book signings

eskkar · Jan 1, 2006

JA Konrath said:
I've been toured by my publisher, all expenses paid. I hit 106 bookstores in 11 days. By all accounts (mine, the publisher's, booksellers, fans) it was a success.

Did I recoup what they invested? Not yet. The point is to build a brand. Cumulative effects can't be measured in numbers, but I have a lot of proof they do add up:

Thanks, JA Konrath, for the information, all of your postings seem right on. I plan to do as much as I can to promote my book, so I'll be following your advice. I think you're right, you never know what action might trigger more sales, so the more effort you put in, the more likely your work will take off.

thanks,
eskkar

eskkar · Jan 1, 2006

Good Advice

maestrowork said:
I agree. I'm with a small press, and I'm doing everything I could and I intend to do some heavy hand sell once the book is available for ordering. But it'll be all done at a local/regional level. I could perhaps target 3 or 4 markets. But it's impossible (both time-wise and financially) to hit all the major markets. That's what I'm saying -- setting expectations. Without a national distribution channel, I am not going to fool myself into thinking that I and I alone am going to get my books in every store in America.

But local/regional level? Definitely.

I just happen to have public speaking + business background, and while I don't always enjoy doing that, I am fully capable and willing. I am just questioning how "realistic" it is for authors. How outgoing you need to be to pull it off?

Thanks, maestrowork, for the good advice. I plan to do about 6 or 7 local markets, and try to do everything I can to promote during the launch period. I can certainly afford a few weeks pressing the flesh, and I'd hate to think that my book never took off because I didn't as hard as I could.

eskkar

Christine N. · Jan 2, 2006

With all this being said, the best way to sell your first book is to write another book. Most people improve book to book, and fans of your first will probably buy your second, and people who pick up your second will want to know what else you've written.

So, while spending time on promotion is probably fruitful, don't forget to keep writing.

maestrowork · Jan 2, 2006

Christine N. said:
With all this being said, the best way to sell your first book is to write another book. Most people improve book to book, and fans of your first will probably buy your second, and people who pick up your second will want to know what else you've written...

Very true. My limited number of fans (

) are already asking me about my second book. And if you write a great one -- that's how you become famous.

Just look at John Grisham.

JA Konrath · Jan 2, 2006

Christine N. said:
With all this being said, the best way to sell your first book is to write another book.

Absolutely. But if you don't have a two book deal, you'll never sell your second book unless your first book does well enough.

How do you know if your book did well enough?

Earning out your advance is a good sign. Having better than a 50% sell through. Going into a second printing. If your publisher dumps more marketing dollars on you, chances are you're doing well.

Your agent should have Nielsen Bookscan, and be able to tell you numbers more exact than the royalty statement, which usually holds advance against returns. Ask her how things are going.

Cathy C · Jan 2, 2006

Small plug here: Romance writers who want to know this should investigate joining Romance Writers of America. RWA has partnered with Nielsen to provide the weekly BookScan romance list to its members for $50 per year. Definitely worth the price for those who like to follow their own numbers!

If you belong to any other published author organizations (SFWA, HWA, etc.) you might contact your leadership to see if they could do something similar as a membership benefit.

book signings

eskkar

eskkar

Christine N.

haz a shiny new book cover

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

JA Konrath

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!