Writers Who Kill

If You Want Something, Make the Request Easy

By Heather Weidner

Remember the Staples’ commercials with the big red Easy Button? One quick push fixed just about everything. Making things easy is a good strategy for writers, too. People are bombarded with all kinds of communications and requests, and life is crazy. If you want someone to help you with a writing or marketing task, make it as effortless as possible for them. Here are some ideas that can help you with your request.

Time - Give the person as much lead time as possible. I had a publisher once who sent out book blurb requests with a two-week deadline. It didn’t give people enough time to read the book.

Blurbs - If you’re asking for a marketing quote, send the person a synopsis of your book and your biography along with the ARC (Advance Reader Copy). If you have paper and electronic ARCs, it’s also nice to ask which version they prefer. 

References - When you ask for a reference or a nomination, offer to send them your short biography and other pertinent information.

Interviews and Guest Posts – When you approach bloggers, bookstagrammers, Facebook group administrators, and podcasters for a guest interview or promotion spot, remember that most are volunteers who often do this work in their spare time. Make sure to give them as much advance notice as possible. A lot of these folks book their calendars months in advance. 

Pay it Forward - Be willing to help others. Volunteer to assist when you can. 

Give Them an Off Ramp - Give the person an opportunity to decline. Everyone is busy, and your timing may not be right. When you call or write your introductory email request, acknowledge that they are busy, and you understand if they are unable to help right now.

Find Your Team – Seek out those special people who support you, celebrate with you, and pick you up when you’re down. Their advice and support are invaluable. 

Writing is predominantly a solo adventure, and I am so honored to be a part of the mystery community that is so generous and willing to support authors at all levels of their writing journey. 

Through the years, Heather Weidner has been a cop’s kid, technical writer, editor, college professor, software tester, and IT manager. She writes the Pearly Girls Mysteries, the Delanie Fitzgerald Mysteries, The Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries, and The Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mysteries.

Originally from Virginia Beach, Heather has been a mystery fan since Scooby-Doo and Nancy Drew. She lives in Central Virginia with her husband and a pair of Jack Russell terriers.