I have written dozens or articles and two books about grief. The publishing industry considers grief a hard-sell. My latest book about writing to recover from grief is marketed via catalog and a the publisher's Website. Publishers appreciate the author's marketing efforts and I am doing all I can to support my book.

Last weekend I read two books about advertising, "AdverSelling" by James Hassett, PhD and "Killer Techniques to Succeed with Newspaper, Magazine and Yellow Pages Advertising!" by Michael Winicki. Both of these resources were helpful and I learned new things. You may have written a hard-sell book, a book you believe in deeply, and Hassett's tips may help you.

Attracting Internet attention is one tip. You do this by writing ezine articles, blogging, Utube, and other Internet communication. Improving your elevator speech is another tip. If you entered an elevator and met someone, could you state the message of your book in five seconds? The message of my book: Writing about grief helps you find your way through it. Think about your elevator speech and practice it.

Hassett also thinks you should make people happy, which is a challenge for me. Though I cannot make people happy, I can tell them they will survive and feel better in time. I know this from losing five loved ones within the span of nine months.

Free stuff also appeals to would-be buyers, according to Hassett. Visitors who go to my Website see a list of symptoms about anticipatory grief and may click on links to Internet articles and blog radio interviews. I speak for free and when I speak, I give people handouts, books, book marks, and calendars. "Don't stop," Hassett advises, and I have heeded his advice.

Winicki's book contained a surprising point. I always thought word of mouth advertising was the best form of advertising, but he thinks it is "completely uncontrollable." Winicki says would-be buyers have one question, "What's in it for me?" Your media release and back cover copy should answer this question.

Ads for your book should appeal to self-interest. I developed a chart of the features and benefits of my book and you may do the same. Winicki's list of advertising's 44 magic words and phrases was so helpful I added the word "free" to a heading. Check the Internet for advertising words that sell.

The Book Whirl Website offers tips for "Recession-Proof Marketing Strategies." Simply stated, your "strategy should be clear, feasible and practical." Your name needs to be on the Internet. Now is the time to get a Website if you do not have one. I hired a graphic designer to re-do my Website and have updated it twice.

Submitting Internet articles with free reprint rights is another way to publicize your book. "This inexpensive marketing tool builds up, slowly but surely, an author's credibility and expertise of the given subject matter," notes Book Whirl. Writing a hard-sell book does not mean it won't sell. It means you have to work harder at it.