tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post4119426530676058038..comments2024-03-09T12:39:14.950-08:00Comments on Sharing with Writers and Readers: Questions a la Ann Landers--Giving Away 55%? Yikes!Carolyn Howard-Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-46418244705020200642007-10-31T21:46:00.000-07:002007-10-31T21:46:00.000-07:00Stephen:LOL. That's why I wrote The Frugal Book Pr...Stephen:<BR/>LOL. That's why I wrote The Frugal Book Promoter. It happened to me, too. I got over it after much trial and error, which I share with others in that book! (-:<BR/>Best,<BR/>CarolynCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-47821655019770980772007-10-30T23:31:00.000-07:002007-10-30T23:31:00.000-07:00Thanks for the tremendous insight. I have written...Thanks for the tremendous insight. I have written some material that all my readers loved but for which I can scarcely get a bookstore to even look at. I thought it was writers who put them and keep them in business! You have a lot of knowledge and it is worthwhile reading and learning from you! Hope you reach all your dreams!<BR/>Steven Clark Bradley<BR/>www.stevenbradley.netUnderground Controversyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06260848331623708807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-73682367504152027622007-10-30T20:34:00.000-07:002007-10-30T20:34:00.000-07:00Thanks so much for all of your tips and advice. I ...Thanks so much for all of your tips and advice. I hope to have a book coming out next year and sites like this are so helpful in avoiding newbie pitfalls and learning the book biz.<BR/><BR/>I've also recently opened a wood carving business and have found your words to be applicable there as well. Bookstores are not profitable places to sell books and galleries are not good for selling artwork. They are more for looking than for buying. (If you're interested, the carvings are at www.HeartwoodArt.com). <BR/><BR/>To make it in the art world you have to have the knowings of a lot of things, like marketing, business plans and how to run a blog. With all of the mass competition, it's not enough just to write a good book. Your site certainly helps folks like me obtain the knowings of many things.<BR/>Thank you.MaAnna Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16446158992880521558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-79956874435281869672007-10-30T20:27:00.000-07:002007-10-30T20:27:00.000-07:00Thank you so much for all of the wonderful insight...Thank you so much for all of the wonderful insight. I hope to be putting out a book next year that has taken five years to research. I've spent the last couple of years learning all I can about the book business and appreciate blogs like this where others can share their experiences. I am so grateful to have access to the information and avoid many of the newbie mistakes because of it.<BR/><BR/>In the meantime, I've also turned a wood carving hobby into a business. And many of the tips you share here apply to that as well. Bookstores are not the most profitable place to sell a book and galleries are not the best place for selling artwork. Those places are more for looking than for buying. You can see my carvings at www.HeartwoodArt.com, if you're interested.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again for all the good tips. They apply everywhere.MaAnna Stephensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16446158992880521558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-31297956001320397062007-10-30T17:53:00.000-07:002007-10-30T17:53:00.000-07:00Vicky, glad you shared this. Some authors have tro...Vicky, glad you shared this. Some authors have trouble finding the angles in their work, especially if they write fiction (or humor for that matter.) Authors know their own work best. Reread it thinking the whole time, "Now, what little aspect of my work would a appear to a niche audience and which ones would those be?" My novel, This Is the Place, for instance appealed to the Olympics crowd in 2002 because it was set in Utah. It also appeals to those interested in tolerance--several teachers have even used some of the chapters to teach tolerance. And femiists. And people who watch Big Love. And.... <BR/>Just think! Ha!<BR/>Best,<BR/>CarolynCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-41378522311842150382007-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:002007-10-30T17:35:00.000-07:00Hi Carolyn,I have always agreed with your comment ...Hi Carolyn,<BR/>I have always agreed with your comment "Bookstores are not the best place to sell books." I just had a terrific signing at a fundraiser for breast cancer research last week. Over 300 women attended - it was the perfect venue for my books of humor. I encourage authors to "think outside the bookstore" and try many different options. You'll be surprised at the results!