[Left photo, l to r]: McMoon, Melissa Barlow, Brandon Fox, Bruce Whited & Tom Wright. [Right photo]: On the set of Lives.
With online sites, brick-and-mortar stores, and e-books, it's not easy for a new author to get the attention of readers.
Local writer JJ McMoon is taking a unique approach to promoting his new novel, Lives. "At one time I sold expensive mattresses, so I figured I could sell a book, especially my book," he says. The character-driven story examines the lives of eight people and takes place ten years after they have finished high school. And while McMoon brought his characters to life on the page, he's taking it a few steps further in the name of promotion.
Every Tuesday evening, a handful of volunteer actors and technical crew meet at McMoon's West End home to have a production meeting. "I did an independent movie years ago, so I used that experience."
The focus of those meetings is to create a series of short films the author is producing to generate interest in the book. Several local actors have already appeared in a handful of short films highlighting characters and situations in the book.
Aside from the movies, what how else is he promoting his book? "I have a Facebook fan page (where you can see the short films), three websites, two blogs, and a zillion bookmarks that I will send to anyone in the world who requests them, for free. I set up affiliate sites and networking and cross-promotion whenever the opportunity arises. I do every radio and web interview that I can, and I speak at high schools and colleges."
