Worst Book Launch Publicity Tour in History

Every writer dreams of free nation-wide publicity for their book.

Free? Yes.
​But a few strings attached.
This example: Life Sentence without Parole.

A Utah children’s author and mother of three recently wrote a heartfelt book about helping kids deal with grief after the sudden death of her husband. Then prosecutors alleged she poisoned him by lacing his Moscow Mule cocktail with fentanyl. She has now been convicted.

There was a big life insurance policy involved.

From a marketing standpoint the situation is what they call “a complicated launch."
The book was titled Are You With Me? 

The book can still be salvaged. It just needs a little rebranding.
Suggested new title: Kids...Who Wants a Pony?

I've been told I have a knack for titles.

Still, there may actually be a lesson here for writers.

For years we’ve all been told the secret to selling books is “authenticity.” Write what you know. Create emotional truth. Build your brand. Establish credibility.

Hey, she took it too far, ok? 
And, referring to the photo above, she might have wanted an attorney with better body language.

Meanwhile, most writers I know can’t even finish Chapter Three because Netflix just released a documentary about serial killers, and they've got to binge watch all 14 episodes for research purposes.

The publishing industry always talks about “finding your niche.”

Here’s my professional advice: try not to make your niche “suspected murderer accidentally creating the worst book publicity tour in modern history.”

Though I admit this story does answer one publishing question.
Yes, people still notice books.

A friend of mine likes to say, "You can't make this stuff up."
​You don't have to!

Meanwhile, be on the lookout for my soon to be released new JR Johnson thriller.