Virtual Book Touring

Today we have guest writer Marina Kuperman explaining how to promote your book electronically. Instead of touring the country visiting book stores, Marina is touring the world, visiting blogs. We're pleased she chose A Writer's Edge for one of her stops.

GETTING THE WORD OUT
By Marina Kuperman

The new wave of internet book promotion is called the VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR. Even if you don't have a blog, you should never overlook this method of getting the word out. The goal is to contact bloggers in your category and ask them to give you a write up. It can take the form of a mention of your book, an interview, a review, or whatever you ask the blogger to write. This is networking, so you want to offer something back. I've noticed that when I do a blog tour, bloggers are more into it if I do a write up about their blogs or what they want to plug, plus (if you have a blog and/or website) exchange links with them.

For my young adult book Turtle Feet, Surfer's Beat and also the online teen community associated with this book at www.turtlefeetsurfersbeat.com, I've tackled the blogosphere and gave a shout out to as many bloggers as possible. I chose specific categories to my book. Because my book deals with marine preservation, surfing, and teens, I had a wide range of people to contact. I decided to get the support of other writers, surfing blogs and environmentalists. The majority of these people are super nice and extremely supportive of my work, gladly doing write-ups about me; and I did the same for them.

Marina also writes a blog, Turtle Feet, Surfer's Beat where you can follow her virtual book tour. She has graciously agreed to respond to questions in the comments section, so send 'em in.