Ideas for marketing a novel

[D.B. Cunningham]

Hi all! I published my novel through XLibris. I'm getting some marketing materials from them, and I can spends hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars more on additional marketing. I'm not sure it's worth it. My novel is available on line from XLibris and will be available from Amazon.com, Bn.com, and borders.com. It would nice for it to be available in San Diego at brick-and-mortar bookstores. I planned to approach the independent bookstores in town. I'm also exploring how to get on calendars to give readings. I've been so focused on finishing the novel and seeing it through publication that I didn't really think through the marketing aspect in advance. I appreciate any suggestsions!

[Stephanie]

Hi there!

I am waiting for my novel from XLibris. Were you happy with the actual physical quality? I've been pleased with their customer service so far but I've heard some not so good things about the actual physical product. I'm also starting to think about marketing and checked into Warwicks bookstore in La Jolla. Seems awfully hard to get a reading there...hmmm, there must be some other things to be able to do without spending tons of dollars...good luck to us both!

[D.B. Cunningham]

Stephanie -- I got the premium package which included editing and they did a really good job. I supplied my own cover art, and it came out great. The only quality complaint that I have is that the text starts really close to the left margin and extends to within a half inch of the right margin. The same was true of the hardbound. My complaint is that it takes them so long to fulfill an order. I'm going away for a couple of weeks, but when I get back, I plan to get creative on the marketing front. I ordered a number of copies in case it turns out that driving around with them in the trunk of my car would help. l'll keep in touch with you on what I find out.
Donna

[Stephanie]

Hey there...thanks for quick reply. I went to your books website...very nice! I also supplied my own cover art and I'm worried that the pdf file they send me seems a little "blurry" But they keep telling me that it is low resolution and the real thing in person will be clear. Was that your experience? I have a book from a friend published in 2004 from Xlibris and I just looked at their text and it doesn't seem too close to the left margin to me. I wonder if they would've changed that? Do you mean to say that it is so close, it is almost into the crease/spine, rendering it hard to read? One other question...is the "free hardbound" book you get (I got professional package so had to do own editing) but is the author's copy of the hardbound book the real thing...or is it somehow a pre-prototype? Sorry, I lied...a few more questions! How long is it taking them to fill an order? Also, when have they told you your book will show up on Barnes & Noble, Amazon and the others?

http://kayemarket.blogspot.com/

Hopefully, that link will come through. Just some ideas I found about marketing. Thanks again Donna!!

Stephanie

[D.B. Cunningham]

My experience with the cover was good. They do send a low res file because the high res file is huge. I'm really happy with the quality of the cover. I'm being really picky about the print being close to the margins. It's acceptable. I'm assuming the author's copy of the hardbound book is the "real" copy. I'm telling people to buy the paperback. They send you a six page email with the final version of the book. They want 4-6 weeks to send you free books and marketing materials. I think they tell people who order from the web site that the book will take 2-3 weeks. They distribute your book through Ingram. They say it takes 30 days to register the book with Ingram and that can take 30-60 days beyond the Ingram registration period. So they say you can expect to see your book on the etailer's web pages in 60-90 days. Since they only guarantee a year of availablity, the way I see it they spend at least 25% of that time making the book available.

Thanks for the information on marketing. It was really helpful. I've already printed it out, ordered baseball caps and shirts with my book cover logo, and put a signature line on all my emails.

[Stephanie]

Yes, the signature on the emails was a simple thing and one I'll be doing too! What do you mean by "free books and marketing materials?" I think that must be something that comes on your package but not mine? I'm supposed to get 10 paperbacks and one hardback, I believe. I've never heard of Ingram either. That isn't listed on their website, is it? Is that the company that gets it on the other bookstore online sites? Anyhow...did they send you postcards yet? I think I'm supposed to get some of those too...and a few posters? I actually bought the basic package and thru a special got upgraded to the Professional package which supposedly included a registered copyright. Do you by chance know anything about the legitimacy of that? Is it really done legally? I guess I'm a little paranoid because after signing with Xlibris, I started reading some really bad press about them and now I'm always looking over my shoulder, waiting for something terrible to happen!!

I'll keep posting if I come across other good marketing techniques!

