Tod Langley's Blog - Posts Tagged "new"
Self Published Writer Essentials
Self Published Writer Essentials
There are numerous characteristics that a writer considering the self-publishing route will need to have to successfully navigate the road to publication. I am sure there are several other things to consider, but as I wrote a list down of all of the things that I learned over and over again during my first self-publishing experience, eight essential attributes topped my list:
• A complete manuscript with an understanding of page length implications: You have to have a finished story. Nothing else will take place in the publishing process until you complete your masterpiece. So the first and most essential thing you have to do is focus on the writing and finish the book! You also have to understand how page length affects cost-to-publish estimates. My first book was originally over 500 pages long – way too long for a new author novel and too costly to be attractive in current markets. I had to find a good place in the book to divide the manuscript into two different books, ensuring that both books had an outstanding start point, flow, and ending. This was difficult because I was doing it after the fact rather than during the creative process. Understanding how much a book will cost, based on page count, and how much profit you will get per book is useful knowledge while finishing your book.
• Understand the intended audience: You need to understand who is most likely to read your book. This is critical to applying your limited resources (time and money) to those that are most interested in your topic or genre. Demographic and marketing studies through online retailers can help. What I was most surprised about, even after doing a fairly thorough market analysis, was that atypical readers were interested in my story because of sub-plot lines or intellectual tones. Perhaps the best way to get started is to ask yourself the questions, “What do I like about my book and what is unique about my book?” Then ask yourself, “Who would want to read my book based on the two previous answers?” You should then know the types of readers most likely to be interested in your book and you can start looking for their interest sites on the web.
• Excitement about learning: I found that one of the things I love best about the self-publishing world is the control I have over the process. It can be daunting but it can also be fun. To have fun, you have to understand the publishing process. I’d recommend looking at both the major publishing firm and self-publishing company processes to understand the timelines, costs, and decision points. You can take an easier road and put a lot of the work into the hands of the self-publishing company, but you will pay more for it and learn less (which can be a detriment to future publishing ventures). So have fun by embracing all of the data available on the in’s and out’s of publishing!
• Ability to scrutinize and make decisions: Ultimate success rests in your hands! You need to be a critical thinker and embrace your role in making decisions. Where things like cover design, interior layout, cost and marketing strategy are typically out of the control of a writer going through a major publishing house, these things are totally up to you in the self-publishing world. This is another reason that I like self-publishing! I may not get a signing bonus or advance, but I get to direct how much time and energy I spend in advertising, marketing, and design (I get to tailor the artistic flavor of the book based on my priorities). Sure, a good editor or sales representative in self-publishing will still try to advise you on what will or will not sell books, but the final decisions are still yours to make.
• Desire to communicate with the publisher and potential readers: Most of the direction and decisions are up to you and you have to effectively communicate your intent, ideas, and decisions to the publisher. If you are not clear about what you want then the publisher will have a hard time producing a polished product. Additionally, if you have a hard time reaching out to potential readers then no one will know you have a book to begin with. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people – especially via the internet (twitter, blogs, and forums), to attract business.
• Fundamental understanding of publishing costs: A writer must consider their overall budget and be realistic about what they can do on their own and what they will need help with; some things are better left to professionals. Many self-publishing companies provide novel packages that include ISBN, an editorial analysis, simple cover design, page layout, and sales. Additional options you can purchase include editing, proofreading, marketing analysis, detailed cover design, and association to major markets like Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. Professional editing should be considered essential. All of this will have to be factored against how much the book will cost to be printed versus how much it will retail for versus how much readers will be willing to pay for it. Costs are normally determined by factors that include hardback or paperback, page length, number of photos and whether the company has agreements with major wholesalers.
• Self-Marketing - Know how to use the internet, web search engine capabilities, webpage design, and blogging: The only way to level the playing field against the competition is to use the internet to your advantage. The cost of marketing and advertising is simply too high to be considered by most self-publishing authors. Developing a quality webpage will cost you time, energy and some money but should be considered a foundation for your book marketing strategy. You will need to understand the importance of a crawl search engine update, key word searching, and web design. If you think web design is beyond your capabilities you can always hire someone to create and maintain one for you, but many domain servers will offer free, basic web layouts for people to use. Blogging and providing valuable comments to other forums will increase your credibility and point people towards your webpage.
