In this episode of Ready to Be Published, publisher Vinnie Corbo talks with longtime Volossal author Catherine Gigante-Brown, a true DIY marketing powerhouse. Catherine shares practical, creative, and low-cost strategies for promoting your book—whether you're traditionally published, self-published, or somewhere in between.

Known for her Brooklyn-based literary fiction (The El, Brooklyn Roses, Better Than Sisters, and more), Catherine reveals how she’s built her audience through grassroots tactics like bookstore readings with homemade cookies, niche community engagement, strategic media outreach, and tapping into cultural connections to create buzz. Her warm, authentic approach to author promotion makes her a standout in the indie publishing world.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to land readings at local bookstores, museums, and niche venues
• Why bringing cookies might be your best marketing tool
• How to pitch your book to local newspapers, blogs, and online communities
• The power of connecting your book to cultural or geographic themes
• Tips for writing compelling media pitches and finding “back door” publicity opportunities
• Why every author—indie or not—needs to take control of their own promotion

If you’ve written a book and want it to actually reach readers, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and real-world advice from an author who’s done it all herself.