Annie Barrows's creative process for co-authoring The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was, by her own admission, unusual. It's not often that your adored librarian aunt hands you a rough manuscript to finish. And allowing for the fact that we are prejudiced towards the novel's pure expression of love for booksellers, we found it to be absolutely delightful. Barrows takes the time to explain her experience of co-writing Guernsey, what it means to be a community of readers, and why we hunger for charm in these modern times. ]]>
As David Carr tells it, "The dude was addicted to coke, got off the coke, obtained custody of his kids, a single parent, got off welfare, survived cancer, married well. But that's not what is resonating with people. It's much more the pathology." The dude being Carr, himself. Kurt Andersen attests,
The Night of the Gun
is "a breathtakingly candid, laugh-out-loud funny, heroically rigorous, consistently riveting, and deeply moving account of a nightmarish descent and amazing redemption." Carr discusses coke and cancer, fact and fiction, parenthood, new media, hope, and his new remarkable book.]]>
Why do Americans spend more than $10 billion a year on bottled water? "The facile answer is marketing, marketing and more marketing," supposes the New York Times Book Review, "but Elizabeth Royte goes much deeper into the drink, streaming trends cultural, economic, political and hydrological into an engaging investigation of an unexpectedly murky substance." The Boston Globe calls
Bottlemania,
"Ingenious. Amiably, without haranguing or hyperventilating, this veteran environmental writer has produced what could be, assuming enough people read it, one of the year's most influential books."]]>
City of Thieves, the newest novel by David Benioff, author of The 25th Hour and When the Nines Roll Over, has been hailed by critics as "a smart crowd-pleaser" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), a "gut-churning thriller [that] will sweep you along" (Kirkus, starred review), and "a funny, sad, and thrilling novel" (Entertainment Weekly). Set during the Germans' brutal siege of Leningrad in World War II, the novel follows the captivating odyssey of two young men trying to survive against desperate odds on an impossible mission through unimaginable depravity. Surprisingly, it's also thrilling, absorbing, and very funny. In this interview, Benioff discusses why it took so long to finish the first chapter, the difficulty of trying to capture the voice of a 17-year-old Russian boy during World War II, and more.]]>
Kirkus calls America America, Ethan Canin's first novel in seven years, "[a] novel of character [that] is powerful and haunting, a major work." It is a sweeping, epic story that more fully explores themes Canin has written about previously — class, politics, fatherhood, wealth, and power — in a seamless and beautiful multigenerational American saga. America America is both an important work and a page-turning summer read. Especially in this election year, it is a powerful reminder about what is great, and what is broken, within our country. In this interview, Canin discusses his new book, the politics of generosity, class-jumping, and method acting for writing.]]>
It's rare that you have the opportunity to interview someone as notorious as James Frey. Whether you were a fan or reader of A Million Little Pieces, you couldn't escape the news of the Oprah endorsement or the subsequent drubbing Frey received on her program when it was revealed that parts of his memoir were embellished. After reading an early advance copy of his new novel Bright Shiny Morning, we couldn't wait to talk with him about it. It's a compelling book about hope and firmly establishes James Frey as the comeback kid of 2008. Kudos aside, our interview with Frey made for one of the most interesting conversations we have had in recent memory.]]>
Two predictions:
The Outlander
will win at least one major award. And
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
will find a home on bestseller lists. When we discovered these two remarkable debut novels and decided to feature them together in
Indiespensable,
Powell's subscription club, someone on staff proposed a joint interview with the authors. Their books share more than you might imagine: runaways, ghostly visions, improvised outdoor survival, scenes rendered so powerfully you may forget you're reading fiction (you may forget you're reading, altogether), and characters that linger long after you close the book.]]>
Aleksandar Hemon, who came to the United States in 1992 from his native Bosnia, and then stayed on after war broke out in Sarajevo, began writing in English in 1995. He won a MacArthur Fellowship in 2004, and has drawn plenty of comparisons to Nabokov both because of his circumstances and his crackling, inventive, and blackly funny prose. The New York Times has called him "an extraordinary writer....not simply gifted, but necessary." In
The Lazarus Project,
Hemon reconstructs the story of an immigrant's death in Chicago a century ago, but it is also a book about storytelling, about the nature of memory and reality, and about the relationship of America to the rest of the world, then and now. In our interview, Hemon discusses storytelling, canvassing for Greenpeace, Bosnian jokes, and his remarkable novel.]]>
The first woman to co-anchor a network news program. Arguably the most influential interviewer of the 20th century. An American icon. Barbara Walters addresses it all in her incredible new memoir, but in fact it's her family story — the human story, pocked with inevitable failures and regrets — that forms the backbone of
Audition.
