What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

[Bill Frank]

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

[nancy y. bonar]

Bill:

You mentioned "sell sheet," something I've never heard before as a nonfiction book author going the traditional agent/publisher route. What is a sell sheet?

[Bill Frank]

Nancy—
A sell sheet is a document you present to dealers, distributors, or anyone who may sell your book. It contains the specifics of your title.

I've included an example of a sell sheet I did for a book titled THE DEATH OF MANOLETE. It will show the pertinent information. You can model your sell sheet off this one.

[Amber Rigby Grosjean]

That's good to know. I never put something like that together. I used other forms for mine lol. Putting it all on one sheet looks better and more organized. I think I will use that style from now on. Thanks!

Amber

[albertasequeira]

Thanks, Bill. I loved your One-Sheet. I had business cards made just for the bookstores so this will be very professional in my media kit. If they buy through just my publisher, the books are guaranteed returnable.
Alberta

[Linda Holden Givens]

My biggest challenge is the response I have not received from my family members since my book has been published. Is this normal? The second challenge is how much time, money and effort to get anyone interested in your book.

[Amber Rigby Grosjean]

Don't feel bad. I had to give my mother a copy I paid for to even get her to read it and then I had to ask her several times before she would tell me what she thought about it. Don't let your family get you down. They will either support you or they won't. Don't focus on them. Put your focus on the positive things--you're published. You did something not every writer has.

Put your attention to making sales and writing that next book. Who cares what they think. All that matters is what you think and those who are really close to you. I'm talking about those good friends who were always there supporting you, pushing you toward your dreams, helping you along the way with positive feedback. And your fans matter the most. Listen to them and hold it close to your heart.

Amber

[albertasequeira]

Hi Amber and Linda,

WOW, I thought I was the only author who had family members who never read their book! My memoir was published November 2006. It's about our father and our family life; long story! My brother said he gets depressed reading about our father while he was dying of cancer. I've asked y sister at least 3Xs if she read it to get no answer. My other two brothers have not said a word.

Amber is right. Put the attention to the people who are excited about it. My friends and strangers loved it. So, that's what I'm going by. Although, my family is showing excitement with my next memoir.

Hang in and believe in your writing. If authors worried about all the negative things people say or don't, we wouldn't write. We will never please everyone. Write for yourself.

Alberta

[Bill Frank]

There is some interest in learning more about book fairs, based on my blog entry about the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. I hope this is useful.

There are several types of book festivals: consumer, trade and literary. Consumer book fairs sell directly to the consumer. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is a consumer book festival which means publishers are there to sell books directly to readers. It is sponsored by the Los Angeles Times (among many other sponsors), hence the name. There were over 200 booths at this year's festival. There were many consumers attending the show, but not many buying books, from what I saw.

Trade book fairs sell to book retailers and distributors, not directly to consumers. The largest trade book fair in the United States happens this week in New York; the Book Expo of America. It is impressive. Thousands of book publishers are selling to independent, chain and specialty book stores. There is also an active market at the BEA selling international publishing rights to foreign publishers.

The final type of book fair is a literary book fair. Such book fairs are primarily for writers and authors. Speakers at these fairs focus on the art of writing. Exhibitors offer writing and publishing products. Some books are sold at these fairs, but they are mostly books by experts on the subject of writing or publishing.

If you plan to attend a book fair, the first thing to determine is what type of book fair it is. That will determine how you approach the fair. It is always a good idea to have a plan for any book fair you attend. The larger the book fair, the more detailed your plan must be. The reason is larger book fairs have more booths to visit, more speakers to hear and more contacts to make.

If anyone is attending Book Expo of America this year, I'd be interested in your impressions. I am unable to attend this year's BEA. To learn more, go to www.bookexpoamerica.com.

[Larry Deibert]

My biggest challenge is trying to convince prospective buyers that my book is really good. I have had so many wonderful comments from readers, and I truly believe I have crafted one of the most interesting and intriguing characters in vampire lore. Check it out at www.larrydeibert.com

[albertasequeira]

HI Larry,

I read once that authors spend too much time trying to tell people what their books are about. I do myself.

They said what people want to know is why "they" will benefit from reading your book. Everyone wants something free so offer an item that has to do with your story.

Hope it helps.

Alberta

[Bill Frank]

Larry—
The positive comments from readers is quite a testament to your book. Congratulations! To make others take notice, however, you'll want to focus on the WIIFM factor. WIIFM is an acronym for What's In It For Me. Readers aren't going to belive you have a better vampire story. It's better if you try to convince them of what your story will do for them. What will the reader receive from reading your book.

[Phanuel Muverengwi]

My biggest problem is promoting my books.

I have advertised in local (Zimbabwe, Southern Africa) newspapers and on the Internet. I have also established a blog site: http://phanuelmuverengwi.blogspot.com. I have had a simple website designed: www.muverengwi.co.zw. But it appears as though most of the people who have bought my books had either seen someone with a copy or bumped into them in local bookshops. I believe I need to do more with regards to marketing and hope to get useful insights from writers in other parts of the world.

I intend, through my website, to sell books all over the world, mail-order style.