Class of 2k8: Class Notes

Hey, we may not be Oscar-worthy, but we still have some great news for you.

T.I.Ps (Totally Important Posts) for this week include:

The Spring 2008 Book Sense Children’s Pick list is out and members' books are on it! Click on the link and scroll down to read about The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher and The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman.

And if you'd like some super-secret info about Liz (like why she's cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs), check out PowellsBooks.Kids.

We'd like to say THANKS to Jan Fields, editor of the Institute of Children's Literature ezine, for saying such nice things about our blog. Email Jan if you're interested in receiving this informative weekly ezine: jan.fields@forums.institutechildrenslit.com.

So, what's in store for this last week in February?

We're talking business, bucks, and brotherly love. (Maybe that should be sisterly love, since all class members are women?) Two words:

GROUP MARKETING

First up, a bit of background:

Sure, we’re all debut middle-grade and young adult novelists, but are we marketing gurus? NOT REALLY! Within our group, we have members who have various strengths. Some have honed marketing skills as authors, radio commentators, and professional speakers. Others are computer whizzes, graphic designers, and supreme, out-of-the box thinkers and organizers. Many have a knack for writing content, creating contests, or developing public relations, advertising campaigns, and networking possibilities. A majority of the class is still learning about marketing “on the fly.” And sometimes, it’s these members that are most appreciated for they glue the group together with a volunteer spirit, kind words, and humor.

So, what's the point? In the tightly budgeted publishing world where less and less time and money is spent on individuals, especially new authors, we hope that our cross-publisher, cooperative effort helps us to get the word out. Group marketing works—we’ve learned that much from The Class of 2k7—and even though we’re only in Month Two of 2k8, we’d like to share with you what we’ve learned so far.

Tune in tomorrow…