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Why doesn't every bookstore carry my books?
Written by: Cheryl Kaye TardifArticle Overview: Many new authors will be so excited about their debut book that they don't ask their publisher the right questions about distribution. Many assume that their books will get automatic placement in every bookstore across the country. Then the sad reality hits them.
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Why doesn't every bookstore carry my books?
One question I hear from new authors is this:
Is it true that once you're published by a traditional royalty-paying publisher your books will be in all the bookstores across Canada and the US?
The answer is...no. Many writers believe that this is the big advantage to being traditionally published. But it's a myth.
Since my first novel was published in 2003, I have often been asked why my novels are not in every bookstore across North America. There are a few reasons for this, actually, but one of the main reasons is that the book industry just doesn't work like that. Yes, you'll certainly see the top 25 or so bestsellers in every store. These are big name authors who have proven time and time again that their books sell by the truckloads, and the 1 or 2 breakout authors whose book flies off the shelf at record speeds may be among them.
Believe me--I would be quite happy (and possibly a bit manic) to see my novels in every bookstore. It is a partnership between so many divisions of the publishing industry that helps increase a book's availability. I know one thing for sure, there are thousands of authors whose books have less exposure than my novels.
My publisher has been writing articles for Foreword Magazine, an industry standard for the book world, and his latest article touched on something I have believed since day one. If I want my books to sell, I have to do whatever I can to 'move' them off the shelves. I owe it to myself. Every author does.
The following is my reply to my publisher's latest article on Foreword's website:
In the years (okay, decades) that I've been researching the book industry, I've heard these statistics many times. And they're so true. I've also heard how publishers in the US are publishing over 200,000 new titles a year. This sheds some light on why my 3 novels aren't on every bookstore shelf. Can you imagine the size the bookstore would have to be to accomplish shelving every title? But it is a common assumption with aspiring or newly published authors that their books will be everywhere, in every store automatically. That's just not the case.
Today's authors have to take on the role of marketing even more than ever if they want to succeed. You can't wait for the sales to happen; you have to go out and get them. Book signings are a plus. I love doing them, meeting people and talking to fans. But most authors, including me, can't afford to tour all across the country 2-3 times a year. And publishers certainly can't pay for all of their authors to do so either.
I was the first author from Kunati Books to hold a virtual book tour (VBT). For one month, I blogged, wrote articles, answered intervews, spoke on radio shows--I loved it. VBT's are becoming more popular every year, and I believe that's where author tours are heading. Even bestselling author Margaret Atwood knows the trials of traveling; she invented the LongPen, a device that signs books with the author in one city and readers in another. I've signed up for that too.
I embrace the marketing of my novels and I am excited to do so. With three novels published, I am constantly searching for new ways, new ideas, and the majority of them involve online marketing. From my own experience, I can say that being computer savvy is a huge advantage as more and more authors are turning to internet marketing. Authors experienced in web design, HTML code, navigating the internet, and those who blog regularly and update their websites routinely have a headstart. I believe in working smarter, not necessarily harder.
Selling books is a partnership between everyone involved--author, agent, publisher, distributor, booksellers...they each have their role, and the common one is to sell books.
Today's authors have to be bold, daring, open to learning, open to selling, persistent, and driven. That's how you become one of the 2.1% of authors who sell more than 5000 copies.
If you'd like a better understanding of the book industry, please read my publisher's article:
Staggering Statistics in Book Publishing can Read Like a Stephen King Horror Novel. Is There Any Hope for Authors and Publishers?
What do you think about these statistics and the book industry's future?
©2008 Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Article Tags: assumption, bookstore, bookstores, canada, decades, myth, new authors, north america, novel, novels, partnership, publishers, record speeds, reply, royalty, shelves, statistics, truckloads
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About the Author: Cheryl Kaye Tardif RSS for Cheryl Kaye's articles - Visit Cheryl Kaye's website Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author who draws on personal experiences (either her own or others) to tackle sensitive questions and terrifying scenarios. She is also an energetic and motivational speaker at writers' conferences, presenting often on the topics of "shameless" promotion and book marketing, in particular online marketing. She has appeared on television and radio, and in newspapers and magazines in Canada and the US, and online. Visit Cheryl's website at: http://www.cherylktardif.com. Click here to visit Cheryl Kaye's website The Four Firsts and Chapter Hooks in Mystery Writing Why doesnt every bookstore carry my books Do you think you have the next New York Times bestseller or Oprah Book Club pick but dont know how to write it Murder Walls for Crime Novelists Online Social Networks Part 4 Optimizing True Social Networks Like MySpace Facebook Ning |
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