Hello everyone!
Tantalus Depths has stumbled upon one of the best support bases I could have hoped for. Thanks to you all, we’ve passed the 600 pre-order mark and are soaring on our way to that final goal. As thanks to you for getting us this far, the first three chapters of Tantalus Depths are now uploaded on Inkshares. If you’d like to read them, here’s a quick link to each:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
If you missed my video of me reading chapter one, check that out here if it interests you. I’ve just uploaded a reading of chapter 2 as well, chapter 3 to be forthcoming in the near future.
Keep bringing in the support! We’re only a little over two weeks away from the end of the campaign, and have a fair amount of ground left to cover. But we can, and will, get there.
Hey, everyone!
9 days left in the funding campaign, and 83 pre-orders to go to reach the Quill publication goal. It seems daunting, but not impossible!
Can you help get Mission 51 published? If you haven’t gotten your pre-order(s), there is no time to hesitate! Please, get one (or more) now! Why not be on the short-list of Super Readers!? :-)
If you are an author with an active project, get mine and I’ll get yours!
Remember, if I reach Quill, I will match the amount of money that people have invested in me and Mission 51 with a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and their mission to help families with sick children.
Mission 51 is ready to launch. All it needs is YOU!
Thank you for your support! :D
Wednesday updates are becoming my favorite updates. I really enjoy taking a day off my campaigning to throw recommendations at other people’s books that I think really deserve at least as much of your attention as my own.
This week, I want to spotlight M. Robert Randolph’s book, Wings of the Crallow.
In the first paragraph alone, Wings of the Crallow snatches up your attention, then immediately subverts your expectations. This is the kind of experience you can expect to have throughout all of the story currently available to read. The highly symbolic prose of the story’s content lies somewhere between Stephen King’s Dark Tower and ancient epic poetry. Modern writing terminology doesn’t even properly convey what this story is. It’s not merely a story, it’s a journey. Wings of the Crallow is a timeless, utterly phenomenal story I cannot recommend higher. Pre-order it immediately.
And on a separate note, Tantalus Depths has just passed 600 pre-orders!
I’m completely over the moon about this. Tantalus Depths is so close to that finish line...
We still have a lot left to do, but we’ve made it so much farther than most books manage here. I feel destined to reach that sweet, sweet 750. We only have 19 days to get there, though, so everyone get ready for the final push!
Also, as promised, I’ll be releasing chapter 2 as a reward for getting us to 600. Expect me to upload that and my video reading of it some time tomorrow!
You are all such incredible people for getting Tantalus Depths this far. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I approached these outlets in person with my book in hand as soon as it was printed and "orderable".
I came prepared with a short pitch on "why their customers will like the book." I told them it was orderable in their system at the standard industry discount.
If I got any positive reaction at all, I also pitched setting up a book signing at the same time. I never mentioned "crowdfunding" because at this point, it looks just like any book from an author who has a publisher. Talking about crowfunding after your book is out will only confuse people and take away from the central message you want to convey which is "I have a great book from a reputable publisher that your customers want because . . . "
I left a copy of the book with them along with my business card.
This approach worked out pretty well. I have made author appearances at three different Barnes & Noble locations so far and am working on booking more. I’m also in several local Indie stores.
Approaching store managers in person worked better for me than writing or emailing. They get way too much correspondence from self-published authors and don’t spend much time (if any) reading these correspondences because they aren’t interested. They don’t really want to deal directly with authors, mostly just with distributors, their salespeople and sometimes publishers.
Don’t go to bookstores or libraries on the weekend or near the end of a workday. Try and catch these managers when their location isn’t very busy. Around 10 am or 2 pm are good times. Don’t try and catch them just before or after lunch.
Even if you catch them when they have a little free time, they will evaluate your pitch in about 30 seconds and make up their mind very quickly whether they want to spend any more time than that on you or your book.
So be ready to impress them with your pitch right off the bat. "I have a great book from a reputable publisher - your customers want it because . . . . AND it is orderable in your system at the standard industry discount". Smile and hand them your book with your business card sticking out of it. Be ready to answer any questions they may have, but keep your answers short. Smile a lot. Tell the manager you like her shoes or something:-)