The Heretic
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 2:00AM in J.D. Rhoades by J.D. Rhoades
While reading Tess' post last week on how it's not enough to be a writer anymore, I had a bit of an epiphany. It was expressed this comment in which I said:
I wonder if [publishers would] be saying that, say, book trailers were so vital if the publishers were required by law to write, produce, and pay for them, or if they'd say "aw, why bother, book trailers don't really sell more books."
And websites...you think anyone bought THE DA VINCI CODE because of Dan Brown's website? Does he even HAVE one? How many if the people who made Michael Connelly's last book a bestseller discovered him through his website?
I'll admit, that comment came off perhaps a little crankier than I had intended. Actually, truth be told, I was a little crankier than usual that day for reasons we don't need to go into right now. But I think the point's still valid: you may sell some books through the kind of marketing "everybody says" you have to do. But I really don't think that the people who make blockbusters blockbusters are buying books because they saw a trailer, or even because they saw a website.
I know this sounds like heresy. But I think we here at Murderati, and all of us folks who frequent the book blogs, are a bit of a skewed sample. Most of us are not only hard-core book geeks, we also probably spend a lot of time on the Internet.
But here's something I've noticed. A lot of the biggest readers I know, including mystery readers, don't spend a lot of time Web-surfing, and those that do aren't hitting the book sites. My in-laws are voracious readers, and they don't even have a computer (which gives them more time to read). Several of my colleagues in the law biz read a lot, and I can't remember a single one of them telling me they bought a book because they saw a trailer for it on YouTube or stumbled across the author's website. I know I've sold some books via people I've met on Facebook, and a few due to the blogging I do, but none of those sales were enough to kick me up to the bestseller lists. And while there have been a couple of times I'd have had to take off my shoes and socks to count the number of books I've sold at bookstore events, more often than not I can just use the fingers of one hand. There have only been a couple times when the sales themselves justified the cost of the gas.
Now, do I think that publishers are just being evil and sadistic by telling us we need to do more and more, and pay for more and more out of our own pockets? Not at all. I think they're just as baffled as we are, and when something looks like a good idea, and they don't have to pay for it, they're willing to say "hey, go for it," especially if everyone else seems to be doing it.
But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Lord knows, that's happened before. So writers and readers, I want to ask you to do me a solid. I'm going to pose a few questions that I not only want YOU to answer, I want you to ask at least one friend or relative who reads and who you know IN PERSON, not just on the ''net.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
It's a totally unscientific survey, of course, but I'm interested in the replies.
Reader Comments (120)
Nope
2. ...based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Nope, found their online presence later.
3. ...because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
Nope
4. ...because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes, a couple of times. I actually bought a few audiobooks when I had (gasp, I know) never heard of this Michael Connelly guy. It was a two-fer on CD and I had a lot of driving to do and wanted to get my money's worth. I've done the same with Jonathan Kellerman, Tony Hillerman, and a few others I should have been reading all along.
I also bought White's KILL ME and Higgins's THE BORMANN TESTAMENT because I liked the premise on the jacket, and Deaver's THE TWELFTH CARD because I'd seen the film of THE BONE COLLECTOR and saw that 'Twelfth' had that Lincoln Rhyme guy. Took me a few chapters to realize Rhyme wasn't supposed to be black.
Some had good placement, some not so good.
5. ...for any other reason, why was that?
True Story - I was looking online to research if there were many characters whose military experience was from Desert Storm instead of Vietnam (as was so common for a while), and I found this guy on the library web that wrote thrillers AND was from right near me in NC. So, I read it and then went out and bought a copy. I also decided to get all stalker-ish and...
Hmm...nevermind about that last part, Dusty....
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
Once. "Plague Year" and it was because it was on Nathan Bransford's blog with a, "isn't this a great book trailer? Who says you can't make a great trailer with no budget?" I was so captured by the premise of the novel--which I thought was a brilliant premise (and not quite as good execution, although it was pretty good--so I went out and bought the book.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Never. Yes.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
No.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes. All the time. I would say 60% on the front tables or NEW sections, and 40% just browsing the stacks.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Sometimes an interesting book review or word of mouth, which for me comes not so much from other readers, but from publications like Mystery Scene Magazine or ITW Report or ads in USA Today.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
No.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Never have, but I have visited their website and/or blog after reading their book(s).
