Get local newspapers to write a story about you and your new novel. Yes, I know this is gimme, but there is an effective way to utilize newspapers and an ineffective way. Seek to have articles about you and your novel published at different times within 6 months of publication. If all local newspapers publish an article the SAME WEEK, after a week or two, the buzz about you is over. Releasing articles over 6 months helps keep your name out there.
Use the internet. Create a blog, website, a Twitter page, a facebook page and a MySpace page. Yes, that's a lot, but you need to get the word out. Thru Twitter, Facebook and MySpace, connect with writers/authors, publishers, critics and agents. Every connection can lead to a sale and/or word-of-mouth advertising. Not technologically inclined? Ask family and friends to help. It's worth the time.
Get your novel reviewed. Seek online reviewers, bloggers, local newspaper critics and even teachers/professors from schools you attended. Get people to post reviews on Amazon.com, B&N, and Borders. As for reviewers, if you wrote a novel suitable for young adult audiences, send a copy to flamingnet.com. Remember, there are no guarentees a reviewer will say yes to a review request (they might not even have time), but getting even a few reviews could generate buzz and sales of you and your novel.