• You have to have PATIENCE: You may have a masterpiece on your hands but no one knows it … they have to know about it … they have to know about it before it is too LATE! We all feel anxiety about our writing and what it will look like and whether it will sell. Having the patience during the publishing process is essential to maintaining balance until the book is in print. It’s better to develop a professional product then to rush through it to get something on the market. Writers should communicate with their publisher to determine the timeline to production, the publication date, availability date and any suspense dates.
For more information, including examples of things discussed in this blog you can go to www.todlangley.com
There are numerous characteristics that a writer considering the self-publishing route will need to have to successfully navigate the road to publication. I am sure there are several other things to consider, but as I wrote a list down of all of the things that I learned over and over again during my first self-publishing experience, eight essential attributes topped my list:
• A complete manuscript with an understanding of page length implications: You have to have a finished story. Nothing else will take place in the publishing process until you complete your masterpiece. So the first and most essential thing you have to do is focus on the writing and finish the book! You also have to understand how page length affects cost-to-publish estimates. My first book was originally over 500 pages long – way too long for a new author novel and too costly to be attractive in current markets. I had to find a good place in the book to divide the manuscript into two different books, ensuring that both books had an outstanding start point, flow, and ending. This was difficult because I was doing it after the fact rather than during the creative process. Understanding how much a book will cost, based on page count, and how much profit you will get per book is useful knowledge while finishing your book.
• Understand the intended audience: You need to understand who is most likely to read your book. This is critical to applying your limited resources (time and money) to those that are most interested in your topic or genre. Demographic and marketing studies through online retailers can help. What I was most surprised about, even after doing a fairly thorough market analysis, was that atypical readers were interested in my story because of sub-plot lines or intellectual tones. Perhaps the best way to get started is to ask yourself the questions, “What do I like about my book and what is unique about my book?” Then ask yourself, “Who would want to read my book based on the two previous answers?” You should then know the types of readers most likely to be interested in your book and you can start looking for their interest sites on the web.
• Excitement about learning: I found that one of the things I love best about the self-publishing world is the control I have over the process. It can be daunting but it can also be fun. To have fun, you have to understand the publishing process. I’d recommend looking at both the major publishing firm and self-publishing company processes to understand the timelines, costs, and decision points. You can take an easier road and put a lot of the work into the hands of the self-publishing company, but you will pay more for it and learn less (which can be a detriment to future publishing ventures). So have fun by embracing all of the data available on the in’s and out’s of publishing!
• Ability to scrutinize and make decisions: Ultimate success rests in your hands! You need to be a critical thinker and embrace your role in making decisions. Where things like cover design, interior layout, cost and marketing strategy are typically out of the control of a writer going through a major publishing house, these things are totally up to you in the self-publishing world. This is another reason that I like self-publishing! I may not get a signing bonus or advance, but I get to direct how much time and energy I spend in advertising, marketing, and design (I get to tailor the artistic flavor of the book based on my priorities). Sure, a good editor or sales representative in self-publishing will still try to advise you on what will or will not sell books, but the final decisions are still yours to make.
• Desire to communicate with the publisher and potential readers: Most of the direction and decisions are up to you and you have to effectively communicate your intent, ideas, and decisions to the publisher. If you are not clear about what you want then the publisher will have a hard time producing a polished product. Additionally, if you have a hard time reaching out to potential readers then no one will know you have a book to begin with. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people – especially via the internet (twitter, blogs, and forums), to attract business.
• Fundamental understanding of publishing costs: A writer must consider their overall budget and be realistic about what they can do on their own and what they will need help with; some things are better left to professionals. Many self-publishing companies provide novel packages that include ISBN, an editorial analysis, simple cover design, page layout, and sales. Additional options you can purchase include editing, proofreading, marketing analysis, detailed cover design, and association to major markets like Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. Professional editing should be considered essential. All of this will have to be factored against how much the book will cost to be printed versus how much it will retail for versus how much readers will be willing to pay for it. Costs are normally determined by factors that include hardback or paperback, page length, number of photos and whether the company has agreements with major wholesalers.
