BOOK GIVEAWAY: Kick off your Manolos, dig into recession lit with "Social Lives"

Last week, Ruth La Ferla's eloquent piece in the Style section of The New York Times forecast a new trend for women's fiction: "recession lit." "Once unabashedly focused on the perks of wealth and fame, this spate of new fiction is tackling the recession and its attendant woes," wrote La Ferla. In the story, she quoted this section from Social Lives, a novel coming next month by our client Wendy Walker.

“There was little equity in the house after the loan for the new wing they’d put on last year, and the severe drop in the housing market,” she frets. “Nothing remained in the checking account beyond what was needed to pay the bills.”

Can you relate, dear Reader?

GalleyCat interviewed Wendy last Friday about the new economic reality facing women's fiction. Specifically, they asked her about the experience of publishing exactly two novels that focus on women in wealthy communities: one pre-recession (Four Wives), and one mid-recession (Social Lives). From Financial Times onward, everyone in the publishing industry - as well as those who make the the publishing industry possible, readers - are keeping an eye out for writers and books that grapple with the tightened purses of our times. Call it the Age of Recess.

Because we here at P&P are taking the recession lit trend as seriously as anyone, we thought we'd offer something to our plucky readers who could use a little freebie. A moment of escapism while you ignore your 401K, browse online sales, and brew coffee at home! See how the once very, very privileged ladies of Wilshire are navigating the recession waters, in particular Jacqueline Halstead's husband, whose hedge fund husband is being investigated for fraud. (Read Wendy's blog post - and a very moving reader comment - about her character Jacqueline here).

We'll select two winners for this book giveaway. To enter, just leave a comment below, and don't forget to include your email address so we can notify you. Contest closes next Wednesday!

'Green' to PR? Learn how ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ applies to you

Nestled in Austin, one the country’s most environmentally forward cities, Phenix & Phenix is driven to adopt green-minded daily practices for our agency. Because our industry is one built on paper and trees, we owe it to the environment and to future generations to find ways to lessen our carbon footprint.

But, in thinking about new ways publicists could “reduce- reuse-recycle,” a thought occurred. We’re already doing it – and even on a daily basis! Well, maybe not in the literal sense, but I think I’m onto something. Here are some ways you can apply “reduce-reuse-recycle” to help you promote your book, elevate your platform and enhance your credibility.

REDUCE your message.
Yes, you’ve written an entire book on the topic, maybe even several, but what you need to remember is that the media often just needs the highlights. Because of time and space constraints, practice reducing long-winded answers into a few well-spoken statements. You’ll do yourself a favor and be quoted accurately, coming across polished. You’ll also help the media by feeding them the vital morsels of information they need to tell their story. Don’t be afraid to invent your own media buzz words too! We have a lot of fun coining catchy terms that capture a trend or story hip to your message. For example, did you know many 20- and 30-year-old females are taking up hobbies traditionally reserved for the older generations, like Bunko and knitting? That’s right – it’s all part of a trend we’re calling “granny chic.” Other recent buzz words topping our list: “bromance,” ”evangel-atheist,” and “frenemy.”

REUSE your credentials.
As an author, if you’ve become a sustainable expert in the media, it’s likely that you’ve earned a coveted spot in a reporters “expert source file.” Congratulations, you’re among the top go-to experts in your field! Sustainable experts are those who will have the best likelihood of sustaining a long career in the media, so position yourself well and often. Look for secondary and backdoor credentials that could turn the heads of reporters covering different beats. For example, a medical doctor with a book on relationships would be pitched for pertinent stories to medical industry beat reporters, consumer health reporters, even lifestyle and love/relationships writers.

RECYCLE annual stories.
Every year, reporters will look for ways to put a fresh spin on seasonal stories such as back-to-school, Mother’s Day and even Earth Day. Because certain topics in the media are evergreen, you can get more mileage by appealing to them with new takes on those seasonal stories. Rather than pitching the same story, look for creative ways to package yourself as an expert. Last year, we pitched a client for Father’s Day stories – the clincher being that the client was a single mom whose message appealed to fatherless households. The idea was well-received and many producers sought her out for interview.