In conversation with Powell's, Walters talked about Baba Wawa, the art of not interrupting, life choices as evidenced by two Hepburns, W's muddy barn, NBC in the 1800s, and a remarkable life, both on- and off-camera.]]>
In 2000, Jhumpa Lahiri's debut short story collection,
Interpreter of Maladies,
won the Pulitzer Prize. A few years later, her first novel,
The Namesake,
became a bestseller and the basis for a major motion picture. Lahiri's third book,
Unaccustomed Earth,
more than lives up to her previous work: this deeply moving, gorgeously written collection of stories is Lahiri's strongest fiction yet. The Boston Globe raves, "[E]ight beautifully crafted stories that reaffirm [Lahiri's] status as one of this country's most accomplished and graceful young writers." In this interview, Lahiri discusses her new collection of stories, the ways in which her writing has changed, and her literary mentors. ]]>
Willy Vlautin likes racetracks, motels, and diners. He's had a song written about him by stealth performer Herman Jolly, "Woodshack Willy," in which he's referred to as "the countriest western singer I ever saw."
Northline,
his second novel, comes with a soundtrack Vlautin recorded with his Richmond Fontaine bandmate Paul Brainard; it was published this winter in the UK to rave reviews. We're thrilled to be able to share this conversation between Kate Bernheimer, author of
The Complete Tales of Merry Gold,
and Willy Vlautin in which they talk about horses, music, and hard work. ]]>
The Washington Post claims, "Picoult has become a master — almost a clairvoyant — at targeting hot issues and writing highly readable page-turners about them...It is impossible not to be held spellbound by the way she forces us to think, hard, about right and wrong." In her new novel, "Change of Heart," Picoult tackles thorny issues surrounding religion and capital punishment with grace and aplomb, creating a fast-paced but thoughtful exploration of free will and redemption. In this interview, Picoult spoke about the Gnostic gospels, visiting death row, and moving interactions with her readers.]]>
You might think it would be hard for a writer to top an achievement like the novel Clockers — but then, you wouldn't be thinking about Richard Price. With his latest novel,
Lush Life,
Price tears the shiny veneer off the "new" New York to show us the hidden cracks, the underground networks of control and violence beneath the glamour. It's a powerful, riveting book that is as much character study as crime story, with dialogue so rich you can't help speaking it out loud. When Kirkus raves, "There oughta be a law requiring Richard Price to publish more frequently. Because nobody does it better," we're inclined to agree. In this Powells.com interview, we spoke with Price about the real-life inspirations for his novel, writing for the HBO series The Wire, and more!]]>
Lauren Groff needed four drafts and several years to discover her novel's ultimate voice and structure — a pastiche of letters and diaries, traditional first-person narrative, dramatic monologue, genealogical charts, old photographs and newspapers, even a Greek chorus.
The Monsters of Templeton
contains multitudes: literary mystery, academic comedy, ghost story, romance... Which only makes it more impressive how seamlessly the pieces fit together, and what a pleasure the novel is to read. Groff spoke about growing up in Cooperstown and reinventing the town in her marvelous, bestselling debut.]]>
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Book Marketing Tips Self Publishers Must Know
By Helen
You can have the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, no one will buy it; publicity, promotion, marketing and a focus on selling more books should now be a big part of your daily life. Authors, self publishers and book publishers can be very unhappy when they see boxes of books delivered from the printer, loaded onto pallets in their garage and not have any idea on how they're going to sell them; don't let this happen to you -- be prepared. Your book selling, book marketing, and book promotion planning should begin before the manuscript is completed.