• Self-Marketing - Know how to use the internet, web search engine capabilities, webpage design, and blogging: The only way to level the playing field against the competition is to use the internet to your advantage. The cost of marketing and advertising is simply too high to be considered by most self-publishing authors. Developing a quality webpage will cost you time, energy and some money but should be considered a foundation for your book marketing strategy. You will need to understand the importance of a crawl search engine update, key word searching, and web design. If you think web design is beyond your capabilities you can always hire someone to create and maintain one for you, but many domain servers will offer free, basic web layouts for people to use. Blogging and providing valuable comments to other forums will increase your credibility and point people towards your webpage.
• You have to have PATIENCE: You may have a masterpiece on your hands but no one knows it … they have to know about it … they have to know about it before it is too LATE! We all feel anxiety about our writing and what it will look like and whether it will sell. Having the patience during the publishing process is essential to maintaining balance until the book is in print. It’s better to develop a professional product then to rush through it to get something on the market. Writers should communicate with their publisher to determine the timeline to production, the publication date, availability date and any suspense dates.
For more information, including examples of things discussed in this blog you can go to www.todlangley.com
The Use of Allegory in Modern Fantasy Fiction: Prince Kristian’s Honor
‘The people shouted out prices quickly. Several argued over the worth and cost of the slave. Eventually, only one person was able to keep bidding higher. His love stepped away from the crowd, handing the slave trader a few gold coins. She grabbed the rope that was dangling on the stage and gently guided her new servant off. The beautiful girl seemed to feel Mikhal’s stare and turned to face him. Her wicked smile quickly fell from her face as she saw his disbelief, but only for a moment. The girl Mikhal knew to be the demon smiled again, pulling her slave behind her.
In his dream, Mikhal fell from the barrels as a tremor from the earth shook the city. People in the middle of the street cringed, unsure of what to do. A statue of a beautiful goddess fell from its pedestal crushing a man. The delicate glass torch that was held in the statue’s outstretched hand shattered on the paved street. A loud boom rocked the foundation of the tavern next to Mikhal even as the earth stopped shaking. He looked up from where he lay to see a column of dark smoke rise from somewhere deeper in the city.’
Many stories, through out recorded history, have included allegories as a means of conveying an important message to readers. An allegory can be a story in which the apparent use of characters and events symbolizes a moral meaning; an allegory is a symbolic reference to something of importance to the reader. The opening paragraphs in this discussion are from Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga; I wrote them to point out issues of racism and depravity within a fictional society. The description of the falling statue with a delicate glass torch should help readers understand that I am alluding to issues within our own society. The earthquake and signs of disaster deeper in the city warn readers that there is something more troubling at the heart of the kingdom within the book, but I am also suggesting there may be issues within our own society.
Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I believe the fantasy fiction genre provides an outstanding vehicle for presenting moral and societal issues (through the use of allegories). In my first novel, Prince Kristian’s Honor (PKH), I use the allegorical convention to describe events and emotions I experienced over the last decade. This discussion will highlight three examples of allegory within my novel, with the intent of encouraging debate on writing conventions within modern Fantasy, as well as inform readers interested in some of the more nuanced portions of PKH.
‘The king shook his head. “Religious fanatics don’t win wars, Ferral. I thought you would have learned at least that much from me. If you want to have a kingdom to rule after I am gone, you will follow my lead. Politics can be as threatening as any war and can do as much harm as any army. We shall defeat the Erandians through intrigue and sabotage, not by rushing them with a thousand suicidal zealots.”
“There are the loyal followers of Belatarn and then there are those that deserve to die. The Erandians especially deserve death. Those meddling fools have influenced our world for too long. It’s time they realize that we don’t want or need them. It’s Belatarn’s will that all non-believers die, and I’ll be his messenger.” (Ferral declared)’
The previous passage from PKH was carefully constructed to reflect the conflict between two rivals struggling for control and influence over a larger kingdom. One of the characters, the King of Belarn, believes the way to control the world is through subtle changes and power-plays while Ferral, the villain in the novel, believes the only way to dominate the world and force his brand of religion upon everyone is through fanaticism and violence.
