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.

[albertasequeira]

Philip,
What an unbelievable story! Talk about luck. I also had my book with me on a flight....no one approached me. Good for you!

I've had some good headlines in three local newspapers today about my upcoming public talk on "The Affects of Alcoholism on the Whole Family" the 22nd this month at the Lakeville Public Library in Lakeville, MA. It's from 6pm-8pm. Hope they pull people to the event.

This will be my first "public" talk. I've gone private ones at rehabs and halfway homes.

Again, I'm so happy for you. That's what an author needs; a break and luck!

[Cynthia Clampitt]

Reaching the people most likely to buy the book. When people do buy it, they love it, but I need to find a way to get the book in front of more people.

[Sharon Roberts]

hi Cynthia,
I found marketing to be my biggest challenge as well. My books are for tween and teen readers on equine therapy, a very limited genre. I created a successful website www.horse-books-pony-stories.com

Now I have decided to expand to other genres www.coalition-independent-authors.com

I do offer free advertising as well as paid advertising. sharon

[albertasequeira]

Hi Cynthia,

Have you thought about going to the veterinarian's office to see if you can leave books on consignment. They can put their share toward medicine. Animal rescue locations might take some and their profit can go toward the care of the pets. Watch for school events.

What about going to a library and schedule a date to read to the children. Parents might be happy to buy the book for the kids.

Look for horse shows and contact the person months before to see if you can have a small table at the event. Think of something to give away that relates to horses at the event when they buy a book. Everyone likes to get something "free."
Hope the ideas help you.

[Cynthia Clampitt]

Thanks for the responses, Sharon and Alberta.

My book is not that much of a niche book. That would almost make it easier to market. Mine is an adult trade book with a potentially wide audience. It's about the six-month, 20,000-mile solo trek around and across Australia that marked my departure from the corporate world to pursue a writing career. It is a travel narrative that is lyrical, adventurous, inspirational, and educational. Enthusiastic responses have come from men and women, retirees to college students. It is everything you'd want to know about Australia, and it is also a tale about making dreams come true.

It is supported by a successful blog (waltzingaustralia.com), but I have found little correlation between blog hits and sales, probably because it seems most of my blog readers are Australians, and while they may want to see a photo or read about, for example, Tasmanian devils, they're not looking for a book on Australia.

A smaller audience might make it easier to focus marketing efforts, but when it's a book you think almost everyone would enjoy, it's a little harder to reach that market.

[albertasequeira]

I always thought that a travel book went over well and sold good. I guess we all have problems getting known.

[Steve Miller]

Cynthia,

Thanks for the info. Your book sounds great! Could you amplify on the relationship between your blog and book sales? It seems to me that a lot of book marketing folks are saying, "Here's how to build your platform. Start a blog on the topic of your book/books. Blog regularly and become a thought leader in your field. Thus, you build a following that results in book sales."

Yet, I've been blogging for some time and haven't seen any sales as a result of my blogs. Now, of course, I could be doing something wrong, but I've tried to read up on what the experts say about blogging and follow their advice.

It also takes a lot of time to write meaningful and informative blog posts - time that could be spent on other marketing efforts. Are you saying that you don't think your blog is paying off (time and effort), if you envisioned it solely as a book-selling tool? Would you advise authors to start blogs only if they have additional reasons for blogging, besides trying to sell books?

[Alison Silbert]

I'm looking for distribution channels in Canada & US for self-published book. Any suggestions on where to look, who to contact or how to approach distributors? What's the difference between wholesalers and retailers (in terms of purchases, buyback processes, payments, etc.)? Feel free to email me directly at [e-mail]
Thanks,
Alison

[Suzanne Ouimet]

Did you know that Amazon.ca lists books that are listed on Amazon.com?

[Gabrielle]

My biggest challenge would be finding the right person to review my book. You know we want someone who will handle it with care. I'm very new to the process of publishing and finding suitable editors. Not having the book fall into the wrong hands is also a big challenge to overcome. To free my stories and not condemn them to the back of some store shelf is a goal in mind. No I don't think I should mind if people hate them. Haha that might be a good thing. "I'd rather people hate me for who I am then love me for who I am not."

[Joel Friedlander]

Gabrielle,

I'm not sure from your post whether you mean book reviewers who review published books, or just people who might "review" your book. Can you clarify?

As far as reviewers for self published books, there's a great resource referenced in my publishing blog here. That might help!

[Gabrielle]

I meant people to proofread and give their opinions. Thanks for the link!