LONG STORY SHORT
a Women Writers' Showcase
MARKETING IDEAS
by

Patricia Wellingham-Jones,
Editor/Publisher

You hold your brand-new book in trembling hands and hear the publisher say, “Now get out there and sell it.” Before you panic, here are some tips to help you.

BASICS

These basics apply to publishers, whether you self-publish or someone else produces the book.

ISBN:  You need the International Standard Book Number to get the book indexed internationally, in Books in Print, and in data bases for ordering. It costs money, but not a whole lot and, for a publisher, will prove useful for future projects.

Barcode:  Probably worth the money (about $30) because this lets stores scan for their record keeping. You don’t need to include price in the barcode. You can find information (or even do it yourself) online.

Price:  Ideally, retail price is set at 10 times the cost of the book, but you’ll never sell it that way. I try for 3 times the printing costs but would rather sell lots of copies than make lots of money and if the book is too expensive, it won’t sell. Check how prices run for similar,works in bookstores.

Wholesale price:  When you sell to book stores or in large quantities, you’ll give at least 40% discount, sometimes 50%. Amazon.com, etc.: They pick up books through distributors and you can check their website for information about placing your book with them.

Shipping:  Remember to add the cost of shipping when you mail out orders; the customer pays it.




SELLING THE BOOK


This is the hard part of writing, but fun.

Book Reviews:  There is some doubt that reviews actually sell books, but they do give book and author exposure, add to the file of quotes to use later, and feel very good (if favorable). Inquire first about being reviewed; don’t just put your hard-won books willy nilly in the mail.

Places to try include:

Your last place of employment; newsletter or alumni news.





















Promote Your Book:  The most effective selling method is person-to-person. These other ideas also help:
























Now, get out there and hustle. May you sell a million copies!


* * *

VALUES OF A CONFERENCE

Published in Writers’ Forum, September 2001

I recently attended the Ashland (Oregon) Writers’ Conference and want to let you know what a writer brings home.

There tend to be two kinds of writers’ conferences: 1) The workshop (Ashland), often a week, where you write in and out of class then read and critique, with faculty readings in the evening. Robert Wrigley, my instructor, produced wonderful results with his philosophy of teaching - place the gentle hand in the small of the back, and push. 2) The conference/ convention, usually a weekend, includes lectures, occasionally a workshop, readings, and time with agents and publishers.

I brought home:







To help yourself grow and have a rewarding experience, attend a conference.

END



These are the fifth and sixth in a series on Getting Published by Patricia Wellingham-Jones. 
The "Getting Published" Series
by
Patricia Wellingham-Jones


WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY -
PARTS 3 and 4

WRITING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY -
Parts 1 and 2

CONTEST JUDGES' SUGGESTIONS

ON MOVING YOUR READER

USING THE FIVE SENSES

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR
"WINDOWS OF TIME"

KEYS TO GETTING THAT LONG
WRITING PROJECT DONE

WRITING FOR CHILDREN

WRITING A BOOK REVIEW

TIPS FOR EMAIL SUBMISSIONS

I’LL BET YOU NEVER THOUGHT
OF THAT

ENJOY READING IN PUBLIC

ON CONTESTS

ON SUBMITTING POETRY AND
SHORT STORIES 

THE EZINE WORLD, PARTS 1 & 2

VALUES OF A CONFERENCE

MARKETING IDEAS

SELLING THE BOOK

EDITOR'S RANT

E-MAIL HAS CHANGED MY WRITING
LIFE

THE EIGHT AWFUL ENDINGS

WHAT EDITORS LIKE -
AND DON'T LIKE