• Dave Weich, founder of Sheepscot Creative and former director of marketing and development for Powell’s Books, argues that in today’s publishing environment, book marketing remains something of a “crapshoot.” • Weich argues the opportunities go well beyond the general trade consumer. Editorial by Dave Weich In the next ten years, book marketing will radically reinvent itself. Nowhere will the …
How Much Money Have You Spent on Book Marketing?
By Edward Nawotka In today’s lead story, Dave Weich argues that book marketing needs to change with the times. It’s no longer nor has it ever really been a case of “If you publish it, they will come.” Today, as Weich points out, the cost of producing professional level book marketing materials has fallen dramatically, placing them well within the …
On Not Changing With the Times: How Manhattan’s Three Lives & Co. Bookstore Endures
• Three Lives & Co. Booksellers in New York City has managed to survive increasing economic pressure that has forced the closing of numerous other bookstores. Three Lives’ longevity is the result of staying very much the same as when it first opened in 1968. • Owner Toby Cox — formerly of the marketing department of Broadway Books — likes …
Do Publishing Stunts Sell Books?
By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story looks at how Chilean artist collective Casagrande, along with Literaturwerkstatt Berlin, dropped 100,000 poems over Berlin as a protest against war and a statement in favor of forgiveness. This was a case of “literature as protest,” but more often than not, publishing stunts are being used to promote specific titles. Yesterday came the news …
The Ideavirus: Seth Godin as a Microcosm of Publishing’s Flux
• Following Seth Godin’s decision last week to leave traditional publishing behind, several questions have been raised. Is he really making a radical change? Or is this simply another smart marketing play? • Godin’s very public defection is just one more example of how publishing is in flux. He may be the exception to the rule, but his example sets a precedent for others to …
Is Seth Godin a Visionary or an Exception?
By Edward Nawotka Today’s lead story looks at Seth Godin’s recent decision to leave traditional publishing behind and go it alone. But the question remains: Is he a visionary making a bold step into the uncertain future? Or is he an exception, an already bestselling writer and marketing expert for whom forgoing traditional models is merely the evolution of his …
PP Weekly Poll: Does Your Company Have a Social Media Policy?
By Hannah Johnson Last week’s poll got us thinking about how publishing companies promote their products and their brands, and while social media is not one of the top ways our readers say they market their books, it is still an important channel for reaching readers and others in the publishing industry. But like most emerging channels, corporate use of …
Oldies But Goodies: Analog Marketing is Still the Winner
By Hannah Johnson Last week, we asked PP readers which book marketing techniques they found most effective. Is is a surprise that analog marketing took first, second and third place in our list? Despite all the hype about social media marketing, author blogs, and book trailers, it seems that publishing folks stick to the tried-and-true. Reviews in national publications took …
Is the Lack of Interest in Translations a Global Problem?
By Edward Nawotka In today’s editorial Chad Post makes a compelling argument for the utility of publishing both translations with the potential to be blockbuster bestsellers and those that cater to a more niche audience. Post is writing primarily with American readers in mind, with the understanding being that US publishers are largely reticent to publish translated works due to …
Try a Kobo eReader in your Hotel Room
By Hannah Johnson Kobo and Random House are spreading the word about e-reading to hotel guests. At 10 Fairmont Hotels locations in the USA and Canada, guests can use a Kobo eReader loaded with bestselling Random House titles by authors like Bret Easton Ellis, Sophie Kinsella and Alexander McCall Smith…all for free! Guests even get coupons off Random House titles …