Posts Tagged book publicity
A Photo Shoot!
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Lifestyle, Non-writing, Promotion on January 27, 2026
Apologies for the number of images of me in this post. Here’s the explanation:
For the last four years I’ve been using the same old headshot for my author publicity and social media. It was taken by my husband and it took ages to get something that was just about acceptable in terms of lighting and my facial expression. Since then I may have grown the odd wrinkle or two, but I’ve delayed getting an updated image because of the aggro involved. However, I came across Najm Clayton, a local photographer with very reasonable charges, so I bit the bullet and asked him to take some photos.
I wasn’t looking forward to the experience. On top of deciding what to wear (plus which additional tops to take with me for a quick change into a ‘different’ look), I was worried about my abilities with makeup which I rarely use but which felt necessary on this occasion and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to produce the ‘correct’ facial expressions on demand.
I needn’t have worried. Najm, immediately put me at ease with small talk and background music. The studio location also broke the ice. It was on the first floor of the now closed Marks and Spencer store in Sutton Coldfield. The whole building has become a centre for creatives, which made it feel an appropriate place for an author! The old managers’ offices and staffroom have become artists’ workshops, a band also uses the first floor studio for gigs and the ground floor will soon open as an art gallery.
Najm did test shots to check the lighting and then he guided me through turning my head, adjusting the angle of my hips, raising my chin slightly but not too much and going for a neutral expression but not too passport-like. He spotted any closed eyes immediately and took another shot. Partway through he took a couple of steps up a ladder to get a downward camera angle, after which he posed my arms to give some shots a completely different look. I was sent off to swap my top in the abandoned M&S changing rooms, still complete with mirrors, and then we repeated the whole scenario. And then again with my third blouse.
Amazingly the whole thing took only thirty minutes and it gave me a taste of what it must feel like for models on a fashion shoot. Half an hour was doable but a whole day of being posed, getting changed, posed again ad infinitum must be extremely tiring!
Given the subject matter that Najm had to work with – I think he did a brilliant job!
Find out more about Najm Clayton via his website.
Speaking About Writing
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Events, Promotion on October 26, 2018
Over the past month I’ve done a few speaking engagements. Audiences have included a reading group, a writing group and a couple of social groups for the over fifties. 
I’ve noted down a few of the things I’ve learned along the way:
- If using a microphone hold it close to the lips. If you move your head, move the microphone as well – otherwise your voice will fade out!
- If you open the floor to questions at the end and none is immediately forthcoming, jump in with, ‘One question I’m often asked is …..’ and then you can talk about whatever you want.
- Forty-five minutes is a long time to talk and a long time to listen. Maintain attention and renew your speaking energy by breaking the speech into modules or topics. Every time you change module you’ll get a new burst of enthusiasm and the slight change of subject will keep the interest of the audience.
- If you pose a question or ask for a show of hands, be prepared in case you don’t get the response you’d hoped for. A quick quip up your sleeve can be useful in this situation.
- Keep readings from your work short.
- Use as few notes as possible.
- Project your enthusiasm.
- Remember the audience is on your side. They want to enjoy your talk.
- Enjoy it!
The picture was taken at Tamworth Writers’ Group by the lovely Debbie Murphy of Missfit Creations.
How to Sell Books?
Posted by Sally Jenkins in Promotion on March 13, 2018
It’s about six weeks since The Promise was published and I’ve tried not to flood this blog with constant references to it. However, today is my birthday and so I’m going to indulge. Here is a look back at what publicity the book has received in its ‘honeymoon’ post-publication phase (on a less self-centred note, I hope there might be some ideas here that you can use for your own books).
Speaking at Boldmere Library
Author Events
So far I’ve done three author talks for The Promise, one at a library and two at community groups. A bonus from the library talk was the sale of two books to the library and the satisfaction of seeing them borrowed whilst my talk was still taking place.
I have another three talks lined up for April and May. The title of my talk is ‘How to Make Money Out of Murder’ and it covers writing a novel, readings from The Promise – and the best tools to use when committing a murder. The flushed cheeks in the photo show that I still get a bit nervous when speaking but hopefully it doesn’t show too much!
Print Media
I find this the hardest way to generate publicity, however the Warner Times (posted to all guests of the Warner Hotel Group) interviewed me and I was thrilled when below the interview, in their ‘Armchair Thrillers’ recommendations, The Promise was placed next to Cover Her Face by P.D. James. Not sure that will happen again!
The lovely Margaret James also gave The Promise a much appreciated and well-timed mention when she asked my views on grip lit for her column in the March issue of Writing Magazine.
Retail Outlets
The Promise is available via bookshops but it was particularly pleasing to see a display of all three of my paperbacks in the window of my local WH Smith Local.
Internet Publicity
Lots of lovely bloggers supported me during the first couple of weeks publication.
In week 1: Helen Yendall and Julia Thorley published guest posts, as did the online magazine Female First. Anne Harvey and Janette Davies interviewed me with lots of interesting (and sometimes difficult!) questions. Lou’s Book Blog did a spotlight post.
In week 2: I went on a 21 stop blog tour with Rachel’s Random Resources. This threw up some lovely reviews and the full tour list is on Rachel’s website.
“Sally Jenkins has woven a dark tale of murder, blackmail and retribution. As the plot thickens it’s hard to imagine where it will all end for the characters caught up in a web of intrigue and deceit.” – Amazon reviewer.
I’m very grateful to all the people and organisations mentioned above (if I’ve missed someone out, please let me know!) for the interest they’ve shown in my writing and their willingness to help. The Promise is also available in e-book format and from a range of online retailers such as Amazon and Waterstones.
Sally Jenkins 