by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Marketing a Book, Promoting a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
Today, one of my former author clients told me she was contacted by a publishing firm and was offered $90K for the rights to her book.
She wanted me to look at the contract and see what I thought. This is the second time something like this happened in the past few weeks, so something is up. I told her to STOP and do not engage and here’s why.
In the world of publishing, aspiring authors often dream of landing a lucrative book deal. Unfortunately, this dream can sometimes turn into a nightmare when they fall prey to fraudulent publishing offers. These scams are designed to exploit authors’ hopes and ambitions, leading them to part with their hard-earned money in exchange for empty promises.
The Scam Unveiled
One common tactic used by these scammers is to offer a seemingly attractive publishing contract with a substantial advance, many times the once common $10K advance for a book. This one in particular was for almost $100K! Who wouldn’t be able to use $100K? However, there’s a catch: the author is required to pay a ‘finder’s fee’ upfront, typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. This fee is supposedly for arranging the deal and securing the advance.
Scammers may even negotiate the fee, reducing it from an initial 15% to 8% of the total deal, to make it seem more legitimate and enticing. Desperate to see their work published and believing they will soon receive a significant advance; some authors may willingly pay this fee.
The Reality
Once the fee is paid, the scammers disappear, leaving the author with nothing but regret and financial loss. The promised advance never materializes, and the author is left with a worthless contract. This fraudulent scheme preys on the vulnerability and aspirations of authors, making it essential to recognize the warning signs and protect oneself.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Upfront Fees: Legitimate publishers do not ask for upfront fees. If a contract requires you to pay a fee before receiving any advance or royalties, it’s a major red flag.
- Too Good to Be True: If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of unusually high advances or overly generous terms.
- Lack of Transparency: Scammers often provide vague or incomplete information about their company and the contract terms. Always research the publisher thoroughly. Legitimate publishers have a website.
- Pressure Tactics: Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to rush you into signing the contract and paying the fee. Take your time to review and seek legal advice if needed.
- Foreign Accent and Background Noise: Be cautious if the person contacting you has a foreign accent, there are other people talking in the background (indicating a boiler room operation), or they use an American-sounding name like ‘Bill Johnson’.
Tips for Identifying Legitimate Publishers
- Reputation and Track Record: Research the publisher’s history and reputation. Look for reviews, testimonials, and any awards or recognitions they may have received. Established publishers often have a strong online presence and a portfolio of successfully published books.
- Clear Contract Terms: Legitimate publishers provide clear and detailed contract terms. They outline the rights and responsibilities of both parties, including royalty rates, publication timelines, and marketing efforts.
- No Upfront Fees: Reputable publishers do not ask for upfront fees. They invest in the author’s work and recoup their costs through book sales. If a publisher asks for money upfront, it’s not legitimate.
- Professional Communication: Legitimate publishers communicate professionally and transparently. They are willing to answer your questions and provide detailed information about their publishing process.
- Industry Affiliations: Check if the publisher is a member of recognized industry organizations, such as the Association of American Publishers (AAP) or the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). Membership in these organizations often indicates a commitment to industry standards and ethics.
Protecting Yourself
To avoid falling victim to these scams, follow these steps:
- Research: Investigate the publisher’s reputation and track record. Visit their website. Look for reviews, testimonials, and any red flags.
- Seek Legal Advice: Have a lawyer review the contract before signing anything. They can help identify any suspicious clauses or terms.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, trust your gut. It’s better to walk away from a questionable deal than to risk losing money.
Additional Resources for Authors
For more tips and guidance on navigating the publishing world, please visit my blog www.Book-Publicist.com. Here, you’ll find dozens of articles for authors on topics such as:
- Finding Literary Agents: Learn how to identify and approach reputable literary agents who can help you secure a legitimate publishing deal. I’ve written about this on my blog.
- Crafting a Winning Query Letter: Get tips on writing a compelling query letter that grabs the attention of agents and publishers.
- Understanding Publishing Contracts: Gain insights into the key elements of publishing contracts and what to watch out for.
- Marketing Your Book: Discover effective strategies for promoting your book and reaching a wider audience.
