Jessica Russell's Blog - Posts Tagged "book"
How to Know if it's a Flop
Someone posed the question “When do you finally decide your book is a flop?” I saw all sorts of answers, up to and including one who said, “NEVER. There’s no time that a book is ever a flop.”
Well, I know that person was trying to be encouraging, but there is such a thing as a book that flops. Even famous writers have had them.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question! It depends on WHY the writer is starting to think that the book flopped:
If it isn't finished yet, and the writer has just become increasingly unhappy with it, only the writer can decide whether it’s time to scrap it and start over. There’s not much anyone else can do.
IF it’s already published but there’s hardly any sales, I would definitely say the novel itself is not what’s flopping. THE MARKETING IS.
The author, particularly if he or she is self published, may simply need to upgrade or begin an advertising campaign that will get traffic to the link.
If the person is wondering if it’s a flop because all the reviews are bad, that’s a little scarier...
If the majority of the reviews are one or two stars, it may be time to read exactly what people are saying about the story and take it to heart. Then the writer can decide about making changes to possibly reverse the negative trend. Of course, make sure there’s enough reviews to count! If the book is 100% one star, but there’s only a total of TWO reviews, it might just be two people who don’t like that author and they’re being spiteful. LOL. But if there’s a lot of reviews and they’re overwhelmingly negative, THAT might be the best indicator that a book is flopping. But even if that’s the case, and it’s looking like the novel's a bona fide clunker, that DOESN’T mean the author should give up. It may just be time to try again. Hope that was helpful!
Well, I know that person was trying to be encouraging, but there is such a thing as a book that flops. Even famous writers have had them.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question! It depends on WHY the writer is starting to think that the book flopped:
If it isn't finished yet, and the writer has just become increasingly unhappy with it, only the writer can decide whether it’s time to scrap it and start over. There’s not much anyone else can do.
IF it’s already published but there’s hardly any sales, I would definitely say the novel itself is not what’s flopping. THE MARKETING IS.
The author, particularly if he or she is self published, may simply need to upgrade or begin an advertising campaign that will get traffic to the link.
If the person is wondering if it’s a flop because all the reviews are bad, that’s a little scarier...
If the majority of the reviews are one or two stars, it may be time to read exactly what people are saying about the story and take it to heart. Then the writer can decide about making changes to possibly reverse the negative trend. Of course, make sure there’s enough reviews to count! If the book is 100% one star, but there’s only a total of TWO reviews, it might just be two people who don’t like that author and they’re being spiteful. LOL. But if there’s a lot of reviews and they’re overwhelmingly negative, THAT might be the best indicator that a book is flopping. But even if that’s the case, and it’s looking like the novel's a bona fide clunker, that DOESN’T mean the author should give up. It may just be time to try again. Hope that was helpful!
Drop the Snake Oil and Step Away
I think almost everyone has purchased some type of snake oil at some point in their life. Well, they’ve invented snake oil for authors, and sadly, they buy it by the gallon. One of the worst things a newly published author can fall for is what I refer to as the “Secrets Scam.”
Your book is out, you want it to do well, you figure there’s a whole lot of information out there concerning how to get sales and reviews, and you set out to find it. After a quick Google search, you discover hundreds of links offering to “let you in on secrets” for a certain amount of money. These “secrets” may concern marketing, they may be about getting reviews, or how to get your book to rank Amazon etc. etc. There are OH SO MANY “secrets” out there for sale. Here’s the reality check:
In the real world, also known as Unknown Author Planet, this is how it actually works...You have to get a good advertising and marketing plan and pay to promote your book. There’s no shortcut. There’s no way around it, there’s no way under it, there’s no way over it. You have to make an investment of time and money. Naturally, you do all the "free" things that make sense, such as sharing it on social media, and posting it wherever you can, but that alone will not propel you to stardom.
What you should NOT do is spend your hard earned money on “secrets to success.” They don’t exist. Whatever information these people and organizations are selling is information you can find on your own. There is no secret shortcut to becoming a best-selling author and IF THERE WAS, someone you never heard of would NOT be on Facebook selling it for $79.
People who have had smashing success with a book are busy managing their life and their success, they’re not telling everyone how they did it for a great bargain price because they “like to help people.” It would be nice…but it's just not the way life works. There’s nothing that you’re going to buy and read and then implement that will propel you to success with your novel. You have to go the long road and market and advertise. I wish I could say it’s easy, but it’s not. It is worth it, though. Just do yourself a favor, leave the snake oil where you found it.
