Author Resource Guide
Arcadia Publishing
The History Press
Belt Publishing
Arcadia Children’s Books
Pelican Publishing
An Intro to Marketing & Publicity
Every title published by Arcadia Publishing and its imprints receives marketing and publicity support. Our teams are working behind the scenes ahead of publication to create marketing materials, identify promotional opportunities, and partner with different sales channels to ensure your book reaches readers. Below is an overview of how different teams work together to make your book a success!
Marketing:
Marketing is a combined effort across a variety of channels to ensure that your book finds the right home. This includes outreach to the bookselling community, large retailers, and direct-to-consumer promotion
Publicity:
Every title is submitted to local media outlets for review consideration. Your publicist will respond to review copy requests and notify you of any subsequent invitations for interviews.
Library Marketing:
We work with a number of distributors and conference organizers to ensure that libraries receive the latest information on titles in their area.
Social Media:
Authors are encouraged to create digital content for social media platforms to promote their book and to build community with their audience. It's one of the fastest ways to get the word out to a large audience, and it's wholly beneficial to the success of your book.
Digital Marketing:
The digital marketing team is responsible for direct-to-consumer outreach. This includes our website, arcadiapublishing.com, direct-to-consumer advertising through social media and other digital platforms, and our newsletter and blog programs.
Arcadia has a robust distribution network encompassing bookstores, grocery stores, pharmacies, gift shops, and so much more! We’ve included a brief overview of our retail partners below. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it can be a helpful guide in understanding our diversified approach.
TRADE ACCOUNTS - Traditional retailers whose main focus is books.
National Trade Retailers (Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million)
Independent Bookstores
Trade Wholesalers (Ingram Book Group)
School and Library Wholesalers (Baker & Taylor, Follett, Brodart).
SPECIALTY ACCOUNTS - Retailers who carry a variety of products.
National Specialty Retailers (Hallmark, Walgreens, Ace Hardware)
Independent Specialty Retailers (Gift Shops, Boutiques)
National Parks
Airport Stores (Hudson, Paradies Lagardère, Marshall Retail Group) Museums & Historical Societies
MASS MERCHANDISERS - Large chain stores selling a variety of goods.
Education Marketing (For Children’s Books Only)
SCHOOL VISITS (For Children’s Books only)
School/classroom visits can be a great way to engage directly with your young audience. Due to the vast differences in how each school system in the country approves these appearances, Arcadia is unable to arrange school visits on your behalf. However, you are welcome to pursue these engagements by working with the schools directly.
ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM (AR) (For Children’s Books Only)
Renaissance Learning, the company behind the AR program, produces tests based on requests from educators. In some cases, educators may be able to upload a quiz for their classroom’s use. The Accelerated Reader program is an independent program and cannot be dictated by Arcadia Publishing.
How Relevant Businesses Learn About Your Book
EDELWEISS:
This online cataloging system is used by retailers, librarians, and educators to identify and order new and backlist titles.
ADVANCE MATERIALS:
Prior to publication, accounts may receive postcards and/or info sheets alerting them to your book’s upcoming release.
TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCES:
Throughout the year, Arcadia representatives travel across the country to attend conferences and trade shows where they can showcase new and backlist titles. These events help us reach traditional and nontraditional retail outlets, libraries, and more. Below is a sampling of annual gatherings Arcadia may attend any given year.
American Library Association Annual Conference
American Bookseller Association Annual Conference
Atlanta Gift Show
Las Vegas Gift Show
International Gift Exposition in the Smokies
Regional Independent Bookselling Conferences
How Readers Find Your Book Online
As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, Arcadia is taking steps to ensure your book can make a splash! Here’s how we help readers find your book:
DESCRIPTIVE COPY:
Arcadia’s editorial, marketing, and metadata teams work together to ensure descriptive copy on your product’s online listings is optimized for searchability and engagement.
If your book receives notable endorsements or awards, your product page can be updated to reflect these achievements. Contact your publicist if you believe a specific accolade/endorsement should be featured on your title listings.
METADATA & SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION (SEO):
Beyond product descriptive copy, Arcadia works to keep metadata up-to-date and accurate to help customers discover your book online. This includes information on locations or topics of interest, as well as age ranges for children’s titles.
LOOK INSIDE OR SNEAK PEEK FEATURES:
Some online retailers such as Amazon or BarnesandNoble.com may show interiors from your book. The additional content and/or imagery is incredibly helpful to shoppers and shows only limited content.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media is a great way for Arcadia and its authors to stay engaged. Our channels maintain a national focus to appeal to the widest possible audience, and we strive to keep them fresh and energetic. In some cases we are able to amplify authors’ social media posts, but due to the localized nature of our books, our social media may not always be a fit great for reposting. For a detailed guide to promoting your book on your own social media, check out our “Social Media Guide for Authors.”
