Rights are often talked about, but what exactly are they?
When you write something, you don't sell the writing itself. You're actually licensing people to print, adapt, translate, or perform the work. These rights may be for a fixed amount of time, such as two years, one-time-only, first printing, first US rights, first English speaking rights, etc. They may also be until the work goes out of print, which is how most publishers operate.
Hyperion bought world rights to the first six books in the Jack Dnaiels series. This is how it is worded in my contract:
"Author grants and assigns to Publisher the sole and exclusive rights to the Material throughout the world during the entire term of the copyright and any renewlas and extensions thereof: to print, publish and istribute the Material inbook form, including hardcover, trade paperback and mass market paperback, in all languages."
What does this mean? A copyright lasts for an author's entire life, plus 70 years. Quick note for newbies; don't worry about getting a copyright. You DO NOT need to register for a copyright at the US copyright office. Save your stamps and money. Your publisher will do this for you. Being paranoid about idea-theft is the earmark of an amateur.
So does my contract state that I can never leave my publisher until I've been dead for 70 years?
No. Because there is also this clause:
"If a Book of the Work is out-of-print (definition of "out-of-print" omitted for length), all rights granted to the Publisher shall automatically revert to the author."
Which says that if my publisher stops printing my book, the rights are mine again, to do with as I please.
Hyperion has world translatation rights, but several other subsidiary rights were kept by me. Though Hyperion can sell the book to Thailand, they cannot sell the book to Hollywood, or make an audiobook from it.
The contract discusses various other rights (periodical, book club, mulitmedia, etc.) and the percentage split between author/publisher.
For example, if the publisher sells first serial rights (printing a portion of the book in a periodical before it is published), I get 90% of the money, they get 10%. Second serial rights is a 50/50 split.
My 90% of the money for first serial rights is subtracted from my advance if I haven't earned out, or is added to my royalty check if I have earned out my advance.
Though Hyperion has world rights, they only have 25% of them (20% for British). That means if they sell Whiskey Sour to England for ten grand, Hyperion earns two grand, and I earn eight grand, which goes toward my advance.
I write about advances and royalties in the TIPS section of my website, if some of you are confused about what I'm talking about.
It's int he author's best interest to keep as many rights as possible, to sell them, and its int he publisher's best interest to keep as many rights as possible, to earn back what they've paid the author.
My agent has sold the audiobook sub rights to Brilliance audio. This contract is seperate from Hyperion, and my print publisher doesn't earn anything from it.
My agent hasn't sold movie rights yet, but if they do, Hyperion doesn't get a cut. Hyperion will benefit though, from increased sales and a new edition of the book.
Of course, we all know that the most lucrative sub rights ever sold were Tom Clancy's Hunt for Red October.
Get it? Sub rights?
Moving right along...
What else is in a publishing contract? Here's the breakdown:
1. Clause on when the manuscrip(s) will be delivered.
2. Grant of rights.
3. Editorial changes and proofs. (these staet that the editor has the right to request changes, but won't change anything iwthout author approval)
4. Advance. How the money will be paid out (in my case, I get chunks when turning in outlines and finished manuscripts).
5. Royalties. What I earn per book sold (about $3.00 per hardcover, 60 cents per paperback.)
6. Sub rights.
7. Transactions with affiliates. My publisher's parent company can exercise the sub rights.
8. Royalty statements. This defines the terms of joint accounting (when an advance isn't earned out until all books in the contract earn out), reserve against returns (keeping money from the author in case bookstores return books), and when royalty statements are issued.
9. Examination of Publisher's Books and Records. The author has the right to look at the numbers.
10. Termination. All the things that can break the contract, including failure for an author to deliver an acceptable manuscript.
11. Publication. The time frame in which a publisher goes to press after accepting a book, and how many free copies an author and agent receive.
12. Warranties and Indemnities. The author swears he wrote the book, and is responsible for the content.
13. Competing works. The author won't publish anything similar with anyone else/
14. Copyright. The publisher will pay for it.
15. Third party infringement. Both the publisher and author can sue copyright infringers.
16. Option. The publisher gets firts look at the author's next manuscript.
17. Out of print termination. Rights revert back to author when book is out of print.
18. Retention of manuscript copy. It's the author's responsibilty to keep a copy of the book.
19. Use of author's name and likeness. The publisher can use the author for promo stuff.
20. Advertisements. Any sub rights licensed cannot have any advertising in them unless the author agrees.
21. Taxes.
22. Force majeure. Acts of god can change the contract.
23. Bankruptcy. If the publisher files for bancruptcyt, the contract is null.
24. Governing law. The contract is subject to the laws of NY.
25. Assignment of this agreement. Niether author nor publisher can assign this contract to anyone else unless both agree.
26. Headings. The headings inthis agreement are for convenience only and are without substantive effect.
27. Notices. First class mail is used for correspondence between author and publisher, but registered mail is used in certain cases.
28. Agency. The author allows the agent to represent him in this deal.
29. Sodomy. Ha! Just seeing if you were still paying attention!
29. Entire understanding. This contract supersedes all prior negotiations.
So that's a book contract. Not very exciting, huh?
As always, I'm happy to answer any questions, as long as you sign this simple agreement...
Friday, August 12, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Buzz, Balls, and Self-Promotion
Barry Eisler is guest blogging at MJ Rose's well known site, and he's sharing his take on marketing for writers.
Pretty much all of what he says is on the money and worth studying. But I don't think he takes his comments as far as he should.
One of the things Barry and I agree on is investing in your own career as if it were stock.
Investing in yourself does two major things. First, it compounds your publisher's efforts in getting your name out there, establishing a brand, and selling books. Second, it shows your publisher that you're willing to invest your own time and money into building a career.
I invest between 1/3 and 1/2 of my income on promotion. Most of it goes toward travel. I think conventions are essential in my genre (mystery/thriller). So are the several dozen indie bookstores that specialize in mystery. These should be visited.
I spend a lot of time and money doing online promotion, have an extensive mailing list, and am always running contests on my own dime.
I was fortunate that my publisher sent me on an eight city tour. While they set up 8 events in 11 days, I used the time to sign stock at 97 other stores in the areas they sent me.
Were they impressed? Yes.
The single most important thing an author must do is to make sure their publisher is happy. That means earning out your advance, being gracious and easy to work with, and making an effort promoting and marketing.
It's hard work, and I'd rather spend the money on bills, but at this early stage in the game I have to show my publisher what I can, and will, do in order to succeed.
I know too many mid-list authors who are wondering why their careers are stalled---or finished. I don't want to be one of them.
Which is why I'm continuing my drive-by signing campaign, planning onhitting 300 more bookstores in the upcoming months.
Though having co-op placement (window, register, dump box, new release table, and end cap space that your publisher pays for) allows for a higher profile display and likelier customer purchase (and signed copies add to that), you don't have to have ten books in the store to benefit from a drop-in signing. Even Mary Midlist with two paperbacks in the Romance section can benefit.
Never underestimate the importance of the human contact, in this case author/bookstore employee. Impress someone working the register at a Border's, and she'll read your book. Once she's read you, she's a fan. She can handsell you. She can keep your books on the shelf even when the home office says they need to be stripped. She can reorder more copies even though the computer says she shouldn't.
I've had bookstores handsell dozens, even hundreds, of my books. All because they met me.
Plus, in almost every drive-by I did, once the books were signed the employees promised they'd be prominantly displayed. I didn't even have to ask. Though I'm fortunate to have some co-op placement, in many cases my books were spine-out in the Mystery section. But once I signed them, they were moved to an end cap by the bookseller.