Your book is out, you want it to do well, you figure there’s a whole lot of information out there concerning how to get sales and reviews, and you set out to find it. After a quick Google search, you discover hundreds of links offering to “let you in on secrets” for a certain amount of money. These “secrets” may concern marketing, they may be about getting reviews, or how to get your book to rank Amazon etc. etc. There are OH SO MANY “secrets” out there for sale. Here’s the reality check:
In the real world, also known as Unknown Author Planet, this is how it actually works...You have to get a good advertising and marketing plan and pay to promote your book. There’s no shortcut. There’s no way around it, there’s no way under it, there’s no way over it. You have to make an investment of time and money. Naturally, you do all the "free" things that make sense, such as sharing it on social media, and posting it wherever you can, but that alone will not propel you to stardom.
What you should NOT do is spend your hard earned money on “secrets to success.” They don’t exist. Whatever information these people and organizations are selling is information you can find on your own. There is no secret shortcut to becoming a best-selling author and IF THERE WAS, someone you never heard of would NOT be on Facebook selling it for $79.
People who have had smashing success with a book are busy managing their life and their success, they’re not telling everyone how they did it for a great bargain price because they “like to help people.” It would be nice…but it's just not the way life works. There’s nothing that you’re going to buy and read and then implement that will propel you to success with your novel. You have to go the long road and market and advertise. I wish I could say it’s easy, but it’s not. It is worth it, though. Just do yourself a favor, leave the snake oil where you found it.
They Don't Always Laugh
We all like to assume that the old saying “laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone,” is a pearl of wisdom that should never be questioned. Well, the “cry and you cry alone” part is definitely true. As far as the rest of it, however, here’s a newsflash: the world DOESN’T always laugh with you. In fact, sometimes the more you laugh, the more the world scowls. If you achieve a little bit of success after publishing a book, you’ll soon learn that no truer words were ever spoken. Sure, you’ll get a lot of positive attention at first, but at a certain point, as sure as the sun comes up every day, a percentage of that positive attention will turn into cynicism and envy. And it won’t be easy to deal with. The bottom line is, the only person who can stop it from negatively affecting you is ( drumroll) YOU! If someone is gritting their teeth through a smile, asking questions designed to be friendly but are merely well disguised digs, or otherwise trying to bring you down, WALK AWAY. It’s the only solution. If you let their negativity and jealousy cook in your brain, YOU will eventually become a bitter person and you’ll end up devoting far too much time to wondering why we all can’t just celebrate each other’s successes and cheer each other on. Well, because life doesn’t work that way, unfortunately. So laugh whether or not the world laughs with you, cry alone like you always have, but never ever EVER let anyone put a damper on your success.
Spare Yourself the Agony
It's a natural thing to want to ask everyone and their brother for an opinion about your novel or other literary work. However, there's a trap there. If you ask 100 people, you'll get 100 opinions. So what do you do? Write a book to please each of them? Might take longer than your natural lifespan. Just sayin'.
Maybe you need to question your questioning. Sounds strange, I know. But here's the reality: opinions are like belly buttons. We've all heard that one, right? Or at least one or two variations of it. (Insert wink)
Sometimes running around getting everyone's opinion is nothing more than you
wanting to share your work but you're too shy to say "hey look at this! I think it's great!" So instead you say "do me a favor and give me your honest opinion." (Is that REALLY what you want?)
Other times, you're just doubting yourself and looking for reassurance that you're on the right track. Of course, how would someone who was not there from the beginning of your vision know whether you're off-track or not? Just a side thing to think about. At the end of the day, the only person who can get you back on track is YOU.
After all, it's your story, it's your idea, it's your characters, and it's ultimately your book.
So running around to everyone and anyone asking for their opinion is just going to lead to confusion and frustration.
Ultimately, a book can only be one book, it can only have one title, and it can only have one cover. If you ask a thousand people and you want to please them all, you're going to have to write a thousand books, come up with a thousand titles, and create a thousand covers.
I'm not saying never get a trusted friend or relative's opinion. You can do that, but it's fraught with peril. That's because they're either going to suddenly become an expert and tell you all the error of your ways, which will be inevitably the parts of your book you are the most satisfied with, or they're just going to tell you it's wonderful even if it has 100 typos and 400 plot holes.
