
It's Day 3 of Summer Book Talk, an event co-hosted by Kindle and Me, Maji Bookshelf and Books of Amber! As promised, we have a ton of fun stuff coming your way the entire week including some awesome giveaways . So make sure you check back the blog every day for the next week! If you're wondering what this event is all about, click here to see the post explaining it all!


St. Martin's Press is one of the United States' largest publishers, bringing to the public some 700 titles a year under eight imprints, which include St. Martin's Press (mainstream and bestseller books), St. Martin's Griffin (mainstream paperback books, including science fiction and romance), Minotaur (mystery, suspense, and thrillers), Picador (specialty books), Thomas Dunne Books (suspense and mainstream), and Truman Talley Books (business and speciality books). St. Martin's Press's current editor in chief is George Witte.
*Taken from Wikipedia.
Today I have the super nice Katie Bassel from St. Martin's Publishing who is the publicist for a lot of awesome authors, including Amanda Hocking! I asked Katie some questions about publishing to get some insider info on what her job actually involves and here's what she had to say...
As bloggers/readers, we only know our side of it - the part involving ARCs. Could you please tell us more about your role as a publicist and what it involves?
We spend a lot of time planning author tours, coordinating with bookstores all over the country to host signings and we do a lot of reaching out to radio and television stations to schedule interviews. We host meet and greets with the authors to allow editors and bloggers the chance to meet with them and learn more about their books. But, as you mention, sending out ARCs is a huge part of it! That’s one of the first encounter our magazine and newspaper contacts have with our books. After they’ve received them and reviewed them, we follow up to find out if they’ll be including a review.
How did you get into the publishing industry? Is it as glamorous as it seems to us bibliophiles?
Well, I didn’t follow the normal path. I worked in Corporate Sales & Marketing for the St. Louis Cardinals for four years before moving to New York and starting in the publicity department with St. Martin’s. I DO have a journalism degree though, I’m sure that helped!
What’s a typical day at work like?
A lot of what I mentioned above in question one. And, in addition to that, we also like to check our Google alerts for anything – articles/reviews – that have been written about our authors and their books.
How is it decided on how much publicity a book requires before its release? Is it sometimes the same for both published authors as well as debut authors?
As much as possible for all our authors! And, as you can imagine, a lot of it depends on the reception of the book from the media.
How is a media kit usually put together?
We usually like to include a press release for the book, a biography and picture of the author, praise for the author and high-profile reviews or interviews with the author.
How do you discover new authors?
Our editors, VP of Publicity get that fun job, meeting with agents, keeping an eye for the next great Amanda Hocking!
Tell us your top 3 favorite books.
I’m boring. I like all the bestsellers, huge fan of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the rest of the series. Into Thin Air is one of my all-time favorites. What else…Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and two classics, the Great Gatsby and Great Expectations.
Could you tell us about a few exciting upcoming titles from St. Martins?
The books I’m excited about probably differ from what your readers are excited about! But I’m about to start Savage Continent by Keith Lowe, which comes out July 3. It’s about Europe in the aftermath of WW II, a pretty undocumented period of history. It’s gotten a lot of really great early reviews and I’m excited to read about a time I don’t know much about. And I’m obviously super excited to read Where We Belong, by Emily Giffin. I saw the ARCs today and they looked so beautiful!
I think I got answers to the majority of questions that I had about publicists. Thanks so much Katie, for taking the time to answer my questions! I'm sure a lot of readers're as curious as I am.
Giveaway Terms and Conditions :
- Giveaway is International.
- Giveaway ends on August 15th, 2012.
- Winner has 36 hours to respond or a new one will be picked.

The only mermaid book I have ever read is Lies Beneath.
ReplyDeleteone favorite paranormal reads? From St Martin? DD Barant(s Series!!! i love the blodhound files series so much!! It's a great discovery, the covers are great and the story splendid
ReplyDeleteThe Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
Evermore by Alyson Noel.
ReplyDeleteI really loved Julie Kagawa's The Immortal Rules!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway, I have my fingers crossed!
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox
The Demon Trapper's Daughter by Jana Oliver! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for this giveaway! :D
Mine is Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan!
ReplyDeleteBTW Thanks for the chance to win!
The Shadows Falls series are my favourite. I can't wait for the next book.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big Jana Oliver fan. The Demon Trappers series is one of my faves
ReplyDeleteI actually read these before St. Martin picked them up and they were really good. Would love for my daughter to read them too!
ReplyDeleteI like The Immortals series! :D
ReplyDeleteTy for the giveaway
Penny Pe
My favorite paranormal story I have no clue I can't remember which st martins books I've read and what I haven't. Loved the interview though!
ReplyDelete~Paige @ Comfort Books
I've enjoyed working with St. Martin's Press so far and learning more about Katie and her job was interesting! Thanks for interviewing her. :) One of my favorite paranormals is Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake.
ReplyDeleteEverneath. :D
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the Trylle Series by Amanda Hocking.