Booksellers like to meet authors, and they like to display signed books. It shows customers that they have a connection with authors, and that authors value their store enough to sign there.
Remember--my publisher didn't tour me for my first book, and I had no co-op. But I did a lot of drop-ins, and my publisher noticed, leading to a larger print run, more co-op and advertising, and a publisher tour.
Recruiting your publisher is hugely important. But selling those extra books is important too, even if it is only a few hundred.
Let's say you have a two book hard/soft deal.
Book #1 has a print run of 15,000. Your publisher expects to sell half of that, 7500, which is a standard sell-through for a new author.
But because there wasn't a lot of promotion, or co-op, you only sell 7000. Still respectable, but you aren't knocking their socks off.
Book #1 goes into paperback. They might have projected a 50k print run, but because hardback sales were weak, this drops to 40k. That means less promo dollars, less in-house enthusiasm, less puch from the sales reps to get the book into stores. No one wants to back a loser.
And for Book #2, the hardcover run also goes down, to 12k. Book buyers see this, view what sold previously, and buy less. Again, you have a smaller promo budget, less in-house enthusiasm, and your chances for a second contract don't look good.
The key to fixing this is promotion. Getting your name, and yourself, out there and selling the books. Ads, reviews, library talks, conferences, conventions, internet marketing, snail mail campaigns, website contests and booksignings. Meeting the booksellers and the fans is what can make the difference.
The Whiskey Sour paperback was released 2 months ago, but the hardcover hasn't been remaindered yet, even though it's been out for 15 months, because it is still selling. Because I'm the one selling it. Slowly but surely.
I'll be super candid here; this business scares the crap out of me. I spend hours in bookstores, hand selling, and am shocked by how few books sell. Those that do sell are because the buyer knows of the author, either by reading previous books or hearing about the books some how. The amount of books sold to browsers---those folks who will plunk down $25 on a new author they've never heard of---is very tiny.
Even a recent NYT bestseller sold 4900 paperbacks in Waldenbooks chain in 3 weeks.
Do the math. There are 700 Waldenbooks stores nationwide. Each sold about seven books in 21 days, or a book every 3 days.
One book every three days is not a lot (and these are paperbacks). Each day had ten hours worth of traffic--between 300 and 1000 customers a day, and for two out of every three days, her new book went unsold.
And she's a known name with a huge fanbase. She'll sell better than any of us.
Chances are, Waldenbooks will get two or three copies of your book, where they'll sit on a shelf for 4 months, then get returned for credit. because no one is going to buy your book if they've never heard of you.
Go to a bookstore. Look at the bestseller rack. Sit and watch it for eight hours (I've done this dozens of times). See how many copies of Lee Child's new one sell. You'll be lucky to see one get sold. And he's Lee Child.
There are exceptions. The Traveller. The Historian. DaVinci Code. Potter. 5 People in Heaven. But it's doubtful you'll be an exception.
So who is going to sell these books?
You are. That means meeting the booksellers. Meeting the fans. Signing stock. Doing drop-ins.
Signed books have a better chance at selling. Signed books that the bookseller recommends are an even better bet.
Do this as often as you can.
Of course, the single greatest form of advertising in the publishing business is... short story sales.
By the end of the year, I'll have had stories and articles in 4 issues of Ellery Queen (250k circultation each), 3 issues of Writer's Digest (180k circ. each), 1 issue of Alfred Hitchcock (250k circ), 1 issue of The Strand (50k circ,) 20 other magazines and anthologies (150k circ.) including the upcoming THRILLER anthology edited by James Patterson (which sold for the biggest advance in the history of anthologies and will get huge press and a huge release.)
That's my name in almost 2 million magazines and books. But not just my name---my writing. And my writing is a much better form of advertising than any three color brochure or tiny b/w ad in the back of Mystery Scene.
If people read and enjoy a short story, they'll seek out the books. I have 1000's of emails from fans that back this statement up.
Cost to author: free, or you get paid. There's a time investment, but spending a week on a story that reaches two hundred thousand people seems to be a good return, plus you have the story forever. Writer's Digest reprinted my first article in two other publications (Novel Writing Magazine and Selling Your First Book magazine).
Which brings up the hackneyed expression "think outside the box."
The more that you learn about the way publishing works, the more that ideas spring to mind about who to best exploit it.
I found an agent in an unconventional way. I studied the industry and figured out what should work, even though all the how-to books said otherwise.
I've been selling my books in unconventional ways as well. I'll spend 6-8 hours in a bookstore, shaking the hand of everyone who walks in. I've met thousands of people, and sold thousands of books. Not too many other authors take this approach.
I consider short story sales and drive-by signings essential to a career, and I've been preaching this for a while. Not because Writer's Digest told me so. Because I looked at the industry, found a niche to exploit, and exploited it.
These methods may not work for everyone. But other methods could.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and authors need to find better ways to sell their books, or else they won't last long in this business.
Learn all you can about publishing. Not only from the outside, but from the inside as well.
You're a consumer, as well as a writer. What makes you buy a book? Figure that out, and concentrate your efforts on reproducing that effect for other consumers.
Pretty much all of what he says is on the money and worth studying. But I don't think he takes his comments as far as he should.
One of the things Barry and I agree on is investing in your own career as if it were stock.
Investing in yourself does two major things. First, it compounds your publisher's efforts in getting your name out there, establishing a brand, and selling books. Second, it shows your publisher that you're willing to invest your own time and money into building a career.
I invest between 1/3 and 1/2 of my income on promotion. Most of it goes toward travel. I think conventions are essential in my genre (mystery/thriller). So are the several dozen indie bookstores that specialize in mystery. These should be visited.
I spend a lot of time and money doing online promotion, have an extensive mailing list, and am always running contests on my own dime.
I was fortunate that my publisher sent me on an eight city tour. While they set up 8 events in 11 days, I used the time to sign stock at 97 other stores in the areas they sent me.
Were they impressed? Yes.
The single most important thing an author must do is to make sure their publisher is happy. That means earning out your advance, being gracious and easy to work with, and making an effort promoting and marketing.
It's hard work, and I'd rather spend the money on bills, but at this early stage in the game I have to show my publisher what I can, and will, do in order to succeed.
I know too many mid-list authors who are wondering why their careers are stalled---or finished. I don't want to be one of them.
Which is why I'm continuing my drive-by signing campaign, planning onhitting 300 more bookstores in the upcoming months.
Though having co-op placement (window, register, dump box, new release table, and end cap space that your publisher pays for) allows for a higher profile display and likelier customer purchase (and signed copies add to that), you don't have to have ten books in the store to benefit from a drop-in signing. Even Mary Midlist with two paperbacks in the Romance section can benefit.
Never underestimate the importance of the human contact, in this case author/bookstore employee. Impress someone working the register at a Border's, and she'll read your book. Once she's read you, she's a fan. She can handsell you. She can keep your books on the shelf even when the home office says they need to be stripped. She can reorder more copies even though the computer says she shouldn't.
I've had bookstores handsell dozens, even hundreds, of my books. All because they met me.
Plus, in almost every drive-by I did, once the books were signed the employees promised they'd be prominantly displayed. I didn't even have to ask. Though I'm fortunate to have some co-op placement, in many cases my books were spine-out in the Mystery section. But once I signed them, they were moved to an end cap by the bookseller.
Booksellers like to meet authors, and they like to display signed books. It shows customers that they have a connection with authors, and that authors value their store enough to sign there.
