Penrith continued

Freda Lightfoot spoke early on Sunday morning. Photographs taken while speaking are never flattering, are they? Freda shot a brilliant smile the second after this, but someone nodded forward in their seat and eclipsed her, so apologies Freda, this is the only shot I have.

"Creating a brand" was her theme.

The brand is a guarantee of quality, and readers recognise a brand they like. Today, post NBA, power is not with the writer, who must think as self-employed person, know their target audience and their work – and the way it differs from others in the genre. Authors need a website, updated regularly.

Plan for the year ahead and budget accordingly. Read http://www.book2book.co.uk to stay informed about the book trade. Get on the WI, library, church groups, and pensioners club circuit and talk to potential readers. Ask libraries if they have a budget, accept whatever their normal fee may be. At first you may do it for nothing, or expenses only. Get them to put up posters and sell tickets, provide a cuppa. Say you will talk about the issue of ….whatever your book happens to cover.
Link up with other writers. Produce a newsletter once a quarter
Contact the media about ten days before publication. If you appear on live radio, ask what the first question will be and remember they cannot cut or edit if you are live! Have three points in your mind – the book! The title! Why you wrote it! What it is about – have a little anecdote if you can.

Her talk was a perfect demonstration of How To Do It Well. I only wish I could hope to emulate her!