How Do Authors Get Attention?

 

“Go screw yourself, you lyin’ piece of dog shit!”

Could that be the opening line of a good novel?

It works for this blog post. I have your attention. 

Full disclosure, I had a strong alternate: 

“At the very moment he plunged into her perfect body— a product of youth, daily workouts, and a natural beauty —he became fully aware that he had crossed into another dimension, a place where he would experience unfamiliar erotic pleasure beyond his fantasies, and as a direct result, a house emptied of his wife, three kids, two dogs, half his net worth, and all of his dignity.”

In today’s fast-paced, split-attention, no- patience world, great writing has to grab readers in or they just wander over to the next shiny toy. Don’t just say something; make a statement. Be descriptive. Make the reader instantly care or wonder what the hell is going on.

The same is true with your book marketing communications.

Look at some of the statements you are likely to make and think about how a powerful opening could serve you well in each of these areas:

* web site content
* press release
* blog post
* e-mail customer solicitation
* book jacket copy
* Amazon page description
* social media post
* media pitch by e-mail
* book awards application
* book review submission
* postcard copy
* a flier
* advertisement

Aside from your opening lines, you have headlines or subject lines to draw people in. You could have the power of a strong visual, too. The overall layout, font, colors, and typeface will also turn people on — or away. You don’t get a second chance to make a strong first impression, so make the most of your opportunities.

What gets people’s attention?

Challenging one’s values: Are you doing enough to help the poor? 

News: Award-winning book announces 10-point plan to end world hunger by 2041.

Secrets revealed: A man confesses to sleeping with his son’s wife for money.

Facts uncovered: New evidence reveals Nixon had an affair

Emotional rollercoaster: First she hated him; then she feared him. How they became lovers.

A belief that no one dares say: Are transgender people simply mentally ill?

Language: curses, neologisms, slang, foreign words 

Challenge our assumptions: Is the net benefit of exercise overstated, given the time, cost, and number of injuries? 

Bold prediction: Biden could run in 2028 — and win.

Challenging the status quo: Do we really need so many layers of government — town, county, state, and federal?

Breaking grammar rules for effect: 

Sarcasm or a joke: Great weather for a picnic (when it is raining).

Strong political, sexual, or religious statement: Are you a bad Christian if you don’t forgive your mother’s killer?

Controversial ideas: It is time to jail the homeless! 

Provocative questions: Should we abolish all laws regarding the mandatory wearing of clothing in public?

Outrageous statements: Veterinarians should be allowed to treat people in a medical worker shortage or crisis

Information that people need: Here is what you need to know to get a tax refund

Contrarian statements: You can lose weight and still have six beers a night.

Ridicule of a known entity or individual: Kim Kardashian has the authenticity of a Barbie Doll. 

Promises of success, wealth, or health: How to make money with the right side hustle.

Fantasies: Can you live your dreams?

Nostalgia: Why these 6 songs from the 80’s are still amazing.

Deadlines: Here are 5 strategies for last-minute tax filers tomorrow.

Lure of exclusivity: Learn what pleases your spouse from a former escort.

Crazy talk: The aliens are here and not what you think they would be like. 

Start working on your powerful opening line. One good sentence can sell a book!

Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum 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 9,500,000 page views. With nearly 5,700+ posts over the past 15 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 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

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) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, 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