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: Romance Con taking place September 6-7, 2024, in Milwaukee, WI and Black Romance Book Fest taking place May 30-June 1, 2025, 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.
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Book Title Generator, How to title a book, Marketing a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Communications
The saying goes “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but in the marketing world, the cover and title are crucial to the book’s success. No one picks up a book that doesn’t catch their attention with the cover and title. As a book publicist, I have gathered the tips and tricks for titling books in my awarding-winning Book Title Generator, which outlines 4 key factors for naming your book:
1. Make it Memorable
You want your title to stick with potential readers, so make it stand out! Use words that evoke emotion, try out some literary devices such as alliteration or allusions, or capitalize off of the popularity of “clickbait,” aka dramatic or sensational phrases that encourage the reader to seek out further information. Ask yourself, “among the hundreds of thousands of books out there, how can my book title stand out?”
2. Make it Descriptive
What is your book about? The title is the first indicator for readers, so you want your title to reflect the plot of the book. A single-word title may have worked decades ago, but with how many books exist now, it can easily get lost. However, you want to avoid overly complicated or difficult-to-remember titles, so consider using a subtitle. On Amazon, you can put 200 characters in your title, so take advantage of it! Subtitles increase searchability and pique the interest of potential readers. Use the title and subtitle to explain the theme, the genre, a character, or another aspect of your book that makes it unique!
3. Tell them the Genre
Genre is very important when it comes to book marketing, as people will often be seeking out specific types of books, so make it clear from the start. Include a reference to the genre directly in your title or subtitle. For example, if your book is about the paranormal, include that in the subtitle. If your book is part of a series, include that. Reaching your target audience is key to a book’s success!
4. Use Keywords to Increase Searchability
Keywords are what people enter into a website when searching for a product. For most products, this is straightforward, i.e. search “car wax” for car wax. For books, however, keywords are more subjective. This is why descriptive titles are so important; you want to include words or phrases that accurately describe your book but are also common things that people would type into a search bar. Figuring out keywords can take some effort: try typing a similar title or genre into Amazon or Goodreads and see what comes up. Are the results comparable to your book? If not, you may need to rethink your title. Additionally, there is new technology that many writers use to help with keywords. Software such as Publisher Rocket can analyze data directly from Amazon and determine the profitability and competition for specific words or phrases.
These four points are just the starting point to developing a strong title but are easily the most important. Taking the time to develop a title using these tools is crucial to your book’s reach, profitability, and long-term performance. Don’t be afraid to change your book’s title if it will increase your chances of success! For more information, check out Book Title Generator, which offers even more details on these key points, as well as more tips and tricks, a plethora of real-life examples, and a list of resources for authors to use.
The Bottom Line: The title is the first thing readers are drawn to when looking at books, so make it descriptive, make it memorable, incorporate the genre, and utilize keywords to increase your success!
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
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Publishing, Book Title Generator, Marketing a Book, Promoting a Book
By Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That’s why the title of your book is so important. The title is the first thing potential readers will see or hear about your book. While thinking of a compelling title is easier said than done, it’s essential if you’d like to sell your book.
I wrote a book about how to title a book called Book Title Generator. The good news is artificial intelligence (AI) can now help in the process. You still need to understand the underlying concepts in titling a book – SEO, Amazon optimization, using numbers, idioms, short titles, etc. Let’s take a closer look at how authors are tapping into the power of AI to title their books so you can do the same.
AI-Powered Book Title Generators
Fortunately, there are a number of AI-powered book title generators to help you title your books, regardless of genre. You can enter a few phrases or keywords related to your book’s content and receive a list of potential book titles to get your creative juices flowing.
An AI-powered book title generator can also analyze your target audience, so you know your readers’ demographics, interests, and preferences. It may recommend titles that resonate with your specific audience.
In addition, you can set different parameters like your preferred tone to customize the titles the generators provide you. This makes it a breeze to ensure the suggested titles fit your vision and brand.
ChatGPT and Bing Chat AI are the most popular tools for generating book titles. Both can generate unlimited title ideas. You just have to use a descriptive prompt about the genre, setting, story line, targeted age group, and other factors. It’s quite amazing how many clever titles it can generate quickly. Here are several other reputable AI-powered book title generators you may want to explore:
- AskYourPDF: AskYourPDF offers several content development tools, including an AI Book Title Generator.
- Simplified AI: Even if you’re new to AI, you’ll appreciate this intuitive tool that can help you generate a variety of serious, thought provoking, and humorous book titles.
- Toolbaz: With Toolbaz, you can come up with book titles in various genres, styles, and lengths.
- AISEO: If SEO is your goal, AISEO will help you optimize your book titles for search engines.
- BookAI: You can count on BookAI to review your manuscript and share relevant title ideas.
- Taskade: Taskade can assist you with every stage of the book writing process, such as brainstorming, and title generation based on the keywords you input.
