Blogger: Mary Keeley
I try to keep up with publishing trends in order to advise clients knowledgeably and report new developments to all of you. For some time news updates have been sobering. But we won’t rehash. Today is a …
bookstores
Innovations publishing should try
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
I call May and June Convention Alley. Three major events that focus (mostly) on books occur one after the other: Book Expo America (BEA), which is the largest of the shows, focuses primarily on general market …
Making the most of your influencer copies
Blogger: Rachel Kent
Typically, when your contracted manuscript is a few months from publication, the publisher will send out influencer copies to a list of recipients that you’ve compiled. It’s usually between 25 and 100 people. The books go out …
Bye-Bye Bookstores
Blogger: Rachel Kent
Our agency received a notification in the mail yesterday from The United Methodist Publishing House about the closing of the 56 Cokesbury stores nationwide. This closure has also been reported online on sites like ECPA.org. The mailing …
Discoverability: A Book’s Greatest Challenge
Blogger: Janet Kobobel Grant
Numbers that show us important publishing trends were released last week. One of the takeaways from these numbers is the biggest problem every book has today: discoverability. Here are a few figures that show why this …
Bookstores–Headed for Extinction?
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office, CA
Two months ago our town had two bookstores– a very healthy Borders store and a Main Street Christian bookstore that had been around (and vigorous) for more than two …
Book Show: State of the Industry Observations
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Atlanta Airport
Condition:Smiling Big
We’re done. Another ICRS under our belts. What a great show it turned out to be. I’m writing my blog on an iPad, typing slowly with one finger. (Why couldn’t I have …
News from Conferences: Opportunities
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office, IL
As you would expect, while I attended conferences this month, I heard lots of buzz about what Amazon, “the largest retailer in the U.S.,” is up to now and speculation …
What’s So Great About: YOU in Your Marketing Plan
Blogger: Mary Keeley
Location: Books & Such Midwest Office, IL
In my grandparents’ day, news and information passed efficiently in “over the fence” conversations with a neighbor, in local groups, or at church. This contributed to a strong sense of …
Unfortunate Trends: Emphasis on the Bestsellers
Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office
Times are tough. How often have we heard those words of late? Publishing is less forgiving. Retail is brutal. The upshot is that everyone is risk averse these days. Everyone …