Shuh! No fair! As if!
Gawker explains how a debut author's first book's can affect how and where B & N stocks the second.
Key concept: secret algorithms
<twiddles magic fingers>
Monday, January 28, 2008
Who Hates Sophomores?
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10 comments:
I preferred teaching freshmen.
But, I know a couple up-and-coming gals about to be published who are PUSHING to get the buzz buzzing about their first books. Publishers seem to be purchasing only one book at a time. Offering 3-in-a-series is no ace in the hole. If your first one doesn't connect, they are under no obligation to publish the next in the series.
Uck.
Gawker's post was interesting. But does any one know whether the publishing houses first talk to B&N on placement before deciding whether to advertise a book? If the big stores promise not to ignore book, then the houses put money into marketing.
It seems logical that it would happen. Had this question come up in a conversation today.
Except that the Gawker post says...nothing. (Unfortunately, this often seems to happen on Gawker!)
Everyone knows the numbers spiral issue--your first book doesn't sell well enough for your publisher to pay for placement in one of those lovely bookstore displays for your second. (Yes, that's how they get there.) Without that, it's harder to pick up new readers. So your second book, while it may sell to the readers who liked the first one, will have a harder time finding a new audience. If it sells fewer copies, the bookstore may not stock your third one at all.
The "where it goes in the store" thing? Gimme a break. I write mysteries and romantic suspense. Guess where they're going in the store if I am lucky enough to get them there. Well, lessee...my guess...the romantic suspense in Romance, the mystery in Mystery. Alphabetized by name.
I've seen some poooooor writing in those aisles, folks, and some authors whose books have been panned. And I've been in the Astrology aisle and never seen a mystery (well, of the mystery fiction genre, anyway) shelved there.
Maybe this matters if you write "literary fiction," or non-fiction, or plays, or poetry, but I doubt it.
No matter how awful an author's last book was, his current one will be alongside it. It won't get placed on the fancy new release table (unless the publisher pays for that) if the previous one didn't do well, but it's not going to end up in the Astrology section, either.
Now, if you go to a signing, and tick off the people who WORK at your local B&N, you may, indeed, find your book wedged, spine in, in the Astrology section. If not stuffed underneath the out of date calendars.
Nan- Freshman still have a touch of sweetness, and they're good on kebabs.
I think it's pretty common for new authors to get a one-book deal as a test balloon before anyone commits to buy more. Established authors can get multi-book deals, and then it becomes a bad sign if they're only offered a contract for the next one- well, unless it's a brand new series or standalone.
Alex- My understanding of the transaction direction is like Laura's. The publisher drives the advertising and promotional (coop) budgets, and that will make the stores decide to pay attention, so to speak, with decent numbers ordered and good placement. Other than a small "staff pick" section or something, the stores are mainly purveying what publishers are willing to invest the most in, not arbiting taste and then telling the publishers where to spend the cash for max. impact.
Both publishers and stores are often surprised by the well-grea$ed title that fails to flicker and the neglected orphan of a book that catches fire.
Laura- Sure, it might not say much, but it gives us something to chat about on a day otherwise without posts. Besides, tell me the picture doesn't rule.
Oh, I would never tell you any such thing. Though you do have to wonder about what people are thinking when they post certain images for the world to...admire?
I know. No expectation or desire for privacy.
Hi Clare,
I love the picture!
I appreciate the information here. I think its interesting that BN focuses on the previous book sales on BN. The first book could have done very well on Amazon, at Borders and in library sales but if it did less well at BN, then they are not going to feature it prominently.
Sounds like they want to make sure they continue to appeal to there customer base rather than try to "grow" it a bit.
Terrie
Keep in mind that BN does see itself as more than just a bookstore. It was the first mega or chain bookstore to begin its own publishing program. When it was getting ready to release its first offerings, it told all the publishers that it needed to make room on the shelves, so was cutting back purchases from each of them by a certain percentage.
Beyond that, however, it is a business. And the primary goal of all businesses is to make a profit. (Hmm, I smell a post here.)
Photo story:
"You're grounded until you're 30, young lady. An EPT has nothing to do with extra-sensory perception!"
"Shuhh, whatever!"
Oh, that's a goodun, Leigh.
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