New Authors

I would say that given the number of new authors each year and the opportunity anyone has to get books into stores that it might be a good idea to form a society of new authors with a view to setting up their own stores and stocking only their books.

This would be a monopoly as only authors who are members could have their book in the stores but that is exactly the kind of monopoly the big book chains use to promote only major publishing houses and their top authors.

I doubt this would something that would actually get done by new authors but a case of all for one and one for all certainly makes more sense than every person for themselves given the state of things as they are.

john

It's a good idea and worthy of deeper consideration

In some ways, sites such as Author's Den are based on this concept. I'm on Author's Den, but I can't really tell if it impacts sales.

What I see with so many groups of new authors is that while all of them want all of the other authors to buy their books, few of them have the money to buy the other authors' books.

While many of us might be more likely to experiment with books by unknowns than the general public, the hard truth is that if somebody likes thrillers and have read the reviews about, say, Stephen King's new novel "Duma Key," they're going to order that book rather than somebody's first novel from iUniverse at the same or a slightly higher price.

Personally, I would like to see bookstores doing more to promote regional and local authors as well as offering a little space for books on consignment. But they have to push these. They can't just throw a book on consignment on a shelf back in the men's room. It needs a sign and some blurbs. Some shops are willing to try, most aren't.

Malcolm

I agree with this idea or bookstore could easily create an area in the front of the store for new authors where people can see them before seeing the other books when they come into the store. At least that would give them a chance to be seen. Have an employee read the books and pick their favorite and have the book displayed showing the full front view would help too! Danners in Muncie is doing something similar but they don't have a new authors section, they just pick their favorites from all the books. I have 2 copies there signed.

Amber

Hi,

Nice to see some replies, we can all muse on how things might be improved.

I did get my two books into Waterstones in Cardiff but as was said simply having them on the shelf is facing a lot of competition. Really our books are something you cannot get in any other bookstore so that could be turned into a selling point, especially if authors could get to the store regularly.

Have to admit back a few years I when the books were published it was easier to get up and go to promote them, hard work though,lol.

john

This is a great idea, but it would be a daunting task for the person setting it up. There are so many books out there that are not sitting in brick and mortar stores. And even if they are in the stores, they are quickly overshadowed by the Harry Potters and the Stephen Kings of the book world. There needs to be a way to put them out there for people to find. If they aren't sitting on a shelf, no one even knows they are available unless they find them at Amazon or one of the internet bookstores. Even then, there are so many, how can one choose?

Zada,

It is daunting and unlikely but you are on the right track. The one thing our books have going for them is the authors want personal contact with the readers.

A book store would only stock new authors who belonged to the group setting up the store so really you need all the books to be signed by the authors.

Basically I think many new authors would pay a monthly subscription to fund such a store and supply copies up front to keep costs down.

The thing that really is the stumbling block is all the work needed, when I was younger I may have had a stab but these days I am more into music.

john

John
This is a great idea, but I think impractical if you are talking about a physical store - would you have one in UK, another in US, another in Australia etc? However, an e-store might be more feasible.
Like Malcolm, I belong to AuthorsDen; also Writing.com, EditRed and others.
I also have my book profiled on Bookhitch, e-books cafe and Nothing Binding. These have so many books profiled, it's difficult to see that anyone would ever 'stumble upon' my book. As Zada says, my book is overshadowed by the Harry Potters and the Stephen Kings of the book world.
New and unknown novelists can gain exposure and help each other by joining Share Your Novel. It's not a bookstore, but maybe it could be.
Les

Les,

How would Share Your Novel differ from Bookhitch, e-books cafe and Nothing Binding? You wrote "These have so many books profiled, it's difficult to see that anyone would ever 'stumble upon' my book."

How would Share Your Novel make it easier for readers to find books?

~Shelagh

That's a very good question, Shelagh. I hope this will answer your question:

Share Your Novel differs from the others in three ways:
1. SYN only accepts novels. The others have all types of books including non-fiction of every description. SYN will, therefore, profile only a fraction of the number of books of the other sites.
2. SYN is geared towards self-published and POD novelists - though traditionally published novelists are also welcome to join.
3. SYN is not just a place to profile your novel. It is also a place to share your novel - by getting chapter reviews from other members - and a place to share ideas in the forum.

I am, however, open to any ideas about how SYN could develop in the future. It's real aim is for self-published and POD novelists to help each other.

Les

The book business is a tough one. If you do get a paperback published, the store may only order 3 copies, and they may only remain (if unsold) on the shelves for 6 weeks.

Here are 25 ways to help author friends during those 6 weeks, without actually buying the book yourself.

http://www.rowenacherry.com/research/25_cherry.php

If Amazon sells your book, join Amazon-Connect.

That's very interesting Rowena.

I have a hard time getting my readers to leave comments. They don't understand how important public feedback is for an author.

Too true, Karina!

That is exactly the point. Even our friends, relatives and colleagues don't understand the simple, quick, inexpensive ways they can make a huge difference.

Readers cannot be expected to be promo agents, but some authors have found that readers will feel more comfortable joining in if they are not alone.

You will also find that joining a book networking site may help... readers join GoodReads.com, Shelfari.com, LibraryThing.com, and Amazon Discussions because they want to talk about books.

The down side is, they will not all have enjoyed any given book.

George Maciver wrote:

It's a good idea and worthy of deeper consideration

Yes, writin a book could be a good idea but there is not so much incomes anything like money. For example I have got seven US dollars all told, of the total sale of my three books. So, it not looks very a profitable deal and I have let it been like some sort of training for the usage. I haven't any streams to be great writer, and in addition - there is the other language and other audience.
Cheerio
Harry

Harry, where are you from and what have you written? Do you have a website?

Hi Zada.
The website is http://oceanrover.blogspot.com/
regards

Harry it looks as thought you've got some interesting work going on. I quite enjoyed looking at your site, and hope we get to see and learn more about you!

Thank you Pam. The rover is in the lulu but all my books laying there like a lame duck without any attention or response.

Harry I know what you mean...the more marketing I do, the more I sell. Keep working on it!

Yes, Harry, a very interesting site. I especially enjoyed looking at the photographs. You might want to add the address (URL) to your site in your signature. I'm sure others will be interested in seeing it and if the link is under your posts, they are more likely to visit.

I cannot yet very well navigate in this site.
Thanks anyway.

Harry, you can do that in the 'profile' section--(small icons near the top of the page.) There is a space to place your website's url there. You can also put your name in, and these items will show up each time you make a post.

What country is Nessebar Island in?

Hi
Thanks for the advise.
It's lay on the shore of the Black Sea

Hi Harry,

I've added a signature for you.

Zada,

The link to your site is also at the bottom of your posts:

Thanks very very much.