Merry Christmas, everyone. Also, Happy Jolabokaflod.
Here is a 20-minute video I’ve recorded about how to integrate the Icelandic “Christmas book flood” tradition into the way you celebrate the festive season with your friends and family
Monthly Archives: December 2024
The future of reading? AI meets Jolabokaflod (episode #5)
Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast today—Friday, 20 December at 10.30 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…
This Christmas season, discover the intersection of AI and literature in a unique and timely podcast episode all about Jolabokaflod—the Icelandic Christmas tradition of gifting books. Join us as we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we write, publish, and experience books, especially during the holidays.
In this episode, we delve into how AI can enhance the book discovery process, from personalised recommendations to AI-driven writing tools that help authors craft their stories. We’ll explore the growing role of AI in the literary world, from automated editing and book marketing to the creative collaboration between humans and machines.
As we embrace the magic of Jolabokaflod, a tradition that celebrates the joy of reading on Christmas Eve, we’ll also reflect on how technology is shaping the future of storytelling. Whether you’re a writer, reader, or simply looking for fresh ways to make your Christmas reading even more exciting, this episode will open your eyes to how AI and books are making the holidays brighter. Tune in for a fascinating look at the future of literature in the age of AI and join the conversation about the books we’ll be reading and gifting this Christmas.
Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.
On 20 December at 10.30-11.00 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Georgia Kirke—Founder of ClioBooks.ai—to discover how AI impacts books, especially in relation to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.
Share your questions with us in real time.
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQRRJwtHv0
From sleigh bells to book sales: Christmas PR strategies (episode #4)
Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast tomorrow—Friday, 20 December at 9.45 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…
As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to unwrap a winning strategy for your book’s publicity. In our latest podcast, we dive into the magic of Jolabokaflod — the Icelandic tradition of gifting books on Christmas Eve — and how it can inspire your book PR strategy this festive season.
Join us as we explore how authors and publishers can harness the power of holiday gifting to boost visibility, connect with readers, and tap into the spirit of Christmas. From creating buzz in the weeks leading up to Christmas to leveraging social media and influencer collaborations, we cover actionable tips on making your book the gift everyone’s talking about.
This episode offers practical insights for authors, marketers, and publishers looking to elevate their book’s presence during the busiest shopping season of the year. Whether you’re preparing for a holiday book launch or aiming to maximize seasonal sales, this podcast will help you craft a compelling PR campaign that resonates with readers looking for that perfect gift.
Tune in for a festive, PR-packed conversation that will help your book shine bright this Christmas!
Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.
On 20 December at 9.45-10.15 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Tony Mulliken—Founder of Midas PR—to discover how book PR impacts book sales, especially in relation to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.
Share your questions with us in real time.
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srHIdCdAygs
Jolabokaflod and the promotional gift sector (episode #3)
Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a 30-minute live-stream podcast today—Wednesday, 18 December at 11.00 am. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…
Are you in business and looking to the commercial promotional gift sector to help you to make your holiday offerings stand out this Christmas? Tune into our latest podcast episode, where we dive into the booming trend of Jolabokaflod—the Icelandic Christmas tradition of gifting books—and explore how it can inspire your promotional gifting strategy this holiday season.
In this episode, we’ll explore how the principles of Jolabokaflod, which focuses on thoughtful, meaningful gifts, can be leveraged to create impactful promotional products that resonate with your clients and customers. We’ll discuss creative ways to tailor your holiday gifts to reinforce your brand’s values, boost customer loyalty, and leave a lasting impression.
From unique packaging ideas to selecting high-quality, personalised items, we’ll provide actionable insights that will help you elevate your brand’s presence during the festive season. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on how to make your promotional gifts a standout element of your marketing campaigns.
Whether you’re looking to expand your gift catalog or simply need some fresh ideas for this Christmas, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the promotional products industry. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make this holiday season your most successful yet!
Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.
On 18 December at 11.00-11.30 am GMT, join Christopher Norris in conversation with Mark Summers—Owner of Summers Print & Promotions—to discover how promotional gifts relate to Christmas and the Jolabokaflod tradition.
Share your questions with us in real time.
