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Wolf Bahren: On Publishing & Marketing My Books — What I Wish I Knew

A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, PR Director, Elaine’s Literary Salon — As the founder of InkandescentPR.com, I am on a mission to shine a spotlight on the amazing work by our clients.

This month: We invited author Wolf Bahren to share tips on what she wishes she’d known when she started out. A lover of spy stories since childhood, Wolf published her first novel, Agents of Suzharia, in 2016, followed by Source of Deceit in 2020. Her fiction blends espionage, political, international, and journalistic thriller genres.

“The Seccessionist’ s Wife,” by Wolf Bahren

Here are 3 tips from Wolf for our Writers’ Club: On Publishing & Marketing My Books — What I Wish I Knew

Work with IngramSpark or a hybrid publisher that sets up distribution through Ingram. This will facilitate sales of your book at local independent bookshops, because many won’t carry books from independent authors who use Amazon or its subsidiaries (such as KDP) during publication. You can still be listed on Amazon, but your publisher will be separate.
If your book doesn’t fit neatly into a particular category, say you wrote a “crossover” or a “genre-buster,” tell potential buyers about the genres/subgenres you encompass. Increasingly, readers are embracing novels that defy traditional categorization. By giving readers a heads-up, you’ll attract a more diverse crowd and keep purists from being disappointed.
It may seem impossible to know how to please an algorithm to boost interest and sales, but one thing is easy: The apps/platforms themselves provide tips and updates. Instagram, for example, shares what’s new in the “highlights.” It’s a great place to start. Hashtags are out. Reels are in.

Learn more about Wolf and her books: WolfBahren.com

Remember, PR is the juicy stuff! Share it. Embrace it. Enjoy the ride! And always: BeInkandescent! — Hope