If you MUST get an opinion during your novel's creation, get it from an unbiased expert, but ultimately, STILL go with your hunch if you have a strong one that you're on the right track. Second-guessing yourself is often like changing answers on the test. Don't do it! Write on.
Maybe you need to question your questioning. Sounds strange, I know. But here's the reality: opinions are like belly buttons. We've all heard that one, right? Or at least one or two variations of it. (Insert wink)
Sometimes running around getting everyone's opinion is nothing more than you
wanting to share your work but you're too shy to say "hey look at this! I think it's great!" So instead you say "do me a favor and give me your honest opinion." (Is that REALLY what you want?)
Other times, you're just doubting yourself and looking for reassurance that you're on the right track. Of course, how would someone who was not there from the beginning of your vision know whether you're off-track or not? Just a side thing to think about. At the end of the day, the only person who can get you back on track is YOU.
After all, it's your story, it's your idea, it's your characters, and it's ultimately your book.
So running around to everyone and anyone asking for their opinion is just going to lead to confusion and frustration.
Ultimately, a book can only be one book, it can only have one title, and it can only have one cover. If you ask a thousand people and you want to please them all, you're going to have to write a thousand books, come up with a thousand titles, and create a thousand covers.
I'm not saying never get a trusted friend or relative's opinion. You can do that, but it's fraught with peril. That's because they're either going to suddenly become an expert and tell you all the error of your ways, which will be inevitably the parts of your book you are the most satisfied with, or they're just going to tell you it's wonderful even if it has 100 typos and 400 plot holes.
If you MUST get an opinion during your novel's creation, get it from an unbiased expert, but ultimately, STILL go with your hunch if you have a strong one that you're on the right track. Second-guessing yourself is often like changing answers on the test. Don't do it! Write on.
There is NO Easy Way, it Gets Harder Every Day
Unlike a lot of novelists, my “day job” is actually writing as well. I’m a professional web content writer. I guess that career is not quite as glamorous as writing books, because my advisors who have come out of the woodwork since my novel’s been published were never around to advise me about my traditional writing career. Nevertheless, they are here now, and I’m learning how to deal with them and thought I would pass my tips on to everyone else.
I admit I kind of stole that title from a song. It’s an old Air Supply love song, but I think it says "there’s no easy way it gets harder EACH day." Okay so I changed it a little and I’m technically not plagiarizing. Kidding aside, what gets harder each day for writers is unsolicited advice. For some reason, the minute you publish a book, everyone's an expert. Absolutely everyone.
They want to tell you how to market your book, how to set up at your book signings, what to put in your next book, what to have printed on your sign, and even what clothes to wear at your events. Trust me, you’ll find yourself sitting there wondering why you didn’t know you were surrounded by so many experts BEFORE you published your book. I even had one person ask for my password so she could go rearrange this page for me. And silly me, I offended her by turning down her offer to save me from myself.
The first tip I’ve already given… There’s no easy way. Unfortunately, there’s no pat line or specific phrase you can use to back people off when they come stomping into your life like Bigfoot to rearrange your entire career for you ( because of course you can’t be left to run an amateur career of your own, you must have their guidance!)
There is no one-size-fits-all in dealing with it. If it’s something ridiculous, like someone telling you to rewrite scenes in the book or change the title or redesign the cover, you just kind of have to chuckle and go on. If it’s something you may wish to consider, then do so.
However, do NOT fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go along with everything everyone says just to be “nice.” It is possible to say no in a polite way!
And that’s the big secret. Be polite, but the FIRM. If it’s something you know you would never consider in a million years, say that IMMEDIATELY. Don’t leave anyone with the impression that you’re giving thought to something that you wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. Just keep smiling and saying no. You didn’t get a book published because you don’t know what you’re doing! Always remember that. Write on!
I admit I kind of stole that title from a song. It’s an old Air Supply love song, but I think it says "there’s no easy way it gets harder EACH day." Okay so I changed it a little and I’m technically not plagiarizing. Kidding aside, what gets harder each day for writers is unsolicited advice. For some reason, the minute you publish a book, everyone's an expert. Absolutely everyone.
They want to tell you how to market your book, how to set up at your book signings, what to put in your next book, what to have printed on your sign, and even what clothes to wear at your events. Trust me, you’ll find yourself sitting there wondering why you didn’t know you were surrounded by so many experts BEFORE you published your book. I even had one person ask for my password so she could go rearrange this page for me. And silly me, I offended her by turning down her offer to save me from myself.
