tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post5613409865842964639..comments2023-05-10T03:18:50.134-06:00Comments on The Spring Ghazals: QuestionsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-75442694566286550982010-10-13T08:36:12.965-06:002010-10-13T08:36:12.965-06:00Hi Kat: First, thanks for your continued, consiste...Hi Kat: First, thanks for your continued, consistent support of my poetry--I truly value that! Second, thanks for all the great feedback on the questions. It seems $12 is fine, & I do think I need to start booking readings locally--of course, will need to lay in a supply of the book first.<br /><br />Thanks again!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-20280562982210967642010-10-12T19:41:56.362-06:002010-10-12T19:41:56.362-06:00Hi John,
I will endeavour to address your questio...Hi John,<br /><br />I will endeavour to address your questions below:<br /><br /><br /># Do you think that $12.00 US is a reasonable price for an 80-page book of poetry? <br />I think this is a perfectly acceptable price for the book - not too high, but not to low as to sell yourself short.<br /><br /># Would the option of purchasing a signed copy directly from the poet make you more apt to buy the book?<br /> While, I did offer this with "shadowstalking", I don't think it made too much difference. For myself, it would be nice to have a signed copy, but I don't really mind not having one either.<br /><br /># Do you find that live events like readings add significantly to sales? (admittedly, where I live this is a marginal option, but I’m sure I could get something put together)<br /><br />I've only done a few readings and they were before publishing, but I've not put myself out there at all since having done so. I would have to say it could only help to draw attention to the work and I do think the seeing the poet in person would incline someone to be more interested to the point of purchasing.<br /><br /># Would background material about the poems (on a blog such as this for instance!) make you more likely to purchase a book?<br /><br /> I would be most interested in background material and it might make me more inclined to buy the book if I didn't have it already. Would people in general feel that way? I don't know. If they know you through your blog, perhaps; if they didn't know you at all, then background would probably be very helpful.<br /><br /># Would you be more likely to purchase the book if some or all of the content was also available for free online?<br /><br /> This does not really interest me. As a writer, I like to have a tangible representation of other people's work. I might read poetry on a blog, but having access to an online book (at least at this point) holds no appeal for me, personally.<br /><br />I hope this is helpful. By the way, I've got a "re-release" notice for your book at the top of Keepsakes.<br /><br />KatKat Mortensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877694888419628533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-15028488431646125412010-10-12T09:39:18.374-06:002010-10-12T09:39:18.374-06:00Hi folks: I think certain parts of Jacqueline'...Hi folks: I think certain parts of Jacqueline's very helpful comment may be of interest to others so--in case her comment is lost in cyberspace--I'm posting a section of it here. Thanks again, Jacqueline!<br /><br />"As to the questions above, I’m not sure I can add much except to refer you to this link for author Joe Konrath’s blog, “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing” <a href="http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">here</a>. He’s a crime novelist, published traditionally for many years, who’s chucked it all for self-publishing through ebooks. Quite successfully: his sales stats will likely blow off the top of your head.<br /><br />His blog attracts scores of commenters who write in all genres, fiction and nonfiction, and perhaps you can find a tidbit of marketing information you can use. <br /><br />I don’t know if the $12 price is right or not, but the Konrath blog is particularly intriguing for discussions on what the market will bear."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-77856498021042937252010-10-12T09:32:11.171-06:002010-10-12T09:32:11.171-06:00Dave: Update: I've created a better preview--a...Dave: Update: I've created a better preview--at least one poem from each section. Caveat: on my PC, this preview works fine in Google Chrome & in evil IE, but not in my usual Firefox browser. This could just "be me," as I have quite a few blocking add-ons in Firefox. Anyway, thanks for the tip--very helpful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-57713155796278146682010-10-12T09:23:00.898-06:002010-10-12T09:23:00.898-06:00Hi Jacqueline & Dave