Remember--my publisher didn't tour me for my first book, and I had no co-op. But I did a lot of drop-ins, and my publisher noticed, leading to a larger print run, more co-op and advertising, and a publisher tour.
Recruiting your publisher is hugely important. But selling those extra books is important too, even if it is only a few hundred.
Let's say you have a two book hard/soft deal.
Book #1 has a print run of 15,000. Your publisher expects to sell half of that, 7500, which is a standard sell-through for a new author.
But because there wasn't a lot of promotion, or co-op, you only sell 7000. Still respectable, but you aren't knocking their socks off.
Book #1 goes into paperback. They might have projected a 50k print run, but because hardback sales were weak, this drops to 40k. That means less promo dollars, less in-house enthusiasm, less puch from the sales reps to get the book into stores. No one wants to back a loser.
And for Book #2, the hardcover run also goes down, to 12k. Book buyers see this, view what sold previously, and buy less. Again, you have a smaller promo budget, less in-house enthusiasm, and your chances for a second contract don't look good.
The key to fixing this is promotion. Getting your name, and yourself, out there and selling the books. Ads, reviews, library talks, conferences, conventions, internet marketing, snail mail campaigns, website contests and booksignings. Meeting the booksellers and the fans is what can make the difference.
The Whiskey Sour paperback was released 2 months ago, but the hardcover hasn't been remaindered yet, even though it's been out for 15 months, because it is still selling. Because I'm the one selling it. Slowly but surely.
I'll be super candid here; this business scares the crap out of me. I spend hours in bookstores, hand selling, and am shocked by how few books sell. Those that do sell are because the buyer knows of the author, either by reading previous books or hearing about the books some how. The amount of books sold to browsers---those folks who will plunk down $25 on a new author they've never heard of---is very tiny.
Even a recent NYT bestseller sold 4900 paperbacks in Waldenbooks chain in 3 weeks.
Do the math. There are 700 Waldenbooks stores nationwide. Each sold about seven books in 21 days, or a book every 3 days.
One book every three days is not a lot (and these are paperbacks). Each day had ten hours worth of traffic--between 300 and 1000 customers a day, and for two out of every three days, her new book went unsold.
And she's a known name with a huge fanbase. She'll sell better than any of us.
Chances are, Waldenbooks will get two or three copies of your book, where they'll sit on a shelf for 4 months, then get returned for credit. because no one is going to buy your book if they've never heard of you.
Go to a bookstore. Look at the bestseller rack. Sit and watch it for eight hours (I've done this dozens of times). See how many copies of Lee Child's new one sell. You'll be lucky to see one get sold. And he's Lee Child.
There are exceptions. The Traveller. The Historian. DaVinci Code. Potter. 5 People in Heaven. But it's doubtful you'll be an exception.
So who is going to sell these books?
You are. That means meeting the booksellers. Meeting the fans. Signing stock. Doing drop-ins.
Signed books have a better chance at selling. Signed books that the bookseller recommends are an even better bet.
Do this as often as you can.
Of course, the single greatest form of advertising in the publishing business is... short story sales.
By the end of the year, I'll have had stories and articles in 4 issues of Ellery Queen (250k circultation each), 3 issues of Writer's Digest (180k circ. each), 1 issue of Alfred Hitchcock (250k circ), 1 issue of The Strand (50k circ,) 20 other magazines and anthologies (150k circ.) including the upcoming THRILLER anthology edited by James Patterson (which sold for the biggest advance in the history of anthologies and will get huge press and a huge release.)
That's my name in almost 2 million magazines and books. But not just my name---my writing. And my writing is a much better form of advertising than any three color brochure or tiny b/w ad in the back of Mystery Scene.
If people read and enjoy a short story, they'll seek out the books. I have 1000's of emails from fans that back this statement up.
Cost to author: free, or you get paid. There's a time investment, but spending a week on a story that reaches two hundred thousand people seems to be a good return, plus you have the story forever. Writer's Digest reprinted my first article in two other publications (Novel Writing Magazine and Selling Your First Book magazine).
Which brings up the hackneyed expression "think outside the box."
The more that you learn about the way publishing works, the more that ideas spring to mind about who to best exploit it.
I found an agent in an unconventional way. I studied the industry and figured out what should work, even though all the how-to books said otherwise.
I've been selling my books in unconventional ways as well. I'll spend 6-8 hours in a bookstore, shaking the hand of everyone who walks in. I've met thousands of people, and sold thousands of books. Not too many other authors take this approach.
I consider short story sales and drive-by signings essential to a career, and I've been preaching this for a while. Not because Writer's Digest told me so. Because I looked at the industry, found a niche to exploit, and exploited it.
These methods may not work for everyone. But other methods could.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and authors need to find better ways to sell their books, or else they won't last long in this business.
Learn all you can about publishing. Not only from the outside, but from the inside as well.
You're a consumer, as well as a writer. What makes you buy a book? Figure that out, and concentrate your efforts on reproducing that effect for other consumers.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Jack Until '09
I just signed another 3 book deal with Hyperion, ensuring that Jack Daneils will be chasing bad guys for a while longer.
Thanks to my uber-agent, Jane Dystel, and my editor, Leslie Wells, for making this happen.
I'm going to celebrate by working my ass off promoting the series.
But first, beer!
Thanks to my uber-agent, Jane Dystel, and my editor, Leslie Wells, for making this happen.
I'm going to celebrate by working my ass off promoting the series.
But first, beer!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Back From Vacation... Sort Of
I didn't have a vacation last year. My money and time were spent on touring, and I missed out on taking the kids and dogs on a long car ride to a cabin somewhere to fish and swat bugs and get sunburned.
This year was looking to be similar. But something changed that. No, it wasn't my concerned wife, pleading with me to take a break and relax before I killed myself with work. No, it wasn't my 7 year old son, who was beginning to think that Dad was umbilically attached to his computer. And no, it wasn't me, who finally decided that I deserved a break after busting my tail for 3 years.
It was a bookstore.
I have a hard time turning down appearance requests. If someone wants me for a signing, or a speech, I consider it a wonderful opportunity for exposure, brand-building, networking, bookselling, and self-promoting. I spent a long time trying to set up appearances, and now that people are coming to me rather than the other way around, I try my best to honor requests.
So when I got a request to visit a store in upper Michigan, I said yes---even though it was a six hour drive. Six hours each way meant an overnight stay. Researching the area led me to a cabin on a lake, and I figured I could turn it into a vacation.
It was much needed after the work I put into my West Coast Tour, and I managed to get attacked by bugs, catch some fish, and even work on my sunburn, along with rediscovering that I have a pretty cool family.
Plus, the signing went well.
Now I'm back, and diving into the email and snail mail that has accumulated in my absence. This includes:
7 blurb requests. Somewhere along the line I said yes to 7 writers, all of whom have sent their manuscripts for me to blurb, deadlines coming up quick.
30 self-published books to read. Somewhere along the line I agreed to judge a genre fiction contest for Writer's Digest, and have to write 30 book critiques by mid-August.
223 emails to answer. I should probably be doing that instead of blogging.
I should be able to whip through all of this fairly fast, because I'm in the curious position of having nothing currently due on the writing front. Hyperion is considering my outline for the next Jack Daniels book, DIRTY MARTINI. They haven't sent me the line edits yet for RUSTY NAIL. No short stories are currently due. So, other than drive-by signings in the Chicagoland area, and a few scheduled events, I'm pretty open for August.
