Great question popped up on one of the lists. The person asked, "Does pre-ordering a book help the author? Is pre-ordering more important than buying a book within the first 3 weeks it comes out?"Here's my answer:As I understand it, pre-ordering helps a lot. The publisher looks to pre-orders to determine print run--and early indications of popularity. The higher the print run, the more a publisher has invested in a book, and therefore, the more a … [Read more...] about Does Pre-Ordering a Book Matter?
book sales
Stand Up to Sell Your Books
A couple of weeks ago, I attended Festival of Mystery. I'm not sure how many books I had to sell--must have been 20 or two dozen at least. I sold out in the first hour and a half. After I sold out, I started taking orders for my books. That resulted in selling another 18 or so copies of my books. (Now, remember--I was standing there without anything to show people in a room full of other authors competing for sales. So I think that 18 or so more … [Read more...] about Stand Up to Sell Your Books
50 Things Under $50 You Can Do to Promote Your Book
by Penny SansevieriIf your book marketing budget is tight (and even if it's not) youmight want to consider some ideas that are powerful, and won't costyou as much as you think. Here are a few to consider!1) Buy your domain name as soon as you have a title for your book.You can get domain names for as little as $8.952) Head on over to Blogger.com or Wordpress.com and start your veryown blog (you can add it to your Web site later).3) Set up an … [Read more...] about 50 Things Under $50 You Can Do to Promote Your Book
Should You Self-Publish?
Should you self-publish?That's a tough question, and you're the only one who can answer it. I can't tell you what to do...but I since I've been both self-published and traditionally published, I can share some insights.The biggest question you need to ask yourself is: What's my goal? And as you ponder that question, mull over these four considerations:1. If your goal is to make money...Unless you can snag a big advance, you might be able to make … [Read more...] about Should You Self-Publish?
Shhh! How I Handsell Books
Don't tell anyone, okay?I've found standing in front of the table is best. I think if you read about body language, behind a table or desk is always considered more intimidating. I hold my book up in front of me like the perfume salesladies do--that sort of warns folks that I'm hawking my book. So they know I'm not trying to get their cell phone biz. Then I say, "May I tell you about my book?" Or better yet, "I'm a local author signing here … [Read more...] about Shhh! How I Handsell Books
About Literary Agents.
Rick Frishman posted this interesting take on literary agents.Literary agents have emerged as the publishers' gatekeepers. They are middlemen (and women), go-betweens and facilitators. Approximately 80 percent of the books that publishing houses release were brought to them by agents. Most publishing houses give agented submissions more attention because editors have a high level of confidence in agented submissions. They know that it's not in an … [Read more...] about About Literary Agents.
