The Review Copy Helper has been updated!
I just finished my yearly update of the Review Copy Helper, a site that gives writers instructions on how to request press/review copies from more than 200 publishers. If, as you’re using it, you come across any outdated or missingĂ‚Â info, please let me know and I’ll fix it. [lf]
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May 7, 2007 Cool tools
Linda, you are truly amazing — the amount of work you do to keep other writers productive is astonishing. You get a gold star and a pan of brownies.
Elaine
I used this immediately, but I have a question. About a month ago, I requested review copies using faxed letterhead…and felt like my requests just fell into a black hole. Because of time constraints and a photo shoot, I am going to go buy the books now.
How does one follow up? When I emailed the person who had told me to fax the request, I just got: I don’t handle this.
I am not counting on getting this next one, but had to give it a try.
Barb
Thank you, Elaine!
That’s a good question, Barb. The person you e-mailed was supremely unhelpful. How hard would it have been to direct you to someone who DOES handle that, especially when you’re looking to give them great publicity? Anyway, I would call the publishing company if I didn’t hear back within a few days to a week and ask to speak to someone in media relations. I hope that helps!
The reason publishers do the whole fax thing is to weed out people just looking for free books. I usually put the publisher’s parent company (e.g. if it’s a subdivision of Randomhouse, the email will be randomhouse, not the sub division) into google along with the word “publicity” or “PR” or “press” Nine out of 10 times, I’ll get a name. Even if it’s not the right person for that book, they’ll usually forward it on.