On the publishing front, various cool things are happening, including:
I just received the September issue of Writer's Digest, which features my article AFTER THE BOOK COMES OUT, a continuation of my piece for them last year called AFTER THE BIG SALE. The layout is a thing of beauty---I couldn't be happier. WD also bought another piece of mine called TURN A DISASTEROUS BOOKSIGNING INTO A SUCCESS, and is considering two others.
Jack Daniels will appear in the November issue of EQMM. The current issue has a back cover ad for my books, placed there by my publisher, along with a review of BLOODY MARY.
My Phineas Troutt story EPITAPH will appear in the upcomign THRILLER anthology, edited by James Patterson for the ITW.
Another Phineas Troutt story, SUFFER, will be in an upcoming issue of Ellery Queen. (side note; both of these Phin stories were written for the anthology CHICAGO NOIR, and were rejected. I should send that editor a Thank You note...)
I just recieved copies of SURREAL #1, which contains my horror short THE SHED.
I just recieved copies of THE STRAND #16, which contains my Harry McGlade story TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS... which may be the funniest thing I've ever written.
I just received copies of CRIMESPREE #7, which contains my story LIGHT DRIZZLE, a parody of my friend Barry Eisler's Rain books.
Another Harry McGlade story, WHELP WANTED, appears at the end of the BLOODY MARY audiobook. The story is read by me, and I don't suck too bad. The book itself is read by Dick Hill and Susie Breck, and they're fabulous. I'll put an excerpt on my website when I get caught up with stuff.
But first, I gotta go pick up some sunburn cream...
This year was looking to be similar. But something changed that. No, it wasn't my concerned wife, pleading with me to take a break and relax before I killed myself with work. No, it wasn't my 7 year old son, who was beginning to think that Dad was umbilically attached to his computer. And no, it wasn't me, who finally decided that I deserved a break after busting my tail for 3 years.
It was a bookstore.
I have a hard time turning down appearance requests. If someone wants me for a signing, or a speech, I consider it a wonderful opportunity for exposure, brand-building, networking, bookselling, and self-promoting. I spent a long time trying to set up appearances, and now that people are coming to me rather than the other way around, I try my best to honor requests.
So when I got a request to visit a store in upper Michigan, I said yes---even though it was a six hour drive. Six hours each way meant an overnight stay. Researching the area led me to a cabin on a lake, and I figured I could turn it into a vacation.
It was much needed after the work I put into my West Coast Tour, and I managed to get attacked by bugs, catch some fish, and even work on my sunburn, along with rediscovering that I have a pretty cool family.
Plus, the signing went well.
Now I'm back, and diving into the email and snail mail that has accumulated in my absence. This includes:
7 blurb requests. Somewhere along the line I said yes to 7 writers, all of whom have sent their manuscripts for me to blurb, deadlines coming up quick.
30 self-published books to read. Somewhere along the line I agreed to judge a genre fiction contest for Writer's Digest, and have to write 30 book critiques by mid-August.
223 emails to answer. I should probably be doing that instead of blogging.
I should be able to whip through all of this fairly fast, because I'm in the curious position of having nothing currently due on the writing front. Hyperion is considering my outline for the next Jack Daniels book, DIRTY MARTINI. They haven't sent me the line edits yet for RUSTY NAIL. No short stories are currently due. So, other than drive-by signings in the Chicagoland area, and a few scheduled events, I'm pretty open for August.
On the publishing front, various cool things are happening, including:
I just received the September issue of Writer's Digest, which features my article AFTER THE BOOK COMES OUT, a continuation of my piece for them last year called AFTER THE BIG SALE. The layout is a thing of beauty---I couldn't be happier. WD also bought another piece of mine called TURN A DISASTEROUS BOOKSIGNING INTO A SUCCESS, and is considering two others.
Jack Daniels will appear in the November issue of EQMM. The current issue has a back cover ad for my books, placed there by my publisher, along with a review of BLOODY MARY.
My Phineas Troutt story EPITAPH will appear in the upcomign THRILLER anthology, edited by James Patterson for the ITW.
Another Phineas Troutt story, SUFFER, will be in an upcoming issue of Ellery Queen. (side note; both of these Phin stories were written for the anthology CHICAGO NOIR, and were rejected. I should send that editor a Thank You note...)
I just recieved copies of SURREAL #1, which contains my horror short THE SHED.
I just recieved copies of THE STRAND #16, which contains my Harry McGlade story TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS... which may be the funniest thing I've ever written.
I just received copies of CRIMESPREE #7, which contains my story LIGHT DRIZZLE, a parody of my friend Barry Eisler's Rain books.
Another Harry McGlade story, WHELP WANTED, appears at the end of the BLOODY MARY audiobook. The story is read by me, and I don't suck too bad. The book itself is read by Dick Hill and Susie Breck, and they're fabulous. I'll put an excerpt on my website when I get caught up with stuff.
But first, I gotta go pick up some sunburn cream...
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Day #11--Last Day of Book Tour
Today was an all drive-by day, no event signings scheduled.
I tell you, I question the wisdom of sleeping on my brother's couch vs. a bed in a 5 star hotel. Though I didn't get to enjoy the facilities at any of the hotels, they sure had nice beds.
My brother has a lumpy couch. Plus he's got one of those hairless Japanese dogs that heats up to about 120 degrees and likes to sleep on people's heads. Not the best night of sleep I've had on tour.
I woke up early, took the dog off my face, and began the drive-bys:
Borders in Tukwila, signed 3 hardcovers and 8 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Tukwila, signed 4 hardcovers and 5 paperbacks.
Waldenbooks in Tukwila, signed 3 hardcoveras and 5 paperbacks.
Borders in Tacoma, signed 4 hardcovers and 15 papebacks, sold 1.
Waldenbooks in Tacoma, signed 2 hardcovers and 5 paperbacks, sold 2.
Whoddunit Books in Olympia, signed 1 paperback, but chatted witht he owner and she'll order many more.
B. Dalton in Olympia, signed 2 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Olympia, signed 2 hardcovers and 10 paperbacks, sold 1.
Barnes & Noble in Lakewood, signed 4 hardcovers and 9 paperbacks.
FINAL TOUR TOTALS---I signed a total of 933 books at 105 bookstores, and passed out 775 signed coasters. I shook hands with over 300 booksellers and hundreds of customers and fans.
FINAL THOUGHTS---After hitting the 100th store, there was no ticker tape parade or round of applause. All I felt was tired, and somewhat overwhelmed. There are over 5000 bookstores in the US, and I'd only visited less than 2% of them. Does that make a difference? Will all of this hard work impact my numbers significantly?
Rather than be satisfied with a job well done, I can only think of the work left to do. I take the red-eye home tomorrow morning, but instead of going home I have an event in Wisconsin that night. Then, a day to play catch up (I'm judging a Writer's Digest contest) and then off to Michigan for a week for more drive-bys during my family vacation.
But I'm happy I hit my goal of 100, and I believe I've impressed my publisher, which is a good thing.
While the publisher sponsored part of the tour has ended, I'll continue touring for the rest of the year, doing events and drive-bys, getting my name out there.
But for the time being, I think I'll have a beer...
I tell you, I question the wisdom of sleeping on my brother's couch vs. a bed in a 5 star hotel. Though I didn't get to enjoy the facilities at any of the hotels, they sure had nice beds.
My brother has a lumpy couch. Plus he's got one of those hairless Japanese dogs that heats up to about 120 degrees and likes to sleep on people's heads. Not the best night of sleep I've had on tour.
