signing; http://foremostpress.com/authors/articles/book_signing_tips_1.html

There are also some inexpensive ways to promote, such as making your own bookmarks or business cards to hand out. You can also purchase your own URL from sites like GoDaddy.com and link it to your free webpage (for example, my Google Sites webpage is http://sites.google.com/site/malevolentdead/ but if you type in my purchased URL http://www.heatherkuehl.com it will bring you to the same site). And if you ever want to stop using Google Sites and switch to a new free site provider, your purchased URL goes with you. That way, you don’t have to waste money making new promo material.

It’s overwhelming to be a newbie in the publishing industry but with these simple tips new eBook authors can promote their work, gaining fans and many sales. Good luck!




Grab your copy of Fade to Black today, available from Eternal Press and Amazon.com. Get your copy of Malevolent Dead from Eternal Press on September 7th.


Heather Kuehl is the author of Promises to Keep and The Sarah Vargas Series as well as numerous short stories and poems. Visit Heather online at www.heatherkuehl.com, www.heatherkuehl.blogspot.com or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.