BookSparks Case Files:

Barbara McDonald

This edition of BookSparks Case Files is dedicated to author Barbara McDonald and her novel Slipsliding by the Bay.

Campaign Goal

Debut author Barbara McDonald, chose BookSparks to help generate awareness for the release of her debut novel, Slipsliding by the Bay (She Writes Press, 2017). Her goals included securing local media coverage in San Francisco and a launch event at Book Passage. She came to BookSparks with a list of local San Francisco media outlets she’d love to receive coverage in and selected a 60-hour campaign with BookSparks that included:

  • Save the Date postcard mailing
  • Galley mailing
  • Media relations including national and local media pitching and trade submissions
  • Content strategy pitching author content and book features
  • Pop-up blog tour
  • NetGalley management
  • Goodreads giveaway
  • Event pitching and graphic/media support

Dream Media

In addition to national outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post and Vanity Fair, Barbara was extremely interested in reaching her local media outlets throughout the Bay Area, including:
San Francisco Chronicle – placement secured
Mercury News (Contra Costa Times/East Bay Times) – secured “Books by the Bay” feature (Audience reach: 277k+)
Michael Krasny Radio
Sacramento Bee – placement secured
Marin Independent Journal – featured an interview with Barbara:  “Mill Valley author takes us back to 1970s” (Audience reach: 27k+)
Hoodlines (SF neighborhood blog)
Outside Lands (SF neighborhood blog)
KQED, TV and Radio, KALW
Poets and Writers – Ad placement in July/August print issue (Readership: 100k+)
The Huffington Post
Marin Magazine – event listing Barbara was included in the Lone Mountain College alumni newsletter for July (Audience reach: 36k+)
San Francisco Foghorn (USF Student publication)
Carolineleavittville.blogspot.com
AARP

Additional Top Media Hits 

  • Buzzfeed (17 million+ UVPM) included Slipsliding by the Bay in an “8 Books to Add to Your Shelf This July” roundup
  • Culturalist (43k+ UVPM) featured Slipsliding by the Bay in a “Top 10 Literary Summer Reads” list
  • Independent Publisher (42k+ UVPM) included Slipsliding by the Bay as a “Notable July Indie Book Release”
  • Booklist (Audience reach: 24k+) reviewed Slipsliding by the Bay
  • High volume local media coverage throughout San Francisco including:
    • Bohemian.com (40k+ UVPM) event listing
    • Sacramento Bee (Audience reach: 132k+) event listing
    • SFGate (23 million + UVPM) event listing
    • San Francisco Chronicle (Audience reach: 163k) event listing
    • Pacific Sun (Audience reach: 22k+) event listing
    • Marin Magazine (Audience reach: 36k+) event listing Barbara was included in the Lone Mountain College alumni newsletter for July

Biggest Campaign Challenge

Barbara was a debut author with a small overall campaign budget. With a limited amount of time to spread the word about her book, BookSparks strategically targeted specific local media outlets with a national readership such as the San Francisco Chronicle and secured and leveraged Barbara’s in-store event at Book Passage, a widely respected independent bookseller.

Biggest Campaign Win

The San Francisco community really rallied behind the release of Slipsliding by the Bay, and BookSparks secured not only feature placements but also event listings and book roundups. Barbara’s coverage was extensive for a debut novel.

Biggest Collaboration

Barbara was a huge help in driving event attendance and rallying book interest among friends and family. She was able to secure multiple local events on her own and worked closely with BookSparks to create graphics for media and social awareness of these events. Additionally, Barbara was readily available for interviews and always had her PR hat on by monitoring coverage that came through and being prompt with responses to opportunities.

Author Feedback

“I highly recommend BookSparks and thank Crystal Patriarche and Madison Rowbotham for their efforts and the resulting success of Slipsliding by the Bay: A Novel. Choosing BookSparks was a wise choice. Having interviewed several publicists, I found that BookSparks offered the best package for the best price. It secured my successful launch at Corte Madera Book Passage as well as both an interview and review in my local newspaper. Reviews were forthcoming from other newspapers, blogs and Booklist. They did an outstanding job.”