Comments on: New hope for old books

By: Tina Gilbertson

Tina Gilbertson — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 15:11:34 +0000

Thank you, Sandy. To be honest, I don’t pay that much attention to sales. However, new customers keep appearing in my ecosystem, thanks in part to the new book. So it does appear to be selling at least somewhat.
Thanks for remembering my first book, which you helped me promote… That one is available in at least 5 other countries now. And as I said, it’s getting more interest because of the new book.
Your information has been so helpful, you’ll always be my book publicity go-to person. The course I took with you was top rate, and helped me make the most of my own promotion efforts. So thank you again!

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 13:54:25 +0000

In reply to Lyn Hancock. I love the title of your first book, Lyn! And yes, publishers absolutely look for authors with platforms because it reassures them that there's an audience waiting for the book. Sandy

By: Lyn Hancock

Lyn Hancock — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 05:17:10 +0000

Good to hear that old books are not dead. My first book THERE’S A SEAL IN MY SLEEPING BAG came out in the 1960s and is still remembered today but the only copies are in libraries. My 20th book TABASCO THE SAUCY RACCOON published in 2006 was a best seller but now only I have new copies – too many – as the publisher had a disastrous wildfire and ceased business.I am left with 3500 copies of my life with a raccoon book. What to do?
If I had finished my 21st book I MARRIED AN EGYPTIAN instead of agonizing over those 3500 RACCOON books, I could have given away a free copy of TABASCO THE SAUCY RACCOON for every copy of I MARRIED AN EGYPTIAN sold. I even had Harper Collins Publishers ask me if they could publish the EGYPTIAN book. But concentrating on TABASCO THE SAUCY RACCOON BOOK prevented that. Also nowadays writers MUST have large social platforms/potential readers if they are to be published by major publishers.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:17:54 +0000

In reply to Tina Gilbertson.

Tina, has it been 7 years already? Yikes! I remember reading about your book in the national media like it was yesterday. It’s an evergreen topic so it should continue to sell for a long time. How’s your new book doing? (Honestly, I hope I never need to read it.) Based on the number and quality of reviews, I have to think it’s doing really well.

Sandy

By: Tina Gilbertson

Tina Gilbertson — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:10:21 +0000

Thank you for this, Sandy. My first book will be 7 years old this year, and it’s starting to find a new audience because my 2nd book came out in 2020.
Writing more books is a great way to passively promote earlier ones.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 23:35:07 +0000

In reply to Radine Trees Nehring. Congratulations on the newspaper feature, Radine! What wonderful news! Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 23:32:21 +0000

In reply to W. M. Raebeck.

Au contraire, Wendy. Many people write books to create a splash. Some write simply to exploit a trending topic or hot category — a permanent contribution isn’t on their radar. (They’re not even interested in what they’re writing about.) You’re more likely to bump into them on an internet marketing blog than you are here, though. My writing is more sympatico with people like you. (Look at me — French, English, and Spanish in one comment!)

I’m so glad to see your “older” book is still doing well. That’s so rewarding, isn’t it? Enjoy it!

Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 23:26:11 +0000

In reply to Julia Goldstein. Great news, Julia! Congratulations! Sandy

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 23:24:37 +0000

In reply to Deb Hockenberry.

That’s wonderful, Deb! You’ve made my day. Thanks!

Sandy

By: Deb Hockenberry

Deb Hockenberry — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 19:49:03 +0000

Hi Sandra,
This was just the encouragement I needed to keep on marketing my debut picture book which came out in 2017!
Deb