| Well, not this. Not the blogging. I'm talking about the promotions, conferences and the constantly being "on". I'm two days back from Pittsburgh and I'm still exhausted*. I can't stay awake. But I'd better. I have to drive to Seattle in a few hours to do some stock signing at the University Bookstore. Duane, the sci-fi/fantasy overlord has ordered it and I'll obey. A word on promo items, I'm still debating whether candy and postcards are effective for boosting sales. The pens are the only things that resonate for me. Of course, the ones I ordered for RT didn't show up until two days after we'd flown out, so I've got lots for Conestoga and Orycon (the last two cons I'm doing this year). I'm thinking I'll ask for some bookscan numbers pre and post con and figure it out from there. I'm certain that being there and being personable, gregarious, available and approachable is more effective than swag. Okay...so it's Wednesday and I still haven't gotten back into the writing. I did write a sex scene for Dark Rites in the Salt Lake City airport, as well as some plotting. Let me tell you, something about being surrounded by all that restraint caused the filth floodgates to open (filthgates?). The Chuck Palahniuk book I'm reading doesn't hurt either. Have you guys read Choke? I suggested it for my book club because I've loved other stuff, but this one is particularly "dirty," which I love, but I can only imagine how the other members are reacting right about now. We'll see. *I've been trying to capture the craziness of the Romantic Times Booklover's Convention on my regular blog. So feel free to check that out. |
Blog Archives
Latest Entries
Coming Soon
Choke, huh? Exactly how dirty is it? Not that I'm into that, you realize. Just wondering...
I was blushing by the second chapter. It's not that it's erotic, either. It's the perspective that makes it dirty.
Give it a shot. I think it's awesome but very dark. You could wait for the movie though.
Re: the candy thing - from a former convention attendee and bookseller standpoint - skip the candy*. Postcards = so-so. (Of course, this is all IMHO and YMMV).
I find that these days, a good blog, speaking well on a panel and talking to folks at conventions and such make for much better word-of-mouth and sales. Candy's fund, but people don't keep the wrappers and don't generally make the connection. Postcards - frankly, at the store I used to work at (an indy) - we put them on the counter or sometimes, if they were pretty or clever, posted them up on a small corkboard. In a few days, they were tossed in the trash. I don't really think they did much for sales. We hand sold the bejeesus out of books we liked, or for authors that we liked.
I could totally ramble on but it's time to get off my soapbox. ::g::
Hope to attend a con with you some day!!
*Story often told at mystery cons (and utterly true as it happened to one of my favorite booksellers) - a couple known for over-promotion sent booksellers a large padded envelope with promo materials, an ARC of the book and several handfuls of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. What they never thought of: most stores in small strip centers get their mail in a central mailbox type location, often outside. This one bookstore owner was out of town for several days and checked the mail when she returned...at least 3 days later, in midst of summer. The chocolate had melted over *everything* in the mailbox. The author and her promo person (hubby) made an impression all right, a very bad one. ::g::
My candy was in promotional test tubes that I had logoed at a medical supply company.
The each said...
Genuine Zombie Plague
Genuine Zombie Plague
Now see, that? WAY cool and extremely unusual.
Definitely an attention getter. :)
I love the test tubes. They are definitely unique. My sister and I were also fascinated by the thumb cuffs, but I don't think they quite fit with your story... at least Happy Hour. Postcards are disposable. Magnets- I love the magnets. Your business cards ROCK. Tshirts... we must do Tshirts... *grin*
Oooo... mini martini glasses with the title on the side? Along with a recipe from the book.
I want to say chocolate... but again, disposable wrapper, but the thought of chocolate and your book cracks me up. You could always do what Jackie does and just have a bowl of Kisses beyond the swag.
D'oh! A 'newspaper clipping' or print out of one of the articles you 'quote' from, but written out in full. It would be alot of work, but that would be hilarious to read. And intro people to your style. I still say you need this on your webpage.
Really... I could go on... you inspire me, Mark! :)
Magnets are cool, pens are always useful, postcards are good things if someone doesn't have your book and you run out of them ;) But I didn't pick up too many at con (I did have to ask Keri Arthur to sign one...sigh.) Candy-I was too shy to pick any up any where. But I have to agree with maria, you guys taking the time to speak with us and seem genuinely interested in meeting us (I'm still stunned at LA Banks hug!) really made an impression on me.
Oooo. I just saw Missy's one suggestion. Recipe cards with one of the drinks on them! That would be cool! I would use that! :)
I don't think I'm making sense at this point. brain has shut down. sorry....
Yeah, the LA Banks hug was so sweet and so unexpected! But man, now I really want to read her book... how could I not? She was one of the nicest authors I met! :) (Ok, they were all nice, but she was so excited to see me! At first I thought she mistook me for someone else.)
Oh, there you go, Mark... show off your Barry-like hair and some mantitty. You'll be at the top of NYT before you know it!
I love the drink recipe card suggestion, Mark. I think that would totally be the kind of thing people would keep.
Oh, and the mantitty of course. :-)
On the drink recipe and mantitty front, why not just combine them and offer body shots?
Jaye earned LRA membership with that comment.
And a restraining order.
I've got some thinking to do.
Mark- Oh no you didn't?? You came all the way up here and didn't stop and sign our books too??? Whatevah dude..(turns back!!!!)
So is the chuck book you are reading .."snuff" I have a copy of that one. It's classic chuck in the most perverse of ways....
I love it.
Synde
Hey Synde. Sorry, by the time I got up there it was 2:00, all I had time for was signing UBS stock and back to the freeway to avoid Boeing traffic.
I'm reading Choke. Though Snuff is totally on the list. Are you a Palahniuk fan?
Are you a Palahniuk fan?>>
Oh my god yes..I think I even read ALL of Haunted. It's ok...about the signing..I only cried a little..(heh)Iknow Duane has the power...(damn him)
Synde
Remember when you were twenty and you had all the energy to take on the world? What? You can remember back that far? Got me beat.
Funny how it's a bitch to keep up with the world nowadays. Just getting up early to get off some writing before putting in a straight eight leaves me dragging my feet. Only reason I don't pass out from exhausion is because my girls need me and my boys wouldn't bother to lend them a hand.
What a drag it is getting old, so says Mick!
Synde - Are you going to be around on the 29th of May? He's going to be at Town Hall. There's going to be a live interview, stories, prizes, plus they're going to show a clip from Choke!
Thanks for telling me. I didn't know about it, and will have to go!! Do we need tickets? How awesome is that he is really nice and interesting in perosn. I ran into him at Bumbershoot last year.
Synde
I ask because I really don't know anyone else that likes him enough to go with me. Do you want to meet up and get our Palahniuk on?
totally!! Email via Lj as it gets closer but count on me!!! I think tickets are 5.00 , so I will check it out..My friends won't go with me, so I am glad that you will!!
Synde