Creative Marketing: Connecting Romance Readers and Authors at the Library
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| Amy Alessio, Susan Gibberman, Simone Elkeles |
This was the first panel of the 2012 RWA Librarian's Day on July 25th. I had my iPad and transcribed the panel as best I could. These notes are pretty much 'as is' and I may have missed some things. If anyone has any questions, please comment and I'll do my best to answer.
The panel opened with introductions and then segued into each panelist talking about what types of programs they've done in libraries.
Simone does writing programs for kids, not necessarily romance.
Emphasized good story is important, not so much genre. Does a lot of
programs for school & public libraries. People like to hear
stories about being an author. Panels with multiple authors work really
well for her. Recently judged a writing contest, short story for YA by
public library. Authors and editors appreciate librarians. Authors
thinking editors are the gods, but editors thinking librarians are the
gods. Promises to try not to swear. Everyone who entered contest got to
enter Skype session with her. If you ask, authors will do writing
workshop. She never goes to events expecting to sell books, about
connecting with authors. Juvie boys love Perfect Chemistry series.
Detention centers love her books. Kids on probation will use public
libraries. Likes networking with school.
Amy has a lot of teens on advisory board. Unvalentine parties. Mad libs:
used pags from romance novels, took key words out. Advisory board has a
lot of input into programs. Chocolate tasting programs. Teen chocolate
tasting. Good program to kill time and it turned into actual club for
various foodstuffs. online teen romance group because teens won.t come
in and say they want to read romance. Run by minimally paid volunteer,
trivia, quizzes, etc. Hires a YA author to teach teen writing workshops
once a month. Favorite writing icebreaker is story round robin.
Susan: All for Love. Charity event at the library, 100% proceeds went to
the American Heart Association. Like a fair. Lasted for 10 years,
raised over $25000 dollars. Some people are not great speakers and you
don't know this until they show up and start doing. Reiterates, don't
intend on selling books, goal is to connect with authors. Library offers
free writing seminars. Racy-ish title piques interest, which is
necessary when competing with other programs. Cross-promotioon, all five
libraries advertise for each other. Decorating flowerpots/rain
barrels, public vote on the best decorated & prize won. Themed contest with books.
Simone handed out free books at a skate park. Enjoys receiving emails
from readers who have a personal connection with her books.
The question was asked "What other ways do you market reader's advisory?"
Simone was given books in school she had to read and she hated them,
turned her off of reading. So she writes things she wanted to read as a
teen. She tells kids who say they hate to read that they'll like her
book beccause it's for people who hate to read. Book Tour wanted her to
read to Honors English class & she wanted to read for the remedial
kids because that's who she connects with. Decided to do a rap video
trailer for her book, Perfect Chemistry. Wrote rap, hired producer from
Chicago, auditioned actors, & everyone liked it because it didn't
take the book seriously. Internet kids, this is how she connects with
them. Thinks her heroes are better than Edward. Very picky for role of
Alex. Wanted dude from Katy Perry's Hot n Cold video. Found him on
Linked In. Put up money to hire him. Dude agreed to do it, "sounds like it'll be funny." She told producer to take his shirt off despite lack of shirtless
scene in book. Found third brother through Facebook, actor in Freedom
Writers. Encourage teens to make book trailers. Encourages librarians to
reach out to authors. Also tells librarians to reach out to authors to
do guest posts on library blogs.
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| When Simone spoke about meeting supermodel Alex Rodriguez, Amy held up this huge poster with scenes from trailer. All of the speakers were excellent, but Simone was particularly funny. |
Susan says poll revealed most of her patrons get program information
from the main library program guide, which means they have to compete
with other programs. Uses HootSuite to manage library twitter accounts
because she can schedule tweets. Does a special program guide just for
her departments so she can put as much information as she wants. Get
every staff member involved so that if a patron inquires for writing
reference materials at ref desk, reference librarian can say , hey, we
have these writing workshops.
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