The Bottom Line
If it sounds too good to be true, it is! Fake publishing offers are a serious threat to authors, but by staying vigilant and informed, you can protect yourself from these scams.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Reviews, Promoting a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
As a book publicist I’ve read a thousand books and have written a hundred reviews myself. I’ve also written about how authors can get more reviews on my blog. What makes a good book review? You know when you’ve read a terrific review. It’s the kind that makes you want to buy the book.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of using clichéd phrases that, while familiar, can make your review feel less impactful. Phrases like “a real page-turner” or “couldn’t put it down” are often overused and can detract from the unique qualities of the book you’re reviewing. To help you craft more engaging and original reviews, here are some alternatives to common trite phrases.
Trite vs Better: Elevating Your Book Review Language
| Trite |
Better |
| Couldn’t put it down |
The story captivated me from the first page |
| A real page-turner |
The plot was so engaging, I lost track of time |
| Kept me on the edge of my seat |
The suspense was palpable throughout |
| A must-read |
This book offers a unique perspective worth exploring |
| Unputdownable |
I was completely absorbed in the narrative |
| A rollercoaster ride |
The plot twists and turns kept me guessing |
| Gripping from start to finish |
The story maintained a high level of tension |
| A tour de force |
An impressive and powerful piece of writing |
| An instant classic |
This book will stand the test of time |
| A literary masterpiece |
A brilliantly crafted work of literature |
| Heartwarming |
The story touched my heart deeply |
| A tear-jerker |
The emotional depth brought tears to my eyes |
| A breath of fresh air |
This book offers a refreshing take on the genre |
| A riveting read |
The narrative was compelling and immersive |
| A compelling story |
The plot was intricately woven and engaging |
| A real gem |
A standout book that shines in its genre |
| A delightful read |
The book was a joy to read from beginning to end |
| A thought-provoking novel |
This book challenges you to think deeply |
| A beautifully written book |
The prose is elegant and evocative |
| A captivating tale |
The story enchanted me from start to finish |
I have to admit, I do like ‘A tour de force’ as it sounds so powerful. I will not promise to ban these trite phrases from my vocabulary because I do like brevity in writing. Some of these phrases are nice little word packages that tell the reader exactly what they mean quickly.
The Bottom Line: Avoid cliché’s like the plague! Choose descriptive and specific language; you can provide readers with a clearer picture of what makes a book special. This not only enhances the quality of your reviews but also helps potential readers make more informed decisions about what to read next.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Book Marketing, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://www.WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Marketing a Book, Writing a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
Biographies and memoirs are commonly confused, both telling personal stories about an individual’s life. However, there is a distinct difference, and this plays an important role in the purpose of the book and how it is marketed. Let’s take a look at both!
Biography
A biography is a nonfiction account of a person’s entire life. It includes key events that shaped them as a person, as well as information about their relationships, work, education, and defining character traits. Biographies can be written about both people who have passed or people who are alive today. Sometimes, biographies are written by the subject themself, and this is known as an autobiography.
The information presented in a biography is objective and factual, often taken from first-hand accounts such as interviews, letters, diaries, newspapers, and more. Biographies are often written in the third person. The main goal of a biography is to present a fact-based record of someone’s childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
Here are some examples of well-known biographies. All of these extend over their subjects’ entire lives and come from reliable sources.
- Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson: “Based on more than forty interviews with Steve Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than 100 family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries.”
- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: “Over the decade it took to uncover this story, Rebecca became enmeshed in the lives of the Lacks family—especially Henrietta’s daughter Deborah. Deborah was consumed with questions: Had scientists cloned her mother? Had they killed her to harvest her cells? And if her mother was so important to medicine, why couldn’t her children afford health insurance?”
- Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges: “This New York Times bestselling biography of the founder of computer science, with a new preface by the author that addresses Turing’s royal pardon in 2013, is the definitive account of an extraordinary mind and life.”
- Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo by Hayden Herrera: “This engrossing biography of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo reveals a woman of extreme magnetism and originality, an artist whose sensual vibrancy came straight from her own experiences.”
- Mad Girl’s Love Song: Sylvia Plath and Life Before Ted by Andrew Wilson: “Drawing on exclusive interviews with friends and lovers who have never spoken openly about Plath before and using previously unavailable archives and papers, this is the first book to focus on the early life of the twentieth century’s most popular and enduring female poet.”
