Most first-time authors dream of\u00e2\u20ac\u201dno, they expect to\u00e2\u20ac\u201dsell their marvelous new books through bookstores. However, few of us take time to learn how the system works before getting involved. <\/p>\n
In 1996, when I decided to produce not one, but TWO books that would be of national interest, as opposed to just local interest, my main promotional plan was to sell books through bookstores. I bought a mailing list for booksellers in every state and sent flyers to all of them announcing my two wonderful books. Do you know how many responses I received? <\/p>\n
None, nadda, zero, zilch! <\/p>\n
Today, with fewer independent bookstores and thousands more books being published each year, competition for bookstore space is even greater. But I understand that some of the fee-based, POD publishing services are helping their authors get into bookstores. Yes, you put up several hundred dollars and they will arrange for you to have your book in a bookstore of your choice. ONE bookstore. One location. Well, I guess that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s better than nothing.<\/p>\n
Some independent bookstores will take your book on consignment. All you have to do is visit the bookstore with your book in hand and convince the bookseller that there are customers for it.<\/p>\n
The mega bookstores have a warehouse program through which they will accept certain books to stock. They keep your book hidden away in their warehouse so that, when customers order it, they can send it out right away without having to order it from you.<\/p>\n
There are also specialty bookstores in many categories: Christian, children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, metaphysical, cats, history, cookbooks\/foods, academic, college, fiction, science fiction, mystery and collectibles, for example. This is where I started in my effort to break into bookstores. And I suggest that you consider it, too. These stores are much easier to get into.<\/p>\n
Some fortunate authors get into bookstores nationwide either through their publishers, because of their diligence and persistence or by some lucky fluke. This is all good. But this honor comes with a price. Once your book is in bookstores, you must start a campaign to keep it there. <\/p>\n
It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up to you to bring customers into the bookstores and entice them to purchase your book. But first, you need to know where they are. What is the best way to reach your audience? What are their interests? What magazines do they read? Where do they shop\/travel? What radio\/TV programs do they turn on? What events do they attend? What activities do they pursue? What Internet sites do they visit? <\/p>\n
When you understand this concept, you begin to realize the value in writing that book proposal you’ve been resisting, right?<\/p>\n
So where are your readers?<\/p>\n
If your book is all about kites, you might find your readers in beach communities, in hobby shops, reading kite magazines and visiting web sites featuring building and flying kites. <\/p>\n
Maybe your book is a historical novel featuring a hog farmer in the Midwest. A good portion of your audience may live in the Midwest, they might listen to farm and agriculture reports on the radio, read magazines and newsletters related to history and they might attend stock auctions.<\/p>\n
Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s say that yours is a Christian children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book. Your customers are most likely parents and grandparents with a strong faith. They read religious publications, attend church, shop at Christian bookstores, listen to faith-based radio programs and most certainly read their local church newsletters.<\/p>\n
Penetrating the bookstores is difficult, but keeping your book there is next to impossible unless enough people are coming in to buy it. This is why it is so important to consider your audience, their habits, their taste, their interests, their travels, etc. even BEFORE you sit down to write your novel or nonfiction book. And then focus your promotional efforts on appropriate magazines, newsletters, web sites, radio\/TV programs, places of business and other venues in order to reach them. <\/p>\n
The prepublication discount for the revised second edition of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book <\/em>and the NEW Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Workbook <\/em>ends Monday, October 1, 2007. If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re reading this after that date, you can still order these books. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m offering both books together for $30.00. If you already own The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em>, order The Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Workbook<\/em> for $10.00. Or order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book <\/em>only for $19.95. http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.html<\/a> Email me with your comments, plfry620@yahoo.com <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most first-time authors dream of\u00e2\u20ac\u201dno, they expect to\u00e2\u20ac\u201dsell their marvelous new books through bookstores. However, few of us take time to learn how the system works before getting involved. In 1996, when I decided to produce not one, but TWO books that would be of national interest, as opposed to just local interest, my main […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t