Whatever Holiday Shopping Guide 2017 Starts Monday!
Posted on December 1, 2017 Posted by John Scalzi 16 Comments
Every year as the holiday season begins I run a shopping guide for the holidays, and over the years it’s been quite successful: Lots of people have found out about excellent books and crafts and charities and what have you, making for excellent gift-giving opportunities during the holiday season. I’ve decided to do it again this year.
So: Starting Monday, December 4, the Whatever Holiday Shopping Guide Returns! If you’re a writer or other creator, this will be an excellent time to promote your work on a site which gets tens of thousands of viewers daily, almost all of whom will be interested in stuff for the holidays. If you’re someone looking to give gifts, you’ll see lots of excellent ideas. And you’ll also have a day to suggest stuff to other folks too. Everybody wins!
To give you all time to prepare, here’s the schedule of what will be promoted on which days:
Monday, December 4: Traditionally Published Authors — If your work is being published by a publisher a) who is not you and b) gets your books into actual, physical bookstores on a returnable basis, this is your day to tell people about your books. This includes comics/graphic novels.
Tuesday, December 5: Non-Traditionally Published Authors — Self-published? Electronically published? Or other? This is your day. This also includes comics/graphic novels.
Wednesday, December 6: Other Creators — Artists, knitters, jewelers, musicians, and anyone who has cool stuff to sell this holiday season, this will be the day to show off your creations.
Thursday, December 7: Fan Favorite Day — Not an author/artist/musician/other creator but know about some really cool stuff you think people will want to know about for the holidays? Share! Share with the crowd!
Friday, December 8: Charities — If you are involved in a charity, or have a favorite charity you’d like to let people know about, this is the day to do it.
If you have questions about how all of this will work, go ahead and ask them in the comment thread (Don’t start promoting your stuff today — it’s not time yet), although I will note that specific instructions for each day will appear on that day. Don’t worry, it’ll be pretty easy. Thanks and feel free to share this post with creative folks who will have things to sell this holiday season.
My publisher has the potential to get my book into bookstores on a returnable basis and sells hard copies and ebooks on the usual sites. Do I qualify for Dec 4? THANKS!!!
Saame question — traditional publisher (Bloomsbury) currently doing ebook and PoD with right to do aperback if they choose — Traditional (4th) or non-traditional (5th)??
If your publisher works on a returnable basis (and people can special order the book at their local bookstore), then Tuesday. Otherwise Wednesday!
Is there a link to exactly where we post on the appropriate day? Thank you.
Kat– as I recall from previous years, Scalzi publishes a post with instructions on each day, and that’s where you post your information in the comments. Easy peasy!
Currently running a fundraiser for a group that is working to get 501c3 status (one of the stated goals of our campaign). Does that meet your specs for Charity?
Sounds like a great promotional idea. Thanks for hosting this!
Looking forward to participating. I’m a hybrid author, both traditional and Independent.
I’d like to participate. I’m a self-published author.
I’m interested in participating. I’m a self-published author with a Christmas book.
So John, book finished or are you desperately typing in a hotel room at 4 AM? Just curious ;-)
Thanks, John, this sounds great for everybody!
I would like to enter. I’m indie published.
Thanks for the opportunity!
K`shandra:
As long as it’s fundamentally non-political, that’s fine, but I would note to people that your thing is not yet tax-deductible.
It’s an LGBTQ group, which may not meet your definition of “non-political,” and if so I’ll be fine if it gets deleted. If you’re willing to let it run, I will absolutely note that contributions are not tax-deductible.