Marketing Fiction

Last week this post by Chip MacGregor got me thinking about marketing my fiction and what makes a reader grab a book off the shelf.

Is it the book itself or is it the story?

According to Allen Arnold, a Senior Vice President and the Publisher of Fiction at Thomas Nelson, Hollywood does a better job at selling the story not the movie.

I agree, publishing houses are still trying to sell books when they should be selling story. Though some are catching on to an old salesmen technique.

I learned it awhile ago when I was a door to door saleswoman, selling books ironically. I didn’t sell expensive, hardcover study manuals. I sold a homework helper and specifically showed them what they needed to see. I sold the sizzle, not the steak because let’s face it a hunk of meat isn’t very appetizing, but once you smell it your mouth waters and you’ve got to have it.

I like what some authors are doing with book trailers and blog tours, but even I have been guilty of posting a stale interview or back cover blurb. What really gets me drooling to read a book is the buzz about the story or characters and even the author. I just picked up Susan Meissners book (and I rarely buy books with the growing stack of freebies) Widows and Orphans for three reasons. It was a mystery, I was curious about the buzz I heard at ACFW and I met her briefly and liked her. So sell me on the story, and I’m more likely to go out an buy it.

What about you? What makes you spend money on books?
Which brings me to another question. How do you like your books?
Hardcover, trade paper, or mass market Fiction? I prefer the mine medium rare, though I’ve been known to buy all, though never a hardcover at full price.