Publication - even more on Book Signings

5 February 2012, Publication - even 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.  ...

We discussed the how and where of signing books--at least I told you what I do and what I've observed in making book signings.  The big question is what should you write.  If you are a bestseller and have thousands (or at least hundreds) at your book signings, you might contemplate just signing your name.  Many authors shorten their full signature to something simple.  The reason you shorten and write simply is because you have to write quickly.  When you sign a book this is the approach:

1.  If they didn't ask or it isn't obvious, look them in the eyes and ask, "Would you like me to sign your book?"
2.  If the say yes, open to the page you usually sign.  Sign it.
3.  Hold the book out with it opened to the signed page, look the person in the eyes, and while handing them the book say, "Thank you."

Follow this basic pattern and the world will be good.  If you have more time, you don't have enormous crowds, or you just want to/need to make more of a mark...
I'll write about that 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/.

Publication - more on Book Signings

4 February 2012, Publication - 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.  ...

Where should you sign a book?  The usual place is inside the cover on the title page.  The title page is the very first page in the book.  I don't sign the title page--I sign the dedications page.  There is a reason for this.  First, the dedication is for the entire book.  It's basically a throwaway page, but it is where the author makes his official declaratory statements for dedicating the book.  Plus there is lots of room on that page.  The title page usually has some space, but not a whole lot.  Everyone uses the title page.  When someone writes their name in a book--it's usually on the title page.  When someone signs a book as a gift (not the author)--it's usually on the title page.  I use the dedication page.  If you buy one of my used novels and you find a signature on the dedication page--it will be mine.

What should you write? I'll write about that 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/.

Publication - Speaking and Teaching

21 January 2012, Publication - Speaking and Teaching

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.  ...

One of the best and most effective means to get out information about your writing and to sell your novels is through speaking and teaching.  You need to prep for this.  You need to be ready mentally and with material.  The most obvious material preparation is you need to have plenty of copies of your book to sell.  Any time you speak or teach, bring copies of your books and offer to sell them.  Second, you need to be able to actually sell your books.  You need the ability to sell your books and that means you need to be able to pay state taxes.  You can either get a license to sell, or if you have a friend with a license you can pay them.  The point is that you need to work this out.

Third, it isn't wise to under cut your publisher by much, but you should obviously make it advantageous for people to buy from you.  What I do is to charge one price for all the books.  My price is $15 per book.  I also offer a discount for the purchase of three books of $40.  Since I have three historical fiction novels and three science fiction novels, this makes a lot of sense.  I also pay the taxes from the total cost.  So basically, the cost of my books including tax is $15.  This way I make it simple for change and for sales.

I'll write more about speaking and teaching 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/.

Publication - Advertising Ideas, Websites

8 December 2011, Publication - Advertising Ideas, Websites

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.  ...

Websites are the life of Internet advertising.  You must get this together or you will have little hope of breaking your novel out of the pack.  Even so, there is much more that can be said about websites than I could possibly convey in a blog.  I'll try to do the subject justice...or at least get you started.

I use www.godaddy.com.  I'm not necessarily advertising for them, but I find they provide all the support I need, and they were recommended to me.  Go to www.godaddy.com or any other similar web URL provider and hosting site and obtain the websites for yourself and your novel.  Do it as soon as you set the title on the novel.  The cost of owning a URL (a .com mane) is about $8 per year.  I obtained www.AksinyaNovel.com for Aksinay.  I put www.Aksinya.com on back order.  You also need a "host" for your site.  You can self host, if you are familiar, or you can get someone else to host for you.  I use www.godaddy.com as my host.  Once you own the URL, you can host anywhere.  There are definite advantages to self hosting and to off site hosting.  For right now, the easiest is to use on off site host--like www.godaddy.com. 

Once you have a host, you need to set up the site--I'll discuss this 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/.

Publication - Seller Connections, Reviews

29 November 2011, Publication - Seller Connections, Reviews

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

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/. 

Author Central also has a tab for Customer Reviews.  You can see all the reviews that people have posed on your books.  You can also see the reviews at your books sites on Amazon, but this puts all of the reviews conveniently in one place. 

