Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
We all have seen publishing struggle this year through the loss of retail outlets, the economic downturn, and the onslaught of e-books and free online books. But I’d like to take a minute to give publishers a nod of approval for some creative ways of dealing with a fast-changing world.
Here are a few:
- Several publishers are realizing that, rather than just looking for authors with platforms, another approach is to look for authors who have the potential to sustain a platform. The publisher is then coming alongside those authors and helping to build the platform. The publishers are bringing to bear all their resources, including helping the author to create product that will build a brand. That means creating video curriculum and speaking venues to accompany a nonfiction book.
- Speakers bureaus. The major New York publishers have developed speakers bureaus for their authors that are, to everyone’s surprise, making money. Some authors are even making more through speaking engagements than through royalties.
- Social networking. A Twitter book club. Facebook book launch parties. Websites with interactive games (e.g. 39 Clues). Publishers are working to be creative and to engage readers in new ways. It’s the wave of the future, and publishers know it and are experimenting to see what works.
- New ways to sell. Symtio, which looks like a Starbucks gift card, is a method to buy a book for someone and deliver it with panache. The receiver then downloads the book as an e-book or an audio book. much as he would i-Tunes. Apparently this idea, developed by Zondervan Publishing, is catching on and doing well. We’re all for a new way to deliver books!
Have you spotted ways publishers are being innovative? The rest of us would love to hear more.
Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, and I think Water Brook (at least for the summer months) offer five books for five bucks each at brick and mortar stores in the US (not in Canada where the cost of books is much higher than in the US. If a book releases in the US for 15.00 it will cost 19.00 – 22.00 here. Don’t even get me started about hard cover).
It’s a great way to introduce new authors to the public who might feel skittish about laying down 15.00 when they don’t know the author.
5 books for 5 bucks!? I’m so there!
I’m encouraged to hear that publishers aren’t necessarily just looking for platform first. It’s always good to know there’s balance in the industry. I just finished a nonfiction book by a man that has undeniable platform but is still not a writer, and I must confess it made me less willing to buy anything from that publisher’s list at all.
Of some of the innovations, I’ve actually enjoyed blog reviews as they feel more personal than some of the “professional” reviews. It feels like you’re really hearing what an average reader notices.
Del Rey puts up a small number of books every month for a free download at suvudu.com. Each is the first of a series and has been out for several years. I discovered the wonderful Naomi Novik this way and will be buying her whole series as a result. I think it’s brilliant marketing.
Valerie, thanks for the comment about blog reviewers. Publishers are becoming more aware of their ability to connect with readers of a particular type of book (or a particular topic) and are offering more bloggers review copies. It’s a nice step in the right direction.
Janet, thanks for pointing out a great way for publishers to get readers hooked on a series.
Hello, Janet!
D. D. Scott here!
I’m loving all the satellite radio shows (like BlogTalkRadio & AuthorTalk & Harlequin’s editor clips) plus the podcast and videocast publishers are partnering w/authors to produce.
It’s informative and fun getting to “hear” and “see” industry professionals above and beyond or outside of their books.
Thanks for sharing another terrific blog post.
Sexy, Sassy, Smart Outside-the-Box Promo Wishes — D. D. Scott
http://www.DDScott.com
http://twitter.com/ddscottromcom