Memoir
A memoir is a story of a person’s life as told by that person. Unlike an autobiography, a memoir centers on emotion and reflection rather than a timeline. Memoirs tend to be limited to a specific time or experience. Memoirs generally fit into one of the following structures: flashback, chronological, themed, or overcoming a struggle.
Memoirs come directly from the source and don’t take an objective approach, since they focus on how the author perceived a situation or event. They are written from a first-person point of view. Memoirs take aspects of fiction novels as well, as they include scenes, dialogue, and an engaging narrative. The main goal of a memoir is for an author to explore a specific theme or situation in their life in an emotion-based way.
Here are some examples of memoirs. Each one focuses on a theme or event that had a profound impact on the author’s life.
- I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou: “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.”
- Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer: “A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that ‘suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down.’ He was wrong. By writing Into Thin Air, Krakauer may have hoped to exorcise some of his own demons and lay to rest some of the painful questions that still surround the event.”
- Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: “This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and set out to explore three different aspects of her nature, against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.”
- The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion: “This powerful book is Didion’s attempt to make sense of the ’weeks and then months that cut loose any fixed idea I ever had about death, about illness, about marriage and children and memory, about the shallowness of sanity, about life itself.’”
- Night by Elie Wiesel: “Night is Elie Wiesel’s masterpiece, a candid, horrific, and deeply poignant autobiographical account of his survival as a teenager in the Nazi death camps.”
Why does this distinction matter?
Websites like Amazon categorize biographies and memoirs into the same section, so why should they be marketed differently? In a nutshell, biographies and memoirs hold different purposes for readers. A person researching an individual will likely prefer the fact-based biography, while someone looking for a relatable story will gravitate towards a memoir. Therefore, books should be marketed as such to reach their intended audience.
When marketing biographies, focus on the factual aspects. Highlight the first-hand sources, such as photos or interviews. Emphasize what your book offers that a source like Wikipedia does not.
When marketing memoirs, use the emotional aspects to your advantage. Many memoirs focus on childhood events, marriage, divorce, or other life events that readers can relate to. Memoirs can be marketed similarly to fiction novels, although the non-fiction aspect sets them apart as unique stories.
The Bottom Line
Biographies are factual accounts of an individual’s entire life, while memoirs focus on the emotional aspects of a specific event or theme in the author’s life.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Marketing a Book, Promoting a Book, Social Media
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
As an author, your website is a brief glimpse into who you are and what you do. In today’s marketplace, readers are looking to connect with their favorite authors, and books can’t promote themselves. Your website is how you attract and maintain readers. So how can you make it more engaging? Let’s take a look at ten suggestions that other authors are using!
Show your book covers
Visuals are the first thing people see when they open your website, so make them eye-catching! Put your books front and center and let them speak for themselves. Book covers convey the genre, tone, and appeal of your books. They are an easy way to add some visual flair!
Your website designer should pick up on the colors of the book cover and use them in the site.
For example, take a look at James Patterson’s website. The background is kept simple and clean, utilizing the colorful book covers as the key visual.
Share about yourself
Readers want to know who you are! Consider adding an about page that shares some interesting information about yourself. Here are some things you could include:
- Credentials
- Education
- Hobbies
- Personal achievements
- Place of residence
- Cultural background
You can pull your author bio straight from your book or create something unique just for your website. Readers are more likely to connect with authors who share similarities with them, so let your personality show!
Add blurbs from reviews
Sometimes other people say it best! Sharing reviews lets potential readers know what to expect from your work. They also add to your credibility, especially when they are from reputable sources such as editorial reviews. When choosing blurbs, keep them short and sharp! Pick ones that encompass the theme or that highlight a key element of your book. Make sure they are different and don’t repeat the same points.
Let’s take a look at Julie Orringer’s website. Before any other information, she shares a review that captures the tone of each tone. Based on a single review, readers who are interested in ambitious and suspenseful stories will probably enjoy Julie’s book The Flight Portfolio. Julie includes reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews to name a few.
