This post originally ran July 23, 2010
For the last three weeks, I've been plugging away at my author questionnaire. The packet I received started with a note from my editor which included this:
What you tell us here will serve as the foundation of our marketing, sales, subsidiary rights, and publicity efforts for your book, so your responses are very important.
I was grateful to have spent some time last winter thinking through things like my target audience, comp. titles, and institutions/organizations that might be interested in MAY B. (such as prairie museums).
It's surprising to find out how interesting this aspect of publishing is to me. I never expected to find promotion fun, but I'm telling you, there is something very satisfying about discovering a person or organization that might connect with your book. Think matchmaking and treasure hunting combined.
7 Comments on Author Questionniare, last added: 5/14/2011
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Fun!
If I had a super-power I would want to be able to apparate. Nothing like getting anyplace in the world in a split second...unless you get splinched!
I knew I was a writer when I wasn't ashamed to tell people that I'm a writer.
Liesl, you've just taught me a new word and exposed the fact I've never read beyond Harry Potter #1.
Hm, any chance you'd like to do my author questionnaire for me? :-)
Caroline: Thanks for this! I shamelessly stole the questions and answered them over at my writing blog. (http://bit.ly/lLxXCe)
Liesl: That is a fantastic way of learning for yourself that you're a writer. Thanks for passing that along. (I'll keep it in mind)
-- Tom
Such interesting questions. I'm not sure my answers would be interesting. I'd definitely answer the one about super powers.
Tom, great idea!
Anna, enjoy. :)
This is the part of publishing I rarely get to hear about, so it's fun to see what kinds of questions they do for promoting. I guess I didn't realize they would be so simple.
I guess to add to that...if I had a super power it would either be turning myself (and objects) invisible, or the stretching power the mom has on INCREDIBLES. I could definitely find uses for those with kids =)