Using press releases for marketing or promoting yourself, book or book's website has become increasingly popular as publishers discover the powerful benefits of using press releases. Don't underestimate the value of a good press release for making book sales. Your book press release should not be written as you would a sales letter or flier, it should be written for the editor and tell about your book in a factual way, no opinion or glowing remarks.
Learning to write and use powerful optimized press releases can often drive tons of traffic to your website while providing multiple back links that can lead to increased page rank and numerous top ten search engine rankings for your targeted keywords. Press releases can generate thousands of dollars in sales when picked up by national trade or print media. Invest in press release submitting software and set aside time every week to send out a press release online to the press directories.
Send out at least 10 press releases to the print and broadcast media in your area every month. Make sure your press release spells out the 'who, what, where, when, and why.'
Get as many testimonials about your book, as possible, from experts in the field relating to your title, not customers; use on your fliers and back of books. I've seen publishers lose a lot of money paying for expensive display ads, so beware if you do this; I don't advise it in the beginning -- get your feet wet first so you know what you're doing. Make sure not to overlook the Internet; get yourself interviewed or profiled for sites both about writing, publishing and about the topics covered in your book.
If your book fits a specialty market, find a store that fits the genre and offer to leave books on consignment; many publishers have sold thousands
of books this way. When you get a nice write up or feature about you and/or your book, have it laminated and set it up on an easel at trade shows. Your sales letter or flier should include an eye-grabbing headline, the benefits to the buyer, the book features, book sales information and testimonials.
Make sure your sales letter or flier is first class; this is your formal presentation of your title to the prospective buyer. Find a non-exclusive distributor with a good reputation to carry your book for the book store trade, as well as for other retailers. I've not found that book signings sell many books for publishers and are often a waste of time; better to spend it elsewhere.
Submit articles to online article directories that focus on your book's topic to drive customers to your website. Place free ads periodically for your book's website on Craigslist in different categories to drive even more traffic to your website. Create an online contest and list it in online contest directories to drive traffic to your website.
Market your book to your number one market first, and then go after the secondary markets. Build a web site that provides another avenue for ordering, a virtual online press kit and link exchanges with sites that relate to your topic.
Print and online publications provide longevity to your marketing campaign in terms of having something tangible for people to reference ongoing. If your book solves a problem, focus on this in your marketing.
The success of any self-promoting, book promoting or marketing effort depends on a good book and just plain hard work; it's been done many times before and you can do it too. With well chosen book marketing and book promotion, online and offline, you'll reap the profits you deserve for your efforts by way of the Internet and in your mailbox. Make sure to do some serious marketing and promotion every single day, no excuses.
Here are some more self publishing articles...
Forget The Hype!
By Jose Valdez
So you`re new to the internet, and want to learn everything you can about internet marketing. Or at least the essential basics, and you want a place to go to find the answers to all of your Read more...
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Web Content Strategy 101
By Joel Walsh
Your content is what gets you in search engines, speaks to visitors, and ultimately decides the success or failure of your site. Meanwhile, your content has to be updated at least once a Read more...
