January 30, 2012 - issue 5 - volume 7
editorial
Why Don't Book Sales Cover the Costs of Marketing?
Featured this week
Nonfiction - Memoir, Parenting, Families
Staying Alive: A Love Story
Fiction - Short Stories, Self Help, Inspiration
Through Whose Eyes: Rise Child of God
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spotlight - reader views literary awards winner
Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama
End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences
Donna Kakonge Award for the Best Canadian Regional Book
The Durples Go to School
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editorial
Why Don't Book Sales Cover the Costs of Marketing?
I've heard a version of this rendition many times:
There are so many wonderful tools to assist an author to sell books but many of them are highly expensive, and again most authors don't have that kind of money, especially when the book sales don't help cover the cost of these extras.
My immediate thought and question is: Why don't authors have that kind of money?
Okay...did I raise the hair your neck on this one? If not on yours, I bet I did on at least one or two.
It amazes me how many authors I talk to don't consider writing a book, selling copies, and going to the bank with the deposit not a business. It is very much a business and it sure is in the eyes of the IRS.
The question is , if it's a business what do we do first? My answer is do a feasibility study before you write the book. I can't imagine Target setting up a store in a location without doing a study first to see if there is actually a community of buyers. I'm sure they wouldn't set up a store in a remote country community and then wonder why nobody is showing up to buy the products.
No different from setting up a store, a feasibility study has to be done and, equally as important, a budget created for the production of the book and marketing plan. Let me give you some tips to do BEFORE you start writing your book:
1. Create a narrative or bullet points addressing these areas:
i) Why is there a need for this book?
ii) What hole in the genre will this book fill?"
iii) How will this book be different from other books on the market?
iv) Why are you the best person to write this book?
2. If you've been able to convince yourself to go further, then:
i) List 10 targets that will read your book. (No, there isn't such a thing as "everyone.")
ii) Summarize why the book will appeal to each target. What evidence do you have for this assessment? Use facts/figures.
3. Next? If you've convinced yourself there is a need for your book and there is a market, then:
i) List at least 6 most recent, successful, books in the same genre/topic.
ii) Point out the differences between each book including what is lacking and why your book will fill in the void.
4. If you've convinced yourself that you can fill the void and there is a need for your book the next step is to:
i) Create a focus group of at least 5 people besides yourself. This is a group of honest people; preferably people that you don't know well (and certainly not your favorite aunt) that are willing to listen to you and participate in the discussion. Each person on the group should represent a different target market so that you will have a varied perspective. Present to the group your findings in 1 to 3 above and listen to their comments and suggestions. This should take at least 2 or 3 serious meetings.
5. After these meetings and listening to the focus group, do you still feel it is a feasible venture? If yes, then:
i) Create a marketing plan
ii) Create a budget to implement the marketing plan
iii) Check your finances to see if you have enough money to successfully market your book and if you do, then:
6. Start writing your book.
Really? Yep...really folks. To answer the question Why Don't Book Sales Cover the Costs of Marketing? the answer is: because you didn't do a feasibility study and didn't create a budget to see if you actually could afford to write a book. That's the bottom line and the harsh reality.
Agree? Disagree? I'd sure like to hear your thoughts here.
Looking for more harsh reality? Check out:
25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing (Right $#%@ Now)
featured this week
Nonfiction - Memoir, Parenting, Families
Staying Alive: A Love Story
Signalman Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781935991182
Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (12/11)
Synopsis
The loss of a loved one can lead people to question life and its purpose, and that is never truer than when a loved one is taken at a young age and unexpectedly. After Laura Hayden’s husband, Larry, died suddenly at the young age of forty-nine when he did not survive a preemptive surgery intended to prolong his life, Laura struggled to carry on but found her strength in needing to be there for her young son and daughter. The story of how this family worked through their grief is told in Laura Hayden’s new memoir, Staying Alive: A Love Story.
