James Noll's Blog - Posts Tagged "library"
Local Author Programs at the Library!
One of the biggest challenges of indie publishing is figuring out when to give a book away and when to try to make a sale. For the most part, I just play it by ear. If someone asks me if I've published a book and are interested in buying one, I'll definitely sell it. I've even gotten better about offering the Deluxe Package (book, t-shirt, theme music, and audiobook).
At the same time, if someone is genuinely interested in reading my book, but is uncertain about paying for it, I might give them a free copy-- it all depends on if I feel like they are really interested or if they just want something for free.
That's why I like the Goodreads giveaways, as it drums up name recognition on a platform that is populated by wonderful, wonderful readers, AND gives me an opportunity to give my book to someone who really wants to read it.
And it's ALSO why I'm really excited about the local library system's Local Author program. I didn't know it existed until yesterday, when I saw a woman selling her Christmas book in the lobby of my local library. I inquired at the ASK ME desk, and sure enough, they have a program that will allow me to put my book into circulation AND provide me with an opportunity to make sales all over the region.
After kicking myself for not looking into this ahead of time (I've always wanted to set up an annual Halloween reading/sale-- how cool would that be?) I realized that this is a great opportunity. The only other avenues for this kind of sale is to rent a table at the many Book Festivals in the region, but they're usually $100 a table, which is simply a bad business move in terms of expenditures. (I suppose it's okay for marketing, right?). But the library doesn't charge a thing (I think), so the only money I'll spend is on gas, and that's a tax write off.
So now I'm wringing my hands, hoping that the book will be accepted. I'm also pretty excited because I'm definitely hitting the other regional systems in the next month to see if they also have local author programs. I can see a good year or two of weekly Saturday sales, hitting regional libraries and essentially DIY marketing. Plus, I really like designing the t-shirts and recording the music that I include in the Deluxe Packages, so if this works out, I have an official excuse to keep that up, too.
Anyway, It's just another reminder to me that being an indie author isn't about instant success but building an audience one person at a time, either through sales or just getting a good read.A Knife in the Back: Seven Tales of Murder and Madness, and Raleigh's Prep., a Novel
At the same time, if someone is genuinely interested in reading my book, but is uncertain about paying for it, I might give them a free copy-- it all depends on if I feel like they are really interested or if they just want something for free.
That's why I like the Goodreads giveaways, as it drums up name recognition on a platform that is populated by wonderful, wonderful readers, AND gives me an opportunity to give my book to someone who really wants to read it.
And it's ALSO why I'm really excited about the local library system's Local Author program. I didn't know it existed until yesterday, when I saw a woman selling her Christmas book in the lobby of my local library. I inquired at the ASK ME desk, and sure enough, they have a program that will allow me to put my book into circulation AND provide me with an opportunity to make sales all over the region.
After kicking myself for not looking into this ahead of time (I've always wanted to set up an annual Halloween reading/sale-- how cool would that be?) I realized that this is a great opportunity. The only other avenues for this kind of sale is to rent a table at the many Book Festivals in the region, but they're usually $100 a table, which is simply a bad business move in terms of expenditures. (I suppose it's okay for marketing, right?). But the library doesn't charge a thing (I think), so the only money I'll spend is on gas, and that's a tax write off.
So now I'm wringing my hands, hoping that the book will be accepted. I'm also pretty excited because I'm definitely hitting the other regional systems in the next month to see if they also have local author programs. I can see a good year or two of weekly Saturday sales, hitting regional libraries and essentially DIY marketing. Plus, I really like designing the t-shirts and recording the music that I include in the Deluxe Packages, so if this works out, I have an official excuse to keep that up, too.
Anyway, It's just another reminder to me that being an indie author isn't about instant success but building an audience one person at a time, either through sales or just getting a good read.A Knife in the Back: Seven Tales of Murder and Madness, and Raleigh's Prep., a Novel