In my book, Ferral and his father represent Osama bin Laden and his long time comrade, Abdullah Azzam. Both were early members of the Maktab al-Khadamat movement but Azzam wanted to take a more unified, cautious and subtle approach that would work through existing Middle East fighting forces rather than create a separate, militant force. He also wanted to focus the global jihad against a different area than what Osama planned. Osama bin Laden did not agree with Azzam; he felt the only way to change the world was through violent uprising against apostate regimes and the Americans that backed them. In the end, Azzam was murdered. It is not certain whether bin Laden was responsible for his comrade’s death, but it certainly was a catalyst for increased radicalization of people in many countries.
In PKH, Ferral also gets his way and is responsible for the chaos that engulfs the land of Erinia. Additionally, Ferral’s quest to obtain magic so he can terrorize the other kingdoms directly relates to the very real threat of terrorists acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Ferral smiled. “These powers will help Belarn influence the rest of the world. Those that might have stronger armies will be afraid to use them out of fear of what I can and will do to their people. They will surrender to me or watch helplessly as their kingdoms are destroyed.”’
In PKH, Ferral is able to control the population through intimidation, radicalization, and magic. His followers become nothing more than puppets that perform their duties blindly. The same could be said of people through out history that have aided cruel leaders in their personal quests for power. Osama bin Laden is a master at understanding and twisting religion to suit his needs. People, desperate for change, cling to leaders like bin Laden and Ferral because they offer motivation and an alternative to the status quo. They may not even realize that they are being manipulated; they are simply doing what they believe has to be done for a greater good.
‘Those in the army that had not perished in the fires that erupted from several places at once, like a coordinated attack, fought to save their king. Several servants reported seeing a large fire ball slam into the side of tower that the king slept in . . .
From below the balcony, soldiers and servants tried one last time to rush through the flames and save their beloved king . . . Suddenly, a rumbling sound grew from inside the palace. The grand building collapsed, the ground underneath the rescuers trembling. The tower fell in on itself. First, the roof and battlements fell; their massive weight tearing through reinforced floors. As the added weight and momentum continued to fall down, floor upon floor, the outside walls simply sagged in and fell. Hundreds were still trapped inside. There was no way for them to escape the wreckage. Dozens of rescuers were crushed by the falling rock and smoke, and dust engulfed those that ran from the royal grounds.’
Hopefully, readers will immediately see this as a remembrance of the terrible events of 9/11. I did not incorporate it into my novel for any personal gain; I describe the event as a way to convey my own emotions (I was involved in the Global War on Terror for several years and I volunteered for hazardous assignments because of what happened on 9/11).
The argument, and perhaps the challenge, that I am writing about is that the Fantasy genre has much more to offer. Stories that cause intense emotion or introduce us to new characters are the foundation of any good novel, but a story that can also remind us of the issues we face in our lives can be worth so much more. Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I made that argument at the beginning of this discussion; it’s a quote I wrote for the book back in the year 2000. The phrase took on much more significance for me after the events of 9/11 and the years I spent in various combat zones. The allegories within PKH are meant to be entertaining, but they are also intended to be thought-provoking. I used allegory to reflect the issues I personally faced over the last ten years and I intend to continue using the convention in future projects.
For those of you who have supported me by purchasing and reading PKH … thank you. I have room to grow as a writer, but I am also pleased by the amount of feedback I have received. I hope you can now better understand some of the things that I intentionally incorporated into the book. I hope it left you wanting to read more about Prince Kristian, Cairn, and Mikhal, but I also hope it made you think about some of the issues that we face as a society.
Regards, Tod
Tod Langley
Author of Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga
In his dream, Mikhal fell from the barrels as a tremor from the earth shook the city. People in the middle of the street cringed, unsure of what to do. A statue of a beautiful goddess fell from its pedestal crushing a man. The delicate glass torch that was held in the statue’s outstretched hand shattered on the paved street. A loud boom rocked the foundation of the tavern next to Mikhal even as the earth stopped shaking. He looked up from where he lay to see a column of dark smoke rise from somewhere deeper in the city.’
