What Should Authors Do When They Win An Award?

Every year, scores of book awards are open to authors -- of all genres -- to submit their books for consideration of an award. Many writers don’t know which awards even exist, they miss application deadlines, or they lack confidence in themselves and fail to submit their book. But what of those authors who know what to do, submit on time, pay the entrance fees, and courageously put their book out for judgment – and become a finalist or actually win?

 

First, they must pinch themselves to know this is real and then they tell all of their friends, family, and those who made their book possible.

 

Next, they look to update their biography on their web site and on any social media profiles.

 

Third, they incorporate the award into their elevator speech, so whenever they speak if of themselves a writer it is not as “an award-winning writer.”

 

Fourth, add this credential to your press kit, your email signature, and your amazon page. Put it on your business card or any marketing materials such as flier.

 

Fifth, place it on your book cover with a sticker, physical or digital.

 

Sixth, mention it when you submit a query to a book publisher or a literary agent.

 

Seventh, announce your award success n a press release and send it to local media, book publishing media, your alumni association publication. And the media associated with your genre or industry.

 

Eighth, highlight it in your social media posts, in your own blog or podcast, and on your YouTube channel.

 

Ninth, if you have a newsletter, give yourself some ink over the award.

 

Lastly, ask the award provider what they are doing to promote their award results, and ask how you can participate in their marketing efforts. They may want you to attend an awards ceremony or to pay for an ad in a trade publication. You can attend if the cost is minimal and you want to bask on your glory, but the ad is likely not worthwhile.

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him 

Time For A Reality Check For Authors?

Many writers believe in their ability to pen a very good book. They may have quirky hangups and insecurities in other aspects of their life, but they know they can write and manipulate a sequence of words to say something profound, funny, shocking, inspirational, or instructional. But what happens when writers meet other talented writers and see their competition up close? What happens when they read other great books from their contemporaries?

They either get humbled, maybe even depressed to learn that they are not superior to other elite writers. Or, they get motivated by the competition and work harder, longer, and smarter to rise up to the occasion. Either way, there comes some level of acknowledgment that there is a greatness spectrum, and you are but a point on it, and not at the very top of it.

Here is something to chew on. There were three million new book releases last year. If you think you are better than 90 percent of them, that still leaves 300,000 books that are better than yours. If one reads 300 books a year — almost one a day — it will take 1000 years — or a dozen lifetimes — for them to get to your book. After reading the 300,000 better books (and that is if they ignore the 1000 years of producing another 300 million better books).

Ok, let’s say you are better than 99 percent of what was published last year. That still leaves 30,000 books ahead of yours.

It is time for a reality check: Are you as good as you think you are? Can you take steps to do more, be better?

Now, whatever you do to be a better writer, even if you do pen the very best book in the world, will mean little unless your book marketing is executed effectively. In fact, better book marketing can even help books that are good, but not great. It is a powerful equalizer.

To succeed as a writer the formula is: Merely write a good book and market like crazy. The sooner you understand and embrace your reality, the quicker —and better equipped — you will be able to pursue the fulfillment of your goals.

Look at other aspects of life where one can’t just rely on a natural talent to experience fulfillment. Women who feel insecure with their looks or body will work harder in bed to please their man. Some good-looking women can be sexually lazy. Same is true for guys who aren’t packing the biggest gun. They will work harder to service their women by other means, while stud-looking guys won’t even think to go the extra mile to make sure she feels satisfied.

Or, take your job as an example. Being smart or skilled in one area may get you so far at work, but you need to make an extra effort to befriend your boss, volunteer for extra work, or help make a colleague better in order for managers to see you as worthy of a promotion. In other words, being great at what you do may not be enough; you have to do more in ways that you may not have even thought were important.

I started playing pickleball in the fall, taking a weekly class of instruction and play for beginners. I quickly became one of the best players in the group. Ok, I was being modest. I was a monster out there, winning almost every game no matter who I partnered with. I felt like I was good enough to play against anybody. So, I moved up to a higher level.

I discovered I was only better or as good as half the group — and inferior to the rest. It is going to take more practice, better execution, and a savvier strategy to beat those who outplay me. I am up for the challenge. But it was a reality check to suddenly come upon a wall and realize I will need to do more to break through.

Just how good of a writer are you? How about your book marketing prowess? Start making the changes that you will need to advance to another level. 

 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

 

 

What's The Key To Book Marketing Success?

The other night I came home and slumped in my kitchen chair, to recuperate from an intense 90-minute pickleball workout. I didn’t move much for a while, until I could muster the energy to go upstairs to take a shower. An hour later I was about to go out for dinner and could not find my rental car key (my car was in the shop). After a brief search, I gave in to my wife pleading to take her car so that we could head out.

Later that night, when we returned, the search resumed. I retraced my steps of everything that I did and started to thoroughly examine things. I recall I threw out some mail, so I went into the recycle bin looking for Buick’s logo to magically appear. Nothing.

I looked in the hamper where I had deposited my clothes, taking out every smelly thing we had worn over the last four days. Still nothing. I felt like a kid unwrapping Christmas presents and getting clothes instead of a cool toy.

My wife went outside with a lantern-shaped flashlight and could not see the keys to an Encore in the grass, where we hoped they had silently dropped. She entered the unlocked car and tried to start the car. If the keys fell on the car floor or seat, it would have started. Nothing.

We repeated the entire walk-through reenactment and again looked high and low everywhere. Nada.

We went to watch TV and vowed to try again in the morning with a fresh pair of eyes in the daylight.