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
No.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes. Two names pop into mind. Linda Fairstein and Laura Lippman. Both times this happened, I was in an airport. I spotted Laura's in the Baltimore airport (imagine that!) around 1998 or 99. I picked up Final Jeopardy in the Atlanta airport. Both these were in paperback, by the way.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
I pick up books by writers I've never heard of fairly often. I love to browse around in book stores and pick up books randomly - usually in the mystery section, but not always - read the jacket copy and if it sparks an interest, I'll buy it. Most of the time though, I have to limit this sort of buying to paperbacks.
NoBut then I'm not that interested in trailers.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Yes. About a half of the authors that post here regularly I had never heard of before I started reading Murderati. Based on their posts and views expressed here I then sought out their books for purchase...and have recommended them in person to anyone that even looks halfway interested.It's only been in the last year or two that I keep track of my known authors websites so I can see when new books are coming out...although they can be handy source to links to other websites of people I haven't read before.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
There aren't that many instore promotions where I live to make my no significant.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes...usually in it's genre section.Sometimes on the end shelf display.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Sometimes recommended by staff that know my taste.I can be attracted by my own highly subjective taste in regards to covers enough to read the first chapter.Sometimes it can be enough that it's set in a location I'm interested in...sometimes because a situation is totally alien to me, and I want to see where it will go... sometimes because I can tell that a strong slightly flawed female character beyond anything I've come across is a main character.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
NOPE
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
YES. I followed a favorite author to a group blog, got to know the other bloggers there, felt a "personal" connection with them and started buying their books.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
NO
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
YES. Usually audiobooks. And I confess, usually I find these on closeout aisles and figure with the discounted price, I can take the risk. (Tuesday Morning and BAM's discount area are my two favorite spots). "discovered" Robert Crais, Kathy White, Jonathan Kellerman, etc.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Personal RecommendationA review that interested me
I will admit that I avoid any book on Oprah's list. She and I do not share reading tastes.
Sorry about that...
So, a website not only functions as a news source for your fans, it also serves as an online business card. I'd recommend building a site to any new writer out there.
As for trailers, I'm not so sure of their value.
Here's my answers btw.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
NOPE
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page? Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
AFTER
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
NOPE
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
YES. On the shelves, but with its cover facing out.
So, a website not only functions as a news source for your fans, it also serves as an online business card. I'd recommend building a site to any new writer out there.
As for trailers, I'm not so sure of their value.
Here are my answers btw.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
NOPE
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page? Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
AFTER
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
NOPE
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
YES. On the shelves, but with its cover facing out.
Ad - noTV ad - noRadio interview - yes
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
As a reader, I would say no, but as an author, I can’t say for certain. In this business, you spend so much time interacting with other authors, doing cross blogs, etc, that it’s entirely conceivable that when I’m in a bookstore, I see a title and think “Hey, that’s so-n-so’s newest. It sounded pretty good when we were doing the Writerspace chat together, etc.”
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest? NO
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes. Usually the romance or fantasy section when I was browsing for other titles. I carry a list of books in my purse that have been recommended to me by other authors and reader and often I'll see another title that will catch my eye when I'm looking for them.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
95% of the books I buy are recommendations from readers, authors, and other people I know. As noted under question #2, there have been times when I’ve picked up an author from something I’ve seen while doing promo or industry research, like reading Romantic Times magazine. Now, all that said, I subscribe to the theory “50% of promotional effort works – nobody knows which 50%, though!” I think it is effective to do a wide variety of promotion techniques that put you in contact with new and existing readers, because they are the long term investment in success. A reader who loves your work is going to tell a bunch of people about it, and if some of them agree with her, that net spreads. It’s not instant success, but over ten years of steady build, it seems like the best strategy is a multi-faceted one with that primary aim in mind – win the reader’s heart.
