My first trade book, a picture book poetry collection called STAMPEDE: POEMS ABOUT THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL, comes out from Clarion next spring. Yea! And I’m realizing I need to shortly start putting promotion plans into place. I’m getting ready to read the Shrinking Violet Promotions blog in its thus-far entirety over the next month, and I’ll also reread all the articles I’ve torn out and books I’ve bought that relate to book promotion.
Now, my question for you: How much money do you put into book promotion? I’m talking about promotion for one specific book just before and just after its release?
My advance was $4,000. I don’t have money to burn, by any means. But I also realize I have to invest in myself and my career. But I’m nervous about losing money. But I know I need to support my book. But marketing is not my strong point. But if I don’t do enough for my book, it’s even more likely to sink without a ripple. But…well, you see my dilemma.
So I’m just wondering if anyone will share numbers. Either a straight number, like, “I usually set aside $3,000 for promoting a specific book,” or a percentage of promotion, like “I spend 50% of my advance on promotion.”
Thanks!