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Dakota
Newbie Poster
Username: Dakota
Post Number: 15
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:39 am: | 
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While browsing the Net, I found this interesting blog called Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind. I found it through the website http://www.sarahweinman.com. In a July 2005 blog, the blogger broke down book sales of mainstream bestselling authors, and I was shocked. I thought Amazon was the holy grail of book sales, but it appears Walmart and Costco are the places to be. (For a three week period, Amazon sold only 320 of a NYT bestseller while Walmart had 47,671). Her position was supported by bestselling authors such as Tess Gerritson. For an author trying to figure out how to market a book, the information on the blog, plus the comments, are invaluable. Now, here is the kicker. How will some of us get into the big stores? And, if our books are there, will we achieve greater numbers of book sales? Lastly, what do these numbers say about relying on Amazon as a tool for how well books are selling?
Despite this information, I still want to focus on Black Bookstores because I feel duty-bound to support them first, but I thought the information was something to look at.
To see what I'm writing about, here is the link:
http://www.sarahweinman.com/confessions/2005/07/there_is_no_bet.html#comments
You'll have to scroll up to actually see the blog entry, then scroll back down for the comments. Very eye-opening. At least to me.
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Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 2027
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 01:42 pm: |
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For a number of reasons lots of us will never get in there. Walmarts caters to the family market so if you haven't written a bestseller or you are controversial you can kiss it goodbye. Also I understand the family is some sort of fundamentalist Christian group so they will have moral reservations.
Unless you are a bestseller or with a major publisher they ain't biting. You will have to use other methods to market your book--probably following the method of the young rappers who market their tapes out of the trunks of their cars first--Zane, E.Lynn Harris, etc already pioneered. |
Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 175
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 02:39 pm: |
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Hi all,
An author friend of mine recommends a book called “Beyond the Bookstore” by Brian Jud that discusses how to sell books in non-traditional marketplaces. As a new, independent publisher myself, I am so glad I went with a printer (Lightning Source Inc.) who is a subsidiary of a distributor (Ingram) and has a relationship with another distributor (Baker & Taylor). Having a known distributor has been very important because:
A). Most bookstores, including independent bookstores, would rather order through distributors they have relationships with. Ingram and Baker & Taylor are 2 of the top ones. When using other printers, you still have to go out and find a distributor if you want to get in bookstores. (Of course, a few will sell your book on consignment, but who really wants to go through that hassle all the time?)
b. Libraries are a goldmine. They buy books and do not return them. However, most of them only buy from their distributor, who is usually Baker & Taylor. They also expect the book to have been reviewed by at least one known publication. (Calling libraries to buy my book has been a real difference maker. There are thousands of them in the U.S. alone and they usually buy more than one copy.) Of course, that’s something you would never know by looking at rankings on Amazon.com or other online sites.
Being a publisher takes balls. Like Chris said, you can hustle books from the trunk of your car, on the street or in other places. Even cold calling bookstores and libraries requires a serious amount of patience and fortitude. You have to expect rejection and be able to move on afterwards.
I haven’t done the Wal-Mart thing because my book is adult fiction with some very mature themes. Still, if they’re willing to buy from my distributor, I may consider them in the future.
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Msprissy
Regular Poster
Username: Msprissy
Post Number: 28
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 - 08:47 pm: |
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Emanuel, I wonder what distributor Wal-Mart uses. Does their web site lists books as well as other merchandise? Where do they advertise their books?
I'm a bit down on Wal-Mart because of their treatment of their employees--low pay and no benefits for new, incoming employees. But then I don't like box stores. That's another story for another time. |
Emanuel
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 178
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 11:30 am: |
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I'm not sure Msprissy. Given the history of Wal-Mart, I would imagine they only purchase directly from the publisher at an almost crippling discount close to the publisher's cost. This is how they're able to sell products at such a low price. (I did a research paper on them in college.) |
Always_lurking
Regular Poster
Username: Always_lurking
Post Number: 38
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 12:32 am: |
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