An important side effect of those promo efforts is the impact on other authors as well. I secured an agent because an author with an agent liked my work and recommended to the agent that she take me on as a client. Another NYT bestselling author loved one of my books and talked it up on her blog, drawing more readers to my stories. So again, it really seems like building a web, or the foundation of a house, one solid brick at a time.
That’s just my two cents. Great blog! Loved the comment about publishers being baffled (lol). They'd likely agree with that. ;>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_4qwVLqt9Q
booksellers passed it along to each other, put it in their newsletters, on their websites, etc.
It's worth noting that what's attractive about the video isn't it's production, it is it's authenticity.
2. Online presence? — Nope. And my day job is web developer. Visiting an author's web site is always an after the fact thing for me.
3. Bookstore appearance? — Yes, including a couple of authors who've since become among my all-time faves. John Straley? Accidentally happened to walk in on an appearance.
4. In store? Yes. Usually faced out. I wander the shelves looking for new finds, but it's hard to find those new finds when they are spine out only. Amazing how few spines are designed to actually be readable, let alone interesting or attractive.
5. Other? — Recommendation from others, particular bookstore staff and friends. Reviews also, though less often. I've also bought books based on hearing or reading author interviews. Print ads have sometimes inspired me to at least check out a book, but it has to look interesting for other reasons. TV and radio ads for books are a turn-off for me.
2. No, usually find the web presence after being aware of the author
3. No
4. Yes, my most common method, location depends, in some cases due to a specific display catching my eye, or in the new arrivals section. If I'm looking for a specific genre just through browsing the relevant section
5. Typically through recommendation of friends who share similar tastes or a review I have read, particularly if it is represented favorably in comparison to other authors I already enjoy. Of course there's also just the whim of the moment where the jacket synopsis sparks my interest
These days, people expect to be able to find you on the web, even if that's not where they discover you first. A web presence is necessary and valuable, though I doubt it sells many books.
I will buy because:
1. I know and already enjoy the author.
2. A trusted resource has recommended it to me.
3. A good review for a genre I enjoy.
4. I've read the first chapter in a book store and decided to take a chance.
I definitely get ideas for new authors/books from blogs like Murderati, but I always use my tried-and-true buying method: read first page, read random page, read another random page. Never the back copy. Rarely read reviews, because I don't want to know *anything* going in, and reviews tend to reveal way too much.
In the store, I usually rely on my brilliant and extremely well-read friend who works in an independent bookstore to recommend new authors to me. (But I still use my "read 3 pages" routine to decide to buy or not.)
If I'm on my own, I scan the general fiction and the mystery sections, picking up books at random. Titles sway me a lot, cover art some.
2. Yes, I bought your book, J.D. because I saw you on facebook and then I checked out your website. I also intend to purchase some books by other authors for the same reason. Facebook has brought me in contact with authors that I normally would not know by any other means.
3. I've only bought books from authors appearing in bookstores if I know them.
4. I've bought mystery books by authors I've never heard of mainly because of the cover and also many non-fiction books. {mainly books on writing, publishing and fitness books}
5. There are many non-fiction writers out there that I have never heard of, so if the subject is of interest, I will buy the book whether I've heard of the author of not.
Now, since I've been writing, I don't have as much time to read. I still go to library book sales, first look for favorite authors, then again look for covers and first pages I like. The majority of books I buy now are autographed from authors themselves whom I've met in person. Once in a while, I'll buy a book from someone who appears on my blogspot or another's, someone whose blogspot I follow, or someone I've met on a listserv. I've also bought books that sounded good on Internet newsletters. Unless it's a short trailer, I either don't have the time to watch it or I get bored.
Morgan Mandelhttp://morganmandel.blogspot.comhttp://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.comhttp://twitter.com/morganmandel
No.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Never the former, very infrequently the latter.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
No.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes, plenty of times, and those books were usually on the regular shelves, not in premium positions.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Word of mouth. A friend said it was great.
Hype and online promotion may bring books to my attention that otherwise I might have missed, but unless the author shows me they know what they're doing by not screwing up their opening then I'm not going to buy their book regardless of how much or how little they've done/spent to promote it.
Until agents and publishers stop believing those types of promotions work, I'm afraid we're all going to have suck it up and do it.
Yes, even Dan Brown has a website.