It's a good idea to seek reviews for your books and to check on the reviews.  Don't get too hung up on reviews good or bad.  The fact that a reader took the time to review your novel is a good sign.  The details that those readers note in your books are also great information.  Seek reviews by asking your readers to write them for you.  There are other places to get reviews, but I'll save that for a later post.

I'll give you more about Author Central 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/.

Marketing - to Publishers more Electronic Press

15 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers more Electronic Press

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  You don't want to be a has been before you have the chance to be a somebody.  Remember, writing is a skill and for you to succeed and gain that skill takes time and effort.  I want you to succeed.  At the same time, if you produce a terrible book and self publish it, you only make it easier for the good writers to sell more of their works.

The overall problem is that bad self published works don't just have the unfortunate effect of negatively affecting individual authors--it also can negatively affect the entire self publishing realm.  The problem with self published works is that there are many that are not worth reading (for the reasons I gave before).  If the perception of the public is negative about these works, the overall chance of self published works being purchased becomes less.  Therefore, if you are self published either electronically or in print, you need to make certain, you have followed the preconditions and you need to make certain your books look like regular published novels.  The pricing us usually the indicator.  With a regular publishing, the publisher controls the price of your novel.  They negotiate the prices with the large sellers and discounters.  If you price your novel outside of the common price, you indicate the fact that your book is self published.  I recommend that you don't play around with your price too much.  Leave it at the regular published price point and use other marketing methods.
More tomorrow about electronically published books.

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/. 

Marketing - to Publishers Contracts

9 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Contracts

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  I wrote about the types of contracts you can expect from a classical publisher.  Contracts from POD and electronic publishers are usually a little different.  First, don't expect any money up front.  In most cases, you will not get an advance.  However, you can expect royalties in the 15 to 20 percent range.  That is always 15 to 20 percent of profit on the book. 

Usually, your agreement will be for one to two years, and you will retain the copyright.  The publisher will take care of editing, cover design, marketing, etc.  You will not have to pay anything, however, if you want copies of the book you will have to buy them yourself.  You usually can purchase copies of your book at a 40 percent discount.

Concerning electronic publishers, the information above likely applies to their contracts.  You can usually expect a royalty of about 20 percent, but that may become lower as time passes.

I'll write about the two other types of publishers 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/. 

Marketing - to Publishers even more Electronic book Sales

7 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers even more Electronic book Sales

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  The rise of electronic books has resulted in literally free publication.  Numerous Internet companies will allow you to upload and sell your book without any professional editing or publisher.  Many of these companies make their profits from providing services such as editing, marketing, formatting, etc. for indie authors.  Many take advantage of the free publishing without taking advantage of the services that are usually necessary for the publication of a worthwhile novel.

That is not to say, you can't find a diamond in the rough, but there are a lot of lumps of coal out there and few diamonds.  The main reason is that many novels are getting published without the benefit of professional or sometimes any independent editing, prepublication readers, or prepublication marketplace competition.  That doesn't mean these works can't be good, but the potential for reaching any level of adequacy is low.  If you recognize that it usually takes an author one million words to reach any level of competence, the first efforts of an indie can cause more harm to the new author than you might imagine.

I'll expand on that 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/. 

Marketing - to Publishers Internet book Sales

4 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers Internet book Sales

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  We've covered classical publishing runs, discount book sales, bookstore book sales plus a few other topics.  You might be asking how you can get your books sold if you can't get them into the bookstores.  The answer is Internet and electronic book sales.   

Let's talk about the other types of publishing today.  Classical publishing runs are going by the wayside in favor of Publishing on Demand (POD).  I'm not really certain that any book companies are really publishing in publishing runs any longer (even if they say they do).  Once a book is set up in POD format, you can print it on demand in as many copies as you want, and the process is all automated.  Human hands don't need to touch the books.  POD is cheap, easy, and very smart.  POD has given rise to and caused many regular publishers to move to be POD publishers in word and deed.  A POD publisher usually has limited access to bookstore sales, but that may not necessarily be completely  the case.  The cost advantage in POD comes from printing only the number of books you need to sell right now, so it doesn't make sense to print up a whole print run to stock in a bookstore where there is a great chance the book might come back to you for cash or credit.  Instead, POD publishers make most of their money on Internet or direct sales.  Once you've made the sale, you just have to print the book and ship it. 

