publisherblog

BOOK PROMOTION FOR AND WITH AUTHORS

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 02:08:36 +0100

Whenever a prospective author asks me, ''What would your publishing house do to promote my book?'' I have to take a minute, breathe deep, and remember that to many, it really means, ''How would you make people buy my book so I can retire a millionaire and never have to write another?''

AUTHORS AND OTHERS

That isn't to say that all potential or seasoned authors think this way, but a growing number of new; young writers seem to. In the world of publishing, there are many writers, and likewise what I call literary businesspersons, but amazingly few authors. And the distinction is critical for me to answer the question.

As I define the term, a writer is someone who records lyrical, poetic, or prose observations for him- or herself, commonly in a personal diary, journal, no-royalty anthology or blog. While the initial intent is most often innocuous, as soon as enough ''content'' is generated, issues of ''sharing" it with others and then "doing it at a profit" almost always surface. It is at this point that writers not uncommonly take to conceiving of themselves as literary businesspersons.

Literary businesspersons assume that any and all information has monetary value, and they are typically interested in selling this "monetizable'' information. Usually they develop or reorient the content into a single, concerted effort in response to a perceived ''money-making'' opportunity, or into a step-effort as, for example, in the form of a serialized work on the Internet and/or ''flash fiction'' efforts, consisting of one- or two-paragraph works of digested content.

Literary businesspersons today typically turn to social media websites to market and sell the content. In this case, promotion usually means making sure the content appears on the ''right'' social media sites, and providing online sales, fulfillment, payment, and accounting. In addition, it often involves structuring the content on the Internet in such a way as to funnel all interested parties to a single sales site. While many writers, in my experience, become literary businesspersons, few make it to becoming an author.

An AUTHOR, by contrast, composes content from the beginning for others -- usually a defined target audience -- aiming to provide a work that will be an easy and satisfying read for its targeted readers. In this context, the function of promotion, at least from the publisher's perspective, is threefold: (1) to make a well-composed author-centric work attractively reader-centric; (2) to make the work available to as many target readers as possible by transferring it into a form that is easily duplicated, but, hopefully, not so easily pirated; and (3) to help establish author/title name recognition.

From an author's perspective, the above usually also include (4) garnering author/title name recognition in the form of "fame," and, (5) establishing a regular income stream.

As a traditional 'book'' publisher, Savant Books and Publications looks to publishing with authors rather than literary businesspersons or writers (although, we do help writers make the transition to authors through participation in our annual poetry anthology, and by accepting unsolicited manuscripts and not requiring prospective authors to have a literary agent). Hence, when an established or prospective author asks, "What is your publishing house going to do to promote my book?" I assume he or she is referring directly or indirectly to all five functions.

PIPELINES, POP-UPS, PROVISIONING AND PUBLICITY

For a book publisher effective promotion requires the opening all possible marketing and sales channels for a work. Today, of course, these channels involve hardcover/softcover books, e-books, and audiobooks. But even with all the new formats and delivery mechanisms emerging, making books available is only the beginning. The main task of promotion is still to have targeted readers purchase, read, and tell others about the work.

One thing we at Savant Books and Publications do to "get the work out there" is to make our books directly available to readers at our own "pop-up" outlet bookstores. At these, we display all works face-out and they are presented to readers one-on-one by a staff member intimately knowledgeable about the work. In fact, we invite our authors to be there and talk directly with potential readers, often in the form of a form of "free" author, book release, or book award party. Savant Bookstore Honolulu at www.savantbookstorehonolulu.com is an example. It has both a revolving three-hour "brick-and-mortar" presence in a variety of different locations, and a 24/7 Internet presence.

Another thing we do is offer our books to directly to bookstores and booksellers through our own distribution company, Savant Distribution (www.savantdistribution.com).

HELPING AUTHORS HELP

In my experience, most authors don't know how to effectively participate in establishing author/title name recognition and a professional income stream.

We offer all our authors a specific marketing and publicity plan beginning about three months before publication extending to two years afterwards to help address the first of these issues. In addition to royalties, we offer sales and prequel/sequel incentives to our authors, on the assumption that once they've been through the publishing experience and made the transition to professional authorship, that person will participate more effectively in publication, publicity, marketing and sales promotion the next book.

