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.

[Steve Miller]

On Speaking to Sell Books,

Alberta and Sara, we should probably study up a bit more (probably A LOT more) on developing speaking opportunities. I haven't been able to speak a lot over the past 15 years because of family commitments (caring for first wife for 4 years as she died from cancer; raising my four boys on my own, remarrying and adding 3 boys to the mix, now helping my mom care for my 103-year-old grandmom next door.) Bottom line: I'm tied down and don't get beyond the cul-de-sac much.

But when my wife and kids can pitch in and help, I've been speaking more lately. Last month, did a church youth retreat. They paid an honorarium, plus bought 33 of my books at a discount. Interacted (free) at a theological discussion group (they'd all bought and read one of my books in preparation). I spoke at a writers conference and was surprised that, although my book wasn't on the topic of my seminar, several bought books.

In January I'm speaking to a teen leadership group of about 20 students through a local chamber a commerce and the next month will speak to about 20 businessmen there. The chamber will do press releases for the events, put my bio in their brochures and websites for the entire year, send out reminders to their list of members, etc.

At this point, these are small opportunities, but probably just what I need to develop my presentations - learn what they laugh at, what they like to discuss, etc.

I developed my ability to speak in my early years, but never gave much thought to "the business of speaking." I'm finding things like: 1) If they weren't given a book for the event, put one in front of them to leaf through as I speak. Many will see it's value and want to keep it, thus buying it after the event. (Perhaps, Psychologically, it's harder to part with something you have in hand than to purchase something you see in the distance.) 2) Have them write comments on my seminar and turn them in. Not only does it sharpen my effectiveness, but I get blurbs to put on my speaker page on my site. 3) Have them also write down any other venues that might want me to speak. 4) Ask the promoter of each event, "If you were me, and you wanted do more speaking, who should I contact and how should I go about it?"

On topics like obesity (Sara), alcoholism (Alberta) and money (me), if we can give a decent presentation, we should be able to speak regularly. Right now, thousands of schools, chambers of commerces, churches and special interest groups are trying to fill their speaker schedule for 2010. (Many will put it off and fill spots a month in advance.) Surely, over time, we can make the contacts and learn the ropes and get the blurbs that will allow us to serve people and sell our books in these venues.

[albertasequeira]

I'm excited to speak next Saturday at the Catholic Woman's Ministry. I'll be asking if they know of anyone else in the Chapters that would be interested in my talks. I never thought of the Chambers of Commerces but someone else mentioned it.
I have a school wanting me to speak next year. My husband, Al, and I want to get a Power Point going. I've invited a few people who have had a drinking problem for the kids to relate to. Hopefully by next Fall, we'll be comfortable on running one. The school is willing to pay but hasn't said what amount.
I'm really looking forward to getting my sequel out, hopefully, by July of 2010 and I'm concentrating on getting talks.
I'm drained writing about losing my dad, husband and daughter. Next book will be short, fiction stories.
I thought I was busy but you are lucky to be breathing!

[Steve Miller]

Alberta,

I don't remember getting more replies after that first day, although I may have. Do remember to follow-up on those books you've sent out. After about a week, you might e-mail or call to make sure they received it (sometimes books get lost in mail rooms.) Then, if you don't see that they've done anything in a month or so, you might send a reminder. Everybody I know in publicity talks about the necessity of follow-up.

[albertasequeira]

Thanks, Steve,

I will do that.

[Cynthia Vespia]

I'd like to jump in on this...I'm recently having a helluva time actually WRITING the damn thing! Having too many balls in the air, that's always my biggest challenge. For some reason I keep allowing everything else in my life to take precedence. That's a big no-no.

CYNTHIA VESPIA
Author of Thrills and Chills
http://www.CynthiaVespia.com

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[David Pyle]

I assumed that Advertising and Marketing would be my largest roadblock. Writing in some cubbyhole over a period of months, while doing research and juggling a family was a piece of cake. Editing was work, but rewarding. I found a publisher for my novel - Between Life and Death (shameless plug).
I happily began an advertising campaign online, which was part of my previous occupation as an internet consultant. Within about three weeks, I was showing up at the top of Google searches.
Then came my waterloo - The one thing as a new author I never expected: The price of my fiction paperback novel was horrendously overpriced.
All the advertising in the world cannot undo a product that is roughly twice the going market price.
Their business model was selling to authors and I had been completely blindsided.
Now, what do I do?
* I found that I'm not without options - There's always the court system, but that is messy and would only hurt me.
* I can play their game - Incorporate and get a substantial discount and warehouse / broker my own book,
* OR be creative and get an established reputable distributor to do that for me.
This can paralyze some writers and I was no exception, but I'm back in the saddle and actively pursuing option #3.

Caveat Auctor

So... Know your Publisher and know your Literary Agent.