A large number of the books purchased through the Internet are POD books.  Now, let's talk about POD publishers.  Many new POD publishers have sprung up in the current market.  They are usually smaller businesses than the classical publishers and they usually specialize more.  For example, in inspirational, Christian, eroica, homosexual, specialty romance, Christian romance, etc.  The opportunities in POD publishers is to make the regular print market open to more specialized works and to more good writers.

I'll posit my novels as an example.  They are all mixed genre and very difficult to place in any specific genre.  The regular publishing houses were direct in pointing this out to me.  I found a publisher who was looking specifically for my style of writing and type of novel.  The advent of POD and specialty publishing made it possible for my works to be published.

I have a very strong presence in Internet sales at almost every Internet bookseller on the web. 
You likely also realise there are opportunities to sell electronic books.  I'll write about that 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/. 

Marketing - to Publishers book Sales

2 October 2011, Marketing - to Publishers book Sales

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.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  I wrote about classical publishers and book publishing runs yesterday.  I need to tell you a little about book sales.  For a book that has been through a usual publishing run, there are x number of copies out there, usually about 10,000 for a new author.  The publisher needs to move those books, the author needs to move those books, the book stores need to move those book.  Actually, the book stores have less risk than everyone in the picture because for normal book sales, if a book doesn't sell, most of the time the book store can return the book for cash or credit.  This sometimes hits an indie (independent) (self published writer) in the pocket book.  Most self publishing houses will sell to a book store, but if the book store can't sell the book in about 90 days, they will return the book for cash.  That cash comes from the indie's pocketbook--ouch.

So, the classical publisher has to move the publishing run and usually they work hard with the author to do just that.  Both the author and the publisher have a risk from the non sales of the novel.  If there are too many returns, the publisher may sell the book at discount to get rid of the copies.

Discount sales are an entirely different kettle of tea.  Discount sales are usually not allowed to be returned to the publisher for cash or credit.  Discount retailers and liquidators are the usual stores that use this method of sales.  You can see examples at Sam's Club.  These books are usually known best sellers or promotionals with strong sales potential.  The publisher and the seller are taking a risk with these novels because they many times are not returnable.  That's why they can be sold at a discount in the first place.  If your works are found in Sam's club or other discounters, you have reached publishing nirvana.

There are other ways to sell books--I'll get to some more 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/. 

Advertising

Using my novel Centurion http://www.centurionnovel.com/, I made a test of FaceBook advertising and the Amazon associate program.  I had a budget of $150 for the FaceBook ads.  This meant I spent $5 per day for the ads on FaceBook.  The way a FaceBook ad works is that you set a max per day expenditure and a max bid per click.  Your ad appears on FaceBook pages at random based on your targeted audience and your bid.  When someone clicks on your ad, you pay the bid amount.  I let the system set the bid initially and adjusted it to $1 bid per click.  During the month of August, I had 1,096,288 impressions (the ad showed on that many FaceBook pages) and 135 clicks (135 people clicked the ad and went to my webpage at http://www.centurionnovel.com/).  The campaign cost me $107.75.  I checked the visitors to my page at http://www.centurionnovel.com/ and the visits matched well with the clicks.  The traffic on the site was up, but not that great.  I had 4 sales through the Amazon associate program during that time and made $0.68.  I did sell one book through the associate program, but not the targeted book.  The targeted book was bought at least 5 times through Amazon (through observation of the author central pages).  I have no measure of the number of books sold through other sellers.  I won't know that until January when I get the royalty reports.  There is no way to measure the effects of other marketing efforts.  I turned back the amount per day to $2.00, the minimum, and will keep it there for a while.  I'd like to keep the ad campaign going for at least 6 months.  When my new book(s) come out, I will put one up as an ad campaign.

So, the conclusions.  It hasn't hurt, but I'm not sure how much it helped.  I'll keep it going at a low level, and I'll keep up with the Amazon associate program.  The Amazon program doesn't cost anything and earned me almost 70 cents.  If I were you, I'd try it too.  Being an Amazon associate gives you some professional widgets on your site and can give you a measure of your traffic and sales.  A FaceBook ad campaign will bring more traffic to your site.