At least in terms of direct stuff. Indirectly ... I'm hearing a lot of anecdotal evidence that blogging, if you have an interesting blog presence (and talk about interesting things, and don't only focus on trying to get people to buy your books) can have an effect, though it's tricky to measure.
I have more to say on this in a bit. Well, actually, I always have more to say, but this is even relevant.
(Actually, Michelle, I'd be curious as to your take on bookstore signings, and what the bookseller feels they do or don't get out of them.)
First novel launches for people who are actually in the same city are always a really nice way of moving a lot of books. As for the rest? Getting a big name author to come to the store and sign books does sell more books, for us. For a newer author, it's more a community thing, because you won't move as many books -- but it's not always about the bottom line when you're part of an on-going community, and obviously we don't expect huge numbers in that case.
But yes, if you're friendly and helpful and it's not stressful to have you in the store, we do remember -- and yes, if we have a choice between two recommendations, there's a tendency to tip towards the person we remember as being nice. But:
One requirement is: I have to be able to enjoy being there. Otherwise, if I'm not enjoying myself, there's no way I'm going to come across well to anyone, at which point I may as well stay home.
Is really, really important. I think the Library conferences are important as well, for YA writers -- I could be wrong about that, but the Librarians are a gateway to the libraries. But I also get the impression that good reviews will have the same impact vis a vis a book in the libraries.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-02-22 02:18 am (UTC)I have more to say on this in a bit. Well, actually, I always have more to say, but this is even relevant.
(Actually, Michelle, I'd be curious as to your take on bookstore signings, and what the bookseller feels they do or don't get out of them.)
First novel launches for people who are actually in the same city are always a really nice way of moving a lot of books. As for the rest? Getting a big name author to come to the store and sign books does sell more books, for us. For a newer author, it's more a community thing, because you won't move as many books -- but it's not always about the bottom line when you're part of an on-going community, and obviously we don't expect huge numbers in that case.
But yes, if you're friendly and helpful and it's not stressful to have you in the store, we do remember -- and yes, if we have a choice between two recommendations, there's a tendency to tip towards the person we remember as being nice. But:
One requirement is: I have to be able to enjoy being there. Otherwise, if I'm not enjoying myself, there's no way I'm going to come across well to anyone, at which point I may as well stay home.
Is really, really important. I think the Library conferences are important as well, for YA writers -- I could be wrong about that, but the Librarians are a gateway to the libraries. But I also get the impression that good reviews will have the same impact vis a vis a book in the libraries.