tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post112181964982051464..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Day #4JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1122065200974117312005-07-22T15:46:00.000-05:002005-07-22T15:46:00.000-05:00Sigh. I never said she advised against it! I jus...Sigh. I never said she advised against it! I just said her advice about how to go about doing it differed from Joe's. That's all. Please, people, don't get your panties in a bunch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121958514105948192005-07-21T10:08:00.000-05:002005-07-21T10:08:00.000-05:00For those who recall, for my first novel my publis...For those who recall, for my first novel my publisher told me NOT to visit any bookstores. I was sepcifically warned against bothering booksellers.<BR/><BR/>Which made no sense at all.<BR/><BR/>I didn't listen to that particular suggestion (it's always better to try it then apologize later than to not try it at all), and visited about 150 bookstores last year.<BR/><BR/>I had some success, and my success resulted in my publisher footing the bill for this tour. <BR/><BR/>Publishers are pretty conservative with new authors. They don't want them to make waves, or embarrass themselves, or waste their time and become discouraged.<BR/><BR/>They also don't want to pay $50 co-op when a new author only sells three books at a signing.<BR/><BR/>But in my opinion, the best bang for your promotional buck is meeting the people who are selling your books.<BR/><BR/>I have NEVER visited a bookstore and been told "No, you can't sign anything." 99% of the time I'm met with enthusiasm. 1% of the time I'm met with apathy, or confusion. But I'm never met with annoyance, reluctance, or anger.<BR/><BR/>David and Mark questioned whether or not drive-bys are worth it.<BR/><BR/>Waldenbooks has BLOODY MARY at 20% off, because I've sold a ton through their chain. How?<BR/><BR/>Drive-bys. I met the staff, and got them to hand-sell my books.<BR/><BR/>Now I'm on the 20% rack at the front of 700 stores.<BR/><BR/>Wouldn't have happened if I didn't disobey my publisher.<BR/><BR/>Why would your independant publicist advise against drop-ins? I don't understand that at all.<BR/><BR/>1 motivated bookseller can be much more effective than any ad, any radio interview, any cable TV spot.<BR/><BR/>How many times have you bought a book because you heard an author on the radio? Compare that to an impassioned bookseller at your favorite store who says, "Buy this. Trust me, you'll love it."<BR/><BR/>What's your publicist's reason for saying that, Mel?JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121945901419435202005-07-21T06:38:00.000-05:002005-07-21T06:38:00.000-05:00I interviewed your buddy Libby Fischer Hellmann th...I interviewed your buddy Libby Fischer Hellmann this week, Joe, and we discussed your tour and marketing in general (were your ears buzzing?), and Libby commented that to her mind, anyway, drop-in signings were a very effective and efficient way to market, especially versus the time and energy involved in signings and book talks to libraries and organizations, etc. I've done both and I have no idea if either is effective, but there's definitely a lot of time and energy expended on book talks.<BR/>Best,<BR/>Mark TerryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121920109527119662005-07-20T23:28:00.000-05:002005-07-20T23:28:00.000-05:00Anybody that tells you it is a bad idea to drop in...Anybody that tells you it is a bad idea to drop in at a bookstore and offer to sign your books is wrong. It is a great idea because you meet the staff. Joe is right. his is your sales staff.<BR/><BR/>How could anyone on connected with an author think that is a bad thing? It helps sell books, and that's what it's all about.If your independent publicist tells you different, they are wrong and you might reconsider where you spend your money for marketing.Jon The Crime Spree Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09516077426733561884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121906132153935202005-07-20T19:35:00.000-05:002005-07-20T19:35:00.000-05:00I know the difference, Joe! I still don't quite a...I know the difference, Joe! I still don't quite agree with your advice (no matter the situation) about ignoring publisher and bookseller's rules, that's all. But different strokes for different folks, you know. <BR/><BR/>(And I have to say your advice about drop ins is exactly opposite of what my independent publicist - not my publisher's publicist - advised me. Sigh. What's a girl author to do?)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121894412956366132005-07-20T16:20:00.000-05:002005-07-20T16:20:00.000-05:00Hi Mel--Signings and drop-ins are two different th...Hi Mel--<BR/><BR/>Signings and drop-ins are two different things. You don't need your publisher's permission, or the bookstore's permission, to do a drop in. You're dealing with troops, not Generals.<BR/><BR/>Hyperion has been watching what I'm doing, and they're impressed.<BR/><BR/>If you call the bookstore and let them know you're coming, it's a signing, not a drop-in. That's where you can get in trouble.<BR/><BR/>But popping in and saying hello to employees? That's recruiting a sales team, and a savvy way to sell books.<BR/><BR/>JAJA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121894109894817802005-07-20T16:15:00.000-05:002005-07-20T16:15:00.000-05:00Hmmm, well, I'll just hold on to my opinion, David...Hmmm, well, I'll just hold on to my opinion, David, based on some recent conversations with publishers and booksellers. But definitely, every person has to do what feels best for him or herself. I admire the heck out of Joe, don't get me wrong. I think he's doing a terrific job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121892436251490412005-07-20T15:47:00.000-05:002005-07-20T15:47:00.000-05:00There are certainly rules that you wouldn't want t...There are certainly rules that you wouldn't want to break, but I don't think what Joe's doing is an example of that.<BR/><BR/>Now, I'm not sure that what he's doing is the most efficient way of promoting... but if he doesn't mind spending the time, I don't think anyone's going to complain.<BR/><BR/>Publishers get upset about author's doing things that make them look bad, embarass them, hurt sales, crap like that.David J. Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659378437791125292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121884879419724302005-07-20T13:41:00.000-05:002005-07-20T13:41:00.000-05:00Joe, you know I love ya, man, but I really don't a...Joe, you know I love ya, man, but I really don't agree about ignoring publisher's and bookseller's rules. Being a squeaky wheel isn't always the best approach, I think, when taking the long view. Sorry, just my opinion, I know, but I've been talking a lot about signings and appearances lately. And I'm learning a ton about the publisher's and bookseller's views, and I'm learning to respect them. I really don't think the author can just barge in and make up her own rules and not expect that approach to come back to haunt her. You want to be assertive, true. But also work with the professionals, not totally ignore them.<BR/><BR/>But I admire your cojones, as usual. And I know for sure you don't agree with me - maybe we can have a beer and talk about all this later. This is just another example of where "one size does not fit all" when it comes to authors and promotion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1121866269808200152005-07-20T08:31:00.000-05:002005-07-20T08:31:00.000-05:00Prairie fire shots: tequila and tabasco. Hemingw...Prairie fire shots: tequila and tabasco. Hemingway would be proud!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com