Very cool! Congratulations!
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| We're 'In the Red'! http://horrorworld.org/msgboards/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=2683 |
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 10:08 am ] |
| Post subject: | We're 'In the Red'! |
This is one of those few instances where 'in the red' is actually good! Apparitions went into editing - so if you've been wondering where I've been...that's where. I completed my edits to the manuscript and sent them back to ArcheBooks yesterday. Now it's another wait until one of their editors goes through it and sends me a list of what they want changed. So...this means Apparitions should be out in 60 days. Note the word should... If you want to keep track of where it is here's the link to ArcheBooks' Production schedule - http://www.archebooks.com/SuptDocs/ABSchedule.htm |
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| Author: | Matt Cowan [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:01 pm ] |
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Very cool! Congratulations!
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| Author: | Varulf [ Thu Apr 12, 2007 12:41 pm ] |
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I shall keep my fingers crossed that the should turns into will. Very good though. One step closer to the goal... 
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| Author: | Matt Cowan [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 1:31 pm ] |
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 2:39 pm ] |
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I'm always game to answer questions 
One of the common misconceptions is that once you write a novel your publisher does the rest...not so. Unless you're Stephen King etc. Getting a novel is only the beginning and the rest of the journey is up to you. For instance Apparitions will be out there in May/June but I'm new...pretty much no one has heard of me. I have to change that and convince stores to take a chance on me, a new author, when they usually only choose the best sellers. Ever notice that? Bookstores carry the same books? Almost all of them the top sellers by the same authors? Bookstores are in business to make money and they know they can make money on Rice, King, Koontz etc. As a new author I have to overcome that. Somehow... So...beware - long post coming up. First let me say it depends on the publisher - each has their own quirks. But generally speaking unless you are a big name author publishers do relatively little to promote your work. Usually they'll place an ad in Ingrams and Baker & Taylor (the catalogs bookstores order from) and...that's about it. The following I'm writing up on the assumption that the writer isn't already a big name. Sometimes they'll provide authors with a poster, bookmarks and fliers to be re-printed at the author's expense. So once Apparitions is out I'll get pdf files of those and take them to the printers...then try to get them everywhere! They'll also be downloadable by anyone - so people like Varulf who've generously offered to help promote it - can print them off and ask bookstores to have them on their counters or hand them out to people etc. The events and such the author lines up themself or hires a publicist to do it. I'm keeping a tight schedule of signings and conventions which most authors should do. I'm also doing talks for local libraries, art leagues etc. about writing and publishing. One thing that's good to do is write short fiction to help get your name and book title out there. I unfortunately don't have the knack for shorts so I won't be doing that. I'm open to doing chats or on-line classes about writing, publishing and promoting. Some of these I'll be doing at ArcheBooks' chat room but I'll do them pretty much anywhere else too. I'm making Apparitions more available to book clubs by offering a reader's guide and a cd of me talking about the same questions. We have the merchandise at cafepress which we hope people will pick up and thus spread the word. Varulf, Hashy and I have 'Bower wear' which is basically sweatshirts, T-shirts and jackets with 'Raven Bower' or ravenbower.com on it along with writerly phrases or 'horroresque' phrases. We'll be putting out bumper stickers too. Last I heard from the ConClave I'll be on a panel or running a talk/class...which is yet to be determined. I'm doing a lot of blog stuff at blogspot and myspace. I do that for two reasons - one to get my name out there and for people to know that I exist and so does Apparitions. But more importantly I like to know what readers think and I want their input. When I can accomodate them in my work I will...sometimes I can't but I try. I'm being auctioned...hehe. Weird as it sounds...but basically my publicist was talking at a meeting and it turned out that there were people from several different book clubs there who wanted me to show up at their club...it ended up with me on the auction block - whoever wins gets me live at their club to talk, sign books, answer questions or what not. I did hire a publicist but I don't have the funds to pay her full time. In fact...my bank account has dwindled alarmingly and Apparitions isn't even out yet! But I hire her on a project by project basis - like when I want a party done or to find radio stations open to book/author discussions/interviews etc. She can reach the people that I can't touch. She also takes loads off of me when it comes to researching who to contact and where. I'd like her to handle ALL of it...but I simply can't afford it atm. So a lot of my time is still sucked up into the vacuum of Marketing. I'm sure there's more that I'm forgetting...but feel free to ask away. Oh almost forgot - most publishers won't make you do anything but you'd be wise to. If a writer doesn't promote their own work (new one at least) no one else will either. |
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| Author: | Matt Cowan [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:04 pm ] |
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Thanks for the info. and if you want me to I would be happy to drop off something at the local bookstores out here. We have a Barnes and Nobles, Borders, and I think a B.Dalton's is still in one of our our malls. We also have a Half-Priced bookstore, but I doubt that would help you any. All told, there are probabley about ten different bookstores fairly close to where I live No big deal if you aren't interested but let me know if you are. Also, when it becomes avialable, I'm on a gameing forum (not as actibe there as I am here. I have like 30 posts over there in the past year) where I can write a post about your book. I know that it isn't in your gaming line, but I could mention your interest in gaming at the post.
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:06 pm ] |
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I'd appreciate all of that. Thanks Matt
As a new writer that's the most difficult thing to overcome - being new and no one knowing you exist. Anything that helps to get word out there would be great! |
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| Author: | Matt Cowan [ Sun Apr 15, 2007 3:16 pm ] |
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Cool. I'll e-mail you my e-mail address so you can let me know what you want me to drop off at the local bookstores here.
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| Author: | ristow [ Sat Apr 21, 2007 1:51 pm ] |
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:22 pm ] |
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Yes...and no. They have entry in the means that their books are listed in the two main buying catalogs that big chain stores use - Ingrams and Baker & Taylor (US) and Bertrams (UK). So the big chains will see them and can order them from either of their main suppliers. However...getting them to actually decide to carry it is another issue. Some of the big publishers (like Warner etc) actually rent front shelf space for their big new releases for a certain number of months. My publisher doesn't do that - it's pretty expensive to do. They put a large ad in all three of the catalogs after release which might catch their eye. I think Hashy did a great job on the cover art and although we like to say 'don't judge a book by the cover' readers often do. I know I do. |
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| Author: | ristow [ Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:27 pm ] |
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:53 pm ] |
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I like Hashy's style, even with the trailer and web site designs. We just got him one of those sketch pad things that let you draw on the pad and it shows up in Paint Shop or PhotoShop. I just gave him my concept ideas for the Night Wing cover so I'm looking forward to seeing what he does with that one too! |
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| Author: | oldmanmike [ Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:41 pm ] |
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| Author: | Raven Bower [ Mon Apr 23, 2007 9:03 pm ] |
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