I woke up early, took the dog off my face, and began the drive-bys:
Borders in Tukwila, signed 3 hardcovers and 8 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Tukwila, signed 4 hardcovers and 5 paperbacks.
Waldenbooks in Tukwila, signed 3 hardcoveras and 5 paperbacks.
Borders in Tacoma, signed 4 hardcovers and 15 papebacks, sold 1.
Waldenbooks in Tacoma, signed 2 hardcovers and 5 paperbacks, sold 2.
Whoddunit Books in Olympia, signed 1 paperback, but chatted witht he owner and she'll order many more.
B. Dalton in Olympia, signed 2 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Olympia, signed 2 hardcovers and 10 paperbacks, sold 1.
Barnes & Noble in Lakewood, signed 4 hardcovers and 9 paperbacks.
FINAL TOUR TOTALS---I signed a total of 933 books at 105 bookstores, and passed out 775 signed coasters. I shook hands with over 300 booksellers and hundreds of customers and fans.
FINAL THOUGHTS---After hitting the 100th store, there was no ticker tape parade or round of applause. All I felt was tired, and somewhat overwhelmed. There are over 5000 bookstores in the US, and I'd only visited less than 2% of them. Does that make a difference? Will all of this hard work impact my numbers significantly?
Rather than be satisfied with a job well done, I can only think of the work left to do. I take the red-eye home tomorrow morning, but instead of going home I have an event in Wisconsin that night. Then, a day to play catch up (I'm judging a Writer's Digest contest) and then off to Michigan for a week for more drive-bys during my family vacation.
But I'm happy I hit my goal of 100, and I believe I've impressed my publisher, which is a good thing.
While the publisher sponsored part of the tour has ended, I'll continue touring for the rest of the year, doing events and drive-bys, getting my name out there.
But for the time being, I think I'll have a beer...
Day #10
Leaving the Heathman Hotel was tougher than expected. Not because I was sad to go, but because they somehow had no record of me staying there, making it a bit difficult to check out.
That never got fully straightened out, even though I had plenty of time, because the valet had apparently parked my car in Amsterdam--that's about how long it took to find.
Since I was driving to Seattle, and had a noon signing, I didn't find any of this amusing.
When I finally did get my car back, I broke the land speed record for Chevy Malibus (almost 83mph) and made it to the Seattle Mystery Bookshop with twenty minutes to spare.
There was a big crowd---all there for Jasper Fforde, who was signing with me. I pitched my books to the folks waiting in Jasper's long line and managed to sell quite a few. I also had some actual fans come to see me, which is always nice.
Jasper was a pleasant enough guy, English, polite and quick with the quip. I bought a copy of his latest book. He didn't return the favor.
TOUR TIP #17---When doing a signing with another author, buy their book. This not only supports the bookseller, but your fellow authors.
I wound up signing 30 books, then sticking around and handselling the remainder of my paperbacks before hitting the drive-by trail:
Barnes & Noble on Pine, signed 4 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Borders on 4th, signed 3 hardcovers---they couldn't find my paperbacks (stripped?)
B. Dalton in Factoria Square didn't have any books at all. I introduced myself to the employees and made sure they ordered some (should have phoned first.)
Waldenbooks on Pine, closed a few months ago (phone first.)
Borders in Bellevue, closed last month (dammit dummy, start phoning first!)
Barnes & Noble in Bellevue, 4 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Borders in Redmond, 5 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Woodinville, 4 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Federal Way, signed 3 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Borders in Federal Way, signed 2 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Since my brother lives in Seattle, I decided to stay with him and save the publisher some cash.
TOUR TIP # 18---Try to alleviate some of the publisher's touring expense when you can. I pay for my own food, extra gas, and never charge anything to the hotel rooms.
Apparently, I alleviated more cost than I thought. My publicist emailed, worried because i hadn't checked into the Heathman last night. This told me three things:
1. Your publisher is always watching you while you're touring.
2. My publisher seems to actually care about me.
3. The Heathman is run by a group of trained chimps.
TOUR STATS: I've signed 853 books at 96 bookstores, and have signed and handed out 700 coasters.
The GPS unit I purchased, a Garmin c330, is far superior to the rentalunits I've had. This thing comes prelaoded with 5 million business addresses, and every map in the US. So when I'm driving, I can type in "Borders" and it lists them all within a hundred miles. This is much easier.
Next tour I'll do a lot more driving, hitting stores along the way, and much less air travel, which is expensive, exhausting, and a time waster. Had I driven this entire tour, it would have taken perhaps three more days, but I would have been able to visit 50 more stores. A much better bang for the buck.
Only four more stores to reach the exhaulted 100. We'll see what happens...
That never got fully straightened out, even though I had plenty of time, because the valet had apparently parked my car in Amsterdam--that's about how long it took to find.
Since I was driving to Seattle, and had a noon signing, I didn't find any of this amusing.
When I finally did get my car back, I broke the land speed record for Chevy Malibus (almost 83mph) and made it to the Seattle Mystery Bookshop with twenty minutes to spare.
There was a big crowd---all there for Jasper Fforde, who was signing with me. I pitched my books to the folks waiting in Jasper's long line and managed to sell quite a few. I also had some actual fans come to see me, which is always nice.
Jasper was a pleasant enough guy, English, polite and quick with the quip. I bought a copy of his latest book. He didn't return the favor.
TOUR TIP #17---When doing a signing with another author, buy their book. This not only supports the bookseller, but your fellow authors.
I wound up signing 30 books, then sticking around and handselling the remainder of my paperbacks before hitting the drive-by trail:
Barnes & Noble on Pine, signed 4 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Borders on 4th, signed 3 hardcovers---they couldn't find my paperbacks (stripped?)
B. Dalton in Factoria Square didn't have any books at all. I introduced myself to the employees and made sure they ordered some (should have phoned first.)
Waldenbooks on Pine, closed a few months ago (phone first.)
Borders in Bellevue, closed last month (dammit dummy, start phoning first!)
Barnes & Noble in Bellevue, 4 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Borders in Redmond, 5 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Woodinville, 4 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Federal Way, signed 3 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Borders in Federal Way, signed 2 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Since my brother lives in Seattle, I decided to stay with him and save the publisher some cash.
TOUR TIP # 18---Try to alleviate some of the publisher's touring expense when you can. I pay for my own food, extra gas, and never charge anything to the hotel rooms.
Apparently, I alleviated more cost than I thought. My publicist emailed, worried because i hadn't checked into the Heathman last night. This told me three things:
1. Your publisher is always watching you while you're touring.
2. My publisher seems to actually care about me.
3. The Heathman is run by a group of trained chimps.
TOUR STATS: I've signed 853 books at 96 bookstores, and have signed and handed out 700 coasters.
The GPS unit I purchased, a Garmin c330, is far superior to the rentalunits I've had. This thing comes prelaoded with 5 million business addresses, and every map in the US. So when I'm driving, I can type in "Borders" and it lists them all within a hundred miles. This is much easier.
Next tour I'll do a lot more driving, hitting stores along the way, and much less air travel, which is expensive, exhausting, and a time waster. Had I driven this entire tour, it would have taken perhaps three more days, but I would have been able to visit 50 more stores. A much better bang for the buck.
Only four more stores to reach the exhaulted 100. We'll see what happens...
Monday, July 25, 2005
Day #9
Apparently, everything in Portland closes at 7pm, which put a serious crimp in my drive-by schedule.
I got up early to catch my flight to Oregon, only to watch it be delayed for an hour.
