We’ve had some lively discussions through SPAWNDiscuss lately about ad-supported writing (selling ads to place in our books), promoting other similar books inside our books and bundling—or offering groups of books by different authors on similar topics at a discounted price. Some SPAWN members are also talking about offering free ebooks in order to get exposure for their print books and/or their services.
These ideas offend some authors. They believe that ads tend to corrupt or diminish good works. They feel that an author won’t be taken seriously if he publishes advertisements in his book.
Many authors view the concept of bundling with disdain. They won’t consider teaming up with their competition even if it means selling a few more books. And who, in their right mind would offer ebooks for free?
I’ve talked about piggyback marketing over the years. This means actually taking on another author’s similar (or complimentary) book and selling it alongside yours. You might carry it to book festivals along with your own book, include promo material on this book with your book shipments and so forth. And the author of that book would do the same for you.
I carry Mark Levine’s book, “The Fine Print of Self-Publishing” with me when I give presentations because I think it is such a valuable resource for anyone who is contemplating going with one of the fee-based self-publishing companies. (In his book, Mark rates and ranks 45 of these companies and their contracts.) I have a few authors living and traveling throughout the U.S. who carry my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book when they give presentations and workshops on their unrelated topics because they get so many questions about publishing. They recommend my book above all others, so they carry it with them to sell or just show.
When I was promoting my metaphysical memoir, I did piggyback marketing with another author who had a very different book within this category. We knew that people who read my book would probably enjoy hers, and vice versa.
I think we’re finding more and more—that is, if we’re paying attention—that, as authors, we’re not in competition with one another. Someone who reads novels, reads many novels throughout his or her lifetime. Those who are researching aspects of publishing and marketing will generally study several books on the topic. A reader who is interested in quilting, doll-collecting, gardening, woodworking or genealogy, for example, is bound to purchase more than one book on the subject.
Perhaps it is time that authors and publishers stop spending so much money and energy on competing and begin joining together in their efforts to foster reading, teach literacy and provide good writing on many topics. Rather than battling, let’s try bundling. Instead of trying to outshine everyone around us, what if we attempted to glow and grow together?
If you’d like to learn more about ad-supported writing/publishing, bundling and numerous other concepts and activities related to publishing and writing, join SPAWN and become a part of SPAWNDiscuss. http://www.spawn.org
If you are struggling to promote your book, you might want to consider signing up for my 6-week online book promotion workshop. It may very well be the best $200 you’ll spend this fall. Learn more about what the workshop entails at:
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_bookpromotion.htm