To answer your questions, I'd answer yes to #3, 4, and 5. Book trailers never talked me into anything.
I confess, what I'm a sucker for is an intriguing cover. That's the number one attraction. Then some great flap copy.
I've come around to believing that the internet works as a book-selling tool only when it magnifies what we already know actually does work -- reader word of mouth.
No. In fact, I've seen a couple of book trailers that were so poorly produced and acted, had I not already read the books in question, they'd have turned me off of doing so.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
After.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
Yes. Several times.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes; one of my favorite books ever, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver caught my eye because of the vibrant color red on the paperback edition. Tana French's In the Woods was prominently displayed at my independent book store and I gave it a go; it was one of my favorite reads of that year.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Typically word of mouth.
Cathy
Amen, Brother!
Recently, an author sent Backspace an op-ed that touches on this heresy as well. We published it because we feel it's important for authors to have a realistic view of what Internet promotion can and can't do for sales. http://www.bksp.org/content/view/148/1/
To your questions, it appears I and my Real Life Person are in the majority:
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
Me: NOReal Life Person: NO
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Me: NOReal Life Person: NO
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
Me: NOReal Life Person: NO
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Me: YES. FRONT TABLES, MOSTLY, SOMETIMES IN THE GENRE SECTION.Real Life Person YES. FRONT TABLES, MOSTLY, SOMETIMES IN THE GENRE SECTION.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Me: MET THEM IN PERSON, SUCH AS AT THRILLERFESTReal Life Person: RECOMMENDATION FROM OTHERS, REVIEWS IN TIME MAGAZINE OR ON NPR
Sort of. There's a great bookstore in Toronto called Sleuth of Baker Street (you can see them in the dealer's room at Bouchercons) and the owners Marion and JD will often recommend a book they think I'll like because they know me.
At Murder on Main Street in Vermont the owner talked to me for a few minutes and then recommended "Go With Me," by Castle Freeman, a terrific book.
I think bookstores call it 'hand-selling' and it probably accounts for most new author sales.
Be a shame to lose that.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?NoOr did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?Yes, case in point Jochin Teorin's book which I realized I'd seen on Sarah Weinman's blog
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?Yes
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting?Yes.Where was it in the store? The mystery section
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?The cover made me pick up the book, the inside flap jacket info grabbed me
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?NoOr did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?Yes, case in point Jochin Teorin's book which I realized I'd seen on Sarah Weinman's blog
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?Yes
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting?Yes.Where was it in the store? The mystery section
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?A recomendation or the cover made me pick up the book, the inside flap jacket info grabbed me
2. Website, blog, or MyFace page? Or... AFTER? In terms of buying an author, no. In terms of buying a book, yes. I did buy The Darwin Awards after seeing the website, I believe, or seeing a link to it on a skeptic's website. But that was a website first! Similarly, we also bought the LOLCats book, because we followed the website. (So I'm not hard-boiled. So sue me.) The nearest to this is reading a review on a website, which doesn't really count, by your question.
3. Appearing in a bookstore and caught your interest? I think so, but usually when we were there to see Toni and someone else was there! Not by accident, I don't think.
4. Saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it? This is my most common approach. I poke around the bookstore across from our office downtown all the time. I've bought books on the new book tables, the new book sections in areas I normally look (e.g., history, SF, mystery) on endcaps ditto, and sometimes when they are just laid out on special tables as well (e.g., the buy 3-for-2 deal Borders does). Finally, I search through my usual sections for writers I know, but have had my eye caught by a title or cover, after which I read the description.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that? Recommendations by others I trust, well-written reviews that catch my eye (more often for nonfiction, in Salon.com), or it catches my eye in a store and I like the concept.
2) I bought THE MAN WITH THE IRON-ON BADGE by Lee Goldberg because of his blog, but I also because it sounded like something I would enjoy. It's (sigh) still on the TBR stack.
3) I have never bought a book by an author I had never heard of because of a signing. I have many times bought books by authors I HAVE heard of at signings, though.
4) I can think of a couple of times when I bought books I had never heard of because the cover or title caught my eye: THE BOOKMAN's WAKE by John Dunning, and THE POLISH OFFICER by Alan Furst.