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 Paul Auster's Man in the Dark is the story of 72-year-old August Brill, who is recovering from a car accident in his daughter's house in Vermont. In this INK Q&A, Auster tells us about his literary pilgrimages, how he relaxes, and more!]]>
 An astonishingly wise, ambitious, and riveting first novel set in the American community in Cuba during the years leading to Castro's revolution, Telex from Cuba is a masterful debut that will put Rachel Kushner on the map of American fiction. In this INK Q&A, Kushner shares the joys of a paper route, reveals her strangest interaction with a reader, and more!]]>
 Angel's Tip is a harrowing stand-alone thriller from former Portland deputy D.A. Alafair Burke, author of the bestselling Samantha Kincaid series. In this INK Q&A, Burke shares which fictional action hero she'd like to date, the origin of her name, and more!]]>
 Eminent pollster John Zogby offers The Way We'll Be, an illuminating, fact-filled look at the changing nature of the American Dream and how this is influencing everything — from the politicians people vote for to the goods and services they buy. In this INK Q&A, Zogby shares the favorite breakfast he can't eat anymore, what his favorite historical figures have in common with Larry the Cable Guy, and more!]]>
 Elizabeth Peters, author of the bestselling Amelia Peabody novels, returns with The Laughter of Dead Kings, the long-awaited final installment in her beloved contemporary series featuring art historian Vicky Bliss — back for the first time in more than a decade! In this INK Q&A, Peters shares memorable experiences with readers, why one of her novels couldn't be published in Britain, and more!]]>
 Michael Meyer's The Last Days of Old Beijing is a fascinating, intimate portrait of Beijing as pictured through the lens of its oldest neighborhood, facing destruction as the city, and China, relentlessly modernizes. In this INK Q&A, Meyer offers five great books about cities, shares his vision of the afterlife, and more!]]>
 In Brunonia Barry's debut gothic thriller The Lace Reader, a young woman descended from a long line of mind readers and fortune-tellers returns to her hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, for rest and relaxation. Any tranquility in her life is short-lived, however, when her aunt drowns under mysterious circumstances. In this INK Q&A, Barry shares her favorite places to swim, her delicious cold swordfish breakfast, and more!]]>
 The new novel from the author of The Danish Girl and Pasadena, The 19th Wife is a spellbinding work of literary suspense, set against the history of the Mormon Church, that combines historical fiction with a modern-day mystery. "Great fun to read with its enticing characters, swift dialogue, and neatly structured plot," praises Booklist (starred review). ]]>
 From the author of Empress comes Alexander and Alestria, an ambitious, richly layered tale of Alexander the Great, which entwines his historical legacy with a fantastic love affair set in a wartime between Western and Eastern civilizations. In this INK Q&A, author Shan Sa discusses the relaxation of talking to trees, her idea of absolute happiness, and more!]]>
 In Farewell Navigator, her dazzling premier collection of short stories, Leni Zumas shines a bright light into the far corners of a dark, dreamlike America populated by a cast of characters on the brink of survival. In this INK Q&A, Zumas shares her forbidden love for Ponyboy, what she has in common with Barack Obama, and more.]]>
 A brilliantly colorful memoir of becoming a monk, "Turtle Feet" details young music prodigy Nikolai Grozni's spiritual — and not-so-spiritual — journey in India. In this INK Q&A, Grozni shares the strangest job he's ever had, his idea of absolute happiness, and more.]]>
 In This Land Is Their Land, bestselling author Barbara Ehrenreich brilliantly dissects one of the cruelest decades in memory — the 2000s — in which she finds a nation scarred by deepening inequality, corroded by distrust, and shamed by its official cruelty. In this INK Q&A, Ehrenreich extols the virtues of working in sweatpants, explains why she dearly hopes she never runs out of novels to read, and more!]]>
 William Miller is weakened by his irrepressible crush on his new stepsister, Lulu. Once Lulu departs for college, Will attempts to find himself in Jonathan Evison's debut novel All about Lulu, which Publishers Weekly called "a stunner." In this INK Q&A, Evison shares some truly strange jobs he's held, his vision of the ideal life, and more!]]>
 Edward Dolnick, the Edgar Award-winning author of The Rescue Artist, is back with The Forger's Spell, the riveting story of the brilliant con man — "the world's most famous art forger" (the New York Times) — who perpetrated the greatest art hoax of the 20th century. ]]>
 Loose Girl is Kerry Cohen's captivating memoir about her descent into promiscuity, and how she gradually found her way toward real intimacy, a story of addiction, and not just to sex. In this INK Q&A, Cohen shares her good book run, hypercritical reader responses to her book, and more!]]>
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Book Marketing And Bookselling Tips To Help Self Publishers Sell Books Fast
By Helen
Ensuring the success of any book is something even the biggest publishers have never been able to guarantee, but with a good book, a little or a lot of Read more...
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