The first tip I’ve already given… There’s no easy way. Unfortunately, there’s no pat line or specific phrase you can use to back people off when they come stomping into your life like Bigfoot to rearrange your entire career for you ( because of course you can’t be left to run an amateur career of your own, you must have their guidance!)
There is no one-size-fits-all in dealing with it. If it’s something ridiculous, like someone telling you to rewrite scenes in the book or change the title or redesign the cover, you just kind of have to chuckle and go on. If it’s something you may wish to consider, then do so.
However, do NOT fall into the trap of thinking that you have to go along with everything everyone says just to be “nice.” It is possible to say no in a polite way!
And that’s the big secret. Be polite, but the FIRM. If it’s something you know you would never consider in a million years, say that IMMEDIATELY. Don’t leave anyone with the impression that you’re giving thought to something that you wouldn’t touch with a 10 foot pole. Just keep smiling and saying no. You didn’t get a book published because you don’t know what you’re doing! Always remember that. Write on!
How do You Brand Yourself?
Maybe you think “brand” is a high and lofty word if you’re an unknown writer, but believe me, it’s never too early to build your brand. The pitfalls in that arena are too many to list, but the most frequent mistake I see rookie authors make is going over the top with every little thing. For example, there’s no need to add the word “author” to your twitter handle. Save that for your "About" page or your profile. But don't make your handle Juliathepublishedauthor (and don't all the Julias of the world get mad at me...I just picked a name at random.)
I mean, did you ever see a physician with a T-shirt that says “I’m a doctor”? It looks amateurish. It looks like you’re clamoring for attention. It even looks desperate, and the latter is something you NEVER want to do.
The same reason you don’t run around giving your books away for free in order to get reviews, you don’t have to continuously advertise that you’re an author. Let that be obvious in your posts, such as when you list your upcoming book signings and other events, and with your profile picture and the subjects you talk about. A pinned post to your Amazon link works too. But you don’t need to continuously verbalize “I’m an author, I’m an author.” Believe me, it has the opposite effect from what you think.
Another rookie mistake is going over the top with your display at book signings or other events. The loudest, busiest stand does NOT get the most attention. Ever. Go for simple, elegant lines, and understated accents. You want the focus on the book, not on everything else under the sun. People don’t come to book signing events to hand out blue ribbons for the most eccentric stand, they come to find books and meet authors. So that’s what their eyes want to see. The book and you; in that order.
Adding a lot of busy stuff to your table doesn’t attract people, it confuses them, and they move on to another table where they don’t have to process everything but a flea circus in order to figure out what it is you’re promoting. Remember the old saying “if you confuse them you lose them.” It’s true.
Don’t talk people to death either. If they came to a book signing event, they want to be there. So you don’t have to convince them that you wrote a great book and you certainly don't have to reiterate that you're an author. Let THEM ask the questions. Silence is far more intriguing than jibber jabber. A lot of times attendees want to know things that you would have never thought about and if you’re so busy talking about what YOU think is interesting, they’re going to go away dissatisfied because they didn’t get to ask the questions THEY wanted to ask.
Ultimately, if you think of yourself as a professional, instead of someone who’s desperate to build an audience, you automatically start saying and doing the right things. Just follow the old advice “less is more” and apply it to everything. It will be a huge step in the right direction.
I mean, did you ever see a physician with a T-shirt that says “I’m a doctor”? It looks amateurish. It looks like you’re clamoring for attention. It even looks desperate, and the latter is something you NEVER want to do.
The same reason you don’t run around giving your books away for free in order to get reviews, you don’t have to continuously advertise that you’re an author. Let that be obvious in your posts, such as when you list your upcoming book signings and other events, and with your profile picture and the subjects you talk about. A pinned post to your Amazon link works too. But you don’t need to continuously verbalize “I’m an author, I’m an author.” Believe me, it has the opposite effect from what you think.
Another rookie mistake is going over the top with your display at book signings or other events. The loudest, busiest stand does NOT get the most attention. Ever. Go for simple, elegant lines, and understated accents. You want the focus on the book, not on everything else under the sun. People don’t come to book signing events to hand out blue ribbons for the most eccentric stand, they come to find books and meet authors. So that’s what their eyes want to see. The book and you; in that order.