5) I have bought many, many books from authors I never would have heard of if not from blogs, email lists, and general Internet word-of-mouth. In fact that's how I hear about most of the new authors I start reading.
2 -- maybe; if by 'never heard of' you really mean until just stumbling upon the website, then no; if it counts that I heard of the author somewhere, under any kind of circumstance, and then looked at the site before deciding to buy or not, then yes.
4 -- yes; I just browse to find reading material, rarely buy from the table(s) out front, usually on the shelves in the section I'm interested in at the moment, with covers and end flap commentary being important; browsing Amazon has been very costly for me.
5 -- yes and the explanation is going to be convoluted (and subject to my poor memory):
I grew up with books in the house, including a two volume Lincoln Library and set of Britannicas (we also had an operating V-8 engine in the basement, a mounted set of messaging bells from a stern wheel paddle boat, a full sized Wurlitzer juke box, rifles and guns, etc). There were teachers in my family. I had a library card, at least by junior high. There were lots of things to be interested in and be curious about. Knowledge was its own reward. I don't remember not reading. (We didn't have a television at home until the mid 50s, which was after I started school in 1953.)
After college, I started buying books: a Britannica set of my own (and their Great Books series), dictionaries, thesauri, books on whatever college had whetted my appetite for. If I wanted to know about a subject, I'd go to the library or buy a book. I was still into knowledge acquisition. In my mid 30s, when I finally moved far enough from home to not have family as a convenient backup, my taste in reading finally tipped more to reading for fun.
This also coincided with the rise of the personal computer, which I finally got for my home in 1988. I hooked up to the Internet in 1995. The die was cast. My mid 30s to late 40s found me reading mostly what my friends were reading. But after cruising the 'Net, if I found something, I'd buy the mentioned book -- often by looking through Amazon for it. (Does anyone else remember when Amazon sent thank you gifts to customers at the end of the year?)
AOL had discussion groups. They had Usenet access. That was how I found rec.arts.mystery. RAM is what opened my reading to more than Cornwell and Grafton and Grisham. RAM is how I learned about Bouchercon. The Vegas B'con is how I met Pari. Pari started Murderati. I would have wound up here in any case, Dusty, because I knew you from RAM. But the online experience has widely broadened my reading list. Going to Bouchercon has too.
When I see a recommendation online, or hear a new (to me) author speaking on a panel, I will probably do some (more) online investigation about the author's work. If I like what I discover, I will most likely try at least one of his/her books. Often, the title I choose will be the one most highly rated on Amazon, or recommended on sites like Books-n-Bytes or Fantastic Fiction, or rated well by a few favorite reviewers.
The process of who I choose to read has taken a lifetime, which includes all that has happened and developed along the way. Now, most of my new reading will come about in some way because of the Internet.
2. Never bought a book, but yes, did read a book (several actually) via the library. Up until last year, with the exception of Lee Child's and Jennifer Weiner's work, I never even thought to look for an author's website (frankly, I thought that would be more of the publisher to handle to allow the author to, well, write - and what do I care what the publisher has to say? Nothing more than I already knew by reading the book.)
3. Last time I was at a bookstore (other than the quaint used one in town which never has book signings, it would be a fire code violation) was back in college, I think. So no.
4. Yes! I won't qualify the book's location because when I do actually go into a store (Target, Costco, used book store), I have to sift through books and I spend my time reading the backs and first few pages because, oddly, I feel strange without Amazon or B&N's reader ratings and reviews.
5. All the time.
This year is the first time I've ever paid any attention to Internet trailers (although, I've been intrigued by a few tv trailers that I've seen, but admit not enough to remember the title and run out to buy it), spent anytime visiting author websites or the like (although, I've been to both Jenn's and Lee's sites long ago just to see when they would be in town and am always a day late and a dollar short). The only reason I've been investigating has been to figure out what I'll have to do in order to promote my own book.
My personal book buying experiences come from boredom at the airport or having run out of reading material on vacation and by reading the covers and first few pages of a number of books before I even do make the purchase. I seldom buy new, I'm raising a family. I never buy a hard cover unless it's half the price of the paper and even then hesitate because I don't have a lot of space. I will buy collections and have a kid that does the same.