Create a book trailer
One very effective tactic to promote and publicize your book is to create a “Book Trailer.” A book trailer is like a movie trailer in that it allows someone to preview a book both visually and via audio. A video book trailer brings the book to life and gives the potential reader a sneak peek at the contents. When we create a book trailer, we’ll include it on the author’s website and we’ll post it on YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and use it in the promotion of a book.
Besides attracting readers of a book’s genre and the immediate visual impact benefit, a trailer can actually improve search engine ranking for an author’s web site. The book trailer on YouTube becomes searchable by key words which are carefully selected to attract interest and drive more traffic to the author’s web site or Amazon page.
The website for the “Bad Love” series by Dr. Kevin Schewe features four of the book trailers Westwind Book Marketing created. The trailers are prominently featured on his website and further suggest the series is ‘movie material’ as it has such strong visuals. Check it out at: https://kevinschewe.com/
Add links to buy your books
What is the main goal of an author website? To get people to buy your books! Make it easy for readers to purchase your books by including big buttons that link to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, The Publisher etc. Don’t make people scroll and search for the link. Put it right under or beside the cover.
If you’re searching for additional book retailers to carry your works, check out this list of America’s biggest booksellers. The top ones include Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books-A-Million.
Quote your book
An easy way to get people interested in your books is to put excerpts on your website. Sometimes, readers unfamiliar with your work may not want to commit to purchasing and reading a whole book. Readers can decide if they are interested based on your writing style and subject matter. Pick excerpts that are well-written, set the tone for the book, and aren’t too confusing without context.
You could also consider providing a chapter for free, like author James Clear. He offers a download of the first chapter of his hit book Atomic Habits. Much like a free sample given out at your local grocery store, an excerpt gives readers a taste of what’s to come!
Add media clips or logos
Add clips of your media interviews to your website and be sure to use the logos from media outlets as well. Use the podcaster’s photo, their promo piece for the interview anything that is already created you’ll want to repurpose it. Often when a member of the media wants to interview one of my clients they’ll go to the author’s website. They want to hear and interview and for TV they want to see what you look like before they book the interview.
For example, let’s look at Jay Shetty’s site. Right away, the site plays a video. He includes interviews and clips of his podcast. On his press page, he promotes a variety of content that he has been a part of, accompanied by the logos of well-known platforms, such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The New York Times, Red Table Talk, and more.
Share book awards
Book awards are a great way to position yourself in the industry. One of the reasons to go after book awards is to tell people you’ve WON a few. Don’t be afraid to show off your accomplishments! Much like logos, book awards are easy to recognize and add visual flair. They show that people appreciate your work and that it is worth reading. Additionally, readers may seek out the winners of specific awards if they are looking for a certain genre or topic.
Let’s look at Patrick Asare’s website. He displays five awards for The Boy from Boadua, including the Literary Titan Book Award and the International Impact Book Award. Pretty impressive right?
Create a backlist of your books
Much like a portfolio, a backlist provides readers with the full extent of your work. You never know what will connect with someone, and an older book may have a resurgence. In addition, people who have read your other books will recognize them and be more inclined to check out others.
Take a look at Emma Davies’ site. Right on the home page, she displays a variety of her works, as well as including a books tab in her menu.
Utilize a mailing list
A mailing list is a great way to interact with your readers on a regular basis. You can keep them up to date on new releases, your next projects, promotions, and other updates. It’s been said that with a list of a few thousand avid book buying fans an author can live quite well. If you are not collecting the email addresses of your readers, you are missing an opportunity. Many mailing lists are simple to sign up for, just input your name and your email.
Here are some sites that offer free plans for mailing lists:
For other examples of strong author websites, check out one of my articles on the topic where I’ve benchmarked some of my favorite author websites here.
The bottom line: By utilizing these ten tips, as seen by the success of many popular authors, your website will intrigue readers and keep them coming back for more.
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Events, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Book Title Generator, BookTok, Marketing a Book, Writers Conferences
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
The popularity of romance books has been steadily on the rise for several years now. Stemming from the trend, the latest phenomenon in the reading community is brick and mortar stores exclusively for romance novels. According to an article by Alexandra Alter in The New York Times, romance bookstores are scattered throughout the nation “and have become vibrant community hubs for romance fans.”
