An an author, let me tell you, it’s an amazing feeling to know that your publisher is working hard to try to sell your books.
Maybe that sounds basic, right?
Aren’t they all? Don’t they always?
Well, no. As in, ha-ha, no, no, no, no-no, NO.
The industry formula for book marketing begins with this equation:
Publish more books than you can promote.
At that point, publishers will select a few to aggressively market. Another group of titles will also be promoted, but on a much smaller scale. And then some books, maybe even most books, will receive only the standard promotional efforts. It exists. Come and get it.
Like Mom ringing the dinner bell.
At that point, publishers follow a read-and-react strategy, like an NFL linebacker deciphering a play. Drop back in coverage, pick up a receiver; or step into the line to plug a hole against the run. In the case of publishing, it’s reacting to word-of-mouth, initial sales, reviews, award buzz, and so on.
In essence, they throw a bunch on books into the world. If the world smiles, then a secondary promotional effort marches forward. If the world shrugs, indifferent, well, that poor lamb is on its own. And often fated to go out-of-print unless something unexpected happens.
And sometimes, yes, the unexpected happens. Oprah descends or whatever. Great books usually find a way. Good ones, not as much.
Now some folks say, “Hey, that’s crazy. If that’s the case, they should publish fewer books.”
Well, that’s tricky. Do we really want fewer books, fewer authors? And can anyone securely predict which books will be cherished, and which ignored? At least if a book is published — which requires a tremendous amount of work and resources — that book gets a chance in the world, like a tadpole in the pond. A great many wonderful books will never be great sellers, and therefore will never benefit for a big marketing push. Should those books not be published?
It’s a complicated business and I don’t pretend to be smarter than the folks running it.
In my life as an author, first published in 1986, my books have never really been actively marketed. But now with SCARY TALES, I’m fortunate to benefit from actual promotional efforts on behalf of the books.
It’s awesome. I feel grateful. My toes are crossed.
Today I learned there’s even a new website. Where? Don’t be frightened. Just . . . click here.
So far, there’s a video to see. Activities to download. An excerpt to read. Cool art to gander. I’ve even heard rumors of scary pencils — a possibility too terrifying to ponder.
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