Note: the below pocket guide is a template you can personalize with a greeting, your name, the name and publisher of your book, and any other info you wish to include.
To personalize the file, please copy the template below and save it to your computer or a Google doc.
Once you have the promo guide in a Word or Google doc, you can style or personalize it any way you like to send as an email, share as a post on social media, or print and give to friends and family as you need!
*If you have any trouble copying and pasting the below sheet into a Word doc on your computer or a Google doc, please reach out to contact@onelitplace.com, and we’ll be very happy to help!
Dear [FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER],
As you may or may not know, I’ve written a book called [TITLE] by [PUBLISHER]. I’m very excited to get this book out into the world, and I would like to ask you, as someone in my inner circle, if you would be willing to help.
Below you will see a list of possible efforts that you can make to support the book. They range from taking a moment to click a few online links to larger-scale initiatives, but any and all of them are extremely helpful!
[Author note: Optional further personalization]
*You will need to create an account with Goodreads, but it takes only a moment, and then, once you’ve created it, you can leave reviews for other authors and even connect with other readers if you like!
Tips on How to Leave a Review
To help you write your review, this article provides a breakdown on the anatomy of a good review with examples.
Your local bookstore:
Online wish list:
*You are not obliged to buy any of the items you put onto your wish list.
On Amazon.com (US):
On Amazon.ca (Canada):
On Indigo.ca (Canada):
On Barnes and Noble (U.S.)
On Amazon.uk (UK)
Your library
This is the same as with the book store; you can call or go in person to request the book. If you do it online in your library’s app (for example, Overdrive), and the book is not available, find the link to request that the book be purchased by the library.
[Author note: Optional:] I’ve created a secret friends/family page on my website [LINK] where you can find details about the book including graphics, blurbs you’ll find on the book jacket, tweets and social media posts, and other content that will make it easy for you to share posts about the book on any social media.
[Author note: If you do not have a website and cannot provide the above-mentioned secret page, consider offering pre-made posts and tweets, images sized for Facebook and Instagram, and pre-made graphic design quotes from the book as digital attachments to include with this letter that your friends and family can use on their social media feeds.]
I will be happy to virtually visit your book club to talk about the book, answer questions, and generally engage with your group about any aspect of the writing or the process of writing the book.
[Author note: Add whether you will be willing/able to sell copies at a discounted rate to the book club members].
Thank you!
[Author sign off/signature]
Author, if you come across any other valuable grassroots marketing techniques you pass along to your friends and family that you’d like to share with us, we’re always looking for further ways to support our writing community!
Please fill out the contact below form, and we’ll be very glad to update our letter or reach out to you for further conversation about your writing any time.
