Difficulty of selling books by unknown authors

Brenda Hill wrote:

Yes, you are.

That hole sure is getting bigger. That's twice you've lost! Carol was right to say that it is unprofessional to take pride in the sale of a book that the reader did not enjoy reading (which is what LC was "joking" about) and reminding Alice that she is older than you is disrespectful ... but, of course, you were joking. You respect Alice just as much as Dick don't you? It's all just banter?

Welcome back, Alice!

Ann

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While busy trying to console my little friend Disturbed in Ohio I am pondering a serious question: why do people get upset about a joke? As yet I have not come up with an answer.

Because most jokes have an element of the truth in there somewhere, intentional or subliminal; and if we take ourselves too seriously, we look for that element instead of appreciating the overall humorous design.

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Dick Stodghill wrote:

While busy trying to console my little friend Disturbed in Ohio I am pondering a serious question: why do people get upset about a joke? As yet I have not come up with an answer.

You cannot be serious.

He is. And don't call him Shirley.

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cturkel wrote:

He is. And don't call him Shirley.

What should we call you, JCT, Chris, the doctor, cdemu, kdu, zizban? Any new names we haven't met yet?

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I understand getting depressed about low sales. I (like most everybody here) would like to make a living writing and be well respected, but that really doesn't happen all that often, even if you are published by one of the large "traditional" companies.

I spent three years writing and researching the only English language biography on The Singing Nun of 1960s fame and could not find a literary agent or publisher that was interested. Rather than let the story gather dust on a shelf I went with a POD publisher. I figured a few hundred people reading it was better than nobody. My main goal was to present the true story to American readers.

I did everything that you are supposed to do for success;
I had a unique subject matter, an award winning co-author, was endorsed by Donna Woolfolk Cross who wrote Pope Joan, I have a web site that attracts many fans, I have provided biographical information to music and televsion producers in the US and Europe, I'm on Facebook, I've done radio and newspaper interviews etc, and I have an obvious web presence. If you search for D.A. Chadwick or Singing Nun, I will come all over the place. The movie, Soeur Sourire, released this year in France didn't do all that well, so it could be that the public just isn't that interested in the woman who wrote and sang the #1 song, Dominique. We'll see if my book sales increase when the movie is released on DVD this December.

Still, the bottom line is shelf space in bookstores if you want to make the bestseller list. You need to be seen in stores by people who are spending the afternoon browsing and you need a publisher willing to promote you, if you want to sell a large number of books.

I guess it depends on whether you write to sell books or write because you have a need to do it. I was about ready to say the hell with it all and quit wasting my time, but now I'm half way through a book on the Civil War. I must be one of those who writes because they can't help it.

Deb Chadwick
Music from the Soul: The Singing Nun Story
http://www.dachadwick.com
http://www.singingnun.net

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What started out as a quip, which I still think is cute, LC, has turned into something ugly.

Thank you, Don. I truly appreciate your post. You're truly a sweetheart.

As to the subject of pride in our work, I take pride in everything I write.

With the diversity of tastes, no matter what is written, whether it’s an article, a feature, a short story, or novel, someone will enjoy reading it. Public opinion and popularity is simply a reflection of the times, and not everyone agrees on what is tasteful or enjoyable.

If I don’t particularly care for a written work, I always hear of someone else who did. And, if the editor and/or committee didn’t feel it was worthwhile in some degree, they would never have published it.

So I’d say yes, if something I’ve written has been published, whether or not ‘most’ people like it, I do take pride in the work because just as much effort went into the writing whether the subject was popular or not.

Hi Don,

Don't spoil our fun. Brenda's a foxy lady so maybe a foxhole is just the place for her to hide after she's given Dick a good kicking. She can tie one of those tissues to a pole and wave it in surrender.

Deb made a very serious point about the difficulties of selling books. I remember the singing nun and "Dominique" -- I just wonder if her story is not sensational enough for today's market, where sex and sleaze sells.

Me, surrender? Never!

I kinow that. But it was a nice thought.

Takes one stubborn female to know another...

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It's all my fault, Brenda. The next time sweet little Discouraged in Ohio reads one of your quarter books I'll make sure she uses at least 15 tissues. I may even buy her a new box of Puffs.

Dear Deb,
Welcome to this crazy space.

Love,
Betty

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