For book/ebook authors, publishers, & self-publishers

What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Frank on July 7, 2008 at 9:28pm

Hi, Amanda. In one of your earlier posts, Hugh was being interviewed on BBC and you were going to meet an exec from Random House. How did that work for you?

What alternative distribution channels have you tried? Have you tried contacting organizations or companies that might benefit from using Rufus the Red as a promotional give-away?

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Permalink Reply by Bill Frank on July 7, 2008 at 9:20pm

Hi, Lisa Marie. Congratulations on the positive reviews your book has been receiving.

Converting positive reviews to sales happens more slowly than some expect. It takes time for the readers, listeners or viewers of your review to part with their cash. Which leads to the question, are your reviews appearing in the correct media to attract your ideal reader?

What genre is your book? To what media do your potential readers subscribe? Perhaps targeting different media will generate more sales.

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Permalink Reply by albertasequeira on July 8, 2008 at 12:44pm

HI Lisa,
I have to agree with you. I have had great reviews from people who have read my book, A Healing Heart. Yet, my book sits in Border's shelves in Taunton and it's not moving. I've spent thousands, and not making it up, on advertising as far as The Catholic Weekly in Australia. I went on a book tour at B&N in Orlando, Florida and scheduled for one at Walden Books in Vero Beach, Fl.

I have to hang in and hope something helps it along.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Marlena Corcoran on July 7, 2008 at 2:10pm

I thought I'd share this call for writers engaged in social media. It's from Peter Shankman's listserve. If you're successfully using social media to get out the word about your writing, pitch the podcast host! The deadline is given as July 5, but it just appeared on Shankman's list today, July 7.

23) Summary: Social Media for Writers

Name: Lin Ennis

Email: lin@linennis.com

Title: Podcast Host

Media Outlet/Publication: Podcast for Writers

Anonymous? No

Specific Geographic Region? No

Region:

Deadline: 6:00 PM MOUNTAIN - July 5

Query:

"How can writers use social media to sell more books? Can you
participate in a live conference call Monday July 7 at 3:00 pm
offering tips to a group of writers? You will receive a copy of the
recording for your promotional use and may invite your clients or
writer friends."

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Permalink Reply by Bill Frank on July 8, 2008 at 6:55pm

What are you doing to sell your book? What genre is your book? Are you selling directly to the public, to bookstores or over the Internet? Selling takes many forms. Which ones are you currently using and which ones would you like to use?

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Permalink Reply by carol stanley on July 9, 2008 at 6:30am

I just wanted to share...I have started internet marketing recently and it is amazing...You can develop a real presence on the web..ANd connecting the dots and following up..and being tenacious...carol

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Permalink Reply by Tracey L. Burton on July 8, 2008 at 7:42pm

My biggest challenge is making sure the editing is all right along with the spelling and grammer. The other challenge I have is if anyone is buying my book and is it making any money. Also waiting once you write the book if a publisher is going to take it.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Frank on July 9, 2008 at 9:13pm

Tracey,

What are you doing to sell your book? What steps are you taking to find a publisher for your book? Are you shopping your book around? Do you have an agent? How are you making sure publishers will be able to find your book? Over 400,000 new titles were published last year. A similar number will be published this year. What are you doing to make your book stand out?

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Marlena Corcoran on July 9, 2008 at 1:52am

On my way back from Berlin, I saw this display at the Munich airport bookstore. I've written two books in this series of language-learning mystery novels.

Attachments:

CIMG6133.JPG, 398 KB

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Marlena Corcoran on July 9, 2008 at 2:02am

Bill quite rightly reminded us recently to link to our books when posting! Skyline Syndicate and Death in Grand Canyon are mystery novels designed to help native speakers of German improve their English. The books are sold in bookstores throughout Germany and on amazon.de:

http://www.tiny.cc/Skyline

http://www.tiny.cc/Canyon

My dream is to sell books in airports--and it looks like I'm well on my way!