Arcadia maintains a presence on multiple platforms in order to reach audiences where they are most comfortable.
OUR WEBSITE - ArcadiaPublishing.com
Every title published by Arcadia Publishing and its imprints is listed on our company’s website. These pages are generally available 2–4 months prior to your publication date and are a great way to share information about your title online.
We promote titles thematically and seasonally throughout the year and sometimes run special offers exclusive to our website. We also maintain a robust contact list for direct-to-consumer purchases and promote titles through our newsletters.
How You Can Help
EVENTS
Author events are incredibly effective in engaging the audience We encourage authors to participate in signings at both traditional (e.g. retail outlets) and non-traditional sites (e.g. farmers markets). Before scheduling events, please note the following:
Arcadia Publishing does not cover travel-or event-related expenses without prior authorization. If you believe financial reimbursement is necessary, please contact your publicist before confirming the event. Authors may not sell books to Arcadia accounts or to customers while visiting Arcadia accounts. Books for these events must be purchased by the host. Authors may sell directly to consumers at non-traditional event sites.
Be sure to review the “Social Media Guide for Authors” and “Author Timeline” for tips on how to be a great partner in promoting your events.
LOCAL BOOKSTORES & RETAIL SIGNINGS:
All authors are encouraged to introduce themselves to their local bookstores and libraries prior to publication and let them know you’ll be available for instore events. You are welcome to arrange signings directly with interested parties, but please be sure to inform your publicist of the details at least six weeks in advance so they can ensure your host has everything they need prior to the big day! Book signings should be scheduled on or after the day of publication
Some event sites may book out further in advance than others, so it’s okay to check in early and follow up closer to publication. Please keep in mind that retailers host events based on a variety of factors, including existing engagements, staffing, previous event turnout, and customer buying habits. Positive interactions keep the door open for future opportunities!
How You Can Help
FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS:
Local book festivals and other community events present fantastic opportunities to sell your books directly to readers. Authors are free to submit themselves for consideration or can contact their publicist if publisher submission is required.
*NOTE: Arcadia Publishing does not guarantee financial reimbursement for registration fees. For partial or full reimbursement, please contact your publicist prior to submission.
MEDIA AND AWARDS
In order to request review copies for your personal media contacts or awards submissions, please review the information below.
YOUR PERSONAL MEDIA CONTACTS:
We are happy to provide review copies to your personal contacts in the media, including those who have covered your previous work. In order to ensure review copies reach your preferred contacts, please use this template and return it to your publicist no later than eight weeks prior to publication. Contact information sent in a piecemeal fashion is easily lost and may not result in the successful submission of review copies. Your publicist will combine this information with contacts from our proprietary database during media outreach.
*NOTE: Please ensure your contacts are current and maintain a thoughtful approach to curating your list. Publicists exercise judgement in reviewing these requests and may not send review copies to gratuitous contacts.
*NOTE: If you would like to include an alumni publication, please include your year of graduation in the notes column
How You Can Help
AWARDS:
Many libraries and literary organizations host awards competitions. Arcadia Publishing encourages authors to submit themselves for consideration of awards for which their book is a serious contender, or to contact their publicist for help with the submission process. We strongly recommend a thorough review of the award submission guidelines and previous winners prior to submitting your book. Your publicist can help you obtain digital or physical copies of your book if required for award submission.
*NOTE: Arcadia Publishing does not guarantee financial reimbursement for award submissions. For partial or full reimbursement, please contact your publicist prior to submission.
AUTHOR TIMELINE
With so many ideas about how to celebrate your book’s release, it can be hard to know where to start. Check out these tips on when and how to promote your title.
APPROXIMATELY 6–3 MONTHS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION
Workshop your elevator pitch with friends & family! A quick and concise description of your book will be immensely helpful in pitching to readers, buyers, and potential event hosts.
Smile for the camera… It’s time to take your author photo! A great author photo is crucial to making a good impression. For tips on how to take a photo you’ll love, click here.
Update your website and/or social media! Now’s the time to set the stage for promoting your book. Be sure to include that great new author photo and update your bio to include “Author of ” For more tips on when and what to post, check out our “Social Media Guide for Authors.”
Create an Amazon Author Central account: This improves your book’s discoverability and will ensure that all of your books are listed together. Click here to get started: https://authorcentral.amazon.com.
How You Can Help
Create an author profile on Goodreads: This improves your book’s discoverability, ensures all of your works are listed together, and allows you to interact directly with readers by answering questions. Click here to get started: http://www.goodreads.com/author/program.