ReplyDeleteAnna Dressed In Blood. That one was really good.
ReplyDeletePC Cast's House of Night series
ReplyDeleteMy favorite paranormal is anything from the marked series or the immortals!!
ReplyDeleteJulie Kagawa's Immortal Rules.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great giveaway!
laura thomas
Vampire Academy !
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe mortal instruments series by Cassandra Clare
ReplyDeletethank you for the giveaway (:
Vicious Deep, or the Shade trilogy:)
ReplyDelete-JennyC
Definitely the Trylle series! (rafflecopter name: Pooja)
ReplyDeleteVampire Academy :D
ReplyDeleteThere are loads but I love The Argeneau Series by Lynsay Sands
ReplyDeleteanything by Amanda Hocking she is my favorite writer and I would absolutely love to win this. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThe vampire academy series.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Immortal Rules
ReplyDeleteCharley Davidson series by Darynda Jones :)
ReplyDeleteI've read The Syndicate by Shelena Shorts which wasn't just a paranormal books but a romance book too from a male's POV!
ReplyDeleteImmortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! :)
Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones!
ReplyDeleteIts impossible to choose my favourite paranormal book as there are so many amazing ones. Amanda hocking is a brilliant author,
ReplyDeletei love vampire academy :)
ReplyDeletethx u for the giveaway...
One of my favorite paranormals is the Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder.
ReplyDeleteHey anjana! Great post! Lol havent heard of any of her favorite books, seem like they're all adult! Sounds interesting though!
ReplyDelete- Farah @MajiBookshelf
oh, and my favorite paranormal story this year is The Immortal Rules, and the second book (Torn) by Amanda hocking!
ReplyDeleteVampire Academy and the Marked Series are some of my favorite series from them! I have been wanting to read Trylle Series fir a while now. :)
ReplyDeleteI like The Secret Cirle books by L.J. Smith.
ReplyDeleteI loved the House of Night series by P.C. Cast! Thanks for sharing this info about St. Martin's Press and for this amazing giveaway - I would love to win!
ReplyDeleteSuz Reads
Great interview with St. Martins! I'm really excited for Glitch by Heather Anastasiu which St. Martins is releasing August 7th ^^
ReplyDeleteOne of my overall paranormal favorites though is The Vampire Academy & Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead.
My favorite is Shadow Falls series by C. C. Hunter.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
Artemis
The House of Night books were good :)
ReplyDeleteI can't decide between VA and Covenant...maybe after I read whole Covenant series I'll make my choice! :)
ReplyDeletei love clockwork angel. can't wait to read the next book but have to save it for some more time
ReplyDelete-wni
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
ReplyDeleteProbably The Mortal Instruments.
ReplyDeleteWake by Amanda Hocking though I haven't read it yet
ReplyDeleteOne of my overall paranormal favorites is definitely The Vampire Academy.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
ReplyDeleteThe Immortal Rules. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love Jackson Pearce's Fairytale Retellings. I'm pretty sure they count as paranormal!
ReplyDeleteUnearthly by Cynthia Hand! :)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great interview - I love being able to see more of the inside workings that go on in the publishing world.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite paranormal series right now is the Heven and Hell series by Cambria Hebert, I also love The Elemental Mysteries by Elizabeth Hunter, and I love The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (I has ghosts in it - it's paranormal!! LOL)
The wolves of mercy falls series :)
ReplyDeletexxx
The vampire academy
ReplyDeleteFrom St. Martin's, I really enjoyed the Shadow Falls series!
ReplyDeleteHush Hush series :)
ReplyDeleteUgh . . . Hard question. I'd go with Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready right now, but there's just SO SO MANY!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally love Switched by Amanda Hocking...can't wait to read the rest!! Thanks for the great interview and giveaway :D
ReplyDeleteRabiah (name on rafflecopter)
Anna dressed in blood. Thank you for the int giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteShadow Falls series by CC Hunter is fantastic, but there are so many more titles I have on my wish list :)
ReplyDeleteMary DeBorde (M.A.D.)
There's so many good ones! I love the VA and TMI series :)
ReplyDeleteHOUSE OF NIGHT!
ReplyDelete2015-12-14keyun
ReplyDeleteugg outlet
uggs outlet
louis vuitton purses
toms outlet
coach outlet online
michael kors outlet
michaek kors outlet
canada goose outlet
adidas original trainers
ugg clearance outlet
tory burch outlet online
canada goose
coach outlet store online clearance
jordan shoes
michael kors outlet
kobe 8
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet store
michael kors outlet clearance
uggs for sale
louis vuitton outlet stores
air jordans
air max 95
abercrombie and kent
christian louboutin outlet
nike roshe run mens
oakley sunglasses sale
canada goose sale
abercrombie and fitch
louis vuitton handbags
abercrombie
ugg boots outlet
louis vuitton outlet
jordan 11 concord
timberlands
replica rolex watches
the north face jackets
ugg australia
true religion