Personally, I'd spend my money promoting by using LibraryThing's Early Reviewer and their newest feature (can't recall it, but essentially you're bound to reviewing the book on Amazon.com in exchange for a free book), getting beta readers to read the book and put up reviews at Amazon/B&N/Powells and the like. As a reader, I could care less about author websites. Why? It ruins the fantasy of the characters/worlds/places/situations I read about.
Hope that helps, J.D.! I'll be sure to forward the survey to a few good friends of mine, including a couple that are exclusively readers, not writers. ;0)
1 - trailer - no. We have a very slow internet connection and it seems counter-intuitive to watch a visual medium in order to be tempted into buying a non-visual medium.
2 - online presence - sometimes. If I come across an author by some other means, I may go and check out their website, particularly to see if there's an extract I can read to get a handle on their voice. But, all this does is make me pick up a book by that author when I next visit a bookstore, and have a flick through. It does not make me rush onto Play.com and order it unseen.
3 - appearance - again, I have bought books by new-to-me authors if I've done bookstore events with them, but normally the only time I'd buy a book at a bookstore event would be if I was already a fan.
4 - store - yes. Particularly if the cover or the title grabs me, or if there's a backlist all lined up to get my attention. I also go to the remainder stores (I know - double heretic!) because if I take a low-cost chance on a new-to-me author and enjoy it, I'll go out and pay full whack for their next book.
Also, we don't have the same proactive sales style in bookstores in the UK. You're pretty much left to your own devices and you're lucky if you get a desultory, "Thanks" on the way out. In the States, I've watched in amazement as people who work in bookstores handsell like crazy to people who come in and ask them for recommendations.
This, to me, is the reason for doing a bookstore event. I don't expect to cover the cost of fuel on the night, but it's great to meet the bookstore staff and hope that you've left enough of a good impression that they'll handsell you long after you've gone.
5 - other - word of mouth and swaps from friends, but not really reviews or blurbs. Most of all, I distrust hype. It has in the past actively put me off reading or buying a particular author, rather than attracted me towards them.
I have frequently bought books by authors whose panels I attended at conventions, if I liked what they had to say. But, again, that would only make me seek out the title on the tables in the book room and have a look. If it doesn't grab me, it stays where it is.
So, I quizzed my Other Half, what does make us buy books by new-to-us authors? We cruise the mystery/thriller aisles in bookstores, looking for titles that jump out at us, looking for a body of work. So, if it ain't on the shelves, or the backlist is no longer available, that's a big drawback.
No, and sadly, I have 4 book trailers promoting my books on the Internet and youtube.
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
No.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
Yes.
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Absolutely. Mostly on the front tables but sometimes face out in the genre sections.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
They grabbed my attention on a panel at a writer’s conference.
I put websites in a different category, as I think they're necessary for booksellers, reviewers and avid readers to get the latest info on upcoming books.
The rest of it? Feh. Although I do have several friends who say they've purchased Toni's books because the extraordinary voice in her blog posts here.
If it were left up to me, I'd put all promotional dollars (my own and the publishers) into bookstore displays and placement and added visibility for the books on Amazon and barnesandnoble.com.
2 - I once took a book out of the library after reading an author's web site, but never boguth one. My Control Sample friend has never done so, either.
3 - No for me; yes for him.
4 - Yes for both of us. Could have found it anywhere: shelved by topic, Buy 2 Get 1 Free table, front display.
5 - I can't think of any, but my friend has, if the topic interested him.
1. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw the trailer for it on the Internet?
Me: No, but I did get one fan mail from a reader who bought 14 when they saw the video on YouTube. Since it cost me nothing to make, it made me money.
Randy: No
2. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of based on their website, blog, or MyFace page?Or did you more often find the author's 'net presence AFTER you read them?
Me: Net presence after reading, definitely.Randy: Bought non-fiction based off blogs.
3. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because they were appearing in a bookstore and they caught your interest?
Me: Yes, I have.Randy: No
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Me: That would be 90% of my buys. I roam the stacks, so anywhere and everywhere. The two for one table is always a draw...
