It’s Never the Same
Book Publishing Ups and Downs and All Things Sideways
I’m about to have my twelfth book published, and I’m scrambling to get the word out. You’d think by now I’d have a perfect system in place. Well, I don’t, but I have an excuse. This time is different than the previous eleven times.
Yep. Each book comes into the world in its own unique fashion. Book One was Sliding on the Edge. When I had all the book signings set and I had one week before that date, the bookstore called to tell me they didn’t have any copies. The publisher hadn’t sent them. So I was about to speak to a group of readers, encourage them to buy my book, but there were no books to buy. I caused a few ripples in the stream when I paid for books to be rushed to the store, but I had books and I sold them.
And then came Book Two: I’d flown to Orlando to present at the NEA conference, and sign The Princess of Las Pulgas. The presentation went really well, and I was feeling very comfortable about this launch, but when I got to the room where I was to sign copies and talk to people, the only books there were—guess? Sliding on the Edge!
By this time, I’m not a novice anymore. I even have a few jokes to cover the confusion, especially mine. And now we come to Book Three, Double Negative. It’s with the publisher. They’ve done a reader impression study. They like the results, so they’re going to publish it. Then they don’t because they close the young adult imprint. So it’s hi ho, hi ho and off to find another publisher. I did. This book came out, I actually had books at the signing. I just didn’t have anyone attending. Yep. The publicity hadn’t gone out in time, so nobody knew there was an author coming.
I have eight more publication stories to share. I’ll do that later because right now, I have to deal with another issue for this most recent book launch.
The publishing business, there’s nothing like it. I love it. I hate it. I learn from it every single time.
What’s your take on publishing books? Any interesting experiences of your own? Lay it on me. I love a good story.
Well, I hope this release goes well. Better find some wood to knock on. ;)
Hope the issues are cleared up! My own publication tribulations are of my own making, and mostly have to do with me being no good at marketing. Though the last time I had an event at my old library, it was absolutely pouring and only 3 people came—one of them my husband. Since I moved, I haven’t made any connections for that sort of thing.