Benefits of Using AI in Titling Your Book
Whether you’re a new author or have been writing and publishing books for years, an AI-powered title generation can offer many benefits, including:
- Time Savings: Create unique, compelling book titles and save hours upon hours on brainstorming and manual tests.
- Increased Profits: An engaging title can intrigue readers and lead to more sales.
- Flexibility: AI book title generators accommodate all types of authors, regardless of genres or writing styles.
- Chance to Stand Out: With an intriguing book title, you’ll be able to differentiate yourself in the competitive market and in turn, raise your chances of success.
If you’d like to see a step-by-step overview in using AI, check out an online video class by Jess Todtfeld, President of Success In Media, Inc, a leading business communication expert whose clients include the United Nations and Fortune 500 firms. ChatGPT to Supercharge Your Public Relations Media Training. Just watching the free previews will help you.
The Bottom Line: Titling your book doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process. With AI, you can come up with the ideal title in a fraction of the time. Best of luck!
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 Communications’ book marketing approach at https://westwindbookmarketing.com/ or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. 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.
by Scott Lorenz | Author Advice, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publishing, Book Title Generator, Marketing a Book
I’ve worked with some of the best photographers in the USA. I’ve been in dozens of studios all over the country and have been privy to their backstage techniques. These photographers have photographed Miss America contestants, professional hockey and baseball players as well as CEOs, authors, doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. I got the skinny directly from them on their tips for getting the best head shot possible.
While the written word is powerful in landing a media placement, as a book publicist I know that a great photo can clinch a media opportunity just as well and sometimes even faster. How? It’s simple. The photo immediately tells the reporter if the author looks credible and it tells a TV producer if the person is going to look good on a TV interview. If you don’t think they care, think again. It also declares race, sex and sometimes creed. It all matters, and don’t assume it’s a negative thing as it helps news producers provide a balanced newscast so that all voices can be heard. It’s the same with print or broadcast media.
To be sure you convey your message in your headshot and to put your best face forward you’ll want to hear some tips on How to take a great headshot.
First let’s talk about the use of the head shot and its purpose as that dictates the style.
Author Headshots will be used on a book cover and press materials, website and social media. You want multiple variations as the thumbnail close up on Amazon will be different from the one you use on LinkedIn, Amazon and your book flap. Is this a serious book? If so then you should look professional. If it’s a cookbook then look like a cook in proper attire in the kitchen. If you are a doctor, then look like one!
Renowned photographer Sam T’ang of Sam T’ang Production Studios, who regularly photographs Miss America and Miss USA contestants, says planning ahead is critical and offers these tips:
- Get a good night’s sleep and rest the day before your shoot. (You don’t want wrinkles or baggie eyes for your shoot).
- A good headshot should focus just on your face. Clothing should be complementary & should have contrast, IE, someone with lighter color hair should have darker tops or suits, someone with darker hair should have lighter colored tops or suits.
- Clothing/wardrobe should not be busy or have patterns. Always bring several different outfits if possible. It is always better to have too much than only one outfit to work with.
- Backgrounds should be clean, un-cluttered and should not have a pattern (unless it’s an environmental portrait).
- Accessories (Women). Jewelry should be subtle and not overpowering (again, the main focus is on the face).
- MAKEUP/HAIR (Women & Men). If it is possible to have a makeup artist/hair stylist, hire one! Makeup is not only important, but makeup looks COMPLETELY different on camera than in real life and the camera PICKS UP EVERYTHING. Everyday makeup under professional photography lighting and strobes will look like you have no makeup at all. A professional makeup artist is well worth the investment!
- A professional photographer should understand lighting conditions whether it’s natural light or strobes (flash). Good lighting makes a huge difference in your photos. Be aware that shooting under fluorescent lights will cast a green tint to your photos.
- There are many talented photographers out there, but only a few who actually specialize and can take a GREAT HEADSHOT. A good photographer should make you feel comfortable and be able to communicate and direct you, thus making your shots look natural and relaxed instead of stiff or too posed and awkward.
- Almost all images are retouched and edited. One caveat just doesn’t have your photographer OVER RETOUCH your photo or use FILTERS that make you look too plastic and not real (unless that is the look you want).
Jack Kenny whose photography book CUBA is filled with photos of the people of Cuba says he likes shooting outdoors in available light. Natural light outside can be beautiful. I like to shoot in doorways or windows or under overpasses, keeping the subject just out of the direct light.
For headshots, says Kenny, “I like to work both in the studio and in natural light. Sometimes I use a combination of the two where the natural light isn’t sufficient to “fill” the subject. For males I prefer to use a single light source (in varying sizes depending on the drama desired). The light is placed at a 30 to 90-degree angle from the subject and sometimes I use an edge light on the opposite side or a reflector to fill in the shadows. For women I tend to use a softer light – usually two front lights – one weaker than the other, and I keep the light sources closer to the camera.”
