Author Marketing Guidance

General 

As a platinum open-access publisher, the Press is not focused on sales, but it does monitor things like downloads and citation counts for the works it publishes. The Press wants its authors’ works to reach their target audiences and will work diligently to market the works it publishes. For the books the Press publishes, the marketing questionnaire all authors are asked to complete during the final manuscript submission is instrumental in this process. That said, authors of any of the Press’ items (journal articles, proceedings, etc.) are one of the most effective ways to promote the work the Press publishes. Self-promotion is vital in generating awareness of and interest in an individual’s work. The following are ways authors can help publicize their works.

Social Media

Authors should leverage their personal social media/networks, as well as the social media of the college or university for which they work (if applicable). The Press will provide authors with an image of the cover of their book or the work their article appears in for use on social media. Authors are encouraged to share the westpointpress.com link to their work when posting on social media (this link will be provided with the aforementioned image). Authors are also encouraged to tag the West Point Press (or ask their college’s or university’s communications Department to do so) in any social media posts they make about their work. The Press has a presence on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Authors should also ensure they follow the Press and share any posts the Press makes about their work.

Op-Eds, Blogs, Articles, and Podcasts

Authors should consider leveraging their expertise to write an Op-Ed, blog, or article, or to participate in a podcast. Authors can mention their work in their byline/bio and include a link to the Press site where their work resides.

The communications department at the author’s college or university may be able to give advice and help with getting the work into the hands of people who run or produce content for these different outlets.

Reviews

For books, the Press will use information authors provide in the marketing questionnaire to request specific journals or outlets publish a review of the work. While the Press will not limit its focus to these journals/outlets, authors should leverage their expertise to identify any relevant journals where their work may be featured. If authors have any personal contacts at journals they can lobby to include a review in their publication, they should do so (and include them on the marketing questionnaire). Note - reviews take time to solicit and write, and it may take journals/outlets several months to publish a review once complete.

Awards

For book authors, the marketing questionnaire asks authors to list any awards their work may be eligible for. Some awards require potential awardees to be members of an association or group to be eligible - authors should consider joining these associations or groups if applicable. Authors should coordinate closely with the Press on award nominations as some awards require authors to self-nominate, while others require the publisher to submit the nomination.