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Over the past week I've suffered through a bout of the flu that's been sweeping the nation--I hate being left out of anything. As fast as it came on it's left, but in between I spent several days taking OTC drugs, sleeping as much as possible, and watching lots of movies. Unable to do much more than watch the world, I got to thinking about ways authors sell books. ~Gregory |
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March 6, 2008 |
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Gregory A. Kompes, Editor |
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ISSUE #168 |
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Writer’s Pen & Grill (Las Vegas, NV) is a social networking evening for writers. Meets the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Open to all. Visit http://www.PenandGrill.com for location and details. Next Writer’s Pen & Grill meeting, March 26th. Clark County Fair (Logandale, NV): Gregory joins a group of Las Vegas authors hawking their work at the Clark County Fair. April 10-13 Las Vegas Writer’s Conference (Las Vegas, NV): Gregory will present Internet ACE: Online Self Promotion. April 17-19. Internet ACE: Online Self-Promotion with Gregory A. Kompes — learn how build, brand, and expand your writing career using Internet Technology during this 10 week, interactive, online course. Begins May 5, 2008. $147. Register Today! Willamette Writer’s Conference (Portland, OR) Gregory will present Internet ACE: Online Self Promotion. August 1-3. |
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Most authors I know dream of having big signing events where buyers are lined up around the block to meet you and buy a signed copy of your book. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I dream of that too. For most of us, reality is very different. While attending a local book fair and signing event a few weeks ago we authors had quite a bit of free time. Despite good advertising and the cross marketing efforts of 30 writers, crowds clamoring for autographed copies of our works just weren't there. Rather than sit behind my little table, I wandered around the Barnes and Noble a bit, talked to the few patrons in the store, and finally ended up commiserating with the other assembled authors, who out numbered the shoppers 2-to-1. I witnessed first hand why the majority of books are returned mutilated and un-saleable from chain bookstores. Most of those in the store were treating the place like a library rather than a place to buy books. A half-dozen patrons were curled up in comfy chairs with their designer coffees and sticky treats not just thumbing through the books they held, but reading them while leaving a trail of thumbprints and smudges along the way. A few of our group lamented their fate; I took the line I usually do: if you're not a household name bookstore signings are a waste of time. I got to thinking about how authors worry and fret about getting their books into the chain bookstores. Yet I've started to wonder what the big deal is about being there. Sure you get the distribution boost when your books go out to the stores, but you don't see many royalties because most of those books are going to be returned. Not to be all gloom and doom, I looked toward my friends and fellow authors who sell books with success. How have they accomplished this feat? They've combined two things: live speaking events with online marketing. Speaking events, where you share your knowledge and experience with an interested audience is about the best way to sell books. When readers meet you they develop an immediate trust. When they like and trust you they'll buy your books right there. The beauty of back of room (BOR) sales is that you can charge the full-cover price for your title. These buyers will also recommend you and your books to others after the event because they've met you. Having a solid online presence will help you collect those after-the-fact sales. |
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In the publishing industry, books usually have to reach critical mass before making it into major wholesale channels. The Advantage program was designed to change the rules and level the playing field by providing the tools and framework to ensure that all titles appear frequently and prominently throughout Amazon.com. It allows almost anyone to open a direct account with Amazon.com and put their products on our virtual shelves. As an independent author or small publisher, the Advantage program allows you to have a direct and profitable relationship with Amazon, putting your books in front of millions of qualified customers. |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? Writing chose me. I had to write, and the more I read, the more I knew I had to write. 2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) I’m a college graduate & taught school for years. Nope, not English - Home Economics. 3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer? I knew I could write - something - when I won a writing scholarship in eight grade. (A long time ago) 4. How would you describe your style of writing? My style of writing is casual, contemporary fiction. (New name?) 5. What is your writing process? First comes a scene, or a character. Then I ask ‘what if?’ I’m also a plotter. I have to have the characters, names, plot, (at least the basics) even a title then I’m ready to begin. Oh, and lots of research. 6. What was your path to publication? I read a book I didn’t like, knew I could do better, and wrote my first book. I made all the classic mistakes. Sent the whole 450 page manuscript to a publishing company president. Bless him. I got a very nice letter back saying thank you, but no thank you and keep writing. So, I did. 7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? My Web Page & Blog. I work at both of them often. Yes, I do my own web page. I like the control. 8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer? Just because you publish a couple of books doesn’t make you a good writer. Writing takes practice. Writing well takes study, practice, more practice, editing, reading, and more practice. |
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9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? I have a wonderful husband. He encourages me. He inspires me. And creativity? Anything can set me off. Another book, a piece of music, a scene from an opera, a TV program. (I’m very lucky - my head is Always full of strange people who are shouting to have their stories told.) 10. What is your proudest writer moment? When I was teaching, one of my students stopped me to tell me he had read my first historical romance. I Figured he was going to criticize the book, (after all it was a historical romance and he was a senior in high school) Instead he admitted it was the first book he’d completely read. He admitted he liked it. I met him a couple of years later in a local bookstore, his arms full of books. I introduced him to the joy of reading. That had to be my proudest moment. 11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing? If you don’t understand point of view, write in first person. It was like a flashing light bulb for me. 12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? A book signing where none of my family showed. And I was in their town. 13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Trying to provide good promotion on a limited budget. 14. What is your writer life philosophy? Write every day. It won’t always be good, but your mind is busy, your fingers flowing over the keyboard, the thought processes continuing. 15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun? I love to read. I read 12 - 15 books a month. I also like to visit local Casinos. Penny slots are lots of fun and don’t cost much money. 16. Who do you like to read? I honestly can’t name a favorite. I have so many. 17. What’s your advice for new writers? Keep writing, and study, study, read, read, and read. 18. What are you currently working on? Which one??? I have a historical I need to edit, I have another historical I need to finish, I have a partial on which I must work. And, of course, I have a new gothic romance that insists on being told. (That’s what I mean about the characters in my head. Bunches waiting for their moment.) |
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ISSN 1554-0804 |
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Are you a published author? Take the 18Q today! |
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Patchwork Path: Grandma’s Choice Deadline: March 31, 2008. Choice Publishing Group is looking for original stories and essays up to 2000 words about and by grandmothers and the choices they make. Each submission will be reviewed and considered based on creativity, originality, concept, and style. Reading will be continuous and submissions will be considered as they arrive. Not all works will be accepted. There is NO Entry or Reading Fee. Queer Collection: Prose & Poetry 2009 Deadline: December 31, 2008. Pays upon publication. Looking for creative original prose and poetry by and for a gay, lesbian, bi, transgender, and queer (GLBTQ) audience. Fiction, nonfiction, and poetry will be considered. http://www.queercollection.com |