Concerning the second issue, we encourage authors to establish publishing relationships with at least five other no-fee/royalty-paying publishers. This comes as a surprise to many, but we've found that to establish a reliable income stream, authors on the average, need to publish a book every two to three months, with the goal of maintaining at least ten published works at any time that are receiving royalty payments. On the average, Savant can publish between one work every three months for an experienced and accomplished author, to one book every twelve months and sometimes longer for ''new" authors. Hence, using an author's publishing experience with Savant Books and Publications to identify, establish and maintain at least five additional publishers makes sense from a professional author's point of view. It also makes sense in that our authors realize and come to appreciate more what we do for them as a no-fee/royalty paying full-service publisher.

I always try to factor all of this into my answer to ''What would your publishing house do to promote my book?'' In the end, however, the gist of my answer boils down to this: We work closely at Savant Books and Publications with each individual author, and actively promote every work we take on. If we accept a work, we believe in it and are willing to invest our time and money in its publication and promotion. In turn, we expect our authors to invest their time and energy intelligently and diligently in promotion and sales as well.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications
Taken in part from "Book Promotion for -- and with -- Authors" by Daniel S. Janik, in IBPA Independent 2013 Apr (31) 4: 25-27. IBPA stands for the Independent Book Publishers' Association of which Savant Books and Publications is a member.

PUTTING ON THE SPELL

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 23:57:03 +0100

These days, in today's world of publishing, "getting published" and having one's book appear on a wide variety of established sales channels has gotten much easier, while garnering author name and book title recognition so interested readers can locate an author's work has gotten much harder. While publishers struggle with the vastly increased approaches to publication including self-, vanity, POD (print on demand), electronic and traditional publishing models, distributors for ways to identify and market the "best" of these almost exclusively different publications, and booksellers for ways of grappling with the literal flood of new publications, authors are left to seek an answer to the "new" definitive question, "How does one establish author name and book title recognition in today's rapidly expanding markets?" Another way to phrase this key question is "How will a publisher, distributor, bookseller, book contest/festival/convention help me make rather than always pay money for this?"

Personally, as a publisher and author, I always ask myself how many books will an agent, publisher, distributor, bookseller or event sell, and will it sell enough to recoup the actual costs of my participation. Marketing today is billed as a necessary "investment" to gain author name and book title recognition, but is it really? For me, an "investment" is something that is a guaranteed return for what I pay, with the distinct possibility of multiplying that effect indefinitely. Most marketing is not an investment, but in my book, a "gamble" and as an author, I don't like gambling with my royalties.

Mystery writer Laurie Hanan, author of ALMOST PARADISE (Savant 2011) has a great idea: Putting on the spell as a volunteer at a local writer/author conference. Ms. Hanan attended one such event and reports:

"As an author, I make it part of my work to look for author/book conferences I can attend. I was recently offered the opportunity to work as a volunteer at 'Spellbinders', a combined conference and convention designed to bring authors and screenwriters together in my locale. When looking for local volunteers, the Chicago-based directors contacted Sisters in Crime, a mystery writers’ organization with local, national and international chapters. As a longtime member of Sisters in Crime, I readily accepted.

"The day before the conference began, workers were briefed in the conference headquarters, an oceanfront penthouse suite with a glorious view of the pacific. Lunch was served, and the directors went over our responsibilities and work schedules. Then we did a walk-through of the area where the conference and convention would be held.

Starting at 7:45 the next morning, we welcomed attendees and panelists to the resort and got them registered. The first day of the convention was more of a festival, with local artists, merchants and publishers selling their wares. After manning the registration desk in the morning, I took over the Spellbinders book booth, where I helped sell books by authors speaking at the conference as well as my own books. These included local and internationally-known authors. That night, volunteers attended an outdoor cocktail party complete with fabulous food and drinks, a local band, and a fireworks show. My husband, son, and editor joined me at the party, and we had a spectacular time.

The second day, I once again manned the book-selling table, and was honored to have the opportunity to chat with all the 'famous' authors as they came by to check on their book sales or just to say hello. Volunteers joined speakers and attendees at a special dinner that night, but I was exhausted and headed home.

