Beyond Publishing - How to Put More Profit in Your Pocket

Now comes the fun, for me anyway. The writing is done, the manuscript is in salable form, and the public is just begging to buy it. They just don't know it yet.

Okay, so you've signed up with a large publishing firm to carry your book, they are in charge of the marketing and distribution, and then after their part is done, they pay you your royalties, if you're lucky. If your book is very good, and if the publisher has done it's job promoting it, and if the bookstores are willing to display it properly, and if the reviewers are kind to you, you might make a decent living from it . . . for a while.

What if sales slow down? What happens when the publisher doesn't think that it's going to go into a second printing, so it's not worth the effort to push the promotions? What if a reviewer slams your book because he has a beef with the publisher or editor? (Rare, but it happens.)

In short, what can you do to help get your book out there and keep sales going? To start, talk to your publisher and ask what you can do. Don't ever assume that everything that can be done is being done. You can volunteer to make phone calls. You can set up interviews with local radio and TV stations. You can give talks on your subject material to garden clubs, Rotary Clubs, Lions, Optimists, and even younger clubs if the material is appropriate. Think of all the Boys Clubs, Girl Scout, Boy Scouts, and various other organizations available to you.

Talk for free, but carry an ample supply of your books. Autograph them neatly. Give readings in bookstores, give promotional and free copies to select libraries, make contact with book clubs and writers guilds. Again, have as many books with you as you think you can sell. Pass out your business cards. Talk to aspiring writers about what your journey was like. Volunteer to talk to literature classes in public and private schools.