According to Steve Kovich who shot for the Detroit Red Wings, Tigers, Lions and is currently the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer, “You want to create depth and mood. Lighting a subject from high above and off to the side is what I like to do. This lighting style is commonly referred to as “Rembrandt” lighting as this is the way the light came into his studio.”
“On the creative end, it’s the ability to evoke or more likely to capture emotion. Whether it be happy, sad, or otherwise,” says Kovich.
In the end, says Jack Kenny, almost any light can be used depending on the effects desired, but a true headshot should emphasize the subject and not the photographer.
About Sam T’ang
Based in Detroit and Miami, Sam T’ang is a national and international published photographer specializing in Beauty, Glamour, Fashion and Swimwear. Sam’s work has appeared in advertisements, calendars, magazines and posters: MAXIM, STUFF, PLAYBOY, FHM, COSMOPOLITAN, GLAMOUR, TEEN, YOUNG MISS, PERFECT 10, OCEAN DRIVE, HAWAIIAN TROPIC, VENUS SWIMWEAR, FITNESS USA, AUTORAMA, and many others.
Sam has photographed headshots for the Miss America, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Venus Swimwear, Miss Hawaiian Tropic pageant contestants, the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings players headshots/promos as well as thousands of models, actors and celebrities. 248-845-8274 and 305-502-1354.
About Jack Kenny
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Kenny specializes in headshots and has photographed dozens of CEOs, doctors, lawyers, authors, and entrepreneurs. Kenny is also author/publisher of Cuba where he takes readers on a photographic journey through modern day Cuba. (734) 395-1265
About Steven Kovich
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Steven Kovich has photographed celebrities such as Kevin Costner, Kevin Bacon and Hulk Hogan as well as hundreds of sports figures including Derek Jeter and Red Wing hockey great Steve Yzerman. He’s also the Tampa Bay Rays official team photographer. His list of corporate clients includes Hyatt, Ameritech, AT&T, CBS, Coke, Chrysler, Domino’s Pizza, Detroit Symphony, ESPN, Ford, Dupont, General Motors, Getty Images, Proctor & Gamble, Pulte Homes, American Red Cross and the US Postal Service. Kovich’s web site has few words as he lets his photos speak for themselves. www.kovich.com 727-452-2349.
The Bottom Line: Your headshot is one of the most important elements in your book promotion. Get a professional to shoot it. Don’t skimp out and use a cropped shot from your summer vacation!
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 or fill out the form below. 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.
by Scott Lorenz | Blog, Book Marketing, Book Promotion, Book Publicity, Book Publishing, Marketing a Book, PR Stunts, Writing a Book
By: Scott Lorenz
Westwind Book Marketing
It’s happened again. A female author client of mine decided that she did not want to conduct interviews with podcasters, radio or TV show hosts. Why? Because she thought her southern accent was too strong.
I disagreed emphatically… to no avail. I thought her accent was fine. She was easy to understand, and it added authenticity to the interview. I even offered more media training to help give her confidence. “Sorry, not going to do it.”
Now, had she or any other client had a strong accent making an interview impossible to understand, then we would most definitely focus on other methods to promote the book. We are not here to make a fool of anyone.
But having self-critical author is not new.
In another instance, a prospective female author, called me to discuss promoting her book. But she warned me that she was shy about getting publicity, and that she was not sure about using the incredible endorsement she got from a bestselling author of 30 million books – Jack Canfield. I was stunned.
I honestly have never come across a male author who said, “I am not worthy of the PR you are about to get me!” They may be out there, but I’ve never seen them.
I have, however, spoken to a number of women who have implied that, for a variety of reasons, they are not worthy of the attention, and I am here to tell you to STOP IT!
I explained to my prospective client that before I can even begin to help her, she needs to stop pulling punches, and to stop selling herself short, and recognize her self-worth.
Often, the biggest barrier between some women and success is themselves. This concept is discussed in the multi-year-best-selling book Lean In, written by Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. Sandberg says that women are conditioned by society to blend in, to stay out of the limelight, and even to downplay their power or success. In the book, she cites a meeting with Tim Geithner, who was at the time the Secretary of the Treasury:
“Secretary Geithner’s team, all women, took their food last and sat in chairs off to the side of the room. … [They] had every right to be at this meeting, but because of their seating choice, they seemed like spectators rather than participants.”
It is no secret that some women have been taught to hold themselves back for cultural, religious and other reasons. This is archaic and has no place in our world today nor should it.
The Bottom Line: Women, put your foot on the accelerator and don’t let it off! Believe in your book, enter book award contests, listen to your PR professional, do the interviews, and believe that you are worthy of winning! Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!
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 approach at https://WestwindBookMarketing.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or 734-667-2090 or fill out the form below. 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.
