My New Ad in LAPD’s Thin Blue Line

By Thonie Hevron

Advertising is a necessary evil for authors. By nature, most of us are solitary so yelling at the world that we have something they should read is waaay beyond our comfort zones. I’m learning that I have to get up in front of a crowd and tell my story. I’m learning that I have to pass out bookmarks at gatherings, the dentist’s office and on airplanes. I’m learning that if I want anyone to read my books, I have to put them–and me–out there. I’ve blogged and hosted other authors, set my website SEOs (whaaaa?) and cultivated relationships, online and in person (often both) with other writers. This last is a satisfying by-product of the marketing that authors must do. I’ve met some of the most fascinating people who will stay in my life forever. Right, Pete and Nancy?

So this branch of advertising is new to me. I’ve spent a few dollars here and therewith little return. I don’t know if the big bucks I spent here will sell books but there’s only one way to find out.

It’s taken months–figuring out how to finance the ad, creating it–with the able hand of Michelle Wing (wingpoet@gmail.com-if you need an ad, cover, postcards or bookmarks, Michelle is your woman!), I finally scheduled a month’s run–the October issue. Here’s what it looks like.