J.A. Konrath, creator of the series featuring Chicago police lieutenant Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels (Whiskey Sour, Bloody Mary), is in the midst of the most aggressive publicity campaign I’ve ever seen. Konrath plans to visit 500 bookstores in 23 U.S. states between now and Bouchercon, at the end of September. His schedule can be found here.
To say that Konrath is methodical is a bit of an understatement. He has the “bookstore blitz” down to a science: sign the inventory of his books on hand (and place a business card/bookmark in each copy), chat up the booksellers, leave behind a free copy of his new novel, Rusty Nail, get business cards for follow-up, obtain names of the bookstore personnel to use as future character names, and ask for hand sales.
This level of guerilla marketing may strike some as unseemly conduct for a writer. I, on the other hand, admire Konrath’s gusto, not to mention the fact he understands that being an author is akin to being the CEO of his own corporation. If the book fails, it won’t be due to any passivity on his part.
Konrath’s blog is keeping track of his progress. I’m rooting for him.
5 comments:
Well, there's lots to admire about this author's energy for his work. Charles Dickens went on extensive book tours. What makes this effort seem a little... (what's the word?) crass is that there's no mention of him having contact with readers, which would seem to me to be the point of a book tour.
and from the point of view of a reader, I don't want my "independent" bookseller to recommend a book to me because he was just chatted up by that author. That's crass.
I'd rather they recommend books based on other things. Like awards, good writing, an interesting theme. Not on marketing. Isn't there enough marketing in the world already?
Laura James
Nothing matters except the book be well written and have an interesting theme and pull in the reader and give the reader something to hold on to and remember.
But if it weren't for marketing there would be no way for readers to find out about books that do those things.
There are over 3000 suspense novels alone written each year and reviews sources have shrunk by 50% and the average book gets less that $2000 in marketing from the publisheer. And there are only half the number of indy stores now there were ten years ago- so hand selling doesn't happen like it used to.
That's why authors are getting involved.
We all wish we didn't have to but if we didn't so many of our books would be invisible to readers.
I also admire Konrath, but I fear that he will become the standard by which other new writers are judged -- and all of us will fall short by comparsion.
He's also pretty decently paid for his novels by Hyperion, which allows him to self-promote pretty much on a full-time basis.
Laura, I think the point of a book tour these days is just to reach as many people as possible and let them know about your book. As MJ points out, without marketing, it's very easy for any book -- even a really great one -- to fall by the wayside.
And Dickens can not be the staff by which we measure crass. From my understanding, he pretty much embodied that. (And Dickens wasn't trying to sell books: he got paid for his personal appearances. Like so much else that he did, Dickens was doing it for the money, plain and simple.)
MJ, while you're here: didn't I read somewhere that you have a part in this tour of Konrath's, as well? Tell us about that. And maybe give us a URL where we can see more about it.
Crass;
Webster's defines "crass" as "grossly ignorant, coarse, unfeeling, stupid." Hmmm. Let's go back to those thrilling days of yesteryear, say 20 years ago. Independent bookstores abounded, the Walmartization of the publishing industry had yet to commence, there were plentiful numbers of that marvelously creative,lively creature - the "midlist author." Distribution systems were decentralized, beancounters and MBAs were rare on the ground in the executive suites of huge numbers of independent publishers. Writers were expected to - write. Just write. Life was good. The pie was large, and there were many slices.
Today? A handful of large publishers, and those owned by conglomerates, many of whom care not about the diference between a book and a widget; vertically
integrated distribution systems, chains/Walmarts devouring more market share each year. Fewer than half as many indies, and those remaining literally fighting for their lives. Fewer readers with less time in America. And bestseller lists dominated by fewer names, with less turnover. Just look at the numbers. The pie is shrinking and so is the number of slices. And that pie is still largely owned by gatekeeper publishing houses appealing to the lowest common denominator in pop tastes. And Midlisters? A vanishing species. Sisters in Crime has recently commented on that trend. It's not always a pretty sight out there on the veldt, for readers generally, and crime fiction lovers particularly.
Then a stranger rides into town. Call him/her the Lone Ranger, or Henry V. People like MJ Rose, PJ Parrish, Laura Lippman, Barry Eisler, Tess Gerritsen,; and on a different level, Janet Evanovich and James Patterson. These savvy writers, of prodigious talents, understand the business of writing. And they want people to buy books. Good books. Their books. No matter what the bean counters and corporate behemoths say. They use guerilla marketing techniques; they do road shows and media. They find ways to level the playing field. They find their audience. And are loved by their readers for it. Check out their websites. No writers give more of themselves to readers. And they give back to the genre. Janet Evanovich is the President of MWA for crying out loud, which for her is the equivalent of pro bono work. And Joe Konrath writes the single best blog on the web for new writers who want to get that book out of their hearts and into print. Check it out and tell me if I'm wrong.
The industry may be crass. The market may be crass. To a certain mindset that conflates manners/etiquette with sound business choices, the business side of publishing itself may be crass. But writers of this ilk, who refuse to bow in the face of disheartening trends but instead charge into the breach with gusto and joie de vivre, are the saviors of the midlist, a rare ally for the indies, the future of crime fiction, role models for new writers, and no less than the spearhead in a battle for the soul of crime fiction in an increasingly soulless business. And Joe Konrath is one of the best. To him I say, "go-o-o-o Joe!!"
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