I arose out of bed with a feeling of dread to repeat this useless search and also with cautious optimism that we simply had to find a key that could not just vanish. The thing is, we know it has to be somewhere in or around the house. That is for certain. And that certainty willed me to keep looking.

I started looking everywhere. Back outside. Nothing. In the car. Nothing. In my jacket. Nothing. In my clothes from yesterday. Nothing. Laundry spilled on the floor and combed through like a crime scene. Nothing. Recycle bin. Nothing. Every inch of the kitchen was touched and viewed. Thoroughly. Bu both of us. Nothing.

WTF? Am I getting a glimpse of Alzheimer’s?

Back upstairs. I looked on our bed, under the covers, and on side tables. I even checked the dogs’ toy box, thinking maybe they uncharacteristically grabbed the key and put it with their torn lamb doll and gnawed bones. Nothing.

I was down to my last chance. I got on the floor to search under my bed.

Holy shit. There it is! I felt like I won the lottery or found a cool prize in a treasure hunt.

By finding this key not only did I get to stop playing detective while wondering how much a lost key costs, I got to reaffirm my sanity and reminded myself of a powerful book marketing lesson: Never give up!

Ok, that was a long story for a mantra you have heard your whole life. But it is true.

Book marketing is like a magic trick. Just because you don’t fully understand it, you still know it is not real and that the illusion is achievable. Marketing is also like doing a thousand-piece puzzle — you know all of the pieces are there and that they have to fit together. You just need the patience and fortitude to move forward in the face of frustration, confusion, or obstacles.

This key search drove me nuts but I could not conclude that I was not capable of finding it because it had to be there. I was methodical, thorough, logical, and unwavering in my pursuit. I sought help as well. You must do the same with your book marketing.

There are no-talent morons with mediocre books out there that find book marketing success. Why not you?

Whatever you think you lack, think again. Try harder, for longer, and better. Do not give up. Get help. Try new things or new approaches to old things. Just don’t tell me you can’t. You can. Will you? 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

21 Book Marketing Affirmations For Authors

 



·         I have no shot at winning the game if I don’t play it. I will go out there and market my book! 

·         I trust in my ability to handle the book marketing challenges that come my way. 

·         I will write, create, research, question, and deliberate about book marketing, but above all, I will take action. 

·         I am in control of my marketing — what I think about, what I feel about it, and what I do about it. 

·         I will take ownership for the marketing of my book. 

·         I release myself of the need to compare my book to others and instead, I embrace my uniqueness. 

·         I shall think opportunistically, both to make my own opportunities and to act on opportunities that present themselves. 

·         I give up the need for book marketing perfection and embrace my imperfections, shortfalls, and lack of certain skills. 

·         I shall take a holistic approach to my book marketing, utilizing some combination of applying for book awards, buying professional book reviews, being active on social media, pursuing traditional news media for exposure, participating in speaking events, advertising, having a web site, giving books away, and creating content to promote a book, such as my own blog, podcast, or free, downloadable content. 

·         I always have the power to change my thoughts and can rewrite my book marketing story. 

·         I must be collaborative with others to market my book. 

·         I will strive better than to be lazy cheap, or ignorant of what can be done to market my book. 

·         I shall embrace uncertainty with curiosity, enthusiasm, and confidence when it comes to my book promotions. 

·         I chose to focus on the things I can control when it comes to marketing my book — and let the rest go. 

·         I am open to listening to the advice of book marketing experts and making the changes that must be made in order to achieve better book sales results. 

·         I forgive myself for past book marketing mistakes and release myself of any guilt, shame, or anger. 

·         I am defined by my efforts to market my book. 

·         I am able to choose a life filled with book marketing joy and writing bliss. 

·         I am deserving of book sales success, but I also know that I must commit my mind, time, money, and energy to achieve it. 

·         My book deserves to be read, praised, and enjoyed. 

·         I have the strength and resilience to overcome any book marketing challenge. 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

 

American Bookseller Association Turns 125!

 

The American Booksellers Association is a national trade association that supports and advocates for the success of independent bookstores.  It is turning 125 this year. 

“We provide members with education, networking opportunities, advocacy, resources, and technology. In turn our members support local schools through book fairs, donations and author visits; promote literacy; provide inclusive community centers; connect readers and books; add character to neighborhoods; champion and center diverse and new voices; and contribute to the local economy. We feel honored to support over 2,500 independent bookstores in their work,” says their site. 

Perhaps one of its biggest accomplishments was to open Bookshop.org five years ago. 

“After just five years of operation, Bookshop.org has raised more than $36 million for independent bookstores and completely changed the landscape for online book buying,” reports the ABA. “And with the introduction of e-books earlier this month, Bookshop.org is poised to change the industry once again.” 

"Bookshop.org is a force for good for independent bookstores and the readers who want to support them,” said ABA CEO Allison Hill on their site. “In a world dominated by big tech and billionaires, Bookshop.org — and the indie bookstores it champions — offer readers a meaningful alternative: the opportunity to spend their money in a way that shapes the world they want to live in — one where neighborhood indie bookstores thrive, not corporate monopolies.”

Membership and the number of indie store locations fell to a modern-day low in 2009, when the e-book raged, as did the Great Recession. Since then, the numbers have grown by more than 50 percent.  

April 26, 2025 is Independent Bookstore Day, a time for recognizing a lot of indie bookstores across the country. Celebrate by buying a book from your local independent bookstore.

 

Do You Need Book Marketing & PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over four million page views, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over four million pageviews. With 5,000+ posts over the past dozen years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2025.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully).

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum