Replies

  • jeff herman April 10, 2012 at 10:55am

    I knew a few people who would brazenly walk into stores, all stores, where ever they were, and ask the manager or whoever to keep a few copies next to the cash register on consignment 50/50 split. And more than a few agreed and copies got sold. Yes, people do stuff like that and it works! Jeff

    • Kathryn Jones > jeff herman April 10, 2012 at 12:16pm

      I love this! I have considered this option and have been working on getting up the courage to do this. Do you know if the writers put together a contract with all of the information, or if they just walked in with their books?

    • Ronald R. Hanna > Kathryn Jones April 11, 2012 at 2:28pm

      I had a minor, one-page contract to get my books in a historic Capitol Hill bookstore a few years back, on commission, but alas, they went out of business.  I only had about five books in there though, and it wasn't even a considered option to retrieve them when the Trover Shop closed.  I was already saddened...

       

  • Kathryn Jones April 9, 2012 at 1:13pm

    I also write blogs for other websites and leave my promotional postcard wherever I go. BookCrossings.com is a good place for some fun with your book. Just leave the book at a place that is registered with BookCrossings, and find out where it travels. I also do writer's events and book club events. I am considering ordering a T-shirt (with my book cover printed on the back) from VistaPrint and wearing it occasionally to see if I get questions. Has anyone ever tried that?

    Find me at: http://www.ariverofstones.com.

    • Ronald R. Hanna > Kathryn Jones April 9, 2012 at 2:36pm

      I get thousands of covers of my books on postcards from VistPrint, Kathryn, and they are cost effective.  They will direct more readers to eBooks, however, from an unknown author, but hey, a few dollars here and there and the potential to get it in the right hands.  I have done VistaPrint tee for the National Book Fair here in D.C. and wore it while handing out the cards. 

       

    • Kemberlee Shortland > Ronald R. Hanna April 11, 2012 at 2:11pm

      Vista Print is ideal for struggling authors because they're so reasonable. And they have great quality products for established authors.

      Getting postcards made up are an ideal way to promote ebooks in places where traditional books are usually sold. And if a bookstore will use them, have book marks made up that counter staff will put into books as they're backing them up for customers. Some bookstores will even split the cost of production if their ad goes on one side of the card.

      Two of my authors are at the RT convention this week with their postcards. They go every year and have great success with sales.

  • Virginia Cornue April 9, 2012 at 11:40am

    I agree. Something everyday and write the next one everyday, even if only 10 minutes. last fall was teaching two courses in cultural anthropology at RU, ferrying my teen daughter around and writing some of last chapters of Book One Sandra Troux Mysteries, Mystery of the Ming Connection at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Mystery-of-the-Ming-Connection?keyw...; or on Kobo at http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=mystery+of+the+ming+c.... It's also available through Amazon and Apple. I think the challenge is the steadiness needed to persevere when the path is not clear ahead and the laurels have not showered down. Keeping going is key.

    • Delin Colón > Virginia Cornue April 9, 2012 at 12:44pm

      Well said, Virginia - and bravo!

    • Virginia Cornue > Delin Colón April 9, 2012 at 1:04pm

      Thanks. I do have tons on my plate as a single parent, but somehow with all the complexities of last fall, co-author Linda and I (pen name Crystal Sharpe) finished Mystery of the Ming Connection, figured out about e-publishing and uploaded on Book Baby before Christmas. We just did something everyday and didn't let our foray  into a new genre for me and into book writing for Linda daunt us. We got support from friends, whined a lot to each other--at least I whined a lot-- and kept at it! That's exactly how I completed my PhD..just keeping at it until it was finished. I was called a Missouri Mule as a child and now I see that is one of my BEST qualities. When I get the bit in my teeth and the direction I just keep going until I arrive.

      So sister and fellow writers let's form the Missouri Mule School of Writing...You just keep going until you're finished!

  • Delin Colón April 9, 2012 at 11:30am

    And don't forget about taking your book around to local bookstores, to see if they'll carry it.

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