Help please! Advice on marketing an "edgy" book.

Hello Everyone!

I really need some advice on marketing my first published novel. It's contemporary female fiction, about a woman's journey from semi-social, wall flower, to self-pleasure cult hero. The theme is about going after dreams, living life without limits, and accepting people for who they are. It challenges, racial, social, and sexual sterotypes with humor, and sensitivity. The story is a first person account of a cheesecake addicted, socially inept, bookkeeper, who discovers the big "O", at age 33, and becomes obsessed with pleasuring herself. Masturbation leads her on unexpected journey of self-discovery that changes her life, and the lives of others she encounters. It's inspirational, and fun, with a syrupy sweet ending. I've been getting some great feedback from those who've dared to get over the title to read it. And therein lies my issue - the title, which is, "Confessions of a Serial Masturbator". The title completely fits the story, however, it lends itself to being prejudged as erotica, which it's not. Short of changing the title, how do I get this to the contemporary female fiction audience? How do I get book signings with this title? I'm writing a follow up, but I'm also working on some other novels with tamer titles. When they're completed, should I push those more, and then let the audience find "Confessions..." on their own? Any comments/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Regina Y. Swint on July 29, 2012 at 1:00pm

Great! Just sent you a quick message. :)

Permalink Reply by Sarah Paul on June 25, 2012 at 12:43am

Hi Kitty, I will add my small opinion on your title. Can't offer any experience as a marketer, but as a reader and publisher, I suggest that you GO WITH the shocking title "Confessions of a Serial Masturbator." And I suggest you push this book! Put it in front! When I read your message above, the title hit me very positively as interesting, sophisticated, and funny! I would take a second look at that book when browsing, and so would many others. Don't worry about it being misleading or putting people off. You are passing up a dynamite built-in self-promoting tool if you let this book take a back seat. Don't be scared of it! And do not underestimate the public. Exaggerated and attention-grabbing titles like this are common these days and everybody knows they have a slightly self-ironic tone. Nobody takes it literally. People are not that stupid. Do not underestimate your readers. Never underestimate the reader. Do not insult your public. You are going for an intelligent audience not afraid of sex. My advice: be bold! As for how you get book signings with it...I dunno, but I would guess that you can let the title pull people in by itself. It's an attention grabber! Don't give a bold book such a bold title and then second guess it. Perhaps the thought of actually going in front of audience with this title (and this subject) has given you cold feet, made you lose your confidence for a moment. I can relate to this concerning my published channeling and my true story of having telepathic sex with a disembodied channeled personality! I can get insecure about putting this before the public. But it is the most appealing, attention-drawing element in my book. I must not shirk from it. I must showcase it. I see that right now, writing you this message. And you must too. Get your confidence back! And thanks for putting this important issue before us so I can deal with my own fears, shyness, and insecurity. That's all it is. I am really looking forward to reading your book. I love bold books that tell the truth and refuse to be put in the closet. S

Permalink Reply by Janet McAdams on June 25, 2012 at 7:23am

I agree. I love the title & it leads me to expect a funny, wry book, not a pornographic one (and probably not even an erotic one).

Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on June 25, 2012 at 3:22pm

Thank you Janet! Though, it does have it's moments:) What's your genre?

Permalink Reply by Janet McAdams on June 29, 2012 at 11:22am

Hi Kitty, I'm a poet who just published her first novel.

Permalink Reply by Catrina Barton on June 29, 2012 at 7:31pm

Hi Janet. Awesome! Congrats! :)

Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on July 3, 2012 at 6:15pm

Congratulations Janet! I'm a poet too. I weaved some into my novel. Just enough to let it be known that you're dealing with a poet:) I'm going to write another novel that's infused w/poetry. What's the name of your book?

Permalink Reply by Janet McAdams on July 3, 2012 at 6:34pm

It's called Red Weather (after the Stevens poem)

Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on July 4, 2012 at 4:13am

Love the cover:) What's it about?

Permalink Reply by Janet McAdams on July 4, 2012 at 1:37pm

I didn't realize the cover image would be so huge. I'm still figuring out about jpg sizing.

When Neva Greene finds a clue to her missing parents' whereabouts, she follows their trail to war-torn Coatepeque, where she meets a man whose tenderness belies his shadowy politcal connections. Here's a review with a little more detail (and thanks for asking!):

http://www.chapter16.org/content/red-weather-janet-mcadams%E2%80%99...

Permalink Reply by Kitty K. Free on August 5, 2012 at 8:27pm

I'm just now seeing this! I just read the link. This book sounds awesome!

Permalink Reply by Catrina Barton on June 25, 2012 at 8:09am

Agreed.