TOU TIP #16---Don't fly if you can avoid it. My next tour will be more driving, less flying. Then I'll have more time to visit stores, and spend less time in airports being delayed.
That said, I got to Portland within an hour of my event at Murder by the Book, and had to hustle to make it in time.
I had an hour of solo, plus another hour with two other mystery writers, the talented Ron Lovell and the remarkable Shirley Tallman. Shirley impressed me so much with her wit, candor, and experience, that I plunked down the money for her historical mystery The Russian Hill Murders even though I've never bought a period book before in my life. If, like me, you thought historicals were slow-moving and sans action, think again---this one is a race car.
The event was well attended, and the owner, Carolyn Lane, was a great host who kept things moving at a good pace.
After signing twenty books, I got a lesson on Oregon hospitality. Barbara Tom, who works at MBTB, took pity on me when I lamented my lack of a GPS unit (the rental car compnay didn't have any) and offered to drive me to a nearby Best Buy so I could purchase one.
For all she knew, I might have been a violent maniac. But still offered to give me a lift since the store was closing in twenty minutes and I didn't know the area.
Turns out, Barb was the violent maniac. A believer in karma, Barb must have been a New Yourk cabbie in a former life, because she drove like the car was on fire. We made it to the store in time, I plunked down some big bucks for a GPS, and then Barb topped her kindness by showing my where the local Powell's bookstore was, so I could do a drive-by.
Thanks again, Barb. You're good people.
I managed only four drive-bys, which meant I had time to relax and enjoy the lovely Heathman Hotel, right?
Wrong. I got back to my room and rather than unwind, I was up until the wee hours trying to figure out my new GPS toy and programming it for my car trip to Seattle the next day.
Drive-bys:
Powell's Portland Airport, signed 3 paperbacks.
Powell's on Hawthorne, signed 1 hardcover, 2 paperbacks.
Powell's on Burnside, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Borders on 3rd street--closed ten minutes before I got there.
TOUR SO FAR: I've signed 770 books at 87 bookstores. I have two days in Washington. We'll see what kind of damage I can do there.
FUN FACT ABOUT PORTLAND-- Portland has 37,000 acres of green parks, and they all close at 7PM.
COLLECTION UPDATE--With the Heathman, I've now acquired 28 little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, 12 bottles of hand cream, 32 bars of soap, two sets of ear plugs, two eye masks, seven chocolate candies, three sewing kits, and a complimetary bottle of spring water.
Plus seven hairdryers, six coffee makers, 19 towels, five robes, three clock radios, a lamp, and a framed Warhol litho.
And don't even get me started on the mini-bars. I totaled up the cost of all the goodies in the room, and they're worth over seventeen thousand dollars.
Hotels are cool.
I got up early to catch my flight to Oregon, only to watch it be delayed for an hour.
TOU TIP #16---Don't fly if you can avoid it. My next tour will be more driving, less flying. Then I'll have more time to visit stores, and spend less time in airports being delayed.
That said, I got to Portland within an hour of my event at Murder by the Book, and had to hustle to make it in time.
I had an hour of solo, plus another hour with two other mystery writers, the talented Ron Lovell and the remarkable Shirley Tallman. Shirley impressed me so much with her wit, candor, and experience, that I plunked down the money for her historical mystery The Russian Hill Murders even though I've never bought a period book before in my life. If, like me, you thought historicals were slow-moving and sans action, think again---this one is a race car.
The event was well attended, and the owner, Carolyn Lane, was a great host who kept things moving at a good pace.
After signing twenty books, I got a lesson on Oregon hospitality. Barbara Tom, who works at MBTB, took pity on me when I lamented my lack of a GPS unit (the rental car compnay didn't have any) and offered to drive me to a nearby Best Buy so I could purchase one.
For all she knew, I might have been a violent maniac. But still offered to give me a lift since the store was closing in twenty minutes and I didn't know the area.
Turns out, Barb was the violent maniac. A believer in karma, Barb must have been a New Yourk cabbie in a former life, because she drove like the car was on fire. We made it to the store in time, I plunked down some big bucks for a GPS, and then Barb topped her kindness by showing my where the local Powell's bookstore was, so I could do a drive-by.
Thanks again, Barb. You're good people.
I managed only four drive-bys, which meant I had time to relax and enjoy the lovely Heathman Hotel, right?
Wrong. I got back to my room and rather than unwind, I was up until the wee hours trying to figure out my new GPS toy and programming it for my car trip to Seattle the next day.
Drive-bys:
Powell's Portland Airport, signed 3 paperbacks.
Powell's on Hawthorne, signed 1 hardcover, 2 paperbacks.
Powell's on Burnside, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Borders on 3rd street--closed ten minutes before I got there.
TOUR SO FAR: I've signed 770 books at 87 bookstores. I have two days in Washington. We'll see what kind of damage I can do there.
FUN FACT ABOUT PORTLAND-- Portland has 37,000 acres of green parks, and they all close at 7PM.
COLLECTION UPDATE--With the Heathman, I've now acquired 28 little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, 12 bottles of hand cream, 32 bars of soap, two sets of ear plugs, two eye masks, seven chocolate candies, three sewing kits, and a complimetary bottle of spring water.
Plus seven hairdryers, six coffee makers, 19 towels, five robes, three clock radios, a lamp, and a framed Warhol litho.
And don't even get me started on the mini-bars. I totaled up the cost of all the goodies in the room, and they're worth over seventeen thousand dollars.
Hotels are cool.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Day #8
No scheduled signings today, only drive-bys:
B. Dalton in 1 Embarcadero Center signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks, sold 2.
Borders on Winston signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
Waldenbooks in 4 Embaracdero Center, signed 3 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks. (They were closed, due to flooding, but let me in to sign. Hundreds of books were ruined by water damage, but mine were okay. Perhaps they should have a liquidation sale...)
Waldenbooks on Portal, signed 2 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Stacey's on Market, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Cody's on Stockton--dropped by, but they weren't open.
Books Inc on Market, signed 1 paperback.
Barnes & Noble in Berkley, signed 4 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Cody's on Telegraph, signed 2 hardcoversd, 4 paperbacks.
Moe's in Berkley, signed 4 paperbacks.
Cody's on 4th, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks, sold 1.
Borders on Shellmound, signed 3 hardcovers, five paperbacks, sold 1.
Waldenbooks on 14th street---closed ten minutes before I got there, dammit.
Barnes & Noble on Bay, signed 4 hardcvoers, 6 paperbacks, sold 1.
Barnes & Noble on Boradway, signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
I also dropped by the 10th Annual Books by the Bay Festival and met authors Leslie Glass and Rhys Bowen--both very classy ladies (you must buy their books). I also met Dylan Schaffer, who beat me out for the Gumshoe Award and is also up against me for the Macavity. Great guy (and a great writer, buy his books). I wouldn't have found him if it wasn't for the savvy Susan Tunis (thanks, Susan!)
I spent a few minutes at the M is for Mystery booth and handsold 3 hardcovers and 3 paperbacks, and then I schmoozed other indie booksellers, including folks from Cody's, Stacey's, and the Alexander Book Company.
TOUR STATS: To date, I've signed roughly 740 books at 83 bookstores, and passed out 550 signed Whiskey Sour coasters to booksellers, fans, and customers. Each person who gets a coaster gets to hear my pitch.
Lee Goldberg asked if this is worth it, to which I whole-heartedly respond: I don't know.
I do know I've met some great people who will continue to sell my books after I've left. I know I've spread a lot of good will, got the word out there, and will be remembered. I know that it beats sitting at home and hoping my books sell on their own.
