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Very interesting idea. I'm just now launching the second, expanded, and professionally published edition of my book based on my Substack posts from this past year, Land of Health: Israel's War for Wellness. Getting reviews is so important and challenging, and I wonder if I can perhaps find a more informal way of doing what you described. Thank you!
Here's the Amazon link: amazon.com/Land-Health-…
Very interesting idea. I'm just now launching the second, expanded, and professionally published edition of my book based on my Substack posts from this past year, Land of Health: Israel's War for Wellness. Getting reviews is so important and challenging, and I wonder if I can perhaps find a more informal way of doing what you described. Thank you!
Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Health-Israels-War-Wellness/dp/B0DC4BGPKC
Hi Shmuel, one of the things I have learned is to more actively ask for reviews. Many authors don't think of straight out asking for reviews or may feel self-conscious about asking. I'm working on an article about my strategy for getting reviews which I will have ready to publish soon.
Oh hi Shmuel, so nice reading form you. It's been a few months I think. Did I tell you your publication is part of my Substack School course? I mention you there as perfect example for a hero story.
Wow, thanks so much! So happy to hear that. These types of partnerships that happen on Substack are so precious.
Why do you want a more informal way?
I've been so swamped with the publishing process, and now networking for PR, that I don't think I can take the initiative on making a formal group. But I'm going to be proactive in asking the many friend and family that I send copies to post reviews.
And you can call this "Book Launch Club" haha.
What are you doing re PR? I used to be a PR manager so I know a thing or two
Yeah, guess that's not exactly a club...
Oh wow, good to hear that.
I hired a professional to craft a great pitch for publications and have been reaching out to pretty much every Jewish website, blog, newspaper and podcast for interviews or other collaborations.
I'm also networking with lots of local institutions to offer book talks where I can sell the book afterwards.
Finally, the trickiest part is paid advertising which generally isn't worth it (at least in my target audience community), but if done smart in a focused way can be helpful to raise awareness.
Because my book deals with current events (it's a non-politically-controversial perspective on the current crisis in Israel, based on traditional Jewish sources), I'm hopeful it can find significant reach.
I'm also always keeping in mind to loop back to my Substack - on the back cover, and on every blurb I publish, there's a suggestion to sign up to my weekly newsletter, The Healthy Jew.
As shared in the DM super interesting case and I'd love to learn more
Thanks! But I didn't get a DM from you today - perhaps it wasn't sent? Let's be in touch, whatever way's best for you.
I knew you wanted to make a book out of your stories. Super 👏👏👏
What does professionally published mean?
I'd love to feature a guest post in my publication with 7600 subs about you taking your stories and creating a book from it. Would this be something for you? ❤️
First of all, my apologies, I forgot to post the new Amazon link. I'll edit my first comments, and here it is again: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Health-Israels-War-Wellness/dp/B0DC4BGPKC
For the last edition I didn't hire an editor or proofreader, and the typesetting and graphics were done by a Fiverr freelancer (who did a great job, and I've referred him to friends, but it's still not the same...).
For this edition I hired a very talented project manager who hired professionals in the Jewish book publishing field for all of these roles, and was the liaison with Menucha Publishers (a mid-size Jewish publishing house) for them to distribute in bookstores all over the world.
I also added many chapters (~40% more) based on the Substack posts I'd written since the first edition.
The final product is now a beautiful, full-color book. Even though the publishing process took a ton of time and effort (and some money), the fact that I'd already created the content (including the pictures!) for an engaged audience of readers was a total game changer. The work was adapting and enhancing what I already had - not imagining a new book into existence.
And yes, I'd be honored to work with you on a guest post about that. I'll PM you now about the details.
Thank you!
I checked the link, you really have a beautiful looking book!
Thanks! Yes, we put a lot of effort into the design. The dozen's of full-color pictures throughout the book also help the subject come alive - which is kinda the point for a book presenting Israel as the living body of the Jewish nation!
I think it's smart to reach out to the media as you have a timely news hook
Ok, great, I will be doing that!