"The sessions were open to volunteers, as long as there was coverage for the registration desk and book table. Most of the time I was happy enough selling books, and only attended two of the talks. I heard three well-known authors discuss 'how to make your thriller thrilling' and a local author and university professor speak on 'opening pages that wow'.
Throughout the conference, local agents as well as agents to top publishers were available for 'pitch sessions.' One afternoon, I attended a 'Pitchapalooza', where those brave enough stood in front of everyone and pitched to literary agents and their pitches were critiqued. This was followed by 'Scriptapalooza', at which screenplay writers pitched their best ideas to Hollywood agents.

"The third day, the conference wound down with some morning 'classes' followed by a closing brunch. Volunteering for Spellbinders was an experience I will never forget. The time spent with authors, agents and volunteers resulted in valuable contacts and, more importantly, friendships that I hope will endure for a lifetime."

Speaking or volunteering at a heavily-attended writer/author convention can be not only a good "investment" in terms of book sales, author name and title name recognition, but a fun one, too.

Thank you, Laurie Hanan for your valuable insight.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications

Savant Bookstore Honolulu Expands to Hawaii Kai

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 17:23:42 +0100

Aloha Book-Lovers,

It's my pleasure to announce that despite this time of closing bookstores and growing illiteracy, Savant Bookstore Honolulu continues to GROW! Savant Bookstore Honolulu #1 at Coffee Talk Coffee Shop in Kaimuki is open Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will continue to bring you the best in new fiction and non-fiction, including author appearances and book release parties. SBH#1 is THE place for gift shopping - nothing says it as well as a book - and community socializing. Hey, why type online when you can talk in person at a real bookstore.

Starting Friday, 29 June 2012, Savant Bookstore Honolulu will be opening a second store (SBH#2) in Hawaii Kai at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community, 428 Kawaihae St. (808-395-9599 for information) on Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, SBH#2 offers generous FREE PARKING, FREE REFRESHMENTS and is easily accessible on The BUS. Come join us for the grand opening - we will be giving away books every hour!

Savant Books and Publications will offer visitors the same opportunities to meet published authors, share in book release parties and purchase outstanding fiction and non-fiction books by Savant Books and Publications for oneself or gifts.

Books purchased at SBH#1 (Coffee Talk Coffee Shop in Kaimuki) and SBH#2 (Hawaii Kai Retirement Community) are always 10% off Suggested Retail Price, and we often offer theme-based super specials near holidays. It's our way of saying "thank you" for coming to our outlet store AND supporting the reading community!

For more information about locations, times and events, go to http://www.savantbookstorehonolulu.com

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications
Savant Bookstore Honolulu #1 and #2
Savant Distribution

Savant On-The-Air

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 21:22:24 +0100

The "Long Lost Oldie Radio Show" at 107.9 FM on Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m. will feature Savant Bookstore Honolulu and spot one or more Savant publications. Last week, 9 June 2012, DJ Sheriff Norm mentioned local Hawaii author Laurie Hanan's ALMOST PARADISE (Savant 2011). This week will feature Mike Farris' Hawaii-based KANAKA BLUES (Savant 2010), the first in a series of legal thrillers, followed by MANIFEST INTENT (Savant 2010) and the newly-released RULES OF PRIVILEGE (Savant 2012).

All Savant Books and Publications are available from Savant Bookstore Honolulu. The bookstore is open on Saturdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Coffee Talk Coffee House in Kaimuki. All Savant books are in stock and available for 10% off the suggested retail price. Savant Bookstore Honolulu even picks up the sales tax! For readers outside of Honolulu, the Savant Bookstore Honolulu is open 24/7 online and offers Savant books at the same price.

Did you know that Savant Books and Publications does CDs and DVDs also? Currently we're featuring the CD titled TOPIC OF CALIFORNIA by R. Page Kaufman (Robert Kaufman), a rare collection of trombone jazz by Kaufman and some of the best jazz artists in Los Angeles. CDs and DVDs are also available at the bookstore and via the online bookstore the same as our books and publications.

Interested in Savant Bookstore Honolulu? Call in and talk with Sheriff Norm Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 107.9 FM throughout June 2012.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications
www.savantbooksandpublications.com

Savant Launches Savant Bookstore Honolulu and Savant Distribution

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:22:29 +0100

Savant Books and Publications, a small, independent publisher of books, CDs and DVDs is anything but small these days!

