Cradling each book as if it was a new born child, you wonder how you can possibly part with them, but you must.
How?
That is a very good question. In my case the first ten I never got a bean for. Family got some and here in lies an issue. It's always good to know Mum or Spouse or Good Friend has one signed by you and given with love. But do you really want to give anymore away? Well Yes. Here in the Britain there is the six book which will be held by the Library Depository. Here these books will be loved and cherished for all time even if you don't sell another one.
Okay time to set your targets. We'll say you've, like me gave away ten books so far. Now it's time to get your heart put back in the box and your business brain out.
Promotion and Advertising:
This doesn't need to be thousands of pounds in top notch papers or tens of thousands adverting on radio and television. There is free advertising out there.
Free advertising:
You'll want to launch your book. Now there are loads of ways to do this from closed house parties for friends and family to sparkling wine and cheese bashes. A few examples I have been to were held by my local writers' groups. (Join one if you haven't already) Most of these were fairly informal affairs, but the atmosphere was great. You'll be expected to read from your work and provide a few nibbles and liquid refreshment. But how do you advertise this?
Again from both personal and other peoples' experience it was done with the minimum of cost.
Never forget word of mouth. Tell everybody.
Phone your local papers. Here in East Lothian we have three, so a call to each of them was a good idea. Don't expect them all to turn out, more often than not they'll ask you to send in photographs and a cover story. Some might do a quick interview over the phone. Plug hard.
Local radio, I only just discovered we have a community radio station. A friend from the writers' group arranged an interview on it. Rehearse before you go on. So what if you're stuck in between the singing dog and the orange which has the face of Santa on it. It's free promotion for your launch and book.
So far you've been on the radio and in the local papers. For a small cost, free with some providers is a website. Use it to your full advantage. This site cost twenty quid to start with.
So everyone in the village, town or street knows about your book. You have had a fab launch and you're asking yourself why you didn't do it sooner. But you can't sit back and enjoy the royalties. You need to get into the shops and websites. Remember to sell through your own site.
I'm going to add this just incase I haven't made it clear. Book shops and internet sites don't sell your books for nothing. Mark ups, if you can get them to stock them even on a sale or return basis change range from twenty to forty percent. Which may, in my case was the case, makes your book very expensive.
Just to make you feel better don't expect your book to be the centre of attention in these shops or sites. Just as long as it's the centre of your attention, then you'll do fine.
Now whilst you constantly promote this book, it's time to start thinking about the next one. You know what to do so get on with it. Just remember you're a published author and with that comes responsibilities. The main one is to self promote and mention my website.
Good luck and remember you have only to drop me a line about your experiences:
Russell