October 24th 2002 Times Online UK http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/magnus_linklater/article816965.ece
A BOOKER VICTORY FOR THE LITTLE MAN HAS MADE THE BIG PUBLISHERS EAT THEIR WORDS
There is, after all, a God of small publishers. By awarding the Man Booker Prize to Yann Martel for his delightful novel Life of Pi, the jury also gave a massive boost to the tiny Edinburgh publishing house of Canongate, the only independent company on the list.
At a time when media empires are expanding farther and faster than ever before, when booksellers are setting increasingly ferocious terms, and proud names such as John Murray, Harvill Press and Fourth Estate have fallen victim to the conglomerates, it is reassuring to learn that there is still room for the small enterprise armed with passion, enthusiasm and a devotion to good writing.
Not that these alone will do. The lesson of Canongate’s success is that passion and enthusiasm are no longer a nourishing enough diet in the harsh world of modernpublishing. The days of the gentleman publisher, armed with nothing more than an elegant back-list and a promising young writer, will never return. On the contrary, with nearly 120,000 new titles being published in Britain every year, the market has never been more crowded, nor the competition so bitter. Unless you have a commercial sense which is every bit as keen as that of your larger rivals, you will not make it for long. As the hero of Life of Pi says at one stage: “I had a plan and it was a good one. I only needed to survive to put it into effect.”
Surviving means facing daunting odds. With the ending, in 1995, of the Net Book Agreement which protected the publisher’s cover-price, the booksellers have grown increasingly powerful, devouring their smaller rivals and imposing tough conditions on publishers. Chains such as Waterstone’s, Ottakar’s and Borders demand a discount of 50 per cent and sometimes as much as 65 per cent if they are to put books on sale. In order to guarantee a decent display in the front window a publisher will have to pay even more. It is known in the trade as a “marketing contribution”. The less charitable might call it a bribe.
The bigger companies, like Random House, Transworld, or HarperCollins, have far greater resources than Canongate could ever muster to ensure that their potential bestsellers are given the prominence and publicity they need. One recent report estimated that Time Warner in the United States has to allocate $100,000 (£65,000) to each book it publishes to cover the cost of promoting it. With overheads such as this, it is not surprising that the big players are looking for sure-fire successes in the form of proven writers, and that if their latest book fails to cover its costs, it will be rapidly remaindered.
Against this kind of background the chances of a small publisher surviving at all, let alone putting its long-term plan into effect, might seem remote. What Canongate has spotted, however, is that this apparently ruthless climate offers an opportunity to the independent firm. Authors who feel themselves squeezed out by the system, or underrated by a larger publisher, may be on the lookout for someone who can offer them the personal commitment they lack elsewhere. It is no coincidence that Mr Martel, whose previous two books were published by Faber, was drawn to Canongate’s owner, Jamie Byng, because he had heard about his drive and enthusiasm.
Although Faber was offering five times more than Canongate, “their warmth felt a little stale”, according to the author. What Byng had instead was tireless ambition, a determination to see the book succeed, and the marketing skills to match. Since he had already demonstrated his ability to pick winners, and, unlike many small publishers, was able to match his book production to the retailing schedules of the big sellers, doors that might have been closed sprang open.
By winning the Booker, Canongate stands to sell an extra 100,000 hardback copies and, by the time the paperback goes on sale, will have made at least £2 million net profit from this book alone. Its challenge now is to stay small enough to retain that personal touch, while growing sufficiently to take on the authors who will increasingly beat a path to its door. Other independent publishers have gone to the wall or been taken over because growing sales have led to unsustainable overheads.
Canongate has to avoid this if it is to survive. Its plan, surprisingly, is to publish less rather than more. In 2000 it published 125 books. This year it brought out 85. Next year it plans to reduce that total to only 75. Along the way, however, it has managed to increase its revenue and its profits. By choosing only those books in which it believes, and to which it can devote personal attention, it believes it will be in a better position to nurture and promote its authors.
Small, it seems, can indeed be beautiful.
Mangus Linklater
Sunday, April 08, 2007
SELLING YOUR BOOK ON A RADIO SHOW
Performances on radio talk or news shows are the workhorses of book-promotion activities. With radio as part of your communication plan, you can reach hundreds or even thousands of people at little or no cost. You can even sell some books, if you do it right.