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQMci5Gcgks
Jolabokaflod and literary agenting (episode #2)
Event announcement: The Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a live-stream podcast today—Tuesday, 17 December. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…
Are you ready to unwrap the hidden strategies behind guiding authors to literary success this holiday season? In this seasonal podcast show, we embrace the spirit of Jolabokaflod, the Icelandic tradition of gifting and savouring books on Christmas Eve. Just as families exchange stories and ideas on that magical night, our special episode sheds light on the nurturing relationships between agents, authors, and publishers—all working together to spark the world’s next wave of literary brilliance.
Join us as we journey through the non-fiction book world’s back channels: from identifying untapped markets in business or science to shaping a memoir that resonates across continents. We delve into every step of an agent’s craft—understanding trends, refining pitches, and forging partnerships that ensure your favourite holiday reading pile is brimming with meaningful, impactful titles.
This season, find out how literary agents breathe life into ideas that can fill the long winter nights with insight, learning and hope. Whether you’re a budding agent, a curious author, or simply someone who cherishes the tradition of gifting knowledge and inspiration, this podcast invites you to celebrate the art—and the craft—of bringing non-fiction stories into the world’s festive reading rituals.
Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how the work of literary agents contributes to the festive season in the book trade, including being the first movers in the cycle of finding fabulous authors worthy of publication, helping to reignite your love of books over the holidays to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.
On 17 December at 2.00-2.30 pm GMT (9.00-9.30 am EST | 6.00-6.30 am PST), join Christopher Norris in conversation with Rita Rosenkranz—owner of her eponymous New York-based literary agency—on the topic of how agents help to make Christmas such a special time for books.
Share your questions with us in real time.
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stnyq2p8qeg
See you at the Jolabokaflod fireside chat event.
A recording of the session is available immediately after the livestream at YouTube.
Note: If you’d like to watch the previous Jolabokaflod session—Jolabokaflod as ageneric book promotion campaign—here is the YouTube link:
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQJ5yvv7V1U
Jolabokaflod as a generic book promotion campaign (episode #1)
Event announcement: Jolabokaflod CIC is hosting a rescheduled live-stream podcast on Friday, 20 December. Anyone who is free is most welcome to join in…
Celebrate the magic of Jolabokaflod—the Icelandic Christmas tradition where books are exchanged on Christmas Eve—with our latest podcast episode focused on generic book promotion strategies. Whether you’re an author, publisher, or book lover, this episode offers valuable insights into how the spirit of this holiday tradition can inspire more effective book marketing.
In this episode, we dive deep into actionable book promotion techniques that go beyond the typical strategies, showcasing how to create a lasting impact in your audience’s minds. You’ll learn how to craft compelling book launches, build genuine author-reader connections, and utilise festive traditions like Jolabokaflod to ignite curiosity and generate buzz around your work.
We also explore unique ways to tap into the global love for books during the holiday season, offering tips on how to align your marketing with the seasonal spirit to increase book sales, visibility, and long-term readership.
Perfect for anyone involved in the literary world, this episode will provide fresh perspectives on how to make your book stand out in a crowded market. Don’t miss out on strategies that could change the way you approach book promotion. Tune in now and take your book promotion game to the next level!
Get into the Christmas spirit of Jolabokaflod by discovering how promoting reading for pleasure over the festive season can make the holidays more special and reignite a love for books to take into the New Year as a resolution you can keep.
On 20 December at 2.00-2.30 pm GMT (9.00-9.30 EST | 6.00-6.30 PST), join Christopher Norris in conversation with Andrew Hayward—pioneers of the celebration of #WorldBookDay in the UK (via the Booksn ginger group)—about the how to market the magic of books, especially to mark special occasions.
Share your questions with us in real time.
• YouTube link: https://youtube.com/live/w3F2d7gC7XY
See you at the Jolabokaflod fireside chat event.
A recording of the session is available immediately after the livestream at YouTube.
Note: If you’d like to watch the next Jolabokaflod session—Jolabokaflod and literary agenting—here is the YouTube link:
• YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Stnyq2p8qeg
Jolabokaflod—the podcast
I’d like to bring to your attention a new podcast that is launching today to promote Jólabókafló∂i∂—the Icelandic “Christmas book flood” literary tradition and to promote the joy of reading for pleasure globally
The first two shows will be livestreamed and recorded today, followed by three more episodes this week. In 2025, the plan is to host one programme per week.
You can watch and/or listen to all episodes (either live or as recordings) at the Jolabokaflod podcast YouTube channel: here is the link
More news will follow very soon.
Jolabokaflod 