I've edited and expanded my e-mail response to this young writer.
Here the rest of my advice to this writer on setting up a blog tour:
Hopefully, you've been keeping a list of writer/reader contacts as you've been practicing your craft. For example, I met Diane through Romance Writers of America. I met Jenn standing in line at a signing for Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Start with your friends. Some of them have larger followings than you and are more than willing to help out.
Check out other people's blogs and meet people. You never know when a friendly word will lead to something.
Once a blogger has agreed to host you, follow their guidelines on what subjects to blog about. Posting only your blurb and cover and screaming "Buy my book!" does not work.
For example, I tell my guest bloggers they'll get more hits on my blog if they post a funny personal story or something about what they learned on their writing journey. Or hot naked guys. Hot naked guys ALWAYS work (but for some strange reason, male guests are reluctant to do this).
One thing I will say is DON'T get hung up on promotion too much if this is your first book. Announce it, but be working on the next book!
Seriously, a big blog tour with only one book available is a total waste of time. This is the voice of experience. LOL First book? I went ape-shit and promoted the hell out of it. Sales were "meh." My eighth book, the one book I did absolutely no promotion on, has been my best seller. BUT folks loved it, then went and bought all my other titles.
When it comes to promotion though, do what feels right for you, and watch your pennies, and most of all, be working on that next book!
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