Ordered 12 Copies!

I have the great fortune of having parents who own their own store.  They have graciously offered to put the book front and center on their front counter.  Today, I took the plunge and ordered 12 copies off www.createspace.com and I am having them shipped to them.  I hope with a little encouragement from my folks people will actually buy the book!  That would be novel.

Since publishing the book and informing friends and family, I have sold a whopping 5 copies.  I am thinking that my description of the book is not totally clear.  I believe improving the way the piece is marketed would be better.  I am going to think outside of the box on this.  Maybe write the description from the perspective of a "marketer" and not the "author".    

So each book was around $2.15 + shipping and handling.  My investment thus far is around $45.  I am also going to investigate filing for a business license.  My hopes are that I will be able to deduct costs from publishing off my personal income taxes.  If this thing sells, I will have to pay business taxes anyway!  Might as well get that paperwork going.  Plus, there are some pretty pricey additions to this whole marketing portion.  Here is where I think some bigger checks are going to be written:

Printing press release with full color
Printing invoice slips for mailing
Stamps
Full color flyers
Purchasing a list of businesses in the state

My thought is to target parishes one-by-one.  I could avoid purchasing and simply identify businesses online and drop a press release in the mail.  I will continue to keep you posted on these developments.  Happy publishing!  

Camille
http://amzn.com/B008A0UVPG

Time to Light a Real Fire

I must say, writing this book came so easily compared to the process of actually selling it.  When you are writing, you are in your own cocoon.  You struggle with returning to mundane writing tasks, but it is an overall pleasurable experience.  You read and reread.  You edit and reedit.  By the time it comes to print, you are ready to shelve it.

Here comes the hard part (and I now see why many don't go this route), marketing.  I have to write a press release and then find bookstores or other retail locations to sell the book.  Unlike email, stamps cost money.  Even a list of stores who may be interested in carrying it is going to cost me money.  I could develop something and simply go door-to-door, but, honestly, do the owners of stores really work there?  Isn't that what employees are for?

I am SERIOUSLY considering printing several copies and just paying to participate at local markets.  Simply sell the product directly to the customers.  My other thought is to get one of those cigarette girl contraptions and just walk the markets.  Is that legal?

So, here is where the numbers come in and the publishing houses.  They have the moolah and the staff to make these things happens.  Writers who are fortunate to be chosen into their castles really do just sit back and watch the small (or large) checks roll in.

I never even shopped this text around to area publishers.  I figured I would prefer to receive the majority of the royalties.  That said, I am starting to see how receiving 6% on profits can be WAY easier.

Seriously, I need to light a fire under my toosh and get the word out about the texts availability.  If I don't, it will languish out there like a toad on a log.  Means nothing, just exists.