Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joan Adamak on June 10, 2012 at 7:56pm

I think the more interesting books are selling if they are really well written.  And then there is the marketing bit, but perhaps if you give the first book out free, if it is good then it will entice people to try the second one.  For your sake, I hope so.  It is worth the try.

Permalink Reply by Roger Lawrence on June 11, 2012 at 5:27pm

Thanks. I like to think it's good, but then I wrote it.

Permalink Reply by Patricia Gligor on June 12, 2012 at 10:46am

Roger,

I don't think we should ever stop promoting our first novel, especially when it is the first book in a series. I don't know about you but, as a reader, I love to start at the beginning of a series and read the books in order.

My first mystery novel, Mixed Messages, was published in April and (fingers crossed) the second book in my Malone mystery series will be out by the end of the year. It is my fervent hope that people will read my first novel first and I plan to mention that in all of my promotion efforts.

Permalink Reply by Roger Lawrence on June 12, 2012 at 7:43pm

 Thanks Patricia.

I hope people will also read mine in order. But in the event that they don't, I've made every one a standalone which won't upset the flow no matter what order they read them in. I've just begun sketching the plot for number 5. However, it's difficult to describe the characters every time without it becoming, or sounding boring.

Here it is and is free on Saturday if you fancy a little light hearted space comedy.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbook...

If we're not supposed to put ads' like this here, I apologise and won't do it again if someone tells me so.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Kirk on June 15, 2012 at 2:01pm

 

I would say it all comes back to marketing. From what I understand, in today’s market, how well you advertise yourself weighs more than the quality of the story. I don't mean to be disheartening, but I have never heard of you or your book. This tells me you need to focus on marketing. Do you have a fan page on facebook? This is a growing trend and with millions, if not billions on there, worth taking the time to invest in. Do you have an author’s page anywhere? Do you have business cards? Do you have a live social network (church, hourly job, coffee group, friends and neighbors, family) you have spoken with about supporting your work? Family can be very helpful as they have your best interest at heart as well. For every one person you know and speak with, they know at least one more. Have you spoken to local radio stations about an on air interview? It's a lot of work. I am daunted by all the work involved. If we want people to read our books, we need to invest the marketing time.

Permalink Reply by Roger Lawrence on June 16, 2012 at 7:39pm

Haven't heard of a fan page. I'll have to look into it.

thanks.