The value of a Bush Laureate win
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:18 pm
There was a good discussion before Christmas (I think) about the degree to which winning a Golden Gumleaf at the ABLA awards helps to sell a book.
Having now won one myself, I feel I can/should add my own thoughts to the mix, though it is early days still for me, of course.
My sense is that it is potentially extremely valuable, but you have to work at it. I have had a couple of exciting and interesting opportunities come my way since the win, but not many.
However, I decided to 'hit the phones' this morning (quiet day at the office, fortunately), and the early results are very promising.
Working on the theory (which may or may not be valid) that bush poetry is more popular away from the major metropolitan centres, I decided to focus on ABC local radio throughout rural and regional Australia - esp. NSW and Queensland.
I struck gold in Mildura/Swan Hill, where the lovely young woman on the other end of the phone was a published children's writer herself. She recorded an interview with me on the spot. It will go to air sometime in the lead-up to Easter.
Western Queensland are keen to interview me next week, and many other stations sound very interested.
Of course, whether any of this (potential) publicity translates to book sales is another matter entirely...
Having now won one myself, I feel I can/should add my own thoughts to the mix, though it is early days still for me, of course.
My sense is that it is potentially extremely valuable, but you have to work at it. I have had a couple of exciting and interesting opportunities come my way since the win, but not many.
However, I decided to 'hit the phones' this morning (quiet day at the office, fortunately), and the early results are very promising.
Working on the theory (which may or may not be valid) that bush poetry is more popular away from the major metropolitan centres, I decided to focus on ABC local radio throughout rural and regional Australia - esp. NSW and Queensland.
I struck gold in Mildura/Swan Hill, where the lovely young woman on the other end of the phone was a published children's writer herself. She recorded an interview with me on the spot. It will go to air sometime in the lead-up to Easter.
Western Queensland are keen to interview me next week, and many other stations sound very interested.
Of course, whether any of this (potential) publicity translates to book sales is another matter entirely...