Book Promotion 101: What doesn't work

The book trailer to end all book trailers (for me, at least). Like many authors, I struggle with book promotion. Here are some things that don't work (along with a squirrel who sees his life pass before his eyes).

To learn more about The Secret to Lying, or to get me to visit your school, go to: www.ToddMitchellBooks.com.

The Secret to Lying (Candlewick Press, 2010, ages 14 & up) —A teenage coming of age story that's part psychological thriller, part romance, with pranks, demons, and pancake enchiladas.

"Engrossing and entertaining... Mitchell paints a vivid picture of teenage social and mental health issues, neither overdramatizing nor understating their impact, and the result is a great read." —Publisher's Weekly

"The Secret To Lying masterfully delves into one teen's struggle to be noticed. Bold writing [,,,] coupled with an endearing plot that very cleverly manipulates the lines between dreaming and awake, fiction and reality, create a perfect novel for an emotional ride the reader is guaranteed to remain on until the ending." —A Good Addiction Book Reviews

"Tactical strikes of humor and perceptive insights [...] keep this investigation of teen identity issues aloft, and the unusual focus on a male cutter helps set it apart." —Booklist

"James's character is compelling as he straddles the line between fantasy and reality, builds friendships, pulls off outrageous pranks, and deals with the angst of first love. He and his friends are real teens--funny, intelligent, and still a bit vulnerable. Sensitive readers will make an emotional connection with James and root for him to overcome his demons, both real and imagined. Teens will also relate to the poignant IMs between him and the enigmatic persona of ghost44 ... This coming-of-age novel is imbued with wry humor and offers a thoughtful take on the importance of learning to live in your own skin." —School Library Journal

"The author's voice captures the reader's attention immediately and the plot sucks you in even more. All in all, it was a one-of-a-kind book. Even after you finish it, you want to linger on the ending and think about the characters." —Flamingnet reviews

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Boarding School
• books
• teen books
• ya books
• teens
• demons
• pranks
• secrets
• lying
• Secret to Lying
• cutting
• anorexia
• humor

[xhunterforest]

i will see about reading the book it seems like it should be good. was their going to be another part to the traitor king? i will share the word around about your book too.

[LindsayBuroker]

Well, at least you had a good time with it... :D

[lauraresau]

Hilarious! The squirrel footage is what convinced me to run out and buy the book...