One of the biggest lessons you can learn when you start to really look at marketing your books is about creating anticipation.

Think of the last big movie you were looking forward to.

You might have heard about it when the film rights were first acquired, that’s common for best-selling books. The announcement of a movie based on the Harry Potter books, or a popular novel like The Fault in Our Starsmakes big news.

Later you’ll hear about who has been cast to play leading roles.

There are occasional updates during shooting, particularly if there are cost overruns, accidents, delays, or celebrity spats on set.

Eventually stars will start to show up on television talk shows, and of course everyone knows that means the opening of the new film is within the week. Time to get excited and book your tickets or make arrangements with friends to go to the show!

No matter where you first encounter this long train of attention-building promotions, you will be drawn into the story around the movie from lots of different angles.

And every one helps to build anticipation for the eventual release.

How About Books?