WHAT I LEARNED WITH MY FIRST BOOK ON THE SHELF

Janet here.

My debut novel, COURTING MISS ADELAIDE, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical released in September, a wild, wonderful, wearing month. I was blessed to have a freelance writer get an article into our local newspaper. Some other media coverage fell into my lap. I learned a few things about promotion, distribution and even about myself. I’ll share a few things I learned. Some things I didn’t expect. Even a couple I’m embarrassed to admit, but will because we’re honest here at Seekerville.

I DIDN’T EXPECT THE SENSE OF URGENCY. Love Inspired books are on the shelves one month. I knew Steeple Hill has great marketing and distribution, but when the book released, I was surprised how frantic I felt about having only one month to impact sales.

I DIDN’T EXPECT THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY PROMOTION WOULD TAKE. I got little done the entire month except to promote the book. I bought “autographed copy” stickers and new business cards for booksellers, but here’s where I spent the bulk of my time and money:

Books

I used my author copies from Steeple Hill for reviewers/influencers, family and blog tour giveaways. I needed more books to enter contests (five books per contest) and bail out book signings. During the month, I bought five cases (48 to a case) from Author-Author http://www.author-author.net/ at a discount of 35%, less than my publisher’s 40% discount, but I got royalties. I learned there are four Ingram distribution centers in the country and approximately how many of my books they carried. I learned Levy doesn’t restock category books at Meijer and WalMart. I learned to keep a comprehensive list of those receiving free books for tax purposes.

Blog Tour/Book giveaways

I didn’t blog every day during the month, but some days I was a guest on two, once three blogs. It took time to write the posts or answer interview questions. Announce my appearance to loops, pop in and out on the day and mail free books to winners. What I learned. It takes lots of time and expense, but a blog tour created buzz the book wouldn’t have had otherwise and brought it to the attention of readers I wouldn’t have reached on my own.

Bookmarks

My critique partner, Shirley Jump, designed them or they would’ve cost more. My name and cover appear on the front. The book’s blurb, my photo and Web site on the back. I considered bookmarks my business card for readers. I ordered 2500 two-sided bookmarks at http://www.onlineprinthouse.com/ at the cost of $150.00 with shipping. I should have paid another $40.00 more and gotten twice that many. Instead I made another 2500 order a week later and then decided to double it. How did I use them? I e-mailed friends and family and asked if they’d like to help promote my debut. Most everyone said yes. I sent the bookmarks and a letter with suggestions on how to distribute them and where the book would be sold. One friend in AZ asked for 250 for an upcoming library event. Another in TX asked for 100. Most asked for 25 or less. I could mail 7 bookmarks and letter in a business envelope for the price of a stamp. I left bookmarks with tips at motels and restaurants. Friends passed them out locally, coming back for more. Owners of my hair salon and Curves put them out for clients. I took them to conferences. When COURTING THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER releases in May, I’ll put them inside the second book, hoping readers who missed the first will order it on Amazon, assuming it’s still available. What I learned. I should’ve bought 5,000, not 7500.

Postage and envelopes

To mail books and bookmarks. It cost $2.03 to mail a book in a padded envelope. Less if I wasn’t overprotective of my books. J

E-mails/calls and visits

I called librarians, bookstores, even the historical museum in the town where my book was set. I notified people by e-mail the day my book hit the shelves. If anyone mentioned the possibility of their book club reading my book, I offered to attend. I have two book club meetings scheduled

I DIDN’T EXPECT ALL THE UPS AND DOWNS OF BOOK SIGNINGS AND DIFFERENCES IN BOOKSTORES.

I didn’t expect rejection. I may be a local author, but that didn’t mean bookstores wanted to host a signing. I was turned down twice. I was surprised the rejections hurt my feelings. I’ve learned many signings result in minimal sales and some expense for the store so I try not to take it personally.

I didn’t expect the bookstore not to have books. At my first signing, the bookstore ran out of books. At the second signing, my books were on back order and hadn’t come in. Both times I loaned the stores books. We checked with an accountant on the legality of selling books and paying sales tax at year-end filing.

I didn’t expect the wrong books. Thankfully this was rectified in time. J

I didn’t expect that whether some bookstores carried the Love Inspired line depended on the store’s manager whereas the decision is made at the corporate level at other bookstores.

What did I learn? To check with the store a week before the signing to make sure there’s no surprises. I always carry books in my trunk along with a receipt in case I must supply the books. I learned to sign where there’s heightened interest in the book and to keep track of mileage. I learned to ask buyers to write the name I was to autograph books to.

I DIDN’T EXPECT TO FEEL SO WACKY ABOUT REVIEWS, RANKINGS AND INDIFFERENCE. My first review was Romantic Times’ 4 ½ stars. The best RT gives, unless a book is named Top Pick so naturally I was thrilled. The next reviewer gave the book 3.75 out of 5. I was hurt, almost like a new mom when visitors don’t rave about her infant. And this was a decent review. Following rankings on Amazon can be damaging to mental health. I’m dismayed that family members I sent the book to haven’t bothered to let me know if they liked it or even read it. I learned to get over it. LOL

I DIDN’T EXPECT THE DEGREE OF SUPPORT: All of my friends and many of my acquaintances knew I’d tried to get published all these years and were almost as excited as I was when the book came out. The lesson: Whining pays. J

· Of friends: One friend hosted a party to celebrate the book’s release. I learned covers look great on a cake. Another friend contacted our hometown newspaper and got a mention in a column. One friend got her church bookstore to carry the book and passed out countless bookmarks.

· Of family: Our girls rounded up friends for signings, passed out bookmarks at MOPs, neighborhood gatherings, and chatted up the book. My husband carried bookmarks everywhere. He came to my book signings and handled the business end. He made post office runs.

· Of readers. I knew book club members sometimes sent notes or e-mails, but I was amazed to get cards, voice mails, e-mails and notes from others, too. I’ve never written a writer when I loved their book so I was blown away by the time people took to contact me. And by how much their approval meant.

COURTING THE DOCTOR’S DAUGHTER will release in May 2009. I hope I’ll find a way to take less time and use less money promoting this one. Or maybe I’ll figure out all the efforts to promote didn’t make much difference in sales.

I hope all the Seekers pubs will share their experiences. If anyone has questions or suggestions, I’d love to hear them!