Random thought of the day

So, we all know that book review sections are shrinking and we’re constantly having to “think outside the box” to get our authors covered in other ways. Recently, I’ve been trying the approach of pitching pieces an author has written to major publications in hopes of placement with a byline mentioning the book.

My question is, does this work? It’s hard to tell if that op-ed piece that ran in the Times had any more impact than the review that ran on Bookslut.com. And, yes, it’s nice for the author to say she had a piece in O Magazine (esp. if she got paid for it), but does this translate into sales?

Any thoughts? Or am I just wasting more of my time to stroke an author’s ego without actually helping their book?

—Ladytron

Lazy Lazarus and Caipirinhas for Three Bucks

This week's literary event of the week is the One Story cocktail hour and reading held at Pianos on Ludlow and Stanton. This kick-ass reading series takes place once a month and features a special on the author's favorite cocktail. Lucky for slunchies everywhere, this Friday's reader, Andrew Foster Altschul, has chosen the Caipirinha - and they'll be going for only $3 a pop. Nice.

Altschul will be reading from his debut novel, Lady Lazarus, which is the story of the daughter of a dead rock star - and, from the portion I've read, is AWESOME. I'm hoping to finish it before Friday. Odds are against me, but whatevs.

Bonus - the author usually reads for about 15 minutes, which means no long periods of squirming silently, hoping they will finish so you can run up to the bar for another drink.

Do tell,

The Editor

This was in my inbox yesterday...

PUBLISHERS PUBLICITY ASSOCIATION
www.publisherspublicity.org

President · Judith Haut
Random House Children’s Books


Invitation June 2008

JOIN US FOR OUR JUNE LUNCHEON

With special guest Sloane Crosley, Associate Director of Publicity at Vintage and author of I Was Told There’d Be Cake, who will share her perspectives as both author and publicist. Attendees will receive complimentary copies of her book.

DO NOT WANT