Most radio shows are conducted over the telephone, from any place in which there is a good connection, no background noise and where you can talk uninterrupted for the length of the show. Telephone interviews provide inexpensive exposure because the producer will usually call you. Here are several guidelines to make telephone interviews more effective:
* As you agree upon the time and date with the producer, confirm your time zone. The producer may say he or she will call you at 3:00, but is that 3:00 p.m. in your time zone?
* Do not use mobile telephones and do not ask the station to call you on a line with call waiting. Similarly, this is not the time to impress your friends by having them listen to you on an extension or speaker phone.
* Have a specific area set aside for telephone interviews, one in which you can keep your notes, books and pad handy. Unplug nearby phones if they are on a different line.
* Nobody will say, “You’re on the air,” so always assume the microphone is hot (live).
* Your host may want to give the audience the impression that you are in the studio. He or she may say, “Here with us today is Dallas Robertson, owner of the website Vanity Press Distributors.” Take the hint and do not make comments such as, “How’s the weather there?”
* While you are on hold, either before you begin the interview or during a break, you will hear the station’s regular programming. Listen for key points to which you can refer later. On long shows, the host may talk to you during the break to plan what you will discuss during the next segment.
* Give your ears a rest. Alternate the telephone from one ear to the other during lengthy segments. If you have a speakerphone, engage it during the breaks only.
* Before a long show starts, ask when breaks will occur and how long each will be. Listen for the show’s theme music, which will usually start at low volume and increase as it leads to the break. Close your answer as the music begins.
* Keep water nearby and drink it generously, but only during breaks so the sound of your swallowing is not heard on the air (and if the water goes down the wrong pipe, your coughing will not interfere with your interview).
* Keep your list of questions and answers in front of you. Refer to it regularly and make notes as you speak.
* After two or three shows in one day, you may begin to wonder if you are repeating yourself. Make notes as you speak to remind yourself of what you said earlier.
* Write the host’s name phonetically at the top of your note pad and use it during the show. Do the same with people who call in top ask you a question during the show.
* Sit in a comfortable, quiet chair. If you gesture frequently, try standing as you speak. Keep your head high to open your breathing passages; relax your jaw muscles and you will speak more clearly.
* Do not schedule telephone interviews too closely together. Invariably, one will be delayed due to an unpredictable event, perhaps impinging on the time allocated to another show.
* Rarely will you get bumped (canceled on short notice), but it can happen. If so, be polite and reschedule your show for another time.
* At the end of the show, you will get the chance to tell the listeners where they can find your book. Spell out your web address clearly.
If you are thorough in your preparation, you will alert your host to your potential as an interesting guest. You both will be relaxed, and the interview will be conducted between two professionals, both trying to create an interesting, informative and entertaining show to meet their respective objectives. When this occurs, you may be asked back to repeat your performance.
Published March 7th 2007 by Brian Jud for http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=174
Most radio shows are conducted over the telephone, from any place in which there is a good connection, no background noise and where you can talk uninterrupted for the length of the show. Telephone interviews provide inexpensive exposure because the producer will usually call you. Here are several guidelines to make telephone interviews more effective:
* As you agree upon the time and date with the producer, confirm your time zone. The producer may say he or she will call you at 3:00, but is that 3:00 p.m. in your time zone?
* Do not use mobile telephones and do not ask the station to call you on a line with call waiting. Similarly, this is not the time to impress your friends by having them listen to you on an extension or speaker phone.
* Have a specific area set aside for telephone interviews, one in which you can keep your notes, books and pad handy. Unplug nearby phones if they are on a different line.
* Nobody will say, “You’re on the air,” so always assume the microphone is hot (live).
* Your host may want to give the audience the impression that you are in the studio. He or she may say, “Here with us today is Dallas Robertson, owner of the website Vanity Press Distributors.” Take the hint and do not make comments such as, “How’s the weather there?”
* While you are on hold, either before you begin the interview or during a break, you will hear the station’s regular programming. Listen for key points to which you can refer later. On long shows, the host may talk to you during the break to plan what you will discuss during the next segment.
* Give your ears a rest. Alternate the telephone from one ear to the other during lengthy segments. If you have a speakerphone, engage it during the breaks only.
* Before a long show starts, ask when breaks will occur and how long each will be. Listen for the show’s theme music, which will usually start at low volume and increase as it leads to the break. Close your answer as the music begins.