Jacqueline: I've got...Hi Jacqueline & Dave<br /><br />Jacqueline: I've gotten your comments in my email--not sure why they're not showing up here, but I really appreciate them. Yes, I've thought of at least posting some recordings; I think that's a good suggestion, & I will check out the site your recommended--I'll also post that here in the comments in case others are interested. You're welcome about the sidebar! BTW, this blog has a much larger links list of independent artists--the RFBanjo sidebar is getting kinda full. If you'd like your site included on the "Support Independent Artists" links list, just let me know. & of course, most importantly, thanks for buying The Spring Ghazals.<br /><br />Dave: Great suggestion on the preview--a detail that had completely slipped my mind. It appears that I can rectify this--I say appears because although Lulu seems of offer the mechanism for doing it, my attempts to edit the preview pages have so far proved futile. But I'll keep trying. & yes, I do need to get going on the reading thing locally--as I said to Rusti, a bit challenging in this locale, but I do have options. Jacqueline--whose great comments have been swallowed by cyberspace, also suggested "virtual readings," a poem or 2 at a time, which I think is smart. Thanks for the feedback on the price, too btw. The barter idea is interesting.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-63774565605791539072010-10-12T09:13:52.670-06:002010-10-12T09:13:52.670-06:00(My second attempt to comment. I must have messed...(My second attempt to comment. I must have messed up the first time.)<br /><br />First, just to let you know that Lulu is finally behaving and I ordered your book.<br /><br />Second, thanks so much for putting “Meet Me in Nuthatch” as a badge on your RFB sidebar.<br /><br />As to the questions above, I’m not sure I can add much except to refer you to this link for author Joe Konrath’s blog, “A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing” (http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/). He’s a crime novelist, published traditionally for many years, who’s chucked it all for self-publishing through ebooks. Quite successfully: his sales stats will likely blow off the top of your head.<br /><br />His blog attracts scores of commenters who write in all genres, fiction and nonfiction, and perhaps you can find a tidbit of marketing information you can use. <br /><br />As for the reasons I would buy a book of poetry, all of the above: because I knew the poet, or was intrigued by background info I’d read, or sometimes even an impulse buy. <br /><br />I don’t know if the $12 price is right or not, but the Konrath blog is particularly intriguing for discussions on what the market will bear. Sometimes it’s not about what a book is worth, but how low you can go and still make a living. We are forced to become salesmen nowadays, and for many of us, our best abilities lay elsewhere.<br /><br />Perhaps you might try giving a “reading” on your blog the way you perform your music. Just a poem or two to demonstrate your style and to help the reader connect with the poet. Then at the end, hold the book up, flash a big, cheesy smile, and tell everyone where to buy your book. Put it on your blogs, and on YouTube.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-34929283166505729762010-10-12T08:56:57.777-06:002010-10-12T08:56:57.777-06:00John, would there be any way to expand the preview...John, would there be any way to expand the preview on Lulu to include a few of the actual poems? I felt frustrated the other day when I tried to get a flavor of the poems. I don't think you need to post the <em>full</em> content anywhere, but samples would definitely help sell it -- at least to me! I think this is especially helpful for self-published authors. $12 is a very reasonable price. <br /><br />I do think most poetry books are sold at readings except for a few dozen of the very most popular poets. Blurbs and impressive pulication credits may help a little -- I've heard that blurbs are especially helpful for bookstore sales.<br /><br />I personally don't care about author-signed copies, but that's a big deal for some folks. <br /><br />One way in which I've gotten copies of my chap into readers' hands is by offering to do barters, which makes economic sense because I spend most of my disposable income on poetry anyway (though barter items included a CD of original music and a self-publsihed novel).Davehttp://www.vianegativa.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-71821274524581247292010-10-12T08:28:44.325-06:002010-10-12T08:28:44.325-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jacqueline T. Lynchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11047941886908178350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-81061796325237388382010-10-12T06:36:40.758-06:002010-10-12T06:36:40.758-06:00Hi Rusti: Thanks! Yes, McCall is definitely a pos...Hi Rusti: Thanks! Yes, McCall is definitely a possibility--Wood River Valley is an interesting thought, & of course there's Boise too. I know what you mean about book values--there's a certain randomness about it. Once again, thanks for the feedback.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15687192784861682991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762501382834269611.post-3411586751551314192010-10-12T06:07:26.770-06:002010-10-12T06:07:26.770-06:00John
I agree that live readings will generate sale...John<br />I agree that live readings will generate sales, perhaps in places like McCall & the Wood River Valley areas. (trips are write-offs, too)<br />I think in today's economy it's difficult to calculate book values. The 'printed word' is tangible, easily referenced later, changes meaning through time...but not all feel like I do. Good luck with your business (ad)venture!<br />Rusti SchillingAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com