Publication - and even still more on Book Signings

10 February 2012, Publication - and even still more on Book Signings

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little. I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel. Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

Here is the list of ideas for advertising--there are more and I'll add to the list as we go along.  I'm certainly not an expert in all these, but I've dabbled in all of them.  I'll try to relate my experience and the degree of that experience to you.

1.  Have a website for your novel.
2.  Write a blog.
3.  Advertise.
4.  Literary awards.
5.  Book cards.
6.  Contests.
7.  Interviews.
8.  Blog tours.
9.  Press releases.
10.  Speaking and teaching.
11.  e-mailing.
12.  Gifts.
13.  Book signings.
14.  Book trailers
15.  ...

I'm writing so much about book signings because there is always author interest in this topic.  Personally, I haven't found book signings themselves to be very lucrative or successful.  I have found bundling book signings with other events to be very helpful.  For example, when I teach classes, I always offer my books for sale, and I always offer to sign the books.  When I do a talk, I offer books for sale, and I sign them.  When I sell books at a store or at a bazaar, I offer to sign the books.  The people who come aren't necessarily interested in the signing, they are interested in the book, and a secondary consideration is the signing.

So, if you want to take a lesson from this, don't necessarily have book signings--offer a talk, a reading, a class, perhaps a meet the author, and as a side note, sign books.  This little observation goes along with the note on books versus topics.  Remember, I wrote that you will likely never get an interview based on your book, rather people will be interested in the topic of your book.  Your book isn't usually the draw, it is the topic.  Likewise, people are not interested in your signature, they are interested in your book.  Sell them your book, and they will want a signature.
 
I'll try to finish up about book signings tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.