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Publicizing a new book?

In our newest "how can we help you?" thread, a reader asks:

I just published my first book! I would very much appreciate advice on what authors can and should do to publicize a new book. I know that my publisher will do some marketing on their end (send the book to journals for review, etc.) but is there anything more I can do on my end to increase the readership?

Good question! Aside from sharing it on social media, ensuring that journals get sent copies for book reviews, and trying to get journal symposia and the like, I'm not sure.

Do any readers have any helpful tips?

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5 responses to “Publicizing a new book?”

  1. Brad

    First, congratulations! Books can be a career-changer. But do not assume that your publisher is sending books to journals for it to be reviewed. You need to be more pro-active about this. I am one of the co-editors of Metascience (I am also a book author), and most of the publishers do not do much to promote new books. We review about 110 books per year, in history, philosophy, and sociology of science. Less then 20 of those are chosen for review because a publisher has reached out to us. We also have to keep on top of new books ourselves. But I have encouraged authors also to alert us to their new books – but wait until it is in print. So, if your book is in the broad area of philosophy of science, then let us know.

    Reply
  2. Daniel Greco

    I’m in the same boat! One thing I’ve done is emailed APA program chairs to try to get an AMC on the book. I’m going to have an author meets critics session at next year’s Central, but only because I found out who the program chair was and emailed them over a year in advance of the meeting to let them know I was interested in (I had earlier tried with the Eastern, but I was too late; sessions had already been scheduled).

    Reply
  3. K

    Make a video about it and post it on New Works in Philosophy! 😉 I’ve gotten to know two books of interest that way. (I like to put those videos on as I eat lunch.)

    Reply
  4. Malcolm Keating

    The New Books Network has a philosophy podcast, and you can let the podcasters know about your book: https://newbooksnetwork.com/authors
    I select books for “non-Western” philosophy. Although I have only a few slots a year and cannot interview everyone who has a new book that is part of that vaguely defined field, I’m happy to know about new or forthcoming books by email.

    Reply
  5. Hermias

    Include the title when asking on philosopherscocoon!
    Blast it at everyone on the philos-L mailing list.
    Find some YouTubers who cover the topic that it falls under and email them asking to do an interview
    Find some way of spinning out an article on the same topic to a niche magazine – eg. if it was political philosophy or something I’d email The Spectator (UK) using the basic ideas of the book to analyze some contemporary news items.
    Most of all, accept that the greatest thing you will write is yourself.

    Reply

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