Stephanie

[D.B. Cunningham]

Stephanie -- My books have ISBN numbers and a Library of Congress number. I'm not worried. XLibris is affiliated with Random House and I imagine that Random House doesn't want to get into trouble with the Govt. I got the Premium Package (got an upgrade like you did). I get 20 free books and I think 2 hardbacks. I got the proof of the postcards to approve but it takes weeks to get the actual postcards. I also get business cards and bookmarks. They sent the proofs of those too. Did you know that the people you talk to are physically in the Philippines? The books are printed in Philadelphia, but everything else happens in the Philippines. My experience with Xlibris has been very good. I got a good recommendation for them from a friend and that's why I went with them. I'm happy with everything except the shipping
delay.

[Stephanie]

Yes, my experience also has been quite good and as I mentioned the friend from 04...his book looks great. I did know about the Random House association as well, (another reason I picked them) and the Phillippines, but it's funny because my "consultant" sounds like he has an accent from there, but timewise, area code wise and even first/last name wise, everything else says Philadelphia! By the way, How do the postcard/bookmark/business card proofs look? It's a shame they don't give that at the same time the book comes out...because that's when you need and want it the most. You're excited and you want to generate that excitement to others. Anyhow, I'm at the stage now where I approved my galley cover, but found more problems in my interior...so I hope they fix them quickly and we can move on. I started the process beginning of Feb. How long did it take you approximately from start to book in hand?

Well, back to researching more marketing strategies!

Stephanie

[D.B. Cunningham]

Stephanie -- I sent them the final manuscript early in December. It came out March 11. Some of that delay was due to the fact that when they sent me the edited copy, I just checked over the changes rather than reading the whole manuscript. So when they sent a "final" draft, I had about 20 corrections to it, and it cost me another three weeks. The marketing materials all look good.

[Stephanie]

Hi again...quick question...Today I have received my supposed final galley and I have found a few lines that for lack of a better description appear to be "smooshed" together, as in the words seem closer together than with a full standard space in between them. It looks that way on screen and it looks the same way when I print out the page. Does this have something to do with the way Xlibris makes all the sentences come out even on the right hand side of the page? It looks very strange...some of the words almost appear to run together. Did you notice that in any spots in your galley or manuscript?

How is marketing going??

Stephanie

[D.B. Cunningham]

Stephanie -- I'm just back from a three week trip. By all means, you should call your XLibris rep and tell them about your concerns. My book looks OK except for the small margins I mentioned before. Once you sign their form, if things need to be changed, you have to pay. Make sure you tell them BEFORE you send back the form. I left before my marketing activities got very far. So far I know some of my friends have bought the book. I have not yet received the author's copies they owe me, nor the marketing materials. I'll call them today to find out what is going on. They did create a cute web page for me which will be up in the next few days. Now they are trying to sell me thousands of dollars in marketing activities. I haven't answered and of course the prices have been slashed in half. Mostly it involves displaying my book at conventions and shows. I'm going to speak to them on the phone today and I'll get back to you with more details so when they hit you with this, you'll be armed with some foreknowledge! It's great to be back in beautiful San Diego!

[Stephanie]

Welcome back...thanks so much for the response. I have called "my rep guy" and he's taking his sweet time getting back to me.

Have the friends who have bought the book received it yet? You already received your hardback and your paperback, right? That's how you know the margins are small. So, by "author's copies" do you mean the rest of the "free" books you were supposed to get.

Wow, I would've thought you would have gotten their "marketing materials" by now.

By the way, have you heard the big ruckus about Amazon now...insisting everyone use their printer or turn off the "buy buttons." Xlibris uses "Lightening" printers so I think they could be in danger of not being sold on Amazon. I'm trying to find out more but this is heavily debated and controversial right now among the POD industry.

[D.B. Cunningham]

Stephanie -- Did you get your funky printing problem resolved? I have been dealing with the marketing people and the emails they send me have really funky spacing. I wonder if they have problems with their fonts. I told the marketing people that before I give them more money, I want the stuff they promised me. I missed a call from someone who wanted to follow up with me, and I'll call her back tomorrow.

The marketing deal is to be included in exhibitions. I may say yes since it gives wide exposure. By the way, their tracking is excellent. They list each book sold by the city to which it is mailed.

I didn't know about the "Lightening" printer issue. I'll ask about Amazon next time I talk to them.
Donna