Difficulty of selling books by unknown authors

Dear Ann,
Amazon is a power house. It helped us all and gave us some credibility.

I wonder about these 50,000 new PA authors.

I think about them. How hopeful they are, how some of them have written beautiful books that no one will ever see. I have tried to befriend a few on that message board only to be followed up with Pier and her "send me an email" note. My posts go unanswered.

I am glad to be here.

Love,
Betty

Alice wrote:

It is disgusting to me that women are in the habit of attending Tupperware, basket and crystal parties--plunking down 20-30 bucks for a whatnot and never think that perhaps they could help an author.

I hate getting invitations to those parties. IMO, they're "favor" things, done to help out someone who, for whatever reason, won't get a real job. That said, the parties offer a catalog of trinkets, one of which I'm bound to find some use for, so I don't see them as comparable to buying a book. I don't buy books to help authors out, I buy them if I think the subject will entertain or enhance me.

First, any great idea has to be voiced by someone before it can be considered by anyone. Thanks, Alice, for putting an idea out there for consideration. I am surprised, however. You were initially disappointed that no one responded to your idea. Me, I was just thinking out loud and putting those thoughts on paper. I don't know that I was for or against anything. In fact, I said, "count me in." I was thinking you would be thrilled that so many people jumped in to talk about their frustrations and hopes as a result of your idea.

I think it's admirable that you are able to donate your profits and that you choose that approach. My sister-in-law's mother wrote a great story about her experience as a child raised by a Quaker sect that took in other people's children during the depression but had none of their own. It was a fascinating story. She donated the royalties to the preservation of the communal living quarters where she was raised; as the sect, without children of their own, became extinct. In fact, she turned over her book rights to them to continue publishing and selling to benefit the historical preservation.

One of my posts about this thread was to celebrate each of us for having the courage to publish our work in the first place. Anything beyond that is one more step that differs for each person. Many of us have our own burdens that impact our choices. Some may be financial, others physical or emotional. Whatever they are, they provide the filters through which we perceive and react to information and ideas. Sometimes, it takes talking about something over time and digesting it before decisions are clear.

For some people, decisions are made on the spot, yes or no. We are all so very different. It's a good thing, these differences; life would be so dull if we were all cut from the same cloth.

My dear author friends.

The only way we can help ourselves is to make this forum The Author's Forum that Established Authors of Renoun and New soon to be Famous Authors Frequent. I mean this with seriousness.

We need to attract greatness. Not just our greatness, but recognized, bonefide hoopla greatness. Where is Jamie Farr when you need him? Snort.

We need research into this, how to talk them up, get them to see we are just regular folk with hope. We need a presidential daughter.
Love,
Betty

Why is my buy button back on Amazon?
Aren't yours back too?

No.
I think you have to be your own publisher to get the button back.

I think I am through with this discussion.

DK,

I am thrilled with the response. My initial thinking was--I am not psychic -- "These people have no interest in this."

I decided to give you all a chance to talk and you did so.
All of your ideas were great--just reinforced the complexity of the problem. There are no easy answers.

Betty,

Don't be done--I love you and your ideas--my buy button is back and book price is $19.95.

I am not a publisher.

Dear Alice,
Get mine back for me. 19.95 is better than 24.95. do your magic.

Love,
Betty

This was a good discussion in spite of all the twists and turns. Betty, you are right. We need a president's daughter. We need to form the "Good Book Seal of Approval.

I don't think my buy button is there either. I don't know why yours is Alice.

Good-night Betty.

Love, Carol

Good Night Carol. I am off to one my self. My Wooffer is in my arms and off to his pillow.

What comfort it is to know you have a place waiting to lay your body down to sleep that is soft and safe and someone there beside you.

I will think this night of little Sophie. Her spirit is great and looking down on Dick and Jackie this night. Funny how a little animal that small can have such a wonderfully large spirit. Her spirit has enfolded us all on this message board and probably a lot of others, as well. We will not forget her.

God bless Sophie and Dick and Jackie.

Love,
Betty

8/10/2009

Hi Shelagh & Everyone...

I don't write to become $$$$$$$$$$, I write because I want children to read, most important. The next reason is to tell a story so people can enjoy it, maybe take them away from the everyday trauma of dealing with the modern world....By the way I don't know if any of you know this PA has a new program to get author's book signings, the co-ordinator's name is Karen, she' awesome. She somehow has the midas touch and got me two book signings for " Dusty," the first on Sept. 12th, 2009 at Hasting Books Store here in Santa Fe,NM, USA and th second at a fancy pet boutique, I'm thrilled, I tried for over a year and no one wanted to answer, I think they needed this kind of push..

My latest book is titled: " Clara Layten-The Chelsea Murders." I think it should be out in the late fall. Does anyone here know how to upload a photo to a thread ?
My new web page check it out...

http://jfbaraba.webs.com/murderinchelsea.htm

Cheers..Joe...

joefrank wrote:

Hi Shelagh & Everyone...

I don't write to become $$$$$$$$$$, I write because I want children to read, most important. The next reason is to tell a story so people can enjoy it, maybe take them away from the everyday trauma of dealing with the modern world....

Those are very honorable reasons to write. They are goals we can accomplish.

I think sometimes we are filled with "shoulds" in life. We should have our books published with a traditional publisher. We should write to make money. The "shoulds" put me in a box.

But we can write to get children to read or to tell a story. Telling the story takes talent and skill, but most can work at that and achieve it if we have the desire to write. Getting children to read is another matter. We need to write those stories they will love.

I don't write to become rich. I don't need to. I am rich in many ways. I write to give to the world, because of a longing, because like Betty often says that the words are spilling out of my fingertips. My world has been narrowed for health reasons and it is something possible for me to do.

Since we have been brainstorming here, I think we need more book clubs for kids, more donations of books to schools to be given away.

When we went to the library a few weeks ago, it was crowded with kids. They were possibly attracted by the bright posters, the rack of puppets (that one caught my eye) or the small table and chairs at which to sit and look at books.

Then there is the young adult group, a group that needs books about historic events written in ways that will keep their interest, books that tell stories they can relate to, books that will take them away from the doldrums of life.

We need books. There have been studies about the value of being surrounded by books. I am. Being surrounded by books is more important to me than expensive furnishings.

Love, Carol

Any new thoughts about how unknown authors can break through?

3/24/2010


I'll take the lottery, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
So I can help the children at St. Judes Hospital..


Cheers..Joe

.

One way is going to sound pretty simple, but... a killer title. I don't think there is anything that grabs attention like clever, dramatic and "just so perfect" title.

"Why Women Love Jerks", "How To Win Friends and Influence People", "Death: An Introduction", "I'm OK, You're OK"... hell, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" jumped out from all the Tommy and The Duck titles.

I owe a lot of my sales to the title. "Mexican Slang 101". People see it, most of them smile. People pick it up and show it to their friends and their friends smile. They look to see what it's about.

A book called "The Crossing" or "Wilma Jones" is not only unknown author--it's unknown book. You see "Take This Form and Shove It", your on familiar terms immediately.

What about a title, "Go to Hell?" I did a google and didn't see that as a book title.

What is the book about? Who is the target audience?

New ways unknown authors can break through.

On AW’s non-fiction forum, Cameron Chapman has posted a thread entitled cold-contacted by publisher. The publisher became aware of him through the blogs he writes and edits.