We've found local newspapers really like local stories. After we sent details around, there was one rather big regional paper that contacted us and asked if there was anyone applying from their area.

I think once we get to the stage when the books are available it will be good to have a forum with publicity ideas for people to try. For example, Barry Nugent successfully got into a number of Waterstones with his POD book, and some Waterstones have shelf space for 'local authors'. In my local one, they place these in the same section as new books by well established writers. That applies to those under distribution, but I think the web will gradually open up more opportunities and avenues for writers. Some stores are trying out the new espresso book machine, which prints books a bit like a coffee machine, just don't try to order a malted coffee from one. I can see some people finding an interesting excerpt from a book on the web and being quite willing to go to the local highstreet and print out a copy if it perked their interest enough.

It's a brilliant idea - and I love the energy with which it's expressed - and I'll throw my hat into the ring in terms of coralling and bigging up any and all YWOers based in Spain (of which there are many).

Hi Everyone. Just out of interest, are there any YWO members from North Wales? Perhaps it would be good to have a group meet up sometime. Linda

Yeah I would be. At 5'7 and 9 1/2 stone, I reckon I fit your weight restrictions.

Regards
Leigh

Anyone applying from the North East?

Linda,

I'll be up your way just after Christmas. Maybe we could cover the North Wales/Chester area? Anyone else from around there?

Lisa

I think all ideas are worth exploring. It's good to think around different types of publicity as well. For example, for The Ghost of Neil Diamond by David Milnes, with a Neil Diamond cabaret singer as one character, we suggested some Neil Diamond websites may be interested. The story found its way onto one and there was a discussion with some posting saying they'd liked opening excerpts.

As we say with POD, it is very hard to get big success with POD, harder still for the mainstream. There is also though that stories have the possibility to reach readers they may not have reached, like David's, and we think that's great for any story that does this. If this becomes multiplied by a number of books reaching readers that they may not have, all the better still. So if your book has something specific to it that may appeal on a sector of the web, consider this. Tread carefully though, as people here will know, if you are a seasoned member of a site then good news - a book's publishing - will usually be welcomed warmly. If someone just appears and appears to 'flaunt their wares' (so to speak!) the response can be less warm.

It will be useful to look at all different approaches. And perhaps, for example, a collective effort could be made on one or two titles as well to help them achieve a larger profile that may benefit other writers who have published through this. What the criteria for an idea like this would be, and how it could be achieved if possible, is up for debate.

We think lots of ideas will formulate, like with collective feedback on site some feedback may indicate some ideas are better than others, but feel free make any suggestions that come to mind. One idea may inspire another.