What kind of virtual author events are successful in getting the word out, supporting booksellers, and developing enthusiastic online communities? Maria Dismondy of children’s book publisher Cardinal Rule Press has had recent success and discusses strategies and goals.

Topics Covered

• online book launches and book “tours”
• partnering with bookstores
• sign-up events vs public streaming on Facebook and other platforms
• advance sales before the event
• sponsored and partnered events with giveaways as a way of developing and sharing contacts
• how to find partners for a virtual event: be sure to match the audience to the mission
• keeping pitch letters effective and succinct
• how the pandemic crisis may be creating new and permanent opportunities for new kinds of book promotion
• advice: pick 1 platform and be consistent with your message and timing
• be sure to spend more time “giving” than “selling”; you may not have a direct ROI but you will be building community
• how far in advance should you contact sponsors? participants?
• the growing importance of bookshop.org
• why traditional media are still important
• good advice: “do one thing every day!”

Links

CardinalRulePress.com
www.cardinalrulepress.com

Maria Dismondy
www.mariadismondy.com

Sample a reader's guide: Evie's Field Day by Claire Noland
https://cardinalrulepress.com/uploads/pdf/Evies%20Field%20Day%20FINAL.%5B1%5D.pdf

Participants

Author and founder of the publishing company, Cardinal Rule Press, Maria Dismondy inspires and educates others in the book industry.

Her background in early education and research enables her to touch lives the world over while touring as a public speaker in schools, community forums, and at national conferences. When Maria isn’t working, she can be found embarking on adventures throughout southeast Michigan and beyond, where she lives with her husband and three book-loving children. 

Peter Goodman (host) is publisher of Stone Bridge Press  in Berkeley, California. He began his publishing career in Tokyo, Japan, in 1976. A longtime member of IBPA, he has served on the IBPA board and as IBPA board chair.

For more information, go to IBPA at https://www.ibpa-online.org/.