Even Some Experts Can Get It Wrong
By Jerry D. Simmons | October 4th, 2006 | No Comments » (Click to add yours!)
This past weekend I had the pleasure of speaking to a wonderful group of authors at a Writers Conference in Valley Forge, just outside of Philadelphia. At this conference were many nationally recognized speakers including Dan Poynter, John Kremer, and Brian Jud.
I discovered that even the experts could get it wrong sometimes. Some of the information was inaccurate and misleading. Not in a malicious way, it’s just that a few of the speakers seemed to be misinformed or out of touch with the marketplace. Let me share some examples with you.
- One expert stated that major New York trade publishers release hardcover, trade paperback and mass-market titles simultaneously.
- Another said that individual authors could convince major distributors such as AMS, Anderson Merchandisers, Charles Levy, or W.H. Smith to distribute their books.
- The final inaccuracy of the experts was when one said that any individual author could develop relationships with the largest booksellers in the country.
These are just three examples of information the experts shared with their audience last weekend. My explanation here is meant to empower you with information that you can use and not waste time or money on something that will ultimately result in failure. Now let me explain.
- The reason the first statement is wrong is because the release of three distinct formats of a book at the same time would cannibalize the sales of each; it is not done, has never been done, and will most likely never be done. When you see separate formats of an individual title listed on Amazon that does not represent a simultaneous release, it means there are copies of each available for sale. Check your release dates.
- The second statement is wrong because the largest distributors of books in the world will not accept individual titles for distribution to their customer base because the publisher, you, does not have the capability to supply their network and cannot be expected to offer terms agreeable to these type of booksellers.
- The final statement is wrong because relationships take years to develop and require the opportunity to meet with people who can make decisions on a regular basis. The chances of an individual author being able to walk in a door and even set an appointment with a key person in the organization who can buy and sell your book is non-existent.
The speakers each take a different approach to the business of selling books. I’m not opposed to the differing view, just the inaccuracies of the information offered as expert opinion. My goal is to share information with you that I know is accurate based on my 25 years of experience. This brief explanation is my way of saying be aware, even some of the experts can get it wrong.
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