Comments on: Meet Promotions Expert/Author M.J. Rose

By: kmbt

kmbt — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:23:24 +0000

To address Pat Rice’s point and MJ’s response to it – It’s not that the publisher doesn’t want “it” to happen. They do, and that’s why they choose to publish the books they choose to publish – because they think they will sell, because they think these writers have potential. Just because the publisher cannot give equal attention to a book that costs $6.99 (read: mass market) that it does to a book that costs $24.00 (read trade hardcover) does not mean that the publisher doesn’t want “it” to happen. It’s common sense. It’s the real world. The publisher does choose whether or not to publish a book in mass market or trade, but that depends on a variety of factors (and you’d probably have to talk to a managing editor for the specifics) – not whether or not they want the book to sell and make it big. It’s more complicated than that. One can’t generalize like this. Yes, we understand the world though generalizations, but this, in all reality, is more complicated than that. It’s a crap shoot to a large extent, I think. Publishers, publicists, sales teams, authors do what they can to make “it” happen, but isn’t a large part of it dependent on luck? After all, who’s to say why a person decides to buy a book? It could be the fabulous cover for one person and the back cover flap praise for another. Is it the overall package? Who’s to say?

By: JulieLeto

JulieLeto — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:44:04 +0000

I can’t believe we’re discussing the F word. People, grow up. The best thing to do if representing NINC is to be brutally honest. Thanks to MJ for doing that. Often the four letter variety of honesty is all that works.

MJ, awesome post.

By: Sasha White

Sasha White — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:38:44 +0000

Great post. Just the kick in the pants I needed.

As for the F word. I agree, strong point, passionate post. Strong language makes it hit home harder. No problem with it here, especially as Ninc is an adult playground.

By: Lynn Sholes

Lynn Sholes — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:15:58 +0000

Hello MJ,
Three cheers for someone standing up and speaking out. I watched and listened how hard you tried to get the “powers that be” on the panel at Thrillerfest to step up to the plate, but they danced a good dance. It amazes me that you can have a bestseller before the book even hits the stands–that’s because the lists (except for USA Today) are based on orders not cash register sales. That certainly tells the story.

By: kh

kh — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:11:05 +0000

great post something to think about. i stick with alomost the same authors.

By: Caffey

Caffey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:03:25 +0000

Hi MJ and all!
I love to read both new authors and my favorites. So I’m one (I’m not a writer, just a reader) who will go through shelves checking out blurbs and all to see what i’d like to read, same with going through Amazon and the like. I go beyond the books out that are displayed as the ‘Bestsellers’ and I hope too that as a shopper, i’m making a difference by buying the authors book to help them get to the Bestsellers list so their books get more attention for others to see what they are missing! So I still will do that even though that its explained through here that alot has to do with the publisher (and I do check out publishers too for their books because I like authors I read from there). So know as a reader I’m digging for lots that I enjoy reading and reading the debuts, new and favorites. Great article to read! Thanks.

By: Robin Burcell

Robin Burcell — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:43:29 +0000

MJ,
Great post. You brought home the intended point very well.

By: M.J. Rose

M.J. Rose — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:03:46 +0000

Pat – you misunderstood – the given is that the book is great/has appeal/ has “it”? but the post is about even with a great book it won’t happen if the publisher doesn’t want it to.

By: Pat Rice

Pat Rice — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:56:28 +0000

While I essentially agree with MJ’s explanation that it’s publishers who make bestsellers, not authors, not books, I will take one exception to that—
Most of the big bestsellers out there now have become bestsellers because there is something inherently appealing to the mass market in their voice, their stories, or what they have to say. I believe mass market authors do need to cultivate their talent for finding that vast middle ground. (and that which hits the right note in the U.S. will not necessarily hit the same note in other countries, and vice versa, but I’m not going to learn German to figure out my audience there!)

By: Pari Noskin Taichert

Pari Noskin Taichert — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:21:06 +0000

MJ,
Wise words and essential ones. I’ve been in the PR biz a long, long time and have come to believe in its efficacy less and less for the really big hits.

But the building is essential to create the right atmosphere for your publisher and fans to finally carry that torch and push for major success. That’s where staying alive counts.

The minute we give up or become bitter, that’s the moment when we give our publisher and everyone else permission to ignore us.