BOOK BOOSTING
I am a longtime fan of Tracie Hotchner’s NPR radio show, DOG TALK. (Interview starts 2 minutes and 10 seconds into recording.) Tracie, a pet wellness advocate, wrote THE DOG BIBLE, and for fifteen years, her show has featured interviews with dog experts and authors. I figured what the hell, I’d send her a copy of HOUNDED, and reminded myself to have zero expectations of a response. Three weeks later, Tracie called; she loved the book and invited me to be a guest on her show for a thirty-minute interview. I was elated but then dissolved into a pool of flop sweat; a profoundly traumatic bar mitzvah had rendered me awkward and self-conscious about any form of public speaking. On the bright side, at least the interview would not be in Hebrew.
Tracie proved to be an excellent interviewer; sensing my initial discomfort, she went out of her way to make me feel comfortable. It became clear that she is extremely well read, and had obviously read my book quite thoroughly. At the end of the interview, Tracie had me read a passage from HOUNDED which was difficult to get through as I was fighting back tears.
Being able to promote my book on her show was an emotional and truly fulfilling experience, one that boosted my confidence, and inspired me to take further promotional action; I’m currently in the process of securing a radio interview with Rick Kogan whose show AFTER HOURS broadcasts from my hometown, Chicago. Book readings in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City are being arranged, and I am becoming considerably more active in promoting my books online.
This new take on self-marketing is similar to the way I now deal with doctors - I am grateful for any assistance, but for the best possible results, and to feel taken care of, I have to be my own advocate.