The Rise of Romance
“The current romance craze traces to the early days of the pandemic,” says Alter. Romance books began to trend as people were in search of exciting love stories in times of boredom and uneasiness. Alter continues, “Print sales more than doubled in the last few years, from 18 million copies in 2020 to 39 million in 2023.” A significant turning point in the world of romance novels pre-pandemic was the 2016 release of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us. Hoover’s novel topped the charts, selling 6.9 million copies and remaining on The New York Times’ Best Sellers list for 131 weeks, according to Vox. The book gained tons of attention on social media, especially BookTok, because of its subject matter of abusive relationships. The iconic romance novel has now been made into a movie starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
Dream Me Home
Another notable novel intertwines romance and mystery: Dream Me Home written by psychotherapist Laurie Elizabeth Murphy. Murphy says her book “is about characters that are real, and face real dilemmas, they make irrational decisions even with the best intentions and cannot always control the outcomes of the most well-planned lives.” The book was published in 2023, and Murphy won first place with Dream Me Home at the 2024 PenCraft Book Awards for Best Fiction in the Mystery category. Visit Murphy’s website to learn more about her award-winning novel.
Darzik
Physician Fionne Foxxe Farraday’s science fiction fantasy Darzik is a continuation of her Mates of the Alliance series. This compelling series tells the story of the love connection between a human and an extraterrestrial being. Farraday says, “In this story, Emily has been through something horrific which altered the course of her life. She is a survivor and doesn’t see herself as a victim. Most of this book is her journey to reclaim her life and how Darzik is there for her through it all as her staunchest cheerleader, the one who sees her bravery and supports her as she steps forward into a new life.” Find out more about Darzik here.
Get Involved in the Romance World
More and more people have jumped on the romance novel train. The industry has grown far from its old “smut” and guilty pleasure stereotypes. As the community has grown, there are now events for romance fans to come together in celebration of their shared interest. Here are a couple of upcoming events for romance fans: Black Romance Book Fest taking place May 29-31, 2026, in Atlanta, GA.
Advice for Romance Writers
In every good romance novel, there are common aspects that are keys to its success. For example, to write a good romance story there needs to be tension. According to The Book Coach, readers become more engaged as the tension between characters strengthens, building up the story and creating an emotional connection with the reader. Similar to other genres, a good romance includes some kind of character development.
A blog post on QinPrinting says to “avoid creating a one-dimensional character and instead focus on making your heroine human, flawed, and capable of growth.” This allows readers to relate to the character, which heavily influences how much they will enjoy the story. You can also implement character development with the use of tropes; everybody loves a good enemy to lovers’ trope! A final piece of advice is to have a happy ending to your book.
As The Urban Writers stated, “Real life doesn’t always guarantee happy endings, especially when it comes to love… readers understand this and are drawn to romance bestsellers because they know that a happy ending is in the cards.” Readers expect a “happily ever after” to follow the whirlwind of drama they’ve just been taken through.
Romance Bookstores in the US
- The Ripped Bodice in Los Angeles, CA as well as Brooklyn, NY
- Love’s Sweet Arrow in Tinsley Park, IL
- The Last Chapter in Chicago, IL
- Meet Cute in San Diego, CA
- Blush in Wichita, KS
- Under the Cover in Kansas City, MO
- Tropes & Trifles in Minneapolis, MN
- Grump & Sunshine in Belfast, ME
- A Novel Romance in Louisville, KY
- Beach Read Books in Wilmington, NC
- Lovebound Library in Salt Lake City, UT
- …And more!
The Bottom Line: If you’re a romance reader or writer, dive deeper into the community. Visit these romance bookstores, join/start a romance book club, or write a romance novel of your own!
About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz
Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.
Learn more about Westwind Book Marketing at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist. Want help titling a book? Check out Scott Lorenz’s new award-winning, bestselling book: Book Title Generator- A Proven System in Naming Your Book www.BookTitleGenerator.net.
Would you like help promoting your book?
If so, tell us a little about your book. What is the title? Do you have a publisher? What is the publish date? How many pages is your book? What is the cost? Do you have web site? What is your specific goal I.E., to make money, raise awareness, get the attention of an agent or publisher, sell the story to a movie or TV studio or something else?
Submit the form below with this information and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you!