APPROXIMATELY 3–1 MONTHS PRIOR TO PUBLICATION
Give us the details! If you have not received one already, you’ll receive a Sales & Marketing Questionnaire from your publicist during this time. Please fill it out quickly and thoroughly (preferably within one week of receipt) so that your publicist can get started on plans for your book–be sure to include any personal media contacts on the Media Contact Spreadsheet. Arcadia will combine these with contacts from our proprietary media database to create a suitable list. Introduce yourself! Be sure to visit at local bookstores, libraries, and other potential event sites. This is a great time to share information about your book using the advance materials Arcadia has provided (e.g. postcards).
Cover reveal! Your cover should be ready at this time. Contact your editor to receive an image you can share online. For more tips on cover reveals, see our “Social Media Guide for Authors.” Send them shopping! Share the link to your product page on the Arcadia website as well as other retailers. Be sure to give a shout-out to your favorite local stores!
APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH PRIOR TO PUBLICATION
Be on the lookout! Your publicist will be in touch at this time with updates on media or event opportunities. Be sure to answer quickly, add confirmed engagements to your personal calendar to ensure timely arrivals, and hype up your appearance online. Follow up! Now’s a great time to follow up with any local bookstores, libraries, or potential event hosts who asked you to check in closer to your publication date.
How You Can Help
UPON PUBLICATION
Celebrate your BOOK BIRTHDAY online! Be sure to announce the day of the publication and let everyone know your book is officially available! Ask friends and family to review your book! Online reviews help with discoverability. The more reviews you have, the more people will find their way to your book through organic searches.
Will my book be available to pre-order online?
Yes! While the Arcadia website does not support pre-orders at this time, many other online retailers (as well as brick-and-mortar stores) do. Most online retailers accept pre-orders once the online listing for your title goes live. This generally happens 3–6 months prior to publication.
What does the publication date mean?
The publication date signifies to online retailers that it’s time to fulfill those pre-orders. Brick-and-mortar stores that pre-ordered your book will also have the book available for sale by this date. In some brick-and-mortars, your book may be on sale 2–3 weeks prior to publication as stores are eager to get inventory on the shelves and into the hands of customers. This is perfectly fine and gives your book some bonus time on the shelf! The official publication date is the date you should use when announcing your book online because availability prior to this date is not guaranteed.
How do I use social media to promote my book?
Click here to see our “Social Media Guide for Authors” which dives further into best practices for each platform.
Will Arcadia Publishing repost what I’m doing on social media?
If you’d like us to share one of your posts, tag us on the relevant platform and our social media team will be notified. Due to the heavily localized nature of our books, a national audience may not be the right fit, but we’ll do our best to amplify author posts where we can. Posts often perform better with engagement from local users, so we encourage you to have friends and family share your posts as well.
*NOTE: Due to platform guidelines, Arcadia will not be able to share posts pertaining to contests or sweepstakes.
Do I need a website?
Websites can be incredibly useful in staying engaged with your audience, but we understand that maintaining one isn’t for everybody. We recommend utilizing the platforms where you’re most comfortable while promoting your book. If you do want to start a website, there are a number of free or affordable options online to help you get started.
What can I do if my book receives an unfavorable review on Amazon or Goodreads?
Sometimes the book and reader aren’t a good match, and an unfavorable review may be posted. The best medicine for a negative review is a positive review, so be sure to encourage others to rate and review your books online. This will help push the negative review further down the list and offer a variety of opinions to prospective readers.
We cannot have reviews removed based on opinion, but if you believe a review violates the Community Guidelines of the platform, you can “Report Abuse” to request the website intervene.
Should I introduce myself to booksellers?
Absolutely! For more details on how to promote your book, check out the “How You Can Help” section of this document.
Should I organize a book release/launch party?
We love to see authors and illustrators celebrate their book’s release. While introducing yourself to local bookstores, feel free to inquire about a book launch. Some stores are not equipped for large festivities and may not be able to accommodate a launch celebration, but they can still be a great partner in promoting your book. As an alternative, you can offer to sign store’s stock when it arrives.
Will I receive complimentary copies of my book?
Yes! You should receive the author copies noted in your contract prior to your publication date. Please contact your editor if you do not receive your complimentary copies by the date of publication.
Can I order my book at a special rate?
Authors & illustrators receive special discounts when purchasing books from Arcadia Publishing. Contact retailers@arcadiapublishing.com for pricing details.
Can I receive a discount on other books from Arcadia Publishing?
Yes, authors & illustrators can order books from other Arcadia Publishing authors and receive a special discount. Contact retailers@arcadiapublishing.com for pricing details.
How do I get sales information about my book?
You’ll receive a royalties statement from Arcadia Publishing twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. These statements are the best source of information for sales figures. Between statements, your sales rep may be able to provide a list of account placements without specific sales figures.