Adding a lot of busy stuff to your table doesn’t attract people, it confuses them, and they move on to another table where they don’t have to process everything but a flea circus in order to figure out what it is you’re promoting. Remember the old saying “if you confuse them you lose them.” It’s true.
Don’t talk people to death either. If they came to a book signing event, they want to be there. So you don’t have to convince them that you wrote a great book and you certainly don't have to reiterate that you're an author. Let THEM ask the questions. Silence is far more intriguing than jibber jabber. A lot of times attendees want to know things that you would have never thought about and if you’re so busy talking about what YOU think is interesting, they’re going to go away dissatisfied because they didn’t get to ask the questions THEY wanted to ask.
Ultimately, if you think of yourself as a professional, instead of someone who’s desperate to build an audience, you automatically start saying and doing the right things. Just follow the old advice “less is more” and apply it to everything. It will be a huge step in the right direction.
You Mean You Weren't Mobbed at Your Book Signing?
That's about the size; where you put your eyes. I remember that rhyme. It's about perspective. They say perspective is everything. "They" are right. I had a less than stellar book signing today in Pennsylvania. If someone asked me how I would rate it, I'd probably say that it wasn't destined to be in my top ten. LOL. But...I sold some books. Ok, only seven. Ouch. Here's the important thing, though: seven people have my book today who didn't know I existed this morning. Hmm...That suddenly doesn't sound so bad now. It's just the ebb and flow, the ying and yang, the feast or famine that make up a writer's life.
Every so often an event doesn't blow you away. The people are kind of dull, the sales trickle in, you feel like your outfit and makeup just aren't hitting the mark, etc.. We've all been there. What to do? Well, if you're me...you sit there and think about San Marco. My most successful signing event to date. 26 books in the pouring rain. (The weather wheel did not spin in my favor that day.) Well, we all have a San Marco. We all have an event where we blew it out of the water. THAT'S what you concentrate on when you have a less than impressive signing. Think of your big one and remember that another one like that is on the way–just like another clunker is on the way. The good the bad and the ugly make up your gross sales, and does it really matter where they all came from, or is it the sum total of BOOKS SOLD (what a lovely phrase) that really matters?
Seven books. Hmmm, but what if I get three new reviews out of that? Was it totally worth it? 🥰 Yep. That's about the size; where you put your eyes. There really is no such thing as a bad event. Only a bad attitude. Write on!
Every so often an event doesn't blow you away. The people are kind of dull, the sales trickle in, you feel like your outfit and makeup just aren't hitting the mark, etc.. We've all been there. What to do? Well, if you're me...you sit there and think about San Marco. My most successful signing event to date. 26 books in the pouring rain. (The weather wheel did not spin in my favor that day.) Well, we all have a San Marco. We all have an event where we blew it out of the water. THAT'S what you concentrate on when you have a less than impressive signing. Think of your big one and remember that another one like that is on the way–just like another clunker is on the way. The good the bad and the ugly make up your gross sales, and does it really matter where they all came from, or is it the sum total of BOOKS SOLD (what a lovely phrase) that really matters?
Seven books. Hmmm, but what if I get three new reviews out of that? Was it totally worth it? 🥰 Yep. That's about the size; where you put your eyes. There really is no such thing as a bad event. Only a bad attitude. Write on!
There Are No Secrets
Here is something I have touched on before, but I want to reiterate. It pains me when I see so many newly published authors falling for scams and gimmicks, so I will make this very short and not so sweet. I’ve been making a living as a writer for about 16 years so I was ready for the influx of spam once my book was published. Unfortunately, not everyone has experience and some people are just a bit too trusting overall. Here it is straight: there are no “secrets” to making your book a bestseller that you can “learn” from someone online because they are “passionate about helping other authors.” Don’t be naïve in this life. If there was some “best kept secret” about “how to make your book a bestseller on Amazon in 30 days,” NOBODY would be selling it on Facebook for $99.
PERIOD.
Therefore, NEVER give money to ANYONE unless it is for a legitimate add targeted to your demographic. And yes, advertising is expensive, but legitimate advertising is also effective and the other stuff, well, all I can say is use the money to go to a concert or dine out! At least that way you'll get something out of it. The end.
PERIOD.