In January 2012, we launched the first of our own bookstores, Savant Bookstore Honolulu (http://www.savantbookstorehonolulu.com) which is open for business, author parties, book release parties and book award parties every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Coffee Talk Coffee House in Kaimuki, a 5-minute bus ride from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chaminade University, Kapiolani Community College, Honolulu and Waikiki. We carry all Savant publications in-stock and offer them at 10% off the Suggested Retail Price (SRP) and without any shipping charge. We also pay the state tax [Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET)] for you! Gift-givers can purchase individual books at the bookstore in lots of 4 and 10 at 25% and 40% off the SRP respectively, again without paying for shipping or Hawaii GET! It's Savant's way of saying "Mahalo (thank you)" to Hawaii for supporting our publication house. Gifted books are always appreciated, AND they speak to the gift-givers dedication to literacy and literature. DROP IN ANY SATURDAY FROM 6 P.M. TO 9 P.M.!

In January 2012, we also launched Savant Distribution (http://www.savantdistribution.com) after extensive beta-testing of the now-retired Savant Direct. Savant Distribution offers all Savant publications at wholesale price to retail booksellers in four special plans: SAVANT CHOICE (we choose the best of our titles and provide newly released titles to booksellers before anyone else can); YOUR CHOICE (booksellers choose the titles they want), TRADITIONAL (purchase order/invoice style); and CONSIGNMENT. We welcome new accounts and our outstanding service says it! We're so dedicated to helping bookstores survive these difficult times that we offer SAVANT CHOICE and YOUR CHOICE participants two additional options were WE PAY THE BOOKSELLER TO SHOWCASE OR DISPLAY OUR PRODUCTS (see Savant Distribution website above for details). Savant Books and Publications are also available to book resellers via Ingram, Follett, and Amazon.com's own Createspace Direct (see "booksellers" tab on the Savant Books and Publications website at http://www.savantbooksandpublications.com).

As a publisher, we're committed to making Savant Books and Publications available to interested readers via every possible channel. Oh yes, and our books are always available, 24/7, for purchase on Amazon.com.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik, Publisher
Savant Books and Publications

S. Stanley Gordon Hits Honolulu

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:56:34 +0100

I'm often asked if author, book release, book signing and book award parties really work. Well, here's proof: Savant author S. Stanley Gordon (MY TWO WIVES AND THREE HUSBANDS, 2011) and partner, Joe Gordon, during a recent visit to Honolulu, held book signing/award parties at the Savant Bookstore Honolulu in Kaimuki and next day at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand in Waikiki. The result: over 30 contacts (five celebrities!), six books sold, and an invitation to place the book in "80% Straight" in Waikiki for the next month. It may not sound like much, but if one hosted such a party once a month for a year that would translate to nearly a hundred book sales and 400 contacts, each contact generating additional publicity.

Joe and Stanley Gordon with Jeffrey "Mr. Gay Pride Hawaii" Helsen at Hula's Bar and Lei Stand Book Signing

Okay, I had to say all that, because I'm Stanley's publisher. The real fun was in the contacts and their nature. One was with a representative of National Public Radio. Another was a local paparazzi. Another was Mr. Gay Pride Hawaii. Yet another was one of the first gay couples married by private ceremony in Hawaii! Add to that the many interested and interesting individuals ranging from writers to photographers to regional politicians. All in all, between the conversations and Mai-Tai's, it was a great success, one I'd be pleased to attend over again and again.

There are many ways to generate author and title name recognition, but I can't think of any as powerful as a face-to-face meeting in an author/book release/signing/award setting. And I even had the additional pleasure of awarding Stanley a certificate of recognition for his book having received BOTH New York and San Francisco Book Festival Awards.

Thinking of visiting paradise? Call me at least a month in advance so we can arrange appearances and events. What better way to learn how-to-do-it than "on-the-job"?

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications
www.savantbooksandpublications.com

Savant Author A. G. Hayes Visits Oahu's Northshore

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:50:11 +0100

I was my pleasure to meet with A. G. Hayes, author of WHO'S KILLING ALL THE LAWYERS (Savant 2011), and family just before Christmas. Hayes visited Oahu's famous Northshore during the Triple Crown of Surfing Event, the last leg of a near around-the-world cruise where he lectured, signed and dedicated books for fellow cruisers. A. G., his Hawaii family and I lunched one day at Jamison's famous open-air bar and grill in Haleiwa, and another day at The Chart House, talking with

locals and visitors, signing and dedicating copies. In between, we stopped off at the Waialua Library to chat with a local writer's group, and later at the Waialua Coffee Store.

