We are Hiring a Book Marketing Specialist

Book Marketing Specialist

Solar Six Books

Solar Six Books is looking for a part-time marketing specialist to plan and execute a series of promotions for Cesar Torres’ newest novel, 9 Lords of Night. This is a nine-month project that goes beyond the traditional definitions of what it means to market a work of fiction.

At Solar Six we don’t believe that there is one perfect candidate. Instead, we see limitless potential in specific individuals. Resumes are great, but hearing your story directly from you is best. Practically speaking, our future Book Marketing Specialist is a person who is incredibly passionate about books and who has solid experience under their belt on engaging with audiences and other creators online. Book lovers who have their own podcasts or YouTube channels are especially welcome. Academic and professional experience in marketing are also appreciated, but keep in mind that we want someone who can think beyond the typical marketing tactics, such as writing press releases and marketing to readers on sites like Goodreads.

This project will span across nine months in support of the sci fi-thriller 9 Lords of Night, which pits a trans detective and a queer academic against a supernatural threat in a grim future version of New York City. If you understand queer and trans themes and you are passionate about sci fi and fantasy, we definitely want to hear from you.

This position is part time for an average of 4-5 hours a week; pay rate is negotiable based on experience. You will work directly with author and publisher Cesar Torres on planning and execution of the marketing plan via Slack and phone on a weekly basis, but you’ll also be expected to work independently without a lot of handholding. This contract gig can expand to a larger role depending on performance and chemistry.

Some of the existing goals for this position include:

• Booking author Cesar Torres on podcasts, YouTube channels and other online outlets, such as Instagram, Snapchat and Patreon. The focus here is on indie outlets. We are not interested in local TV stations, traditional press or radio.

• Planning a book-release performance in Chicago scheduled for autumn: creating a budget, finding a venue, booking musical and acts and performers, and creating a marketing campaign. Keep in mind that this is not a book reading (book reading tend to be dreadfully dull). This will be an event that helps reimagine what a book event can be.

• Writing bi-weekly updates for Cesar Torres’ author newsletter.

• Creating promotions and contests to engage readers as the book is released on paperback. Typical channels for these promotions will be Cesar Torres’ author newsletter, his Instagram account and YouTube channel.

• Booking a series of guests onto the Cesar Torres podcast to promote the release of the book.

• Crafting a new strategy for growing Patreon subscribers. Applicants with experience with Patreon are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Outreach to LGBTQIA organizations to book speaking engagements for Cesar Torres.

Solar Six Books is the publisher of Cesar Torres’s published books, including 13 Secret Cities and 9 Lords of Night. For all inquiries, please email editor@solarsixbooks.com.

Podcast #21 Season 2: Redefining the Supernatural in Fiction

In today’s episode:

• We kick off SEASON 2 of the podcast, with a brand new series of episodes centered around 9 Lords of Night, featuring my special guest novelist Eyre Price, author of Blues Highway Blues

• Eyre asks me a lot of questions about 9 Lords of Night, 13 Secret Cities, and we discuss the role of the supernatural in writing fiction, particularly novels.

• You can listen to the previous podcasts I did with Eyre a few years ago when 13 Secret Cities published here on my YouTube channel.

If you like the show, leave us a review in iTunes here. Thanks. If you want to support the podcast with a donation, visit my Patreon page. Got a comment? Send us an email at our contact page.

Hello, World!

9 Lords of Night serial available now for pre-order

You can pre-order my new Kindle (serial) novel 9 LORDS OF NIGHT starting now! 9LN will release on Kindle in two parts, and the paperback will release soon thereafter. Part 1 will be available on October 30

Podcast #19: Your role as art director if you self publish

In today’s episode:

• I reveal a special suprise about 9 Lords of Night, which you can see with your own eyes here.

• Your role as an art director if you are a self publisher and entrepreneur.

If you like the show, leave us a review in iTunes here. Thanks. If you want to support this show, visit my Patreon page. Got a comment? Send us an email at our contact page.

Catch a Preview of 9 Lords of Night at Tuesday Funk Nov 1

Want to get a preview of my new novel 9 Lords of Night? Come on out to Tuesday Funk Nov. 1 at the Hopleaf in Chicago! I'll be reading an excerpt from my new book (and will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos, as well). For more details, please visit the Tuesday Funk web site. 💀🌸💀 For

Presenting 9 Lords of Night

Back when I started self publishing my books through my company Solar Six, I told myself, "You are NOT allowed to fail." That was about four years ago.

