the (sad) skinny from bookseller chick
Bookseller Chick is somebody who really knows the bookstore biz, and here's what she has to say about the fate of many of good book:
You could have written an amazing (fill in the blank sub-genre) novel, but if the critics are just tired of reading them, if the public is just tired of the same derivative covers, if the marketing department just wasn’t on the ball, and if a bookseller didn’t read it on their off time and realize that this is obviously the hand-sell of the century, then your book could still sink away into oblivion. These days books have about six weeks to prove their worth before they’re yanked off the shelves, factor in some delayed reviews (or a lay-down date that got moved up), a slow to start word of mouth chain, and lack of up-front store time and your book could be off the shelves before anyone has realized it was there.
My heart sinks and my stomach cramps when I read this, because I know she's right. And I have a new book out there, and most likely this will be its fate. If I'm lucky it will resurrect with the publication of the mass market edition, but I would have to be very lucky.
This scenario is entirely what I expected to happen when Homestead was published, but in that case the booksellers jumped in and hand-sold, and then the PEN/Hemingway people called, and things took off. Totally unexpected, utterly wonderful and gratifying. But luck played a big part in that. The same scenario for the new book? Ultra unlikely.
So all of you who are writing novels, please be aware that luck and fate and all those unquantifiable market forces out there will have their way with your book. Which of course can also work in the other direction. Look at The DaVinci Code as the ultimate example.
It makes me sad that some of the most "popular" books really stink. I have had a hard time finding your books in the past. It makes me very sad.
I agree with Kelly. I can't tell you how many books have been "talked up" to be great novels, and turn out to be a waste of time. However, that has not been my experience with your novels...I'm hooked. If it has your name on it (either one of them), I'm buyin' it.
It makes me grateful for all the books that I have. I am also greatful to used book stores where you find a book that nobody has ever heard of and it leaves a huge mark on your heart.
It may not be much help, but I will be purchasing TTTT.
You are a remarkably talented woman Rosina. You don't have to worry about your works fading into oblivion. If you had not figured this out yet you have quite a few fans out there (and in here), who all rave about your books, not only on your forum and blog but to our friends family (I even tell total strangers that I meet when in book stores about you). Now if you want I am sure that we can put on some kind of rally in your back yard, maybe a tent city to, and any time you need a boost you can come outside and have your own cheering section! Just think about it!
See, I keep thinking that your publishers need to re-release all the Wilderness books in trades and point them at the bookclub circuit and watch them take off again. Not that you need the help because your books are doing fine on their own.
You all are very kind to me when I'm in the mood for a fine whine.
I'm fairly confident about my ability to tell a story; it's the nature of the business end which is depressing at times.
BC -- They are in fact talking about repackaging the whole series, though it is doing fine, chugging along. I'm more concerned about my stand alones, trying to break into a different market. It feels like an impossible feat.
I'm fairly confident about my ability to tell a story; it's the nature of the business end which is depressing at times.
Yeah, but you know, good stuff is always appreciated. It's a lot like indie bands; they may not be wildly popular, but then, fans of popular stuff are rarely loyal, and they rarely really appreciate the skill (if any) in really runaway popular things. More often, they're just trying to jump on the bandwagon and look cool to their friends. That's why, if the careers of the really popular take a nosedive, there's no one there to catch them.
You'll always have fans, and they'll always come back for more, and appreciate what you do so well. Indie bands go on forever, and so will you.
I hope I can get there someday too.
Your books look popular in Cambridge, England. I've run into copies at the market and local bookshop. It was fun discovering Homestead so far from home.
I agree with all, and that is a good selling point that BC made, though i think they need to bring in all of your work.
When i come across a writer that i like and really enjoy their work, i tend to want to find and read all of their work that has been published.
So far the bookstores in my area carry all of your work though the last small independent in my area closed it's doors about eight years ago.
I think it is always, scary when you are putting your work out to the public, you feel so vunerable... it is always good to hear good comments but even better to see the sales are up. I know that is soooo true with my ArT work.
Just keep up the WoNDeRFUL writing that you do and i will keep telling my friends and people that i run into about your work... *G*