Passersby and Publishers at Book Expo America Crack Up At Author Connie Bennett’s Zany Sandwich Board

For many exhibitors, Book Expo America was a serious, no-nonsense business affair, but single, Jewish author Connie Bennett provocatively made light of the fact that she's unmarried and available for a "committed relationship" with both a "compatible" publisher--and the right man.

"Are You The One?'" playfully asked the unmarried author's 24 x 30 sandwich board, which she wore around BEA last weekend.

The single author's zany publisher-hunting sandwich board—designed to look like a personal's ad--forced passersby to stop and appreciate the author's ingenuity, which includes the facetious promise: "Will put out on first date!!"

"Oh, that's so funny--I almost choked on my water," said Book Expo America visitor Jo Shumard, author of "Is Your Wallet Killing You"

Bennett's outrageous marketing effort came at a time publishers--like other businesses--have been facing economic challenges.

"It's time to become an out-of-the-box-thinking author-preneur, who creates captivating messages that nab the attention of readers and publishers," claims Bennett, whose first book was "SUGAR SHOCK!" from Berkley Books.

"I wanted to playfully show that I have the guts, marketing savvy and sense of humor to be a successful author in this economic climate," adds Bennett, a journalist, radio host ("Gab With the Gurus"), certified health counselor, speaker, self-described "Ex-Sugar Shrew!" and Better Habits Coach™.

The author--who has the coveted "big platform"--is seeking her "publishing soulmate" for her second book, "The Weight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers: Simple Tips & Tactics to Slim down, Boost Energy, Rev Up Your Libido & Be Happier in 21 Days"

Bennett's first book, "SUGAR SHOCK!" (www.SugarShock.com), was a bestseller on Amazon and BN.com, and it is still selling.

You can learn more at www.SugarShockBlog.com. The book has a foreword by the bestselling Dr. Nicholas Perricone, and it has been endorsed by the until-recently "Oprah" regular Dr. Mehmet Oz, the popular Dr. Christiane Northrup and film mogul Harvey Weinstein. Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra serves as contributing author.

Bennett's second book--for which she's publisher hunting--is a fun, friendly, often-interactive diet and lifestyle book that will help people to lose weight and break free of bad habits (what Bennett calls "babits"™) that enslave them.

"Readers of my next book, 'The Weight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers,'" the author promises, "will get more energy, feel and look younger and sexier, and become both happier and healthier"

The medical consultant for Bennett's next book is integrative physician Dr. Richard Linchitz, who overcame his lung cancer. The introduction will be by Joshua Rosenthal, MScEd, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the largest nutrition school in the world.

Fans are already lining up to promise to buy "The Wrel="nofollow" target="_blank" eight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers" at the author's blogs – www.SugarShockBlog.com and www.BetterHabitsDiet.com (A new site, www.SuccessfulLosersBlog.com, will go up shortly.)

So is there any truth to the single author's outrageous promise that she'll "Put Out On First Date!!"?

"Sure, I'll put out—BUT only with enticing, seductive, provocative information about my next book," Bennett quips.

"I may be willing to stage a zany, over-the-top marketing campaign, but all said and done, I'm a nice Jewish girl," laughingly replies the author, who credits friend and fellow author Dr. Diana Kirschner with the idea for her outrageous, facetious promise to "Put Out On First Date!!"

Dr. Diana is also a believer in zany marketing tactics. The love expert stars with her adorable, 4-pound Pomerian, Madison, in dating-advice videos posted on YouTube. (www.YouTube.com/lovein90days) Sure enough, the webisodes are boosting sales for her new book, "Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love" (Center Street).

In fact, Dr. Diana's "Simply Irresistible Flirting Moves" webisode series humorously illustrates flirting techniques with her adorable pooch, who "plays" a hot guy. In one month, the series has had 40,000 views.

Dr. Diana's videos--which she launched without publisher support--also have attracted more than 56,000 friends, over 81,000 viewers and nearly 3,000 new subscribers to her YouTube channel. The author's outrageous marketing stunt has been so successful that YouTube—which links directly to the Amazon sales page for her book—has granted Dr. Diana partner status, driving even more traffic to her website. (www.lovein90days.com).

With the publishing industry at a crossroads, pro-active author-preneurs like Bennett and Dr. Diana are increasingly important to drive book sales through creative PR stunts that also bring laughter into the equation.