Marketing a Book That’s Already Published: What I’m Doing Now
- Lynda DuBois
- 18 hours ago
- 6 min read
Lately, I’ve been setting aside dedicated time each week—Mondays and Fridays—to focus on marketing. Not in a rushed or overwhelming way, but in small, steady steps. Today, I wanted to share what that looks like for me.
Understanding Your Audience and Setting Goals
One of the first things I return to—again and again—is this question: who is this book really for?
Not in a broad sense, but in a quiet, specific way. The reader who lingers over atmosphere. The one who appreciates tension that builds slowly. The one who is drawn to character as much as plot.
For Wolf Coat, that matters. It isn’t a fast, action-driven story. It asks the reader to sit with uncertainty, to notice what isn’t always said. And so my marketing has to reflect that. Not everything needs to reach everyone—just the right readers.
Once I have that in mind, I think about what I’m actually working toward.
Some days, the goal is simple—share a post, write a few lines, stay visible. Other times, it’s more specific: gathering reviews, refining ad copy, or reaching new readers through many social platforms.
I’ve found that setting smaller, manageable goals makes the process feel less overwhelming. It turns marketing into something steady, rather than something urgent.
And over time, those small, consistent efforts begin to build something larger—connection, visibility, and a quiet momentum that grows with each step.
Building Your Author Platform
Set clear goals for your marketing. Do you want to sell a certain number of copies? Build a mailing list? Get reviews? Having goals keeps your work focused and helps you measure success.
On my marketing days, I keep things simple and focused. I might:
– Work on a new blog post like this one
– Create a short reel or post for Wolf Coat
– Review ad copy or test a new hook
– Reach out to readers or respond to messages
Not everything needs to happen at once. What matters most is showing up consistently.
Creating a Compelling Book Launch Plan
There’s a lot of focus on the launch itself—and for good reason. It’s the moment when your book first steps into the world. But what I’ve come to understand is that a launch isn’t just a single day or week. It’s a beginning.
When I launched Wolf Coat on Instagram, the post reached over 4,500 views. It was exciting to see that kind of response—but more than anything, it reminded me that readers are out there. They’re watching, scrolling, discovering.
And yet, what stayed with me most wasn’t just the number. It was what came after.
For Wolf Coat, the “launch” has stretched beyond that initial moment. It’s become a series of smaller, intentional efforts—each one building on the last.
If you’re planning a launch, it helps to think ahead. Set a date, yes, but also give yourself space to prepare. That might mean reaching out to early readers, gathering a few thoughtful reviews, or simply making sure your book page and author platforms are ready.
But just as important is what happens after the launch.
The days and weeks that follow are where momentum either fades or grows. I’ve found that returning to the work—sharing posts, writing blog entries, connecting with readers—keeps the book present in a very real way.
A launch doesn’t have to be loud to be effective. It can be steady. Thoughtful. Built over time.
And in many ways, that kind of launch lasts longer—and reaches further—than a single burst of attention ever could.
Leveraging Online Platforms and Communities
Online platforms can help you find readers who love your kind of story. Goodreads, for example, is a community of book lovers where you can create an author profile, join groups, and participate in discussions.
Amazon’s Author Central lets you manage your book’s page, add a bio, and track sales. It’s worth setting up to make your book look professional. Check out my page here.
Joining writing and reading groups locally or on Facebook or Reddit can also help. Be active and helpful rather than just promoting your book. Building trust takes time but pays off.
Some of the Local ones I am involved with:
Inspired Writers Group
Facebook:
Using Book Promotion Services Wisely
There are many book promotion services that can help you reach more readers. Some offer email blasts, discounted book days, or featured spots on websites.
One service I recommend is BookBub. It has a large audience of readers looking for deals and new books. Getting a featured deal on BookBub can boost sales significantly. You can find out more about their service here.
Keep in mind that promotions work best when your book already has good reviews and a polished presentation. Use them as part of a broader marketing plan, not the only tool.
Gathering and Using Reviews
Reviews, over time, become a kind of quiet conversation between the book and its readers.
They offer something numbers can’t—an honest reflection of how the story was received, what stayed with someone, what lingered after the final page.
With Wolf Coat, I’ve begun to see those responses come in, and each one feels meaningful in its own way. Not just as support for the book, but as confirmation that it’s reaching the right readers.
If you’re building reviews, it helps to approach it simply and respectfully. Early readers, fellow writers, even those who’ve followed your work—many are willing to share their thoughts if asked. I’ve found that a kind, personal request goes much further than anything formal.
Over time, those reviews begin to shape how your book is seen. A short line, a thoughtful comment—they can offer a new reader just enough to take a closer look.
I’ll often share a few of these reflections in posts or on my website, not to promote heavily, but to let the reader’s experience speak for itself.
And in many ways, that’s what reviews do best—they carry the story forward, in someone else’s voice.
Along the way, I’ve begun to gather early responses from readers—small reflections that stay with me long after I’ve read them.
“Captivating and hauntingly beautiful… deeply reflective.”
“Held me spellbound from start to finish.”
“Rich in character and impossible to put down.”
Staying Consistent and Patient
This is the part I’m still learning.
Marketing a book doesn’t move quickly. It unfolds over time—often more slowly than we expect. There are days when it feels quiet, when the work you’re doing isn’t immediately visible.
That’s where consistency begins to matter.
For me, that has meant returning to it each week—setting aside time, even when I’m not sure what the result will be. A post, a blog entry, a small adjustment to an ad. None of it feels large on its own, but together, it begins to build something.
Along the way, I’ve also had the support of a thoughtful marketing team at Thoughts in Form, who helped shape many of my early posts and videos. They offered structure when I needed it most—outlines, content ideas, and practical ways to approach the work. More importantly, they showed me how to continue it on my own, in a way that feels manageable and sustainable.
I’ve also started paying attention to what resonates. Which posts are seen. Which ones are saved. Where readers pause, or respond. Not in a rigid way—but enough to understand what’s reaching people.
There have been small moments along the way—a post gaining traction, a thoughtful review, a message from a reader. I’ve learned to hold onto those. They matter.
More than anything, this part requires patience.
Not the kind that waits, but the kind that continues—quietly, steadily—trusting that the work is finding its way.
Final Thoughts on Sharing Your Story
Getting your book out into the world takes effort—more than we often expect. And yet, there’s something deeply rewarding in that process. Not just in the reach, but in the quiet moments when the story begins to find its way to the right reader.
For me, it has come back to a few simple things: understanding who the story is meant for, showing up consistently, and allowing the process to unfold over time.
There isn’t one right way to do this. Every author’s path looks different.
What I’ve found is that it’s less about doing everything, and more about returning to the work—sharing it, shaping it, and trusting that it will reach those it’s meant to reach.
And in the end, that’s what stays with me.
Not the numbers. Not the metrics.
But the simple, lasting truth that the story is no longer mine alone.
If you’re navigating this process yourself and have questions, I’m always open to connecting. You’re welcome to reach out.
Warmly,
Lynda
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