Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: Fellfrosch on April 06, 2005, 04:41:24 PM
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I just read the press release on your site, EUOL, and I think it looks great. I'm not sure about the plot synopsis, but I guess if you have to have one that's the version to go with.
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EUOL, that's a good release. And the quotes from all those authors I like so much! Katherin Kurtz! The Deryni novles absolutely rocked, one of the richest worlds I've ever read, and she gave you a glowing review! You rock man.
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Hey! Wow, Rob and I finally got our own sections. Thanks, Tage.
Yeah, Fell, that plot synopsis is kind of weak. But, with only a few lines, I did the best I could. I've been thinking of adding a second paragraph--I'll post a newer version later.
As for the Kurtz quote, I was very happy to get it. We didn't really need any more cover quotes, but I went to Katherine anyway--she was one of the first fantasy novelists I read, and she was the first author I ever met at a con, when I was very young. She gave me great advice and encouragement. For me, this is kind of coming full circle.
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Question for everybody: (Lets see if anyone checks this forum topic or not.)
Do you have any ideas or suggestions regarding places I should send this Press Release?
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I'd say do a google search on 'fantasy publication' and then start firing emails off.
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I don't know the trade magazines, but any press is good press. Small ones definitely. but you'd be insane to leave out the large press, just in case
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I'd see if you can get into the entertainment or lifestyle sections of some of the local newspapers.
It's not really reaching a huge audience by just being local, but it would be cheap and Utahns buy a lot of fantasy novels. Plus, the local papers might actually see your success as something news-worthy.
It would be great if you could get announced in the New York Times or Washington Post, but that might be a little unrealistic. Course, maybe Tor is planning something for the big-name papers.
Just an idea.
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I would also send it to any local papers or lifestyle magazines in places you've lived or that your family has lived--Nebraska, Idaho, etc. Same idea as the BYU one, "local boy does well" kind of thing. My hometown paper always publishes stuff like that about people who graduated from my high school--wedding announcements of people who never even lived in town, but whose grandparents do, magna cum laude college graduation announcements, etc. You'll also want to hit the larger-market papers that cover the smaller areas (for example, for my small town, I'd go to the Galva News, the Kewanee Star-Courier, the Galesburg Register-Mail, and all the papers in the Quad Cities and Peoria).
Do you know what Moshe and whoever's in charge of publicity are planning? It sounds like they're planning it to be at least a somewhat significant book, yes? Are they planning on endcap or table display placement (new release, themed tables, etc.) in the chains? That's bigger than press, really. All that sort of placement in the chains is paid placement. The store I work at has a little more local control over a few endcaps toward the back of the store (which includes the science fiction/fantasy section), so you might want to start making friends with bookstore employees as well. ;) (Which won't include me after April 16--I quit so I can actually finish all my projects and graduate.)
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Just curious, is this press release your own idea and effort or did Tor ask you to do this?
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BYU Magazine. They're always interested in successful students and alums. And it has a decent circulation.
If you belong to any national organizations, they usually have a monthly (or so) publication, send it to them.
Unless TOR is going to do it for you, find out how much it would be to place an ad in some local newspapers like the Herald, the Deseret News, or the Tribune. Send them your press release, and try to get an ad in the Lifestyles section on a Sunday. Something like a quarter page or so. You've already got an ad made up; it wouldn't hurt to use it.
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I would advise against the ads. Advertising in general doesn't really work for book publishing unless it's a very targeted market. Press releases work better, but even that isn't as effective as good reviews and word of mouth and good display placement. (Of course, ads in targeted markets may be different, so I'd ask Tor about it. But I think you could spend your money more effectively using it for travel to bookstore appearances.)
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Question: which will be better for your publicity and sales and stuff - if I buy the book when it first comes out, or preorder it? Or does it not make a difference either way?
(maybe you've answered this somewhere else already)
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I think I asked it and if I recall the answer was that it makes no difference.
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New news:
http://www.brandonsanderson.com/blog.php?date=1113804000
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Whoa. Publisher's Weekly? You've hit the big time, bub. Good job! (I wouldn't put much stock in Kirkus's reviews lately, though. They claim objectivity, but they have started charging for their reviews. I mean, charging publishers to get their books reviewed. Kinda fishy.)
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Very nice. Don't expect a glowing review from us, though, no matter how much Tor pays us.
(By the way, how much is Tor paying us?)
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I won't whore myself out for less than $5 and a bottle of fine root beer.
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By fine, are we talking IBC? A frosty mug of Hires? I've always been partial to A&W.
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by fine I mean it darn well better come in a brown glass bottle. IBC is the minimum I'll take. None of that Hires crap. A&W is good for plebians, but Hires is just cruel.
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Henry Weinhard's makes as fine a root beer as I've ever had the pleasure of tasting.
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/me sets kije on fire.
That bitter smack? What are you? a masochist?
You need to try an Abita or even better a Dominion. Heck, even a Mystic would do you well. Ever tried 1888 Tavern? I thought not.
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* e sets kije on fire.
I would have to be, with the frequency that stuff like this happens.
I like my Henry's.
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Wow. I have to say, this is one of the more amazing thread degenerations I've ever seen.
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silence! And get me some decent root beer! I can't work drinking this crap!
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You mess with my A&W, you mess with a lot.
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I'm anxious to get my hands on a copy of Elantris.
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Speaking of, now that it's getting closer, do you know a more exact release date, EUOL?
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yeah, EUOL, I was thinking of ordering a copy to be delivered to you, then you can sign it and mail it to me. whattya think?
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He told me 2 hours ago it was going to be the first week of Ma.
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and since March is already over, we'll be looking at MAY for that.
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Ma is an ancient month found on the giant stone calendar of a lost civilization. It's roughly equivalent to our modern May, but with more sacrifical virgins.
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Yup. First week of May it is--though it might be on shelves and ship from Amazon a bit earlier. Depends on when the books go out.
SE, for a friend, I could handle paying a little shipping. Do you know my address?
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Once upon a time, didn't you say that the book tour was headed to Washington? You'll have to let me know when and I'll get it signed then. Though I might buy it here in Boston to kind of seed it. :)
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how about an LA stop?
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EUOL, email me your address at [email protected]
That's the way I'll get it fastest.
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Yes, LA stop would be good.