This is definitely "good enough". I think this is my favourite Substack. I'm not traditionally published and may never be but this helps with my self-publishing. Many thanks from the edge of the Atlantic.
This is a really excellent post. I'm finding that I'm at a loss, as a traditionally published author, as to how I can affect my book sales. I see a great deal of advice for independent and self-published authors. They have complete control. Other than hiring a publicity firm (which I did, and then deeply regretted because they did absolutely nothing for me), I'm at a complete loss. There are steps only my publisher can take and I'm left with... building a platform? Growing a newsletter? Goodreads giveaways? Nothing seems to help, or only moves the needle in tiny increments. You described my situation perfectly with your two book deal during the pandemic example. What to do?
It truly depends on what kind of book it is. I can only comment on how I work with authors: I give them a plan specific to their book & career. Some publicists are simply launch publicists, so only work on the book when it comes out & don’t talk to authors about their goals.
You don’t have to wait for your publisher to tell you what to do or get their okay to go forward with things.
* if you're doing hardcovers, please package the option for an ebook or audiobook with them. otherwise, they're way too high and can basically only be read at home b/c of their size
* paperbacks should be the norm, hardcovers should be the deluxe version
* better price anchoring. compared to going out to the movies or going out for dinner, books are a great price point
The thing is, people want an experience right now. Olive Garden is seeing double-digit revenue, Barbie brought in over $1B. Consumers are spending in very specific ways. Yes, a book is theoretically cheaper, but is it as entertaining for the $?
Thanks for this post. I love the deliniation between customers and consumers, as well as reaching the online audience where they are instead of guiding them through the barriers to your book. Plus, love the Morning Show!
You are so right about covers - its so wrong to do all those look alikes - also it's so inexpensive to test various covers with the author's fan base on Facebook - or the publisher's. I've done it so many times and so often discovered my "gut" was totally wrong about what the readers would respond to.
Recently, I saw a side-by-side comparison of a US and UK cover for the same book. I audibly gasped because the US cover was so inferior to the UK one! They could've just tested that cover here!!
Agree with so much of what you've said here. I also read that interview on Jane Friedman and have said for a long time that publishers need to be far more active and innovative in the way they promote authors and their books. Expecting what are essentially third party platforms to make that happen is not going to cut it much longer.
This is certainly "good enough" for me, Kathleen. It's so refreshing to read someone who can tear through the marketing fluff and critically analyse an industry with a wide-ranging commercial eye. Thank you.
Loved what you wrote about the challenge of getting publishers to experiment more with formats and price points. I personally love paperback originals. I published an anthology as one 20 years ago and thought it felt and looked every bit as striking as a hardback...for a fraction of the cost.
Thank you for writing this even though you were tired/uninspired--it was actually very insightful and useful (as your newsletter always is!). I totally agree about trade paperback originals--I've long preferred paperbacks, personally, and I think the whole primary emphasis on hardcovers is kind of old-fashioned. I'm publishing my debut novel with an independent press next year; would I be out of line if I suggested, or at least expressed my preference for, a paperback original? Thank you again!
I glad you finished it & it was, of course, extremely useful! Knowing that my publisher means B&N when they say "customer" is a great thing to take into my marketing meeting for Book #2. I hope you get some rest & have an easier next week
Publishers already work with the Free Little Library organization to promote some books. I'd suggest that authors go to the Free Little Library website and poke around.
This is definitely "good enough". I think this is my favourite Substack. I'm not traditionally published and may never be but this helps with my self-publishing. Many thanks from the edge of the Atlantic.
Very informative
This is a really excellent post. I'm finding that I'm at a loss, as a traditionally published author, as to how I can affect my book sales. I see a great deal of advice for independent and self-published authors. They have complete control. Other than hiring a publicity firm (which I did, and then deeply regretted because they did absolutely nothing for me), I'm at a complete loss. There are steps only my publisher can take and I'm left with... building a platform? Growing a newsletter? Goodreads giveaways? Nothing seems to help, or only moves the needle in tiny increments. You described my situation perfectly with your two book deal during the pandemic example. What to do?
It truly depends on what kind of book it is. I can only comment on how I work with authors: I give them a plan specific to their book & career. Some publicists are simply launch publicists, so only work on the book when it comes out & don’t talk to authors about their goals.
You don’t have to wait for your publisher to tell you what to do or get their okay to go forward with things.
Former Ingram employee here.
* if you're doing hardcovers, please package the option for an ebook or audiobook with them. otherwise, they're way too high and can basically only be read at home b/c of their size
* paperbacks should be the norm, hardcovers should be the deluxe version
* better price anchoring. compared to going out to the movies or going out for dinner, books are a great price point
The thing is, people want an experience right now. Olive Garden is seeing double-digit revenue, Barbie brought in over $1B. Consumers are spending in very specific ways. Yes, a book is theoretically cheaper, but is it as entertaining for the $?
ah not as immediately gratifying
I want you to start a publishing company. Somebody needs to disrupt it and everything you share is just bang-on. 💕
Thanks so much! Maybe someday I will...
Thanks for this post. I love the deliniation between customers and consumers, as well as reaching the online audience where they are instead of guiding them through the barriers to your book. Plus, love the Morning Show!
Thank you for reading it! Last season of The Morning Show was SO GOOD.
You are so right about covers - its so wrong to do all those look alikes - also it's so inexpensive to test various covers with the author's fan base on Facebook - or the publisher's. I've done it so many times and so often discovered my "gut" was totally wrong about what the readers would respond to.
Recently, I saw a side-by-side comparison of a US and UK cover for the same book. I audibly gasped because the US cover was so inferior to the UK one! They could've just tested that cover here!!
Agree with so much of what you've said here. I also read that interview on Jane Friedman and have said for a long time that publishers need to be far more active and innovative in the way they promote authors and their books. Expecting what are essentially third party platforms to make that happen is not going to cut it much longer.
100%. Third party platforms are unreliable and we rent our audiences on them. Streaming has the same problem.
This is certainly "good enough" for me, Kathleen. It's so refreshing to read someone who can tear through the marketing fluff and critically analyse an industry with a wide-ranging commercial eye. Thank you.
“Treat each book like it’s the last one.” I’m tattooing this to my brain. Thanks as always for telling it like it is 🙌🏻
Helpful! First book coning in 2025. Thank you!
Loved what you wrote about the challenge of getting publishers to experiment more with formats and price points. I personally love paperback originals. I published an anthology as one 20 years ago and thought it felt and looked every bit as striking as a hardback...for a fraction of the cost.
Exactly! Paperbacks are such a good thing. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for writing this even though you were tired/uninspired--it was actually very insightful and useful (as your newsletter always is!). I totally agree about trade paperback originals--I've long preferred paperbacks, personally, and I think the whole primary emphasis on hardcovers is kind of old-fashioned. I'm publishing my debut novel with an independent press next year; would I be out of line if I suggested, or at least expressed my preference for, a paperback original? Thank you again!
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, absolutely ask the publisher if a paperback is possible.
Readers determine the success of books.
I glad you finished it & it was, of course, extremely useful! Knowing that my publisher means B&N when they say "customer" is a great thing to take into my marketing meeting for Book #2. I hope you get some rest & have an easier next week
Thank you! It felt good getting it out.
Publishers already work with the Free Little Library organization to promote some books. I'd suggest that authors go to the Free Little Library website and poke around.