In reality, I have failed many times since then. My hubris led me to many mistakes. My naiveté fooled me. I didn't always hit my targets.  

But you know what? That's exactly what was supposed to happen. I was meant to make mistakes, both as a writer and publisher. Just like everyone before me has had to do as they learn a craft, and a skill. Every time I made a mistake, every time I caught a printing error, a typo, or book sales didn't hit targets I fell down. Hard. And that was part of my story.

Whenever I fell, I wiped my face off, dusted my knees and got right back up. I kept on going. 

That is how I published four novels via my own imprint, Solar Six Books. 

I failed at many things last year: I failed at balancing my life out while living in New York. I failed at delivering the third How to Kill a Superhero book on time (I delivered it one year late). And I failed on finding the right start for my follow-up book after 13 Secret Cities. But I didn't just lament my errors. I sought solutions. I made some changes to my life, my business model, and the way I allocate my attention and resources to Solar Six. As I made each of those mistakes above, and as I got up again and again, I got stronger. 

And that, my friends, is how I can happily announce today the title of my second novel. My new book is titled 9 Lords of Night. This book explores the darkest edges of obsession. We will meet men and women obsessed with love, obsessed with murder, and obsessed to a dangerous degree with a sinister piece of art and its creator. 

Now that I have moved to Chicago, I have the right level of resources to dedicate to the writing process of 9LN. This means I can now commit to a schedule that will help me deliver the book next year in late Spring. Then the book will go into production (which takes about 6 months) leading up to a Fall of 2017 release.  

This is big news I am sharing with you today. If you care to help support the literary arts, I encourage  you to become one of my patrons. Other ways of supporting me as a writer include buying one of the new tees from my clothing line 13SC, which I beta launched this month, as well. 13SC Clothing tells you my story as a person through images. My fears, my joys, my sadness, my totems and my archetypal catalysts tell my story through the multiple tee designs you will find there. Your purchases directly contribute to the artistic work behind my imprint. We ship world wide, too. 

I am 100 percent independent from the traditional publishing system, and I reach readers thanks to you. I don't do this alone. 

Over the next few weeks I'll reveal more teasers and excerpts from 9 Lords of Night. This book is quite different from 13 Secret Cities, and I think you may really like it. I hope you walk down the caverns of obsession together with me. 

Thank you again for your help. Those of you who are current patrons make these books a reality, and you provide me with so much strength and love. I am excited for the future. More updates to come.

Cesar Torres

Chicago

Life Update and Thank You

After two years of growth as Managing Editor at The Wirecutter and Sweethome, I have moved on this month to head in a new direction. It’s incredibly hard to leave a publication of such energy and innovation, but I am very excited for the path that lies before me. At the moment I am focusing on the writing of my next two novels and continuing to publish them under my imprint Solar Six. I also just kicked off the beta of http://13SC.net, a clothing label that tells my personal story through archetypal images and art. These entrepreneurial endeavors will bring me closer to literary life and art than ever before. I will be operating now from a home base of Chicago, at least until wanderlust possesses me one more time. Won’t be long, I know.

Most importantly, I want to thank all of you for providing me with such love and support as I move forward into a new phase and face new challenges. If you want to grab coffee, a drink, now is the time, since I am traveling often back and forth between NYC and Chicago. If you have any suggestions about ideas I should be exploring, or people I should be talking to for opportunities, please get in touch. I am VERY excited to connect with all of you.

Cesar Torres

Chicago

Read past issues of Pen & Pixel

Pen & Pixel subscribers get the latest issue exclusively, but if you don't subscribe, you can see earlier issue now on the Pen & Pixel section of the site.

Read past issues of Pen & Pixel by author Cesar Torrres

New Guide at the Sweethome

I serve as Managing Editor at The Wirecutter and The Sweethome, sites that recommend the best gadgets, gear and products to make people's shopping easier, and I am happy to announce the publication of our guide on the best personal lubricant, which I wrote. It was an amazing experience, and I learned a lot from our panel of seven couples who tested the various lubes. This guide is not safe for work (NSFW), but that shouldn't stop you from checking it out at your leisure. Lube is a great and necessary for all adults, and you don't need to struggle to find the best one.

The Best Personal Lubricant at the Sweethome