The first time is not always the best time.
That is as true when it comes to publishing books as it is when it comes to dating.
But, as with dating, if your book's sales Do not spark immediately, Do not give up hope.
Things may catch fire the second or third time around.
Many books fizzled when first released.
But the authors believed in their work so strongly that they did not despair.
Instead, they hung in with the book and kept trying to pump life back into it until they succeeded.
For example, Women Who Love Too Much, sold only 300,000 in hard cover, while the author was certain its potential audience numbered in the millions.
Robin Norwood kept politely urging the publisher to do more, and when the book was finally issued in paperback, it sold seven million copies.
Below is a partial listing of methods authors have used to resuscitate books that were seemingly stillborn on publication: * Taking the book directly to readers by selling it during lectures and workshop appearances * Seeking a new publisher with greater expertise in the book's subject area to reprint it when it goes out of print * Finding new ways to distribute it.
mail-order, websites, specialty catalogues, etc.
* Getting a movie, documentary or television program made that is based on the book * Selling it to newly emergent electronic media.
CD-ROM, ebooks, computer games, etc.
While I can not guarantee you the extra effort on your part will always turn your book from an apparent loser into a bona fide winner, I can guarantee that if you Do not make the effort, your book will always remain a loser.
That is as true when it comes to publishing books as it is when it comes to dating.
But, as with dating, if your book's sales Do not spark immediately, Do not give up hope.
Things may catch fire the second or third time around.
Many books fizzled when first released.
But the authors believed in their work so strongly that they did not despair.
Instead, they hung in with the book and kept trying to pump life back into it until they succeeded.
For example, Women Who Love Too Much, sold only 300,000 in hard cover, while the author was certain its potential audience numbered in the millions.
Robin Norwood kept politely urging the publisher to do more, and when the book was finally issued in paperback, it sold seven million copies.
Below is a partial listing of methods authors have used to resuscitate books that were seemingly stillborn on publication: * Taking the book directly to readers by selling it during lectures and workshop appearances * Seeking a new publisher with greater expertise in the book's subject area to reprint it when it goes out of print * Finding new ways to distribute it.
mail-order, websites, specialty catalogues, etc.
* Getting a movie, documentary or television program made that is based on the book * Selling it to newly emergent electronic media.
CD-ROM, ebooks, computer games, etc.
While I can not guarantee you the extra effort on your part will always turn your book from an apparent loser into a bona fide winner, I can guarantee that if you Do not make the effort, your book will always remain a loser.
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