<BR/><BR/>Again, great advice, Carolyn.<BR/><BR/>Kindest regards,<BR/>Vicky DeCoster<BR/>www.wackywomanhood.comVicky DeCosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994367036316098813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-46372025675236061892007-10-30T11:52:00.000-07:002007-10-30T11:52:00.000-07:00From what I've learned in promoting my book Right ...From what I've learned in promoting my book Right to Recover, 55% is standard. I know...we make nothing when we sell them through bookstores, that's why so many people are going the POD and self-publishing route. We can sell them online via our own Web site and make more, but this also means we have to stuff envelopes and run to the post office instead of writing. We can have Amazon handle the distribution, but then we're back to giving away 55% of the retail price to them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15528955027208100034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-805060824830382732007-10-30T10:29:00.000-07:002007-10-30T10:29:00.000-07:00Dear Carolyn & Janet Riehl:I sincerely appreciate ...Dear Carolyn & Janet Riehl:<BR/><BR/>I sincerely appreciate the dialog posted and the information about other ways that I can promote my book.<BR/><BR/>My best market has been by word of mouth and by those that read my website and pass the site address on to others.<BR/><BR/>I will be speaking to the ROTC class at the College of the Ozarks in Hollister, Missouri Thursday November 8, 2007.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy the exposure and hands-on that Carolyn mentions and I will definitely incorporate the use of the internet blog, etc. that Joyce Faulkner recently helped me set up.<BR/><BR/>Thank you, again, for your words of wisdom. I wish you both continued literary success. I am so blessed to have wonderful people like you in my life. Hugs and smooches, always,<BR/><BR/>Lloyd King<BR/>Author of: "From 'Nam With Love"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-63186691152491230652007-10-30T08:54:00.000-07:002007-10-30T08:54:00.000-07:00Dear Janet:How nice of you to add something to mor...Dear Janet:<BR/>How nice of you to add something to more to help Lloyd sell (read that gain more readership of) his on-hand books. Now a tip for you. I'd like a link for "Sightlines" in the body of your e-mail. Maybe to a site where it can be purchased. Anyone who is so helpful to others deserves the same in return. (-:<BR/>Best,<BR/>Carolyn<BR/>www.howtodoitfrugally.comCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-73014161712397569942007-10-30T08:28:00.000-07:002007-10-30T08:28:00.000-07:00I agree with you about promoting poetry books. Tha...I agree with you about promoting poetry books. That's what I've found with mine, "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary." That selling at readings and talks and through personal relationships has worked best.<BR/><BR/>From Lloyd'd website I learned: <BR/><BR/>Lloyd’s book “From ‘Nam With Love”is a compilation of profound words complimented by powerful artwork that together tell a unique story of human conflict that only a person who has experienced war could possibly describe. “From ‘Nam With Love” was awarded the Military Writers Society of America’s prestigious 2006 Gold Medal Award for Best Book of Poetry.<BR/><BR/>WOW! That's really something. I hope he's had medallians made for the front of the book.<BR/><BR/>I'd also suggest since his poetry book is related to a large societal topic of war and specifically the Viet Nam War that if he hasn't already he could get more exposure through commenting on related blogs and discussion boards. I found some reviews listed on the web for the book, but I think he could do more of this...and interviews on related blogs to get the word out.<BR/><BR/>Still, pretty much free.Janet Grace Riehlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03921731725804450430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-8995147806817504012007-10-29T15:10:00.000-07:002007-10-29T15:10:00.000-07:00Ha! Grassroots is a good word for it, Hal. Love t...Ha! Grassroots is a good word for it, Hal. Love that. I believe in practical and free when possible. Glad that you noticed that it works. Sometimes the free stuff (like good editing and publicity rather than advertising) work better than stuff that costs us starving authors money.<BR/>Best,<BR/>CarolynCarolyn Howard-Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15041591136206289558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14401984.post-55297456186765120062007-10-29T14:16:00.000-07:002007-10-29T14:16:00.000-07:00Thanks for sharing that information Carolyn. Your ...Thanks for sharing that information Carolyn. Your grass roots approach to marketing makes so much sense and it works!Halhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18093555359211182989noreply@blogger.com