editorial

Why Aren't My Books Selling?

Irene Watson

This past week I've been inundated with two things:

1.  Publicists wanting us to donate our time and efforts to supply their authors, whom they charge for their own time and efforts with no guarantees, to give book reviews and interviews...for free.

2.  Authors complaining that their book isn't selling.

I'm going to leave number one alone for now because I've already ranted about their expectations and it only being a one way street.  However, I do have to qualify in saying that there are some publicists that actually do recognize that we have to pay staff, no different than themselves, and do offer compensation.  

I'm going to address the second one. Why isn't the book selling?  I've already talked about credibility and relevancy so today I'm going to talk about authors not having a platform, or even knowing what that word means.

For example, I responded to an author with:

Okay...let's do some brain storming here.  What is your platform?

And the response came as:

Pardon?

So, I sent him this link on Writer's Digest explaining what a platform is.  (If you don't know what it is, this is one of the best articles I've seen.)
That's been a week ago and I haven't heard back.  The author is either creating a platform or actually doesn't have any experience or expertise to back his book.

And then I had another author, which wrote a book on how to start a new business, say:

should i really have a need to use my whole name?

This was a response to me telling him he can't author a business book with just using his initials and not exposing his real identity, yet, expect credibility.  He also said:

i do not have a web-site.

Okay...let me take a deep breath here before I go on.  Yes, this is someone that wrote a business book giving steps on starting a business. Huh? Scary thought, isn't it? Is a good book?  Heck no!  I reviewed it and it's the worst business book I've ever read.  The author comes across as being extremely demanding, arrogant and over-bearing, regurgitating a few things in a 62-page book that others have said.  He also says things like "...and if you cannot see what I am trying to get across to you, you really are stupid, AND YOU ARE DESTINED TO FAIL."   Wow...

Does this author have a platform?  He sure doesn't...and as I said before, he doesn't even have a website.  However, in response to my comment in the review questioning credibility he responded with:

i have owned 3 [removed for anonymity] shops
also co-founder of "citizens for [removed for anonymity]"
and a couple things i am not proud of.

So, why aren't these author's books not selling? I'm hoping you, as the reader of this editorial, do not have similar stories.  What is your platform? If you have one, maybe it's time to revisit it to be sure there is credibility to back your book.

I'd like to hear from you here.

The Transformation of Trust
Is the author's reputation the most valuable currency?

featured this week

Fiction - Teen, Young Adult, History

Finding Faith: A Novel

C. E. Edmonson

WinePress Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781414118673
Reviewed by Kristen Keiran (age 13) for Reader Views (2/11)

Synopsis

Finding Faith by C.E. Edmonson is set during the Great Depression which is causing business problems for Faith Covington's father. She is forced to leave her comfortable life in New York City and go live with her mother in the Pennsylvania wilderness on her Aunt Eva’s farm. Faith’s previous education at a private girls’ school never could have prepared her for roughing it this way, or for the revelations she will soon discover about her family.

Faith is stunned when she learns Aunt Eva is part Ojibwa and part Lenape—and so is Faith. As Faith adapts to her new environment and her aunt’s determination to follow “the way of the People,” she begins to discover new things about herself and her abilities. Faith soon befriends her aunt’s Lenape neighbor, twelve-year old Paul Crow. When the properties of Paul and Faith’s families are thought to be worth fortunes, Faith and Paul uncover a dangerous plot to force the Lenape people from their land.

Read review of Finding Faith
Visit author's website

featured this week

Fiction - Horror, Romance

Vampire Ascending

Lorelei Bell

Copperhill Media Corporation (2010)
ISBN 9780976511670
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (2/11)

Synopsis

In Vampire Ascending, author Lorelei Bell has blended Gothic romance and fantasy with a modern setting to create a compelling new chapter in vampire lore. Drawing on literary vampire traditions and giving her own paranormal and clairvoyant twists to old stories, Bell has penned an intriguing page turner that delves into the passions and hopes, lusts and longings of the vampire heart. The main character, Sabrina, rather than being a vampire or a stereotypical female vampire ass-kicker, is a human unsure of herself, searching to make sense of who she is, a very human quest that will make Sabrina’s journey resonate with readers.

Read review of Vampire Ascending
Read interview with Lorelei Bell
Visit author's website

Spotlight - reader views literary awards winner

Kick Start Guy Book of the Year Award

Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage: A Holistic Approach: Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit by Judith Anne Desjardins

Spirit House Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780984387502

The material provided in this book was gleaned from Judith Desjardins’ personal journey of healing and transformation.  It is a modern day “mental health almanac,” filled with insight into all the seasons of growth in relationships -- childhood, teen years, young adult, mature adult.  The unique Holistic Approach teaches you how to achieve balance in your relationships and your relationship with your Self.  This book is for young people, single adults and married couples.  It is practical and educational, inspiring and poignant.  A “must read” for anyone searching for a healthy life, love and personal transformation. 

With the credibility of someone who has traveled the path she describes, Judith Desjardins provides a wealth of wisdom and practical resources for those of us longing to create lives and marriages that nourish our Highest and most Authentic Selves.  The message of this book is one of hope and optimism that we can improve ourselves and our relationships to others.  The unique aspect is the combination of Judith’s personal history, how she overcame obstacles she faced and how she turned it into tools for helping others. 

One additional bonus is the art work, dream analyses, and creative writing presented.

Read review of Creating a Healthy Life and Marriage
Visit author's website

The Kick Start Guy

Enter Literary Awards Program