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The Truth About The Publishing Business POD Publishing With Lightning Source You Must Invest In Book Reviews |
You Must Invest In Book Reviews Besides being a self-published author, I also sit on the other side of the desk as the publisher of a nationally circulated RV newspaper/magazine, the Gypsy Journal. In the past I owned several community newspapers. Over the years, I have reviewed hundreds of books. Unfortunately, there were many other very good books that were never reviewed. Was this because of time constraints or a lack of space in my publications? Because they did not meet our editorial profile? No, the reason these books did not get a review is because their authors and/or publishers wanted me to purchase a copy for review! They were not willing to invest the cost of a copy of their book to get a review, but they expected me to make that investment! How many potential buyers never heard about their book, because they were too frugal (read cheap) to supply a review copy? To sell a book, you MUST get it out there in front of readers. Book reviews do that for you. Yet, I have talked to and corresponded with many authors over the years who just don’t seem to understand that very few publications are going to give them the time of day, much less any review space, if they are expected to purchase the book to do so! Why should I, as a publisher, be willing to buy your book to give you free publicity? What’s in it for me? I already have plenty of material to fill my pages.
Recently I was strolling through the vendor area at an RV rally when I came across a booth where an author was displaying his book on RV travel. I picked up a copy, thumbed through it, and was impressed. The writing style seemed very good, the layout and design were attractive, and the cover was eye catching. I introduced myself, gave him my business card and a copy of the Gypsy Journal, and complimented him on his book. We chatted for a few minutes, and then I offered to review his book in our next issue if he wanted to supply me with a review copy. “Really?” he asked. “I’ve sent out eight or ten e-mails about my book and none of the other RV magazines has even replied! What’s the secret to getting books reviewed?” “Most won’t respond to an e-mail,” I told him. “I get dozens of e-mails every day. If you want a publication to review your book, you have to find out who handles the reviews, and send him or her a letter introducing your book and offering to supply a review copy. Or better yet, send them a letter and a copy of the book up front. They may not have the time to respond to your letter, but it they have the book in front of them to look at, your chances of it getting reviewed are much better.” “Then how do I get paid? Do I just send them an invoice for the book with the cover letter?” he asked. “You don’t get paid,” I told him, “It’s a review copy. The magazine is doing you a favor by reviewing your book so their readers will know about it and want to buy it.” “So they don’t pay me for the book?” he asked incredulously. “They expect me to give it to them? How can I make any money that way?” “You don’t make any money off that particular copy of the book,” I tried to explain. “Think of a review copy as advertising. You make money off the sale of all of the other books that the review will hopefully generate.” “Yeah, hopefully,” he said, “and if nobody buys anything from the review, I’m out the cost of a book! What a racket! If anybody wants to review my book, they’ll pay for it just like everyone else!” I handed him his book back, wished him well, and walked away. I’d like to think that this was an isolated case of a self-publisher who just had not done his homework and does not understand how this business works. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Over the years I have had many authors and publishers solicit me for a review, and then expect me to purchase their book so I can review it. When I read for pleasure, or to further my knowledge of a subject, I expect to pay for my books. But as a reviewer, I will invest my time in a suitable book for review, but not my money. For any business to succeed, it must advertise. Review copies of your book are some of the best advertising you can do. |
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