All in all a memorable and highly successful visit. Kudo's A. G.!

A. G. Hayes
Author of WHO'S KILLING ALL THE LAWYERS (Savant 2011)

Savant Produces First CD Recording

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:57:11 +0100

It seemed inevitable to me that Savant Books and Publications would eventually expand into the CD (music and audiobook) and DVD areas. Now it's happening. With the release of R. Page Kaufman's contemporary trombone jazz CD entitled TROPIC OF CALIFORNIA (CD), a musical companion to his multi-award winning book TROPIC OF CALIFORNIA - THE STRAINS OF STRAUSS (Savant 2008), Savant Books and Publications enters a new era.

Congratulations, R. Page Kaufman and thank you for pioneering in the new, expanded Savant Books and Publications. For those interested in audiobooks, watch our website for our first audiobook. For those interested in DVD's watch for our first release featuring Dr. Brent Cameron with Raven Meyers presenting "ASSESSING TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING, the 2011 Distinguished Speaker in the Neurobiological Learning Society's yearly Distinguished Speaker series.

What's next, you ask? We're already working on our first eBook with audiovideo content.

If you're a musical artist or audiovideo production company and would like a world-wide publisher, contact savantbooks@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications

Savant to Market to India

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:09:17 +0100

It's my pleasure to announce that Savant Books and Publications will soon be available online and in 200 independent bookstores throughout India beginning with R. Page Kaufman's TROPIC OF CALIFORNIA. The "common online listing" interface will be Cinnamon Teal's Dogearsetc.com (http://www.dogearsetc.com/book_details.jsp?resourceID=35515), but our books, as they "come online" will also be made available to other Indian online booksellers as well as brick and mortar stores.

There are few countries with with as many English-reading citizens, and Indians continue to have an intense interest in the U.S.A. Working with Cinnamon Teal to provide regional printing, distribution, sales and fulfillment is what POD publishing is all about.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications
www.savantbooksandpublications.com

Savant Honolulu Author/Book Release Parties Resume

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:58:12 +0100

Remember those good 'ole days over at Cafe 2600 when we'd all get together either with a "live" or "Skyped-in" author for new book releases? Well, they're back with infinitely more class and opportunity. Savant Books and Publications has negotiated, starting 1 September 2011, an every Sunday Author/Book Release Party at Clubhouse Makino from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Clubhouse Makino (formerly Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu just across the Ala Wai Canal from Waikiki and easily accessible by tourists) is located at the corners of Kapiolani Boulevard and Kalakaua Street. It's an idea location for our parties as we can easily accommodate up to 40 visitors at any moment in time, as well as sign/dedicate book, and display/sell our titles. Our first "test" event was 7 August with Dr. Zachary M. Oliver's FALLING BUT FULFILLED: REFLECTIONS ON MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES (Savant 2010), where we had a combined author/book party and book award ceremony (his book won the 2010 Neurobiological Learning Society's Choice Award).

Approximately 20 people attended. Zach sold $60 in books, signed/dedicated several more, and Savant sold a copy of G. Amati's AMMON'S HORN. Not bad for the first test, and certainly enough to encourage us to make the event a regular one for Oahu residents and visitors.

Our second "test" event will spotlight Daniel S. Janik's A WHALE'S TALE (Savant 2009) on 21 August and will again be a combined author/book party and book award ceremony (the book was awarded a 2011 Hollywood Book Festival Award). We're busy working on publicity for the "regular" events beginning in September.

Our first "regular" event will be an author/book party for WAVELENGTHS - 2011 SAVANT ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY which was just release last week. We hope to Skype in various poets to talk with attendees. I'm currently accepting requests from Savant authors for author/book parties with or without awards ceremonies for September and October.

Having an author/book party presence in Honolulu is the first step in a major project to have author/book parties in five major cities throughout the USA. Then Canada. Then Europe. Finally Asia. One step at a time.

Sincerely,
Daniel S. Janik
Savant Books and Publications