The Book Publishing Game
April 2006 By Denny Hatch
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Welcome to the Toughest Business on Earth
April 11, 2006: Vol. 2, Issue No. 28
IN THE NEWS
According to publishing guru Dan Poynter, a survey by the Gallup Organization found that 82 percent of the population believe they have a book inside them. Six million people have already written a manuscript.
That means millions of manuscripts are making the rounds of publishers and agents.
Normally, the review in a professional e-newsletter of a new children's book on tugboats--the first children's book ever published by a 112-year-old maritime company--would be nothing more than a minor curiosity.
But as a result of last week's discussion of book publishing and how Print on Demand is changing the centuries-old book-publishing model, a number of e-letters arrived with questions and comments.
And this little children's book—just 18 pages with a $5 price tag—is a fascinating illustration of the topsy-turvy world of 21st century book publishing and what it means to would-be authors.
Paul Wilbur wrote:
(Click on "Readers Respond & Debate below for Wilbur's full text.)
The answer to Paul Wilbur's questions requires a quick, down-'n'-dirty look at the economics of advertising and promotion--not just for books but for any business.
The Absolute Necessity for Repeat Customers
When I was running Target Marketing magazine, I would get at least two phone calls a week from folks who had a product that they wanted to sell by direct mail. What advice did I have?
"What else have you got," I would ask.
"What do you mean?"
"What other products do you have to sell?"
"I don't have any other products."
"How much does your product sell for?"
April 11, 2006: Vol. 2, Issue No. 28
IN THE NEWS
AMAZING TUGS by the Crowley Corporation
Every once in a while a book comes along that captures the imagination of kids and adults who are young at heart. The Crowley Corporate Communications group has published a children's book about tugboats entitled AMAZING TUGS.
—MarEx Newsletter, April 7, 2006
According to publishing guru Dan Poynter, a survey by the Gallup Organization found that 82 percent of the population believe they have a book inside them. Six million people have already written a manuscript.
That means millions of manuscripts are making the rounds of publishers and agents.
Normally, the review in a professional e-newsletter of a new children's book on tugboats--the first children's book ever published by a 112-year-old maritime company--would be nothing more than a minor curiosity.
But as a result of last week's discussion of book publishing and how Print on Demand is changing the centuries-old book-publishing model, a number of e-letters arrived with questions and comments.
And this little children's book—just 18 pages with a $5 price tag—is a fascinating illustration of the topsy-turvy world of 21st century book publishing and what it means to would-be authors.
Paul Wilbur wrote:
I read a lot, both for work and for pleasure. I probably average upwards of $250 a month for personal reading, and have largish spikes over the year for business reading. I presume that I would be a worthy member of the publishing world's target audience ... So how come the publishing world can't reach me? Have there been any creative ideas to reach their audience recently? Ever? I buy used books from bookstalls--those guys reach me. But new books from major publishing houses? Never.
(Click on "Readers Respond & Debate below for Wilbur's full text.)
The answer to Paul Wilbur's questions requires a quick, down-'n'-dirty look at the economics of advertising and promotion--not just for books but for any business.
The Absolute Necessity for Repeat Customers
When I was running Target Marketing magazine, I would get at least two phone calls a week from folks who had a product that they wanted to sell by direct mail. What advice did I have?
"What else have you got," I would ask.
"What do you mean?"
"What other products do you have to sell?"
"I don't have any other products."
"How much does your product sell for?"
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