2019 National Black Book Festival: Author of Historical Based Novel Hopes for Exposure

As an African American self-published author, it can be quite a challenge trying to gain exposure for my Amazon KDP titles.  Recently, while looking for opportunities to promote my historical novel “Lights Out at the Moulin Rouge”, I came across the Cushcity.com website.   

It was this newly discovered website that introduced me to details about the annual National Black Book Festival (NBBF) and the kind of exposure the festival can bring to an unknown author.  I began to scour the information on the Cushcity.com website, hoping to find a way to benefit from the site’s targeted audience.  

 

African American Audience

Cush City describes itself as having the “world’s largest African-American selection” of dvds, and books (among other things).   It stands to reason that they would have a huge African American audience consistently seeking out the products they promote.  A thorough analysis of the website confirmed that belief, especially after I saw how active a role the website plays in the National Black Book Festival every year.  When I noted the October date for this year’s festival in Houston Texas, I realized I wouldn’t be able to make the 2019 festival.  I did, however, still find a way for my book to benefit from the event. 

NBBF Facebook Page

In preparation for the 2019 NBBF, the owner and operator of the Cushcity.com website has a detailed Facebook page to help spread the word about the event.  They use the help of this popular Facebook page to provide an affordable book marketing and promotional service.  Their Triple Play Marketing Program sounded just perfect for authors like myself, who hope to see a boost in their Amazon book sales.  I paid the special discounted fee of less than one hundred dollars, in order to make “Lights Out at the Moulin Rouge” available to a well-targeted audience.  What better audience to be able to expose my novel about the first racially integrated casino in Las Vegas?  

Book Club Exposure

While being able to attend the National Black Book Festival doesn’t seem probable for me this year, I have plenty of time to make preparations to attend next year’s event.  By that time, I hope to have gained a larger following and fan base, thanks to the potential book club exposure for my historical novel.  The Cush City and NBBF Facebook pages claim to reach several thousand followers.  Included in the promotional package I selected was the opportunity to reach out to 200 book clubs or more, all in hopes of sharing details about my current Amazon novel, as well as my other KDP titles.