Many stories, through out recorded history, have included allegories as a means of conveying an important message to readers. An allegory can be a story in which the apparent use of characters and events symbolizes a moral meaning; an allegory is a symbolic reference to something of importance to the reader. The opening paragraphs in this discussion are from Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga; I wrote them to point out issues of racism and depravity within a fictional society. The description of the falling statue with a delicate glass torch should help readers understand that I am alluding to issues within our own society. The earthquake and signs of disaster deeper in the city warn readers that there is something more troubling at the heart of the kingdom within the book, but I am also suggesting there may be issues within our own society.
Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I believe the fantasy fiction genre provides an outstanding vehicle for presenting moral and societal issues (through the use of allegories). In my first novel, Prince Kristian’s Honor (PKH), I use the allegorical convention to describe events and emotions I experienced over the last decade. This discussion will highlight three examples of allegory within my novel, with the intent of encouraging debate on writing conventions within modern Fantasy, as well as inform readers interested in some of the more nuanced portions of PKH.
‘The king shook his head. “Religious fanatics don’t win wars, Ferral. I thought you would have learned at least that much from me. If you want to have a kingdom to rule after I am gone, you will follow my lead. Politics can be as threatening as any war and can do as much harm as any army. We shall defeat the Erandians through intrigue and sabotage, not by rushing them with a thousand suicidal zealots.”
“There are the loyal followers of Belatarn and then there are those that deserve to die. The Erandians especially deserve death. Those meddling fools have influenced our world for too long. It’s time they realize that we don’t want or need them. It’s Belatarn’s will that all non-believers die, and I’ll be his messenger.” (Ferral declared)’
The previous passage from PKH was carefully constructed to reflect the conflict between two rivals struggling for control and influence over a larger kingdom. One of the characters, the King of Belarn, believes the way to control the world is through subtle changes and power-plays while Ferral, the villain in the novel, believes the only way to dominate the world and force his brand of religion upon everyone is through fanaticism and violence.
In my book, Ferral and his father represent Osama bin Laden and his long time comrade, Abdullah Azzam. Both were early members of the Maktab al-Khadamat movement but Azzam wanted to take a more unified, cautious and subtle approach that would work through existing Middle East fighting forces rather than create a separate, militant force. He also wanted to focus the global jihad against a different area than what Osama planned. Osama bin Laden did not agree with Azzam; he felt the only way to change the world was through violent uprising against apostate regimes and the Americans that backed them. In the end, Azzam was murdered. It is not certain whether bin Laden was responsible for his comrade’s death, but it certainly was a catalyst for increased radicalization of people in many countries.
In PKH, Ferral also gets his way and is responsible for the chaos that engulfs the land of Erinia. Additionally, Ferral’s quest to obtain magic so he can terrorize the other kingdoms directly relates to the very real threat of terrorists acquiring Weapons of Mass Destruction:
Ferral smiled. “These powers will help Belarn influence the rest of the world. Those that might have stronger armies will be afraid to use them out of fear of what I can and will do to their people. They will surrender to me or watch helplessly as their kingdoms are destroyed.”’
In PKH, Ferral is able to control the population through intimidation, radicalization, and magic. His followers become nothing more than puppets that perform their duties blindly. The same could be said of people through out history that have aided cruel leaders in their personal quests for power. Osama bin Laden is a master at understanding and twisting religion to suit his needs. People, desperate for change, cling to leaders like bin Laden and Ferral because they offer motivation and an alternative to the status quo. They may not even realize that they are being manipulated; they are simply doing what they believe has to be done for a greater good.
‘Those in the army that had not perished in the fires that erupted from several places at once, like a coordinated attack, fought to save their king. Several servants reported seeing a large fire ball slam into the side of tower that the king slept in . . .
From below the balcony, soldiers and servants tried one last time to rush through the flames and save their beloved king . . . Suddenly, a rumbling sound grew from inside the palace. The grand building collapsed, the ground underneath the rescuers trembling. The tower fell in on itself. First, the roof and battlements fell; their massive weight tearing through reinforced floors. As the added weight and momentum continued to fall down, floor upon floor, the outside walls simply sagged in and fell. Hundreds were still trapped inside. There was no way for them to escape the wreckage. Dozens of rescuers were crushed by the falling rock and smoke, and dust engulfed those that ran from the royal grounds.’
