Contrary to my ubiquitous jabbering on Facebook, I’m a little uncomfortable when it comes to actually trying to get people to buy my books. A CAJUN CHRISTMAS KILLING, the third in my Cajun Country Mystery series, launches October 10th. I want to make my publisher happy with decent sales, which means I need to promote the hell out of the book. So I decided to be brutally honest about my goals and create what I called the Shameless Shilling Campaign. On the tenth of each month prior to the book’s release, I’ve shared a silly and hopefully amusing graphic promoting the book. (Thanks to Judy Penz Sheluk for introducing me to a wonderful and wonderfully affordable graphic artist.)
Here are the first and second photos, posted July 10th and August 10th…
When it came to the final photo, though, I wanted the image to pop in a big way. So I came up with what I thought was a brilliant idea. Hunter – my Graphics god – loved it and produced a great image. I proudly showed it to my husband and daughter… who were HORRIFIED. “Oh my God, Mother,” my kid said, dismayed. “You CANNOT use that photo! You look like a pedophile.” My husband stood next to her, nodding more vigorously than a bobblehead doll on a truck dashboard. Now, you need to know that given my background in comedy I have very few boundaries. I wrote off their comments as an over-reaction, and ran the photo by my publisher and agent. Turns out they heartily agreed with my family. I grumbled, but came up with a new image, which I was going to debut yesterday, September 10th, but held off sharing out of respect for Hurricane Irma victims. (Its debut TBD.)
It’s a perfectly fine picture and gets the point across. But still… I ran the verboten photo by a couple of friends who I thought might appreciate it, and they did. They encouraged me to go public with it. Keeping the opposing views in mind, I decided to split the difference. I’m only going to share it here with you, my nearest and dearest Chickadees. Brace yourselves…
So readers, what do you think? Are you Team Your-Family-is-Totally-Right or Team-Ellen-No-Boundaries-Byron?
Chicks on the Case 
Remember some things cannot be unseen… I agree with the family on this one!
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Oh no, Celia! Hope I haven’t scarred you for life!
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Although I don’t think you look like a pedophile at all, I have to say the photo is a little disturbing–but more because you look like some sort of creepy winter creature from Game of Thrones. (But it sure made me laugh, girl!)
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I do, don’t I?
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Trying to unsee it 🙂
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Sorry about that, Judy!
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I wouldn’t go as far as your family, but it is a little off putting. I like the one you did decide on much, much better.
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Good! Because I’m posting Take 2 tomorrow. 😉
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Hmm. Overall, I agree with your family, but for me it’s not so much that you look like a pedophile as that you come across as just plain creepy. Sorry, but a beard is not a good look for you.
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Yeah, creepy isn’t the way to go for promo, methinks!
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Clever campaign, Ellen! You are so smart about marketing.
Re: the last pic, it doesn’t look too creepy to me…though the beard is kinda LOL. 🙂
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Sorry, can’t stop laughing. That beard is not a good look on you. But I love you holding the truck over your head!
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Glad you like it! And Creepy Santa will not be joining the Shameless Shilling Campaign!
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I think you’re adorable, Ellen! But, I have to admit, the book cover isn’t the first, second or even third thing I notice in that picture! So probably not the best from a marketing standpoint. 🙂
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Yeah, you don’t want to promote something with a pic that gives people nightmares!
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You make me laugh, which is a wonderful thing these days! Maybe lose the beard? 😉
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LOL! I have one without the mustache, but I’m afraid they all have the beard.
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As much as I love this series, I have to admit, it is a bit creepy. The beard is definitely not you, the little girl is way cute but I would of added a home-style Christmas with maybe an older friend opening it as a gift and looking excited. The girl looks a bit put off. You are creative, I will give you that!
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Thanks, Meg. It’s actually a doctored picture from when my daughter sat on Santa’s lap at a function. It’s funny how kids are so much less thrilled about doing that than we think they’re going to be.
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I love you like a sister, Ellen, but that photo is horrible.
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Appreciate the honesty, Keenan! Thank God my family stopped me with some common sense.
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Haaaa!!!! I’m glad we can laugh about this. I think it’s the facial hair that’s the deal breaker. I think you should make Christmas cards with this image just for your family members — or maybe even wrapping paper!
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I can just wrap empty boxes with it because Eliza will NEVER want to open anything with this photo!
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I gotta go with the family on this one. Maybe not as far as they did, but the second one is definitely better.
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Wow, the response is unanimous! Thanks for the feedback, Liz.
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I am in the opposition here, but I’m warped. Although I think you should have lost the glasses. Or maybe put the Santa suit on with the tree instead?
Can’t wait for the book!
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Oooh, fun idea. And thanks for being the rebel, Hestia!
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Well…once again my old kids’ book editor’s hat rears its pointy self. Have to side with Team Tree because it’s probably not good PR for Santa to present a little girl with a murder mystery (however fabulous for adults and YAs). But love the other pic!
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It really is like one of those Awkward Christmas Card or Prom Photos you see online sometimes!
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Oh, and Lisa, that NEVER occurred to me. #badmommy!
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El, ha that’s because you never worked in kids’ book publishing!
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I kind of loved it, but the sight of it did make me spit out my lemonade from laughing. And no, that’s not a euphemism; I was actually drinking lemonade.
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WF, there is absolutely no greater comedy reaction than a spit take. I’m deeply honored.
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I like the tree picture better for your campaign but I do have to say the Santa picture made me laugh! So thanks for that!! I can’t wait for the book!
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Glad I made you laugh, and so happy you’re excited for the book, Christi!
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Love them!! Hilarious!
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Chiming in super late here but I like the tree better too. I don’t think you look like a pedophile in the rejected one as much as you don’t look like you.
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I never even thought of that! Good point.
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