But is the result with the time, effort, and money put in?
Time will tell...
FUN FACT ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO: The hit song by the Village People, San Fransisco, was about San Francisco.
B. Dalton in 1 Embarcadero Center signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks, sold 2.
Borders on Winston signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
Waldenbooks in 4 Embaracdero Center, signed 3 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks. (They were closed, due to flooding, but let me in to sign. Hundreds of books were ruined by water damage, but mine were okay. Perhaps they should have a liquidation sale...)
Waldenbooks on Portal, signed 2 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Stacey's on Market, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Cody's on Stockton--dropped by, but they weren't open.
Books Inc on Market, signed 1 paperback.
Barnes & Noble in Berkley, signed 4 hardcovers, 4 paperbacks.
Cody's on Telegraph, signed 2 hardcoversd, 4 paperbacks.
Moe's in Berkley, signed 4 paperbacks.
Cody's on 4th, signed 2 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks, sold 1.
Borders on Shellmound, signed 3 hardcovers, five paperbacks, sold 1.
Waldenbooks on 14th street---closed ten minutes before I got there, dammit.
Barnes & Noble on Bay, signed 4 hardcvoers, 6 paperbacks, sold 1.
Barnes & Noble on Boradway, signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
I also dropped by the 10th Annual Books by the Bay Festival and met authors Leslie Glass and Rhys Bowen--both very classy ladies (you must buy their books). I also met Dylan Schaffer, who beat me out for the Gumshoe Award and is also up against me for the Macavity. Great guy (and a great writer, buy his books). I wouldn't have found him if it wasn't for the savvy Susan Tunis (thanks, Susan!)
I spent a few minutes at the M is for Mystery booth and handsold 3 hardcovers and 3 paperbacks, and then I schmoozed other indie booksellers, including folks from Cody's, Stacey's, and the Alexander Book Company.
TOUR STATS: To date, I've signed roughly 740 books at 83 bookstores, and passed out 550 signed Whiskey Sour coasters to booksellers, fans, and customers. Each person who gets a coaster gets to hear my pitch.
Lee Goldberg asked if this is worth it, to which I whole-heartedly respond: I don't know.
I do know I've met some great people who will continue to sell my books after I've left. I know I've spread a lot of good will, got the word out there, and will be remembered. I know that it beats sitting at home and hoping my books sell on their own.
But is the result with the time, effort, and money put in?
Time will tell...
FUN FACT ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO: The hit song by the Village People, San Fransisco, was about San Francisco.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Day #7
Afraid of being stuck in LA traffic while my plane to San Francisco left without me, I got up three hours before my flight to drive the 13 miles to LAX.
I got there right on time, so naturally my flight was delayed for an hour.
After boarding, the plane did the runway shuffle for another 90 minutes. Upon completing our fifth circle of the airport, awaiting take-off clearance, the little girl sitting next to me turned to her mother and said, "Maybe the plane hasn't learned how to fly yet."
From hotel to hotel, the trip took nine hours. Next time I'll drive.
Of course, my publisher put me up in another nice hotel--The Hotel Monoco. Not quite as posh as Le Meridien of Beverly Hills where I stayed yesterday, but I'd be a fool to complain. I just wish I had time to enjoy these hotels...
The drive-by report:
Bookstore at LAX, signed three paperbacks.
Bookstore at San Francisco airport, signed and sold one paperback.
Borders on 3rd, signed 2 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble on Taylore, signed 2 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Borders on Post, signed 5 hardcovers, 7 paperbacks.
San Francisco Mystery Bookstore, signed 3 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books, signed 1 hardcover, 3 paperbacks.
My event was at M is for Mystery in San Mateo. I'd never been there before, but I met the lovely Ed Kaufman last year at the cocktail party Hyperion threw for Whiskey Sour's release.
Great store. And Ed's a great guy.
A handful of people showed up, and we formed a circle with our chairs and I spoke for an hour about my books, and publishing in general. The majority of them were writers, which makes me believe that my website and my blog are being read.
It also makes me proud to be a part of this business. I try to help writers, and in turn they come to my signings and help me by buying my books.
After signing a stack of 25 hardcovers and a few paperbacks, I promised Ed I'd drop by his booth at the 10th Annual Books by the Bay Festival tomorrow. Then the writers (Tammy Durston, Susan Tunis, and Ronald Cree) took me out for beer and food.
Ronald Cree just sold his first novel, a YA mystery called Desert Blood 10pm/9C and he's got the right attitude for the task ahead---work your butt off and make money for your publisher. I think he'll do fine. It's coming out in February and he's already planning for publicity and touring. Corner him at Bouchercon and say hello.
And as promised, here are more self-promoters that I admire:
David Ellis. Dave didn't tour for his latest book. Instead, he wrote 200 letters to reviewers and sent them out along with ARCs. It took a lot of work and research, but it paid off. Reviewers are flooded with books sent by publishers, but a major release sent by the author, complete with a personal, signed letter, got Dave noticed. In The Company of Liars had more reviews, and as a result higher sales, than his previous three novels. And the reviewers will remember him for his next novel.
Of course, it didn't hurt that the book (written entirely in reverse chronological order) is fabulous.
Dave has also revamped his website, and it's full of information and a lot of fun to surf.
PJ Parrish. Kristy and Kelly Montee write the Louis Kincaid series under the name PJ Parrish, and they do a lot of self-promotion. They tour. They attend conventions. They help run Sleuthfest, which is Florida's biggest mystery conference. And now, they also blog.
Drop by http://pjparrish.blogspot.com.
TOUR UPDATE-- I've visited 70 stores so far. Will I break 100 with only 4 days left in the tour?
You can check my progress in tomorrow's episode...
I got there right on time, so naturally my flight was delayed for an hour.
After boarding, the plane did the runway shuffle for another 90 minutes. Upon completing our fifth circle of the airport, awaiting take-off clearance, the little girl sitting next to me turned to her mother and said, "Maybe the plane hasn't learned how to fly yet."
From hotel to hotel, the trip took nine hours. Next time I'll drive.
Of course, my publisher put me up in another nice hotel--The Hotel Monoco. Not quite as posh as Le Meridien of Beverly Hills where I stayed yesterday, but I'd be a fool to complain. I just wish I had time to enjoy these hotels...
The drive-by report:
Bookstore at LAX, signed three paperbacks.
Bookstore at San Francisco airport, signed and sold one paperback.
Borders on 3rd, signed 2 hardcovers, 5 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble on Taylore, signed 2 hardcovers, 3 paperbacks.
Borders on Post, signed 5 hardcovers, 7 paperbacks.
San Francisco Mystery Bookstore, signed 3 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books, signed 1 hardcover, 3 paperbacks.
My event was at M is for Mystery in San Mateo. I'd never been there before, but I met the lovely Ed Kaufman last year at the cocktail party Hyperion threw for Whiskey Sour's release.
Great store. And Ed's a great guy.
A handful of people showed up, and we formed a circle with our chairs and I spoke for an hour about my books, and publishing in general. The majority of them were writers, which makes me believe that my website and my blog are being read.
It also makes me proud to be a part of this business. I try to help writers, and in turn they come to my signings and help me by buying my books.
After signing a stack of 25 hardcovers and a few paperbacks, I promised Ed I'd drop by his booth at the 10th Annual Books by the Bay Festival tomorrow. Then the writers (Tammy Durston, Susan Tunis, and Ronald Cree) took me out for beer and food.