Randy: Yes. Face out on a shelf, not on the co-op tables.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
Me: Friend recommendations. If I'm skeptical, I go to the library for one. If I love it, then I buy them all.
Randy: Met at a conference
Distribution and placement are 9/10th of the law. Dusty, I think your point is well taken.
Here are answers from my hubby to your survey. He's an avid reader.1. No2. No3. No4. Yes. Most of the time the books are on the shelves and they're near others -- they have interesting covers or descriptions that intrigue me.5. Often I try out authors in the library and if I really like them, I'll buy their later books.
Me?1. No2. No3. Yes4. Yes -- shelves usually in genre specific or category specific locations. I'm not much of a "front of the store" kind of gal and have never used those Amazon "If you bought this book, you'll love this one . . . " doohickies.5. Yes -- see #45. Yes
Previously (I'm now reading so much I joined the public library)my main mode was the New Releases shelves, relying a great deal on the cover picture and Staff Recommended sticker. But over the past 5 years or so, I've found genre identification important in my selections. And once baited (Perez-Reverte and his Fencing Master turned me on to Spanish authors translated) I'm a sucker. Back to that cover picture and the proferbial 1000 words... If you are writing about Southern Noir, then give me The South on the cover. Be it title, road sign, wisteria... shit, I don't know, never been to any Carolina.North or South.
I do know that if there is a babe with a cleavage, more men will pick it up (thereby excluding many a woman reader/purchaser)... I swear my whisky book did so miserably because the publisher put an old Scot on the cover where I wanted a babe with a gigar swigging a single malt.
The single biggest mover of books, in my opinion, is word of mouth. Spend your marketing on putting out 100 or 1000 samples among readers... who, with the economy up the creek, will share them with friends and neighbors (with advice to read..."it's amazing")and in no time, you will have traction in the marketplace... at which point Facebook comment etc kick in and cash registers tingle.
Oh.. did I mention PR... interviews in the press with the author certainly kick some sales - remember, many people read authors and not necessarily good writing - which is why Paris Hylton outsells Dusty Rhoades. Ouch.
D
My mother, on the other hand, is one of the most avid crime fiction readers I know, having purchased and checked out from the library hundreds upon hundreds of books through the years. She can barely use the Internet for e-mail and would also answer "no" to most of the questions except possibly:
4. Have you ever bought a book by an author who you'd never heard of because you saw it in the store and it looked interesting? Where was it in the store?
Yes, she's done this, but it's always in the mystery fiction section.
5. If you've ever bought a book from an author who you'd never heard of for any other reason, why was that?
She prefers mysteries by women authors, because she doesn't like excessive violence or foul language.
Since my mother is in her 70s, perhaps an interesting study would be a breakdown of the questions by age group. I have a suspicion that folks under 40 would be much more likely to respond "yes" to the first 2 questions.
2a. - No 2b. Yes
3. No (Can't recall ever being in a bookstore when an author was there. Maybe I live near crappy bookstores.)
4. A couple of times...maybe. It was on a display in front, on a sale table, or on an endcap most likely.
5. Somehow (if I signed up for it, I don't remember)I ended up on an email mailing list from an independent bookstore. I get the vast majority of my new authors from their list/recommendations. They've all panned out really well, so I trust their opinion. If I like a book, then I'll go check out the author's website. Sometimes those author's recommend or mention other books or writers that I'll go try.I can only think of one writer I really enjoy who, as far as I can tell, doesn't have a website at all. Hasn't kept me from seeking their books,though.
Also, since I've ordered from B&N and Amazon, they send at least one email a week with one thing or another that may make me go wandering through their site.
Although, the ones they send that say "You've looked at so and so, we think you might like such and such...", spooky. Stop following my breadcrumbs!
Mike makes an excellent point about the importance of the website for other purposes than pure sales bump.
Josephine touches on something with this response: "Until agents and publishers stop believing those types of promotions work, I'm afraid we're all going to have suck it up and do it."
How much of this stuff do we do, not to actually sell books, but to impress the publisher and get them to put the push behind a book that only a publisher can?