Fantastic insights here, Kathleen, and completely in line with what I've found: my first book published by HarperCollins, my second by Celadon, at work on my third, to be published by Spiegel & Grau.
One thing I'd add to today's publishing environment, at least the nonfiction side where I make my living? You will be best served by doubling down on what you can do well. That means spending the time necessary to really research your proposal. In no way can you half-ass a proposal and get a deal.
It also means, on the back end of the process, trusting yourself to market the book: Booking yourself as many podcast appearances as possible, going to as many local readings in your area (or outside it) as your budget allows.
Your publisher can be your friend, sure. But your publisher is at best (at best!) a distant one.
I want to read this article every week! It's a fantastic reminder of the realities of publishing and marketing and finding a readership. I don't want to say it's "discouraging" because we control our reactions to information, right? It's enlightening. Better to face reality head on. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.
Thanks for your honesty. As a late-comer to this industry and a newbie, it has been somewhat of a mind boggle so any transparency is greatly appreciated. The hardest thing for me has been the business side defining success as sales, but the artistic side defining it as a great book that moves even one reader. (It would be great to pay some bills too!)
We're working on a project called "Serendipity Ulysses," where we’re offering ad space within the text of "Ulysses" itself—a fun way to blend literature with digital media. We’d love for you to add your link and join in! Check it out: https://sulysses1.substack.com/p/serendipity-ulysses-in-a-nutshell
If you’re interested in writing about it, we’d be thrilled to feature your Substack post on our project’s resource page. Let us know what you think!
I took notes on this, it was so helpful! For your point "Indie Next List/”White Box” mailing", if an author is not prioritized by their publisher for this, is it "worth it" for the author to mail out a book or promo postcard to a subset of these indie bookstores on their own dime? Do bookstores read and review book promo mail they receive?
Thank you so much for this! Because you give us the granular, I begin to understand the whys and hows of all the generalizations that float around us. You're helping me choose where to focus. Again, thank you,.
There are layers to book selling, aren’t there? I contacted bookstores about taking my independently published book on commission and heard back from one. Then I booked a radio interview and followed up with the other bookstores to let them know about the interview, and then they all took a few copies. I got to meet the booksellers and share some pics on social media of my book in store amongst other luminaries. I’ve also got a big press interview coming up so I’ll contact libraries letting them know. It feels like trying a few things, leveraging what works and then trying a few more things!
Fantastic insights here, Kathleen, and completely in line with what I've found: my first book published by HarperCollins, my second by Celadon, at work on my third, to be published by Spiegel & Grau.
One thing I'd add to today's publishing environment, at least the nonfiction side where I make my living? You will be best served by doubling down on what you can do well. That means spending the time necessary to really research your proposal. In no way can you half-ass a proposal and get a deal.
It also means, on the back end of the process, trusting yourself to market the book: Booking yourself as many podcast appearances as possible, going to as many local readings in your area (or outside it) as your budget allows.
Your publisher can be your friend, sure. But your publisher is at best (at best!) a distant one.
You have to do the work yourself.
I want to read this article every week! It's a fantastic reminder of the realities of publishing and marketing and finding a readership. I don't want to say it's "discouraging" because we control our reactions to information, right? It's enlightening. Better to face reality head on. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience.
Thank you. This was very informative.
Thanks for your honesty. As a late-comer to this industry and a newbie, it has been somewhat of a mind boggle so any transparency is greatly appreciated. The hardest thing for me has been the business side defining success as sales, but the artistic side defining it as a great book that moves even one reader. (It would be great to pay some bills too!)
Thank you so much! Very valuable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The transparency and specificity about a publisher’s publicity activities is eye-opening in this piece—thank you for sharing it!
Attention all book lovers!
We're working on a project called "Serendipity Ulysses," where we’re offering ad space within the text of "Ulysses" itself—a fun way to blend literature with digital media. We’d love for you to add your link and join in! Check it out: https://sulysses1.substack.com/p/serendipity-ulysses-in-a-nutshell
If you’re interested in writing about it, we’d be thrilled to feature your Substack post on our project’s resource page. Let us know what you think!
Golden stuff throughout here! Wow! Thank you for putting all of this together, it is a treasure trove. <3
Thanks so much!
The Motels are a great Chappel Roan comp!
Right? I’m a music nerd.
I definitely need to hire a publicist. The RIGHT publicist. ~ And Happy Birthday! 🥰
I took notes on this, it was so helpful! For your point "Indie Next List/”White Box” mailing", if an author is not prioritized by their publisher for this, is it "worth it" for the author to mail out a book or promo postcard to a subset of these indie bookstores on their own dime? Do bookstores read and review book promo mail they receive?
Thank you so much for this! Because you give us the granular, I begin to understand the whys and hows of all the generalizations that float around us. You're helping me choose where to focus. Again, thank you,.
Thank you so much.
Really helpful stuff! I have a degree in creative writing and learned NONE of this haha. On the book journey so this is invaluable.
Always the most generous with your knowledge. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks for reading it!
There are layers to book selling, aren’t there? I contacted bookstores about taking my independently published book on commission and heard back from one. Then I booked a radio interview and followed up with the other bookstores to let them know about the interview, and then they all took a few copies. I got to meet the booksellers and share some pics on social media of my book in store amongst other luminaries. I’ve also got a big press interview coming up so I’ll contact libraries letting them know. It feels like trying a few things, leveraging what works and then trying a few more things!
Happy birthday!
Thank you!