Ronald Cree just sold his first novel, a YA mystery called Desert Blood 10pm/9C and he's got the right attitude for the task ahead---work your butt off and make money for your publisher. I think he'll do fine. It's coming out in February and he's already planning for publicity and touring. Corner him at Bouchercon and say hello.
And as promised, here are more self-promoters that I admire:
David Ellis. Dave didn't tour for his latest book. Instead, he wrote 200 letters to reviewers and sent them out along with ARCs. It took a lot of work and research, but it paid off. Reviewers are flooded with books sent by publishers, but a major release sent by the author, complete with a personal, signed letter, got Dave noticed. In The Company of Liars had more reviews, and as a result higher sales, than his previous three novels. And the reviewers will remember him for his next novel.
Of course, it didn't hurt that the book (written entirely in reverse chronological order) is fabulous.
Dave has also revamped his website, and it's full of information and a lot of fun to surf.
PJ Parrish. Kristy and Kelly Montee write the Louis Kincaid series under the name PJ Parrish, and they do a lot of self-promotion. They tour. They attend conventions. They help run Sleuthfest, which is Florida's biggest mystery conference. And now, they also blog.
Drop by http://pjparrish.blogspot.com.
TOUR UPDATE-- I've visited 70 stores so far. Will I break 100 with only 4 days left in the tour?
You can check my progress in tomorrow's episode...
Friday, July 22, 2005
Day #6
Not a very productive day today, due to L.A. traffic, which ranks just below kidney stones on my "Things I Hate" list.
Though I spent about 10 hours in the car, I only managed to visit 8 bookstores:
Borders Orange County, signed 1 hardcover, 6 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Irvine, signed 3 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble #2 in Irvine, signed 4 hardcovers, 8 paperbacks.
Borders in Beverly Hills, signed 1 hardcover and 3 paperbacks.
Borders in Westwood, signed 2 hardcovers and 3 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Westwood, signed 4 hardcovers (couldn't find the paperbacks... I fear they were stripped)
Barnes & Noble at Farmer's Market, signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
There were plenty of other stores I could have visited, but just didn't have the time.
My event tonight was at the Mysterious Bookshop in Westwood, and at 7:00pm I was greated by my throng of fan.
No typo there. One guy showed up (thanks, Stephen Blackmoore!)
That didn't discourage me, because, hey, one guy showed up. Steve's a writer too, and we talked shop for a while. He discovered me through my blog, which was a nice thing to hear---it's nice to know that my words are getting through to you folks. Or, at the very least, getting through to Steve.
Happily, the bookstore had a stack or pre-orders for me to sign, as well as a big pile of stock, which always makes me happy. It was great meeting the managers, Bobby and Linda. They're good people.
Then I signed the infamous Jail Register, a massive book that they've been keeping since the year 2000. Every author that comes in signs their name and vital stats, and everyone tries to be clever.
I saw a lot of famous names, which was cool.
I also saw many more names that I didn't recognize at all, which was very uncool.
I know quite a few folks in the writing community, but about 75% of those names were alien to me.
Hundreds of unknown writers. How many never wrote a second book? How many lost their publisher? How many are chugging along at book #7 and still midlist?
Five years from now, will I be one of the reconizable names, or one of the forgotten hundreds?
Scary, sobering stuff...
As I promised, I wanted to share with my blog readers (hi, Steve!) some names of other authors who also kick-butt on the self-promtion front, to prove that I'm not the only grunt in the trenches.
Barry Eisler has been touring for a solid month, driving coast to coast and visiting dozens of stores. He's also fitting in an occasional TV and radio gig. Barry is very savvy when it comes to promotion, and is a wealth of information and ideas when it comes to that subject. Most importantly, it's working for him. His driving tour is costing his publisher less than the flying/escort standard, but he's able to get more done.
Is it working? He's got a movie option, a Barry Award nomination (no relation), a second printing on his latest book, and he's an IMBA bestseller.
Julia Spencer-Fleming may actually be doing more than I do on the self-promotion front. Assisted by her marketing-genius husband Ross, Julia does drive-bys like crazy. She calls them 'force mulitpliers' (great term) and believes they've helped double the sales of her latest book at the chains. She also does massive mailing campaigns, and networks like crazy.
Is it working? She's an IMBA bestseller, is currently nominated for a Barry Award, and appeared on the Amazon top 25 for her latest book.
I'll list more authors tomorrow. Now. Must. Sleep...
FUN FACT ABOUT LOS ANGELES: The traffic sucks.
Though I spent about 10 hours in the car, I only managed to visit 8 bookstores:
Borders Orange County, signed 1 hardcover, 6 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Irvine, signed 3 hardcovers, 2 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble #2 in Irvine, signed 4 hardcovers, 8 paperbacks.
Borders in Beverly Hills, signed 1 hardcover and 3 paperbacks.
Borders in Westwood, signed 2 hardcovers and 3 paperbacks.
Barnes & Noble in Westwood, signed 4 hardcovers (couldn't find the paperbacks... I fear they were stripped)
Barnes & Noble at Farmer's Market, signed 4 hardcovers, 6 paperbacks.
There were plenty of other stores I could have visited, but just didn't have the time.
My event tonight was at the Mysterious Bookshop in Westwood, and at 7:00pm I was greated by my throng of fan.
No typo there. One guy showed up (thanks, Stephen Blackmoore!)
That didn't discourage me, because, hey, one guy showed up. Steve's a writer too, and we talked shop for a while. He discovered me through my blog, which was a nice thing to hear---it's nice to know that my words are getting through to you folks. Or, at the very least, getting through to Steve.
Happily, the bookstore had a stack or pre-orders for me to sign, as well as a big pile of stock, which always makes me happy. It was great meeting the managers, Bobby and Linda. They're good people.
Then I signed the infamous Jail Register, a massive book that they've been keeping since the year 2000. Every author that comes in signs their name and vital stats, and everyone tries to be clever.
I saw a lot of famous names, which was cool.
I also saw many more names that I didn't recognize at all, which was very uncool.
I know quite a few folks in the writing community, but about 75% of those names were alien to me.
Hundreds of unknown writers. How many never wrote a second book? How many lost their publisher? How many are chugging along at book #7 and still midlist?
Five years from now, will I be one of the reconizable names, or one of the forgotten hundreds?
Scary, sobering stuff...
As I promised, I wanted to share with my blog readers (hi, Steve!) some names of other authors who also kick-butt on the self-promtion front, to prove that I'm not the only grunt in the trenches.
Barry Eisler has been touring for a solid month, driving coast to coast and visiting dozens of stores. He's also fitting in an occasional TV and radio gig. Barry is very savvy when it comes to promotion, and is a wealth of information and ideas when it comes to that subject. Most importantly, it's working for him. His driving tour is costing his publisher less than the flying/escort standard, but he's able to get more done.
Is it working? He's got a movie option, a Barry Award nomination (no relation), a second printing on his latest book, and he's an IMBA bestseller.
Julia Spencer-Fleming may actually be doing more than I do on the self-promotion front. Assisted by her marketing-genius husband Ross, Julia does drive-bys like crazy. She calls them 'force mulitpliers' (great term) and believes they've helped double the sales of her latest book at the chains. She also does massive mailing campaigns, and networks like crazy.
Is it working? She's an IMBA bestseller, is currently nominated for a Barry Award, and appeared on the Amazon top 25 for her latest book.
I'll list more authors tomorrow. Now. Must. Sleep...
FUN FACT ABOUT LOS ANGELES: The traffic sucks.
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