Therefore, NEVER give money to ANYONE unless it is for a legitimate add targeted to your demographic. And yes, advertising is expensive, but legitimate advertising is also effective and the other stuff, well, all I can say is use the money to go to a concert or dine out! At least that way you'll get something out of it. The end.
Be Careful With Those Sagas
Here’s a simple tip for your debut novel. Even if you are planning to write 10 more books, it might be better to release your first one as a standalone novel. Not that you have to put “standalone novel” on the cover. It’s more about leaving “Book One of the XYZ Trilogy” OFF the cover. The reason is that a lot of people are hesitant to take a risk on a new author, and if the title of the book they’re considering looks like it might have loose ends that require them to read the next one in the series, they may shy away from buying it at all.
Even if you plan to wrap it up tightly and not force the person to go on to a part two of any kind, THEY might not know that. A lot of people don’t want to commit to a series until they decide whether or not they like the author, so in my humble opinion, it’s always better to bill your first book as a standalone and then surprise your audience with a sequel once you’ve targeted a small fan base.
Believe me, if they like the first one, they’ll buy the second one, but if you try to shove three or four at them all at once, they may be hesitant to make that kind of commitment. Sometimes less is more, and not letting the cat out of the bag early on is often the best way to end up selling an entire series! Write on!
Even if you plan to wrap it up tightly and not force the person to go on to a part two of any kind, THEY might not know that. A lot of people don’t want to commit to a series until they decide whether or not they like the author, so in my humble opinion, it’s always better to bill your first book as a standalone and then surprise your audience with a sequel once you’ve targeted a small fan base.
Believe me, if they like the first one, they’ll buy the second one, but if you try to shove three or four at them all at once, they may be hesitant to make that kind of commitment. Sometimes less is more, and not letting the cat out of the bag early on is often the best way to end up selling an entire series! Write on!
Low Book Sales? Examine These Three Things
If your book isn't doing well, don’t start second guessing the content. For new writers, whether or not you wrote something interesting and engaging will show up in the reviews. With regard to sales, however, it’s a little different. If you launched several advertising campaigns and your book is not selling, the things you need to rethink are the title, the cover and the write up before ANYTHING else. Those are the three things that sell a book once someone clicks through to your link.
Obviously, good reviews go a long way too, but if a book doesn’t catch the shopper’s attention, he or she probably won’t stick around long enough to read the reviews. Thankfully, it is not nearly as difficult as it used to be to change your book's write-up, title or even it’s cover. This is why you should consider getting an expert’s opinion on those three things if you find that sales aren’t happening, despite effective marketing.
Ask a pro if your title is catchy enough or if it is uninspiring. Get some advice about your cover from a professional artist as well. Boring covers do not sell books. A dull, bland cover subconsciously signals the brain that it’s a dull, bland book. (It’s also important to make sure the cover depicts what is actually in the book so readers don't get mad at you later.)
If possible, when it comes to the write-up, get the opinion of several different professionals to see if it pulls the reader in or if it sounds like 100 other write-ups. Just as books often become formulamatic in today’s modern world, so do write-ups.
Try to avoid overused phrases and clichés and search for unique ways to explain what’s happening in your novel. Of course, there could be many reasons for low sales, but the cover, the title, and the write-up are the three vital aspects that readers often base their purchase decisions on...whether they know it or not! Write on.
Obviously, good reviews go a long way too, but if a book doesn’t catch the shopper’s attention, he or she probably won’t stick around long enough to read the reviews. Thankfully, it is not nearly as difficult as it used to be to change your book's write-up, title or even it’s cover. This is why you should consider getting an expert’s opinion on those three things if you find that sales aren’t happening, despite effective marketing.
Ask a pro if your title is catchy enough or if it is uninspiring. Get some advice about your cover from a professional artist as well. Boring covers do not sell books. A dull, bland cover subconsciously signals the brain that it’s a dull, bland book. (It’s also important to make sure the cover depicts what is actually in the book so readers don't get mad at you later.)
If possible, when it comes to the write-up, get the opinion of several different professionals to see if it pulls the reader in or if it sounds like 100 other write-ups. Just as books often become formulamatic in today’s modern world, so do write-ups.
Try to avoid overused phrases and clichés and search for unique ways to explain what’s happening in your novel. Of course, there could be many reasons for low sales, but the cover, the title, and the write-up are the three vital aspects that readers often base their purchase decisions on...whether they know it or not! Write on.
