Book Publicity Agency Literally PR to Showcase an Eclectic & Exciting Range of Literary Talent at the London Book Fair (14 - 16 April 2015, Stand 4A13)

--Including a before, during and after top tips guide for authors visiting the London Book Fair--

Unveiling new authors, representing publishers and published, successful writers from around the world, and launching The Author School - Literally PR is gearing up for another busy and fun exhibition!

Literally PR will once again be exhibiting at the London Book Fair, but as always, will aim to provide something refreshingly different and helpful for the thousands of visitors over the three days. As well as showcasing a wide range of books, published and self-published, written by current and former clients, Literally PR will be on hand to discuss publicity ideas and provide free advice to authors. The British book agency will also offer a 10% discount to all new clients who sign up to a publicity package during the London Book Fair. Although Director Helen Lewis has meetings booked throughout the Fair, there will be a member of the Literally team on the stand at all times, ready and willing to help however we can. If you'd like to book a meeting please contactinfo@literallypr.comor just pop by!

What's on the agenda?

Tuesday 14^thApril 2015

1. Meet A. Bello and Helen Lewis, co-founders of The Author School, and reserve your place (out of just 25). Tickets will officially go on sale on 13^thand there will be a 10% discount offered during London Book Fair week for the first class (to be held in London on 6^thJune 2015).

2. Join us for drinks from 5:00 - 6:30pm to celebrate the end of a successful first day at the London Book Fair. We'll be offering free publicity advice to authors too!

Wednesday 15^thApril 2015

Literally PR will be joined byKaren Frances, gifted author ofHe's Captured My Heart, which is regularly in the top 10 Amazon charts, and has sold thousands of copies in its first few months of (self) publication. Karen will be available to discuss options for her second book, which is currently being copy-edited, and offer advice to other authors.

Thursday 16^thApril 2015

Literally PR will be joined by Lee Brown, enigmatic author of A Very British Afterlife, which captured media attention for its humorous take on the afterlife. An original blend of comedian and author, Lee is currently writing his second book. He'll be able to provide refreshingly honest advice to other authors, and will be speaking with publishers and literary agents following the success of his first book.

Notes to Editors

To arrange a meeting during the London Book Fair please contactinfo@literallypr.com.

For more information about Literally PR's clients, services and costs please visitwww.literallypr.com.

To register your interest in The Author School ahead of ticket sales (13^thApril) please go towww.theauthorschool.com.

Talent Showcase

You're welcome to visit us on stand 4A13 to pick up more information about any of the talented authors we're going to be showcasing on the Literally PR stand including:

Sad Dadby Olivia Spencer (published by Free Association Books)

Control the Controllerby Ciaran O'Connor (published by Free Association Books)

Dear Infidelby Tamim Sadikali (SP)

Sarah in the City of Moonby Fida and Dalia Qutob (SP)

Heart of Relatingby Carmella B'Hahn (SP)

A Fickle Windby Elizabeth Bourne (published by Delancey Press)

A Woman Named Coralby Jane Huxley (published by Delancey Press)

Dogwoodby Lindsay Parnell (published by Linen Press)

Run Alice Runby Lynn Michell (published by IQ)

Makkah to Madinah: A Photographic Journey of the Hijrah Route by Dr. Abdullah Alkadi (SP)

Flight of the Kingfisherby J Merrill Forrest (SP)

No Rest For The Wickedby Wolfe Cotto (SP)

The Seasonsby Sonja Lewis (SP)

Just Two Weeksby Amanda Sington-Williams (Completely Novel)

Literally London Book Fair - tips for authors!

Here are some tips written by Sam (samuelbatt@literallypr.com) and Helen (helenlewis@literallypr.com) at Literally PR for all authors planning to visit the London Book Fair next week (feel free to publish/reproduce):

Before

Preparation is key to making sure you have a successful time at the LBF.

• London Book Fair presents a huge range of networking opportunities so the most important thing is to make sure you have the ability to seize all of these opportunities. This means making sure you have a load of business cards ready. Last year when I went as a ‘floater' I gave out about 100 over two days.

• You also need a detailed handout to give out as a way of passing information to more interested parties who might not have the time to stop and chat (as well as those who do). An advance information sheet (AI) is a good idea if you have one. Other authors bring along flyers, bookmarks, etc.

• Each meeting will be slightly different and there isn't a lot of ‘general' preparation you can do, however, it would be wise to prepare a short and simple pitch of you and your book that you're able to say when required. This will probably come as second nature but is something that can often slow people down, especially if they're not particularly comfortable talking about themselves.

• Spend time thinking about what you've achieved so far in your career as an author, and what you want to achieve in the next six months, year, and three years. It is important to consider who your readers are, who you'd like to speak to at the exhibition, whether you'd like to boost distribution, get connected with other authors, meet sales people, track down opportunities internationally. Be clear about what your current rights are in terms of who owns your book(s) and what you're prepared to ‘give away' if you do end up signing with any publishers or agents etc.

• Book meetings!!! Go through the exhibitor list by genre/category and keep a list as you go (a notepad and pen will suffice here!) as some are included in more than one category. Then email people and if you're very keen follow up with a phone call.

• Consider how many books you'll bring with you and be prepared to ‘give away'. Also plan how you'll carry them to and from the fair! There are lockers available.

• If you've already self-published/published and are looking for help/representation for book two, please bring with you a ‘shout sheet' as we call them packed with stats on how many books you've sold, your social media following, what you've achieved in terms of publicity etc. You need to put forward a strong business case!

During

• Make sure you have a supply of whatever creature comforts you need through the day because once you're in it is very easy to swept up in the sheer size of the place and the day can go by before you get a chance to have a proper break!

• It can feel quite repetitive throughout the day, as you will often be saying the same things to different people. This is unavoidable but try to come up with some strategies to make sure this doesn't affect the way you talk to people throughout the day. Keep it bright, positive and cheerful! As an author, you know your goals (be it a research trip to find out how the industry works, to trying to secure a publisher/agent), so keep your goal in mind, and remember you are selling yourself as a ‘personality' as much as your book.

• Don't hand out flyers as you walk around as there's a fee for this of around £500 (well, there was two years ago anyway)!!! But you can, of course, hand them out to people as you talk etc, just don't leave piles of them on tables etc.

After

• Getting back to people you talk to after the fair is essential but be mindful of how busy they are going to be. Try a staged approach by emailing the week after the fair finishes (contacting whilst it's still going on won't really do much) then try calling a bit later if needed. Many people spend the day after the fair relaxing/away from work!

• Make sure you add all the contacts you get somewhere accessible, ideally creating an address book, whether online or with a good old fashioned pen and paper. They will be the most useful resource you get from your time there. Take a plastic wallet or small bag to drop business cards in and keep them all in one place.

--Ends--