Timewaster's Guide Archive

I dont get a Native American vibe.  That seems to be more of a personal thing.  As far as Native American Fantasy, there aren't that many, so I don't see that as an issue at all from a sales standpoint.

CtrlZed and I seem to be reading eachother's minds.  The first glance at the first picture made me think "Holy Mercedes Lackey, Batman!!!"  There was something about it that seemed too elaborate to me.  I asked my co-worker who sits next to me what she thought (she's never read anything of Brandon's, and doesnt read fantasy...yet heheheh), and she said it looked like a romance cover.

However, the 2nd cover with the white/silver/greyish dress is much better and has been growing on me.  The new way that artists have been grabbing attention is with simplicity rather than extravogance.  I like the more simple contrast these colors bring - it's much more forceful and eye catching.  I dont believe a scene needs to depict action for it to be good, or be a scene from the novel. 

The purpose of a cover is to grab you attention and get it in your hands.  When a buyer has a book placed in thier hands, or they pick one up themselves, numerous studies have accuratly shown that the majority are MORE LIKELY to buy the book.  That is all this cover has to accomplish.  I think keeping the title "warbreaker" would be better than Mythwalker because the cover grabs certain people while the title grabs others.  Diversify.

Another thing that has not been discussed here is it's potential "strikingness" (other than a brief CtrlZed mention) next to Brandon's other novels, and other author's novels next to it on the shelf.  This stands out.  Period.  Faced out, this cover can really grab a person.  Ive decided I like it and the direction this art is going.

On a completly different train of thought, Brandon, you need to work out with Tor a way to get the SPINES of your books to stand out.  In a bookstore where shelve-space becomes limited, a series of books that can grab you from the spines is a grat marketing/sales ploy.  The Donaldson covers that form a ring are a good example.  Also, I was at Borders with Rob (Errent on the forums) and we both stopped in our tracks seeing the Kevin J Anderson paperbacks spined out for his Saga of the Seven Suns (you need to see it on a shelve to understand).  It's just another way to boost potential browse-buyers.  Most people in a store are browse-buyers.

On that topic, I have very little info.  I'll defer to the mighty EUOL.

Once again, when you see the actual PB at the price of 4.99, it says on the cover that it (the PB) is a limited printing at that proce to take advantage of the forthcoming release of the newest book in the series.  It has a special label on it designating that it is a special release.  In the bookstore business it is an easy way to bookst your sales figues.  People are buying 2 books for a slightly higher price than the HB in the store, and then they get a discount rendering the PB free later.  It is also a great way to get people hooked on new series.  When you actually look at the book, you dont think "Holy Crap Batman! this book is cheaper so the author must not be as good!"  You see that a new book is being released and that this is a limited printed at a cheaper price, and therfore a good deal.  Most people, from my sales experience (and actually asking people, "why are you buying this book at this price NOW?") take this as an opportunity to try new series, get a better cover of their fav. books (see George R R Martin), or get a deal on the newest book of the series they already like (ie Farland, Douglas, Martin, etc...).  This marketing/pricing strategy is very well done, and usually benefits everyone - author, buyer, and publisher - in the long run (especially if the new cover is snazzy).

What's this rumor Im hearing about a new MB1?  Are they gonna fix the crap-tastic cover?  Or do the thing where they release the paperback again at a discounted price right before #3?  Or did the original PB include that deleated scene where Kel gets abducted by aliens and they want to take it out?

The reason your B Dalton vanished when the B&N came is because B Dalton IS B&N - much like Waldens IS Borders.  B&N decided to go with big format stores (just like Borders is now) and shut now a large majority of theier smaller mall-based stores (just like Borders aims to close down 90% of thier 700 Waldens locations).

just got back from it.  I must say that I am beyond pleased.  this movie was fantastic!  for me, this is the best western i have seen.

Just to give a contrast between B&N and Waldens, here's what happened at my store:

I ordered whatever the flip I wanted, and in the quantity I wanted.  I sold everything I ordered.  I made my location the #1 ranked Waldens out of 700 stores.

Here is the mindset difference - Waldens believed (note the past tense) that its sellers knew what was best to have in inventory, and let them order in what they wanted.  They still got initial shipments in, but a good store manager knew what to request more of.  Many stores wouldnt request certain genres because they said they didnt sell that type at their store...garbage.

Any store can sell any genre if the people there know how to sell it.

Now, as far as selling strategies go, many of you already know my opinion - but i really dont ever grow tired of saying what I think...so there.

B&N doesnt stock very many hard backs (HBs) unless you are a person who has a history of being a #1 NYT Bestseller.  The thinking in most cases is that HBs are harder to sell due to their ever-inflating price-tags.  B&N returns most of thier hardbacks after a certain amount of time.  Then, they load up on mass-market (MM) paperbacks (PBs).  They are easier to sell, and the cost of your inventory on-hand per unit is far less.  This strategy, in my opinion, is flawed, because you dont place any faith in a stores ability to sell - and you are losing out on a huge potential profit.
Waldens on the other hand lets thier managers order in whatever, with the rule that if you order it, you better sell it.  Many Walden's focus on HBs nearly exclusively.  They get in very few PBs in comparision to other book chains.  I also feel this too is flawed, because if your sales staff isnt in top shape, you stand to lose a lot of money.

I feel that the way to go is somewhere in between the 2 ideals.  Book businesses are doing aweful.  Rather than provide service and gather great sales people to attract new and loyal customers, they fall into the price wars trap.  I am beginning to think that none of these people understand basic marketing principals.  Price wars only generate one winner - the buyer...and thats only in the short term.  All sellers lose here because they eventually sell their books at a loss to attract more customers (Harry Potter anyone?...I bought mine for 50%off...thats a 4% loss in the best situation).  That strategy only works if you have good sales people to drive up the units per trnsaction...of course, these same stores dont have good sales people generally since they are relying on crazy discounts.

Stores have to be more flexible.  Brandon isnt the first author to suffer from bad business strategy, and he wont be the last.  Stores need to realize the profit benefit from have people who can sell HB efficiently, while pairing them with PBs in mass quantity (the only way to make money on PBs).   Regardless of what all stores and people in Corporate think, people will buy HBs regrdless of price and economic circumstances.  I've seen it in work in different situations and economies, but the comnpanies wont pony up the wages to hire good people, and they insist on going back to aweful strategies.

Before I used to pimp Waldens as being awesome, but guess what?  They have fallen into crappiness.  Instead of seing how nearly all Waldens were making profits and looking at why, they have decided to close nearly all the Waldens over the next year to make more Borders...too bad Borders stores on a whole dont profit at all.

Sorry to rant, but some serious changes need to be made, other wise all current authors (and future ones) will suffer.