Read review of Staying Alive
Read interview with Laura B. Hayden
Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live
Visit author's website
featured this week
Fiction - Short Stories, Self Help, Inspiration
Through Whose Eyes: Rise Child of God
Strategic Book Publishing (2011)
ISBN 9781612048550
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (8/11)
Synopsis
Written as alternating poems and stories, Through Whose Eyes: Rise Child of God, by author Jacqueline Rainey, is a book filled with inspiration. Even when people seem farthest from God, caught up in poverty, in addiction, or when humanity turns against them, Rainey makes it clear that God is present and ready to lend aid. A few of the stories include: “Turning Corners,” about a streetwalker running from the call of God; “Clean” about how a woman’s faith in God is tested when she is raped; and “Waiting for God” about a girl’s experiences in the foster system. Several other stories and poems tell of difficult lives and high-risk behaviors, and how God can heal any situation.
Read review of Through Whose Eyes
Listen to interview on Inside Scoop Live
Visit author's website
Spotlight - reader views literary awards winner
Jack Eadon Award for the Best Book in Contemporary Drama
End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences by Theodore Jerome Cohen
Theodore J. Cohen, PhD, holds three degrees in the physical sciences from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has been an engineer and scientist for more than 40 years. From December 1961 through early March 1962, he participated in the 16th Chilean Expedition to the Antarctic. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names in October, 1964, named the geographical feature Cohen Islands, located at 63° 18' S. latitude, 57° 53' W. longitude in the Cape Legoupil area, Antarctica, in his honor. Dr. Cohen has published more than 350 papers, articles, columns, essays, and interviews, and is a co-author of The NEW Shortwave Propagation Handbook. Dr. Cohen is a violinist in the Bryn Athyn (PA) Orchestra and particularly enjoys the music of Gustav Mahler.
Synopsis: End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences, is Book III of The Antarctic Murders Trilogy. In many ways, it brings to an end three things: the sagas of Captain Roberto Muñoz of the Lientur, the hunt for the millions of dollars in U.S. and British cash, negotiable securities, gold coins, and jewelry stolen from the Banco Central de Chile following the Chilean Earthquake of May, 1960, and the murders that follow the robbery. Book I: Frozen in Time, introduced American scientists Ted Stone and Grant Morris, who, while performing geological and geophysical field work with the assistance of Captain Roberto Muñoz of the Chilean auxiliary tug Lientur, were caught up in the hunt for the robbers and the spoils from the robbery, and murder. Unfinished Business, introduced Captain Mateo Valderas and Lieutenant-Commander Antonio Del Río of the Chilean Navy’s Office of Internal Affairs. Initially assigned to solve a murder in Arica, they soon found themselves facing perhaps the most vicious, cunning thief and murderer they ever encountered.
Read review of End Game
Visit author's website
Enter Literary Awards Program
List of 2010 Literary Awards Winners
Spotlight - reader views literary awards winner
Donna Kakonge Award for the Best Canadian Regional Book
The Durples Go to School by Kathy & Ashley Jardine
Kathy Jardine, the creator of the Durples stories and characters, is a wife, mother and grandmother. Kathy's most significant message is to never judge appearances, as a person's true value lies on the inside. It is undoubtedly clear to everyone how much she values the uniqueness of every child and the importance of spreading that message.
Ashley Jardine, the daughter of Kathy Jardine, is animated by her mother's passion for children. After reading her mother's ideas for the Durples, and having such a deep appreciation for the message, she dedicated herself to the successful completion of this project.
Ashley has contributed by: writing, re-writing and illustrating the story.
Synopsis: In this exciting new adventure, The Durples Go to School where they meet Prince Moonlet Little Feathers, Wully Bully, and the Magic Cloud Princess. Important schoolyard lessons are learned and the Magic Cloud Princess grants a wish that will change school forever. Order now to find out what Prince Moonlet Little Feathers wished for. This heart warming story teaches children valuable lessons on inclusion andacceptance.