Hopefully, readers will immediately see this as a remembrance of the terrible events of 9/11. I did not incorporate it into my novel for any personal gain; I describe the event as a way to convey my own emotions (I was involved in the Global War on Terror for several years and I volunteered for hazardous assignments because of what happened on 9/11).
The argument, and perhaps the challenge, that I am writing about is that the Fantasy genre has much more to offer. Stories that cause intense emotion or introduce us to new characters are the foundation of any good novel, but a story that can also remind us of the issues we face in our lives can be worth so much more. Stories of fantasy are nothing more than the retelling of our own triumphs and sad, sad tragedies. I made that argument at the beginning of this discussion; it’s a quote I wrote for the book back in the year 2000. The phrase took on much more significance for me after the events of 9/11 and the years I spent in various combat zones. The allegories within PKH are meant to be entertaining, but they are also intended to be thought-provoking. I used allegory to reflect the issues I personally faced over the last ten years and I intend to continue using the convention in future projects.
For those of you who have supported me by purchasing and reading PKH … thank you. I have room to grow as a writer, but I am also pleased by the amount of feedback I have received. I hope you can now better understand some of the things that I intentionally incorporated into the book. I hope it left you wanting to read more about Prince Kristian, Cairn, and Mikhal, but I also hope it made you think about some of the issues that we face as a society.
Regards, Tod
Tod Langley
Author of Prince Kristian’s Honor, Book One of the Erinia Saga
My First CON (SFF Convention) … Where I failed, What I learned, Why I still had Fun!
I attended my first Sci-Fi/Fantasy Convention, the PhilCon 2009 (Philadelphia), last weekend. My primary goal was to promote the release of my first Fantasy novel, Prince Kristian’s Honor. I planned to establish a dealer’s table to use as a platform to introduce myself to convention participants, fellow authors, as well as industry insiders. My (overly) optimistic goal was to sell 100 copies of my book while there (to pay for the expenses of the convention and to put some money aside for my next book project).
I sold one book in three days … compared to the 25 books I sold in just four hours at a Border’s book signing the evening before the CON. So what happened? What did I do wrong? Is my book horrible? Should I give up!?!
Putting things into a "calmer" perspective, I met my primary goal and I learned a lot of useful information about the traditional and self-publishing businesses, conventions, and the great people that attend them. I failed because I confused and combined two very different objectives; promoting and selling. I did, however, learn a lot about how to work a convention and I had fun because I met people with similar interests.
Here are some of my lessons learned:
1. Selling vs. Promoting = Dealer Table vs. Panels. As a new writer, you want to be seen and heard more then you want to sell books. The best way to establish credibility is by sitting in on discussions, asking valid questions, listening and learning. Don’t be afraid to provide your own opinion/observations (when appropriate), but don’t showboat either. If panel members and the audience consider your comments valid, their opinion of you will rise. That could lead to people wanting to know more about your published works. Potential readers will then connect with you during breaks or parties to find out more about you and how they can get a copy of your book. If you have the time and resources to participate in panels AND run a dealer’s table you can do that too. That works best if you have a second person at your table that can answer questions about your book, point readers to additional resources on the book and sell the book while you are away. This option comes in handy if people want to go directly from an outstanding conversation with you to your table and buy a copy of your future bestseller!
2. Networking = Get to Know the Graybeards and the Up and Coming. I found there were two types of dedicated writers/insiders at the CON. There were those staffers, insiders and writers that had made a successful career through the CON circuit (Graybeards) and there were those, like me, that want to become the best new writer. You can, and should, learn from both. Questions are encouraged and all of the people I had conversations with enjoyed talking about their passion for Sci-Fi/Fantasy writing. There will likely be parties (some large and rowdy and some more subdued) every night of the CON. I’d encourage would-be writers to attend these parties. It’s a great way to meet new people in the regional industry, talk about the CON, and even a little about future business opportunities. Though I didn’t walk away from the CON with an agent, larger publisher, or 100 copies sold, I acquired a lot of contacts for potential business, references, and continued dialogue.
