Launch Marketing – As a result of the Meeting, you will have the outline of a Marketing Plan and Press Release, and we work with you to finalise the planning on a one-to-one basis and tailor it to your specific needs. We work with you to launch the book and start the process of creating market awareness of your book.

Publication Date – We recommend a Publication Date which is at least 3 months after receipt of review copies to allow booksellers time to update their databases and consider your book for stock prior to the day of launch. Also many book reviewers for magazines, newspapers, radio and TV need a 12 week lead-time to consider a book for review. During this time we will work with you on the press release, produce any promotional material you request and begin contacting requested local bookshops and media entities.

Local Events & Media – Our marketing department capitalises on local newspapers and radio interest in individuals achieving their ambitions – such as releasing their first book. Authors with a specific angle or theme to their book make good interviewees, and we will work with you to make a possible radio appearance appealing to the station. We negotiate signing sessions or displays of signed copies for sale in interested local bookstores. Our marketing team will implement the local campaign, ensuring your book has every opportunity of being promoted by way of author interview or book reviews, in newspapers magazines and on the radio. 

• We assist you in arranging book events.

• We have experience in approaching the book market, booksellers and book reviewers in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV, to whom we selectively and appropriately submit your book.

• We liaise with local papers and radio, for reviews and interviews. 

• We support events by promoting them to relevant media, and contacting other bookstores in the area to try to secure book stocks.

• We identify very specific target audience groups and endeavour to bring your book to their attention.

Publicity Material – We can arrange publicity material on your behalf for a fraction of the cost most design agencies charge. We have a recommended supplier who can produce posters, flyers, postcards, business cards and bookmarks; all produced to a very high standard to reflect the quality of your book.

Ongoing Marketing – Self-publishing enjoys the luxury of being able to exploit the long window of opportunity, whereas new, mainstream-published authors experience a ‘One Shot, One Season’ selling period – and one season means 3 months! Inadequate sales result in an early demise of a title onto the de-listed database. Experience has taught us that selling books requires effort, optimism and determination. Writing and producing the book is only the halfway point; the most successful authors are also those who embrace self-promotion and pursue all marketing opportunities. Our Marketing Meeting and book not only ensure that you are well versed in what we can do to help you but also how you can best help yourself, both at launch and onwards. Your book remains in print, in stock and on databases for as long as there is demand, and we will always remain enthusiastic to hear and build on any ideas you have.

National Media Coverage – Whipping up interest at a local level can lead to national coverage.  Pen Press will respond quickly to any opportunities to bring your book to the attention of national newspapers. Reviews in the national media are much desired but are notoriously difficult to get. We are therefore proud to boast of our success with features in media organs including the Sunday Express, The Observer, The Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, The Daily Telegraph, Choice, My Weekly and Best of British magazines, SAGA magazine, The Times Literary Supplement, plus BBC Radio, and two Richard & Judy TV interviews. Pen Press will submit books to the national newspaper literary editors with a very specific approach based on previous successes and designed to avoid sending out loads of books that sit in a forgotten pile. We are also able to offer an Advanced Marketing Programme or recommend professional independent PR consultants, which is charged additionally and independently, but this is a big time and cost investment and would only be recommended judiciously. 

Online Marketing – Why stop at national coverage? The internet is making the world smaller and reaching a wider audience has never been easier. We advise all of our authors on the benefits of online marketing using social networking tools and regularly approach specialist interest websites and blogs to review books. There are so many marketing opportunities that cost only time.

Endorsements – There are currently over 200,000 new books published in the UK each year, and for authors who may not yet be a recognised ‘name’ to the book-buying public, an endorsement by a well-known author, specialist in a particular field, or a recognised celebrity can raise a book’s profile and help sales. Weare proud to have very many books endorsed – with either a comment or foreword – by celebrities such as Sir Ian Mckellan, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Rick Stein, Tony Benn, Rory Bremnar, Sir Bob Geldof, Paul O’Grady, John Nettles, Colin Baker, William Roach, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, John Motson, and authors Margaret Forster, GP Taylor, Rosalind Laker, Jane Gardem and Jenny Uglow to name just a few.

Subsidiary Rights – We are proud to demonstrate success in sales of rights. We work with associated businesses and Agents in this field, regularly notifying our worldwide contacts of latest titles they may be interested in. We also exhibit at the annual London Book Fair which is attended by 23,000 industry professionals. 

Author Satisfaction – Our offer genuinely provides a real and viable alternative to mainstream publishing. We empower our authors by providing the financial choices and marketing tools to maximise return on investment. As members of the Independent Publishers’ Guild and The Booksellers’ Association we are committed to high standards of quality and service. We pride ourselves on producing truly beautiful books, and developing a great relationship with our authors – after all, we want you to publish your second, third, fourth etc books with us! And the fact that many of our authors have indeed done this is the highest recommendation we can possibly get.

So, the options are there. Call us today, we’re always happy to hear from you and to help. Use us for any form of publishing service to suit your needs and we are sure you will be proud you published with Pen Press.