Top 5 Things Emerging Authors Can Do to Sell More Books

As is the struggle for every author, you must find your audience. Last week we discussed “The Right Followers,” and this week we’re going to talk about how to find the right readers.

Although it’s never easy to find your readers, they’re out there. And with the internet and social networks, it’s easier than ever to find them without spending thousands on promotion and touring.

The best way to grow a readership is to start with a tight niche. Sometimes this niche is not clearly definable. For example, our Rowan of the Wood series is YA fantasy. Most certainly a niche, but not a very tight one. On the other hand Avalon Revisited by O. M. Grey (nom de plume) is a Steampunk Paranormal Romance. Okay. Paranormal Romance, not a very tight niche. Steampunk is still quite tight. I don’t doubt that Avalon Revisited consistently sells 10 to 1 more Kindle copies than Rowan of the Wood because of this tight niche. Additionally, although ParaRomance isn’t terribly tight, those readers are voracious.

 

Give A Little Respect

As I travel from convention to convention, participating on panels and meeting a variety of authors, I’ve come across some rather unfortunate behavior and attitudes. Unfortunate because it is unnecessary, but it is extant nonetheless.

Most fantasy conventions have many authors in attendance. Some of them are in artist alley or the dealer room selling and signing their own books. Some of them are brought in by the con to be a part of programming (panels, readings, autograph sessions, etc.). Some of them do both, sell books and participate in programming. Authors range from those who published their books through a vanity/subsidy press, self-published authors, those with small presses, and those who are published with one of the New York Big Boys.

Most authors I meet are wonderful. They are kind and gracious, intelligent and respectful. I learn much from my fellow authors just by participating on panels with them. It’s a fun way to network and trade knowledge.

I’ve been on panels with Cherie Priest, Jody Lynn Nye, and Tim Powers. I’ve been part of a writing critique group with Skyler White and Stephen Brust. Each of them treated me as a colleague. After all, we are all working authors continuously trying to improve our craft, navigate the changing publishing industry, and market our books. All of these authors have been friendly, helpful, and respectful.

However, there are a few who haven’t been.

 

The MTV/American Idol Effect in Writing

A Guest Post by Rhonda Eudaly

This essay will appear in my forthcoming book Publishing & Marketing Realities for the Emerging Author.

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Once upon a time it was enough for authors to write a brilliant story, have it published, and be exalted all without leaving their homes. It was, once, “sexy” for an author to be a hermit or to sit in cafes in exotic places and commune with other artistic types. Those days are over.

 

Using Public Speaking to Market Your Book

A Guest Post by Denniger Bolton.

This essay will appear in my forthcoming book Publishing and Marketing Realities for the Emerging Author.

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Your willingness to do “whatever it takes” to reach your goals is the key ingredient to success in any endeavor. However, most writers I know, not all but most, are solitary souls spending their days in front of the laptop working on their craft. They have a narrow comfort zone, and are not willing to move beyond it, especially if they don’t have to. Public speaking however, will yank all but a few out of their zones.

Are you willing to push beyond your zone, to do whatever it takes to give a speech to an audience of dozens, maybe hundreds? Getting up in front of people is the greatest fear there is, coming in ahead of dying even. Scary but profitable.

 

Are You Rich?

Often times at our events, I get asked this same question (usually by tweens) when they find out I’m an author.

They ask, “Are you rich?”

I have to really, really try not to laugh at that question. Really. Really. Try.

Sure, it’s the kids who actually ask, but I don’t doubt that many, many people assume that we are rich. Adults just know that it’s not polite to ask someone about those things.

Still, this question is quite telling, it shows that a good portion of the public think that being an author = rich. Mansions. Movies. Chateau in France. Etc.

Another one that gets me: “You should get them to make a movie of your book.”
Hmmm. Great idea. Why didn’t I think of that?