3. The Lexicon of the CON = Know the Language. There’s got to be a site out there that will help you understand the lingo better. Find it and be ready for the “Non-traditional” lifestyles, behaviors, costumes, attitudes and expectations of a CON.
4. Table Display = Professionalism but Not Necessarily Sales. I had an AWESOME table. I had a professional sign, a lot of neatly arranged books, bookmarks, a binder full of sample blogs, reviews, and proof of rankings on Amazon. I even had a personalized table cloth! All of those things demonstrated that I took my promotion seriously, but it didn’t necessarily mean people were interested in the book. I think a good way to look at a table is to consider what draws people in, what keeps them there long enough for conversation, and what will convince them to make a buy. More than one product on the table certainly brings over more people; even if they’re things unassociated with your novel. Things like collectable badges, magnets, buttons, bookmarks, stickers, and candy would have brought more people over. I also thought candy was an inviting way for a few of the more savvy writers to encourage dialogue with people. A huge part of the CON is about establishing a longer term presence within the community. Being friendly, open and honest about what you are doing and what you hope to do are big part of what people want to know about you before making a book purchase.
5. Essential Supplies = What do I need and what can I forget about?
a. Professional Sign – advertise your book and ensure it includes the Title, Cover Picture, portion of a review or synopsis, and your name.
b. Table Cloth – one may be provided but you should have a back-up.
c. Book Stand – a book that stands up catches the eye better.
d. Books
e. Bookmarks
f. References – Reviews, Biography
g. Sales Receipt Book
h. State Sales Tax Registration/Confirmation papers
i. CON Dealer Acceptance Letter
j. Pens – medium tip marker or pen
k. Cash bag – at least make sure you have something secure to put your change in. Make sure you are also prepared to make change.
l. Calculator
m. Notepad – I used this to write down all of the contacts I made, as well as the notes I took for this blog.
n. Business Cards – have something prepared to hand out to agents, writers and other dealers.
o. I also tried to run a looping slide show of photos (of me and the book) to entice people to stop and look and ask questions. It didn’t work well. I wouldn’t put a lot of time into Fantastic Effects … focus on engaging people when they stop by.
6. Follow-up. When you’ve survived your first CON, make sure to recontact those that you met. I think it reinforces how much you appreciated meeting, talking and learning from those you encountered. It may also demonstrate how committed you are to becoming better … and who knows … maybe you’ll make a new friend, associate or partner in the process.
7. FUN = Embrace Your Geekiness! Hey! It’s a CON … people are attracted to these things because they get to express themselves in ways they normally can’t. My biggest regret is that I didn’t have my wife with me to watch the table so that I could visit the PA Jedi table, grab a custom made lightsaber and perform my newest Jedi Master Kata Form 6! There are a lot of things to participate in at a CON, from lightsaber duels, re-enactments, card games, panels, Philking, and parties to masquerade contests, art exhibits, auctions and concerts. Promoting your new release is very important, but having fun and learning are probably equally (if not) more important.
I hope these lessons learned helped out other new writers preparing for their first CON.
Regards and Good Luck! Tod
I sold one book in three days … compared to the 25 books I sold in just four hours at a Border’s book signing the evening before the CON. So what happened? What did I do wrong? Is my book horrible? Should I give up!?!
Putting things into a "calmer" perspective, I met my primary goal and I learned a lot of useful information about the traditional and self-publishing businesses, conventions, and the great people that attend them. I failed because I confused and combined two very different objectives; promoting and selling. I did, however, learn a lot about how to work a convention and I had fun because I met people with similar interests.
Here are some of my lessons learned:
1. Selling vs. Promoting = Dealer Table vs. Panels. As a new writer, you want to be seen and heard more then you want to sell books. The best way to establish credibility is by sitting in on discussions, asking valid questions, listening and learning. Don’t be afraid to provide your own opinion/observations (when appropriate), but don’t showboat either. If panel members and the audience consider your comments valid, their opinion of you will rise. That could lead to people wanting to know more about your published works. Potential readers will then connect with you during breaks or parties to find out more about you and how they can get a copy of your book. If you have the time and resources to participate in panels AND run a dealer’s table you can do that too. That works best if you have a second person at your table that can answer questions about your book, point readers to additional resources on the book and sell the book while you are away. This option comes in handy if people want to go directly from an outstanding conversation with you to your table and buy a copy of your future bestseller!
