How is the Book Doing?

Within a couple of days of the launch of BLOOD TANGO, people not connected with the publishing industry started asking me, "How is the book doing?"  Depending on how much I cared about the person asking the question and, more importantly, how much I wanted that person's approval, I answered with evasions or the truth.

Typical evasions:
"The launch party went well, was well-attended."
"I have bunch of events scheduled and have high hopes."
"It's kind of early to tell, but with the author appearances I have scheduled, it should get a boost."
"I am happy with it so far."

The truth:
"I have no idea.  My publisher will send me a royalty statement in January, and I will find the thousand or so numbers on the page incomprehensible."

More truth:  If the royalty statement comes with even a small check, I will be ecstatic, but I never say that to anyone.  (But I have said it to you.)

For the past ten days, in response to that question, I have brought up the instructive story of J.K. Rowling's experience as an unknown, first-time author and what happened after her lawyer betrayed her, and it became known who actually wrote that now runaway best seller.

In the meanwhile, a mystery writer friend told me how to use Amazon Author Central.  Now I can get news every Friday morning.  Not complete news, but news.  In week one the report was not fabulous, but okay and interesting, especially given the fact that Blood Tango is selling the backlist--a surprise since my books so far have been stand-alones.  In week two it was dismal.

?

I persist with my promotional activities.  I'll keep you posted.

Annamaria Alfieri

Seven Ways to Achieve Success for Your Book

1.  Write a brilliant book. Or anyway do the best you can.

2.  The week your book is released, do a blog tour. Guest post on as many blogs as will have you. (THE BRINK OF FAME came out this week. Here are the links to my blog tour.)

3.  Create a brief, interesting trailer. Don't spend a lot. Make your friends forward it to everybody they know.

4.  Get your book into the hands of a famous person, preferably the President of the United States (it worked for Walter Moseley). Make sure the photograph of your book in the president's hands is seen by as many people as possible.

5.  Make a big QR code for your book and post it in prominent places.

6.  Offer to pay some famous person whose support will lower the tone of your book a thousand dollars not to be seen reading it. If this person accepts your offer, leak the arrangement to the media.

7.  Go to the animal shelter and adopt a cute puppy. Threaten to kill the puppy if people don't buy your book.

Good luck in your publishing endeavors!

Kate Gallison