It’s a fact that I don’t enjoy book promotion but I know it’s something I have to do. Although my first book was featured in regional magazines i.e. regions outside the one in which I reside, I took the bold decision to approach my local press this time round. The reason why it’s a bold decision is because I’m basically quite shy, hate drawing attention to myself and avoid having my photograph taken if at all possible. However, the Tameside Reporter has done me proud with a full page feature – so large that I’ve had to scan it into the computer in two halves. Unfortunately it’s so big that I haven’t found a way to get the text large enough to show on screen apart from the headings.
I must admit that I find the whole thing slightly embarrassing and will either stay indoors for the next few days or otherwise walk around with my head bowed down, hood over my head and scarf around the lower half of my face (it is winter after all). Anyway, without further adieu, here it is, complete with me wearing a false smile and daytime makeup subtly applied especially for the occasion:
Have you got any cringe moments you’d like to share? Go on, indulge me. Don’t let me go through this alone.
Heather Burnside Author 
Congratulations and well done on sticking your head above the parapet! I completely sympathise with how you feel about this level of exposure. I have been writing undercover for a long time!!
Thanks for your comment Georgia. I think a lot of writers are quite introvert by nature, which is probably why they choose to write rather than perform. Unfortunately though promotion is all part and parcel of getting the word out about our books.
Hmmm…I am still working up to telling those in the village community where I live and work – it seems harder to do the closer to home you are!
Yes, that’s how I feel. I was OK with regional parenting magazines and parenting blogs, but in my local community it feels embarrassing somehow. Maybe some of it is connected with the reaction I get when I tell people that I’m a writer. I always feel as though they’re about to roll out the red carpet – perhaps because it’s so out of the ordinary when compared to a 9 to 5 job. I don’t have the heart to tell them how unglamorous it really is and just how much effort goes into every book sale 🙂
Well I’ve decided to join a local writers group so I shall just have to man up as I think I may recognise some faces when I turn up to my first meeting.
That’s great! You’ll have to let me know how you go on. Maybe it’s something you could blog about.
Congratulations Diane, the full page feature looks very impressive. You will never get a moments rest now, what with all those autograph hunters and papparazzi chasing you. Hopefully this great article will lead to a flurry of sales for Great Places for Kids’ Parties.
Ha ha, thanks Guy. Today the Tameside Reporter, tomorrow the world. Well, I can dream, can’t I?
YAY! Bloomin’ brilliant! 🙂 I can only enlarge the first image in order to read it, so I can’t comment on the content of the second image, but certainly it all looks very impressive. Gorgeous photo of you too, Diane. Well done to you for scooping this publicity. I did an interview and photographs with the Southend Echo and it never materialised. My excitement was short lived. Hope this has a positive influence on sales. I’m thrilled for you. X
Congratulations! I know what you mean. I live from one cringe moment to the next!
Thanks Alice. Yeah, my local paper have done me proud – it’s a nice feature. It’s a pity your article never materialised. I think that sometimes editors like to have plenty of material ready but if they get something that’s more topical then the features that aren’t so much ‘of the moment’ can get shelved.
Thanks for your comments Lois and best wishes with your parties book.