* Keep water nearby and drink it generously, but only during breaks so the sound of your swallowing is not heard on the air (and if the water goes down the wrong pipe, your coughing will not interfere with your interview).
* Keep your list of questions and answers in front of you. Refer to it regularly and make notes as you speak.
* After two or three shows in one day, you may begin to wonder if you are repeating yourself. Make notes as you speak to remind yourself of what you said earlier.
* Write the host’s name phonetically at the top of your note pad and use it during the show. Do the same with people who call in top ask you a question during the show.
* Sit in a comfortable, quiet chair. If you gesture frequently, try standing as you speak. Keep your head high to open your breathing passages; relax your jaw muscles and you will speak more clearly.
* Do not schedule telephone interviews too closely together. Invariably, one will be delayed due to an unpredictable event, perhaps impinging on the time allocated to another show.
* Rarely will you get bumped (canceled on short notice), but it can happen. If so, be polite and reschedule your show for another time.
* At the end of the show, you will get the chance to tell the listeners where they can find your book. Spell out your web address clearly.
If you are thorough in your preparation, you will alert your host to your potential as an interesting guest. You both will be relaxed, and the interview will be conducted between two professionals, both trying to create an interesting, informative and entertaining show to meet their respective objectives. When this occurs, you may be asked back to repeat your performance.
Published March 7th 2007 by Brian Jud for http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=174
Monday, April 02, 2007
LOCAL NEWSPAPER COVERS VANITY PRESS DISTRIBUTORS
From The Guardian Express, March 27 to April 2 2007 p. 10
The full transcript of the article is as follows:
"When Dallas Robertson noticed a gap in the world of publishing, he jumped online to do something about it.
The Maylands resident is the owner of Vanity Press Distributors, an online distributor of small and self-published books.
The business is an outlet for authors frustrated by traditional publishing houses.
Robertson said he had the idea three years ago while studying to be a librarian.
But it was working at a library and watching self-published authors refused distribution that motivated him to act.
"In the past, self-published books used to be of poor quality but today, with the advancements in printing and the like, the books end up looking professional," he said.
Robertson said the sales focus of larger publishing houses meant that good authors with a small target readership but something to say missed out.
"For example I get a lot of autobiographies, which is one thing I really do like about it," he said.
"They're not from Paris Hilton, people famous for being famous, but they've lived extraordinary lives in their neighbourhood."
Vanity Press helps authors who do not know how to sell or market their books.
It has been running for a year and sells more than 50 titles.
Robertson is selective about the presentation of the books he distributes but will accept books on any subject matter.
"I am not too worried about what people write in the book. I come from a library background so I believe in freedom of speech," he said.
"In publishing circles, in the past when someone went and published their own book it was regarded as vanity, because they were not good enough to get their own book published.
"I thought it would be good to take the name back."
For more information, visit www.vanitypress.com.au."
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
NEED A COVER ARTIST?
Have you written a manuscript and are about to self publish?
Don't rely on the printer to organise your cover.
Despite the adage, people DO judge a book by the cover (just read this article to find out - http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173). If you want to increase the chances of selling your book, your cover must be outstanding.
Warrigal Press can provide cover artists and illustrators at excellent prices. They have a list of talent on tap ready to make the cover of your book sell it for you.
Contact Bob Sheppard at Warrigal Press on 08 9295 0891, or visit their website at http://www.warrigalpress.com.au/.
Don't rely on the printer to organise your cover.
Despite the adage, people DO judge a book by the cover (just read this article to find out - http://blog.selfpublishing.com/?p=173). If you want to increase the chances of selling your book, your cover must be outstanding.
Warrigal Press can provide cover artists and illustrators at excellent prices. They have a list of talent on tap ready to make the cover of your book sell it for you.
Contact Bob Sheppard at Warrigal Press on 08 9295 0891, or visit their website at http://www.warrigalpress.com.au/.
AUTHORS WANTED - NO GIMMICKS!
Have you got a manuscript of around 3000 words? Warrigal Press wants you.
Warrigal Press is seeking manuscripts from Australian writers in the following genres:
- Crime
- Mystery
- Horror
- Science Fiction
- War
- Romance
- Western
If you have an exciting new manuscript of around 3000 words and are interested in joining a growing team of writers, cover artists and illustrators at Warrigal Press, contact Bob Sheppard at bobsheppard@warrigalpress.com.au.
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