2. Networking = Get to Know the Graybeards and the Up and Coming. I found there were two types of dedicated writers/insiders at the CON. There were those staffers, insiders and writers that had made a successful career through the CON circuit (Graybeards) and there were those, like me, that want to become the best new writer. You can, and should, learn from both. Questions are encouraged and all of the people I had conversations with enjoyed talking about their passion for Sci-Fi/Fantasy writing. There will likely be parties (some large and rowdy and some more subdued) every night of the CON. I’d encourage would-be writers to attend these parties. It’s a great way to meet new people in the regional industry, talk about the CON, and even a little about future business opportunities. Though I didn’t walk away from the CON with an agent, larger publisher, or 100 copies sold, I acquired a lot of contacts for potential business, references, and continued dialogue.
3. The Lexicon of the CON = Know the Language. There’s got to be a site out there that will help you understand the lingo better. Find it and be ready for the “Non-traditional” lifestyles, behaviors, costumes, attitudes and expectations of a CON.
4. Table Display = Professionalism but Not Necessarily Sales. I had an AWESOME table. I had a professional sign, a lot of neatly arranged books, bookmarks, a binder full of sample blogs, reviews, and proof of rankings on Amazon. I even had a personalized table cloth! All of those things demonstrated that I took my promotion seriously, but it didn’t necessarily mean people were interested in the book. I think a good way to look at a table is to consider what draws people in, what keeps them there long enough for conversation, and what will convince them to make a buy. More than one product on the table certainly brings over more people; even if they’re things unassociated with your novel. Things like collectable badges, magnets, buttons, bookmarks, stickers, and candy would have brought more people over. I also thought candy was an inviting way for a few of the more savvy writers to encourage dialogue with people. A huge part of the CON is about establishing a longer term presence within the community. Being friendly, open and honest about what you are doing and what you hope to do are big part of what people want to know about you before making a book purchase.
5. Essential Supplies = What do I need and what can I forget about?
a. Professional Sign – advertise your book and ensure it includes the Title, Cover Picture, portion of a review or synopsis, and your name.
b. Table Cloth – one may be provided but you should have a back-up.
c. Book Stand – a book that stands up catches the eye better.
d. Books
e. Bookmarks
f. References – Reviews, Biography
g. Sales Receipt Book
h. State Sales Tax Registration/Confirmation papers
i. CON Dealer Acceptance Letter
j. Pens – medium tip marker or pen
k. Cash bag – at least make sure you have something secure to put your change in. Make sure you are also prepared to make change.
l. Calculator
m. Notepad – I used this to write down all of the contacts I made, as well as the notes I took for this blog.
n. Business Cards – have something prepared to hand out to agents, writers and other dealers.
o. I also tried to run a looping slide show of photos (of me and the book) to entice people to stop and look and ask questions. It didn’t work well. I wouldn’t put a lot of time into Fantastic Effects … focus on engaging people when they stop by.
6. Follow-up. When you’ve survived your first CON, make sure to recontact those that you met. I think it reinforces how much you appreciated meeting, talking and learning from those you encountered. It may also demonstrate how committed you are to becoming better … and who knows … maybe you’ll make a new friend, associate or partner in the process.
7. FUN = Embrace Your Geekiness! Hey! It’s a CON … people are attracted to these things because they get to express themselves in ways they normally can’t. My biggest regret is that I didn’t have my wife with me to watch the table so that I could visit the PA Jedi table, grab a custom made lightsaber and perform my newest Jedi Master Kata Form 6! There are a lot of things to participate in at a CON, from lightsaber duels, re-enactments, card games, panels, Philking, and parties to masquerade contests, art exhibits, auctions and concerts. Promoting your new release is very important, but having fun and learning are probably equally (if not) more important.
I hope these lessons learned helped out other new writers preparing for their first CON.
Regards and Good Luck! Tod
