April is National Library Month, and National Library Week is April 7-13. Let’s face it, if there’s one place we go to find out information about books, it’s our public library. The act of browsing is not a lost art; readers and book buyers do it regularly. As a writer, you probably do it yourself, and if you don’t, take this month as a symbol to start. Feel free to study the shelving arrangement, the genres, the popular nooks and crannies, the competition, and the various ways and means librarians “sell” their collections to the public. In fact, if you’re “caught” browsing in a library and the librarians find out you’re a local author, you’re likely to get hooked into offering an author reading or signing or other such public session. You know what that means? More book reviews and more book sales! Local libraries LOVE local authors!
Every year the American Library Association (ALA) holds a national book fair that attracts librarians from all levels of management, from all types of libraries, from all across the country. It serves as a meeting place for leadership, a place to learn, a place to network and as a forum to exchange ideas on the multitude of issues affecting libraries. And, most importantly, it serves as an avenue to introduce your book to this super-important marketplace.
Outskirts Press can handle all the details of representing your book at the ALA Book Fair this year if you reserve one of the limited spots before April 19th at https://outskirtspress.com/p/ala.
Want to increase your chances for success with librarians? Register for the ALA Book Fair using the link above, and then submit your first chapter into the 1st Chapter Library Preview. With 1st Chapter Preview Library Distribution, your book cover, synopsis, pricing information and ordering details will run for three consecutive months in a quarter page ad in First Chapter Plus, a monthly catalog where viewers/customers/librarians can download and preview the first chapter of your book. Those who are interested in buying copies will have all the ordering details right there in the catalog for their convenience, and your benefit. If you order today by clicking here, you’ll immediately receive a 10% discount if you use promotion code: Save10FCP.