With the majority of promotion efforts falling on the author's shoulders, getting that book out in the public eye requires almost more imagination sometimes than the writing.

With hundreds – more like thousands - of new books flooding bookstore shelves each month, authors will do just about anything to sell their masterpiece. Going on cross-country book tours, attending conferences, passing out bookmarks and doing online promotions are just the start.

To stand out in a crowd, it seems the more ingenious the idea the better, especially if it results in a book sale or two. Authors have talked about wearing wedding gowns and other outfits to signing events. I'm not sure if anyone did, but a group of Midwest authors known as the “Minnesota Crime Wave” aren't afraid of being named to Mr. Blackstone's worst-dressed list – or at least put on mystery fiction's most unusually dressed list. After all, how many people do you know routinely walking around in old-time prison garb and dress like mobsters?

The Crime Wave includes Carl Brookins ( www.carlbrookins.com ) author of “Bloody Halls,” a mystery featuring murder and mayhem on an urban college campus, (Echelon Press, Jan. 08); William Kent Krueger (www.williamkentkrueger.com ), author of “Thunder Bay,” a Cork O'Connor mystery set in Minnesota's north woods (Atria July 2007), and Ellen Hart ( www.ellenhart.com ), author of “Night Vision,” (St. Martin's Minotaur) in which sleuth Jane Lawless tries to protect a friend who made it in Hollywood from a stalker.

Other authors prefer more “normal” attire, but like to use different “props” to promote their books.

Multi-published Rob Walker ( www.robertwwalkerbooks.com ), author of “City of the Absent,” the latest in the Alistair Ransom series set against the backdrop of the Chicago World's Fair, (Harper Collins 2008) and “PSI Blue,” (Psychic Sensory Investigation, Echelon Press), is a treasure trove of ideas. He's done everything from take a life-sized cut-out of Captain Jack (Johnny Depp) along with him to book conferences (aye, matey), to gift-wrapping his books with appropriate holiday or event ribbon. Valentine's Day, sure, but Happy Groundhog's Day may be pushing it. (Just kidding.) Still, who doesn't like presents? He also has the distinction of having one of his earlier books enshrined in the Baltimore Museum of Dentistry since it has a dentistry-related thread. Perhaps a dentist costume is in order?

As authors often rely on their own hobbies, interests, or professions for storylines, it's not surprising that the resulting promo items often follow those same lines, as well.

It seemed natural for author Peggy Ehrhart ( www.PeggyEhrhart.com ) to write about music in her upcoming blues-centered mystery, “Sweet Man in Gone,” (Five Star Press, July 2008), given her past experience as bandleader and one of two guitarists in her group, The Last Stand Band. She'll probably have bookmarks, but she'll be carrying personalized guitar picks in her pockets. Handy if you play guitar, too.

Author Rosemary Harris ( http://www.rosemaryharris.com ) admits she was a bit disappointed at first when she learned her book, “Pushing Up Daisies” (St. Martin's Minotaur, Feb. 2008), shared a name with that new TV show. No connection, but now she says, “If people are inspired to pick up the book because they think it is, I'm not complaining. At least they're not walking right by it.”

The book was partly inspired by a news item she saw on the discovery and identification of a mummified body. Being a real-life master gardener and mystery lover, of course, the wheels started turning.

“Chalk it up to cabin fever,” she says jokingly. “ I probably wrote the book because I saw a news item in the dead of winter when I couldn't be in my garden. If it had happened in April, we might not be having this exchange.”

No surprise, s he plans to hand out personalized seed packets and talk shop with other gardeners and book lovers.

I'd be remiss in not mentioning my own upcoming book, ( http://cverstraete.com ), “Searching For A Starry Night,” A Miniature Art Mystery, (May 2008, Quake/Echelon Press.) My love of collecting and creating dollhouse miniatures was a natural inspiration for young sleuth Sam's search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's “The Starry Night.” That search is helped (and sometimes hindered) by her bff Lita and a mischievous Dachshund, Petey.

In real life, the miniature painting is accounted for, as I was lucky enough to get my own “Starry Night” in miniature. Yes, it's an actual oil painting done by artist, miniaturist and doll maker Lucie Winsky. You can see it at my blog, (see the 1/12/08 entry) http://candidcanine.blogspot.com , Candid Canine, but the photo doesn't do it justice. I will be bringing the painting along to signings and events. That's one way to lure the hesitant to come closer to the signing table, I guess. I am deciding whether I should borrow someone's Dachshund for other events…

In author Chester Campbell's ( www.chesterdcampbell.com ) new mystery, “The Marathon Murders,” (Night Shadows Press, Feb. 2008), PI's Greg and Jill McKenzie are hired to track down missing documents circa 1914 from the old Marathon Motor Works in Nashville that might prove a man innocent of embezzlement.

After hearing about the shady past of the restored Marathon Motor Works plant and office building, now called Marathon Village and home to writers and artists, Campbell knew he had a book. The Marathon was the most popular touring car sold across the US and in several foreign countries when the company shut down due to shady dealings by management. The company's bankruptcy hearings in 1914 included accusations of “back door” car deals, with management pocketing the money.

Besides having such a backdrop for his book, Campbell is sure to gain the interest of antique car owners and vintage car fans. He was lucky to have his book launch party in February at the Marathon Village , complete with two 1912 Marathons that owner Barry Walker found for the company showroom. You can't beat that for unique promotion.