For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers
Edd,
Looks to me like your book might have a special appeal to fellow truckers. Have you asked at any truck stops about how to get your book on the book racks, or, better, beside the cash register? Some of the big chains might have too many hoops to jump through to get permission to sell a book. But others may allow their managers to make decisions about local vendors.
I have a friend who sells a lot of his novels in locally owned restaurants. That's where my idea comes from. If, when you're on the road, you have some favorite locally owned restaurants, talk to the manager about trying your book for sale at the cash register, splitting the profit with him. Offer it on consignment, so there's no risk on his/her part. They all need extra sources of income, so it can be a win/win. Most will probably say no, but what if one in 20 says yes?
Since you have to stop for gas and food anyway, it doesn't take a lot of time to ask for their policies. I'm finding that a lot of the book marketing game is a numbers game. Even among relatives and friends, only a percentage will read your book and post a review. Go figure. But if I offer it to 20 people, a few will get through it and I'll probably get a review out of it.
Hey, congratulations on publishing your book and good luck marketing it! We're all figuring out this thing together!
J. Steve Miller
Author of "Sell More Books: Book Marketing and Publishing for Low Profile and Debut Authors"
http://wisdomcreekpress.com/press_kits_sell_more_books.html
Permalink Reply by Edd Voss on Edd,
Well, it was good for you to try. Most of the stuff I try initially doesn't work out, or I find myself doing a lot of tweeking. I would consider locally owned restaurants. They can generally make quick decisions without going through lots of hoops.
Permalink Reply by John Kremer on Edd . . . Offer to contribute some content to some of the top trucking websites, ones that accept contributions from outside. Share some of the stories from your previous book, if nothing else. Then link to that book as well as your new book.
Often, when we have two books, we can use the older book to promote the newer book. Any of your trucking stories should be welcome on those trucking websites.
John Kremer, author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books
webmaster at http://www.asksjohnkremer.com and http://www.bookmarket.com
Permalink Reply by Patricia Gligor on Bill,
As a first-time novelist, my biggest challenge with my book is getting a publisher to READ it. I'm working diligently to establish an online presence and I'm satisfied (although I do make changes sometimes) with the query letter and synopsis that I've written. I've worked on Mixed Messages, a women's mystery/suspense novel, for years through more drafts/rewrites than I can count (I'm not all that good in math) and I've actually completed the second novel, Unfinished Business, for my series. Now, if only a publisher would actually read my novel and make a decision based on the book!
Permalink Reply by Jeny on Hello Patricia,
Would you ever consider self-publishing to CreateSpace or Lulu rather than waiting for a publisher to pick it up? It is such a waste of time, when you spent so much effort writing it but not given the chance to be published.
Just my thoughts.
Jeny
Permalink Reply by Patricia Gligor on Jeny,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Of course, self-publishing is an option but I'm still hopeful (I'm an optimistic realist) that I'll find the right publisher for my novels. I'm sending out lots of queries and I'm going to set a time limit for finding a publisher. I'm an outgoing person, not shy about marketing my work so, whichever way it goes, I know that "Mixed Messages" will see print.
Please visit my writers forum at:
http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/
Jeny,
The reason some people self publish and don't go through the years of agent rejections without knowing why is that they can self publish and have the satisfaction of being an author even if they only sell 200 to 400 copies to friends, family and a few who hit their website. Just as important is the fact that they can begin writing their second book or third and improving their craft along the way. I have a friend who wrote a very good book and has spent the last five years promoting it, even appearng on some well known TV and radio shows. Promotional costs have her at a loss position.
In the meantime I have written six books four are novels and I am in editing on the seventh. I wouldn't give up the fun of writing those seven books for a few minutes a publisher sets up on a TV show. Cost wise I'm a little better off than my friend with one book.
Steve Roberts
steverroberts.com
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