Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: EUOL on April 27, 2005, 07:50:34 PM
-
This isn't official yet--they're having a meeting on it at Tor tomorrow--but it looks like their stock of books is down to 700, out of 11,000, and they're thinking of doing a second printing.
I don't know a lot about these things, but it seems like big news if the book goes into a second printing BEFORE it is even officially released.
-
must buy book tomorrow... :D
-
As Cartman would say "Kick-A"
-
Awesome!!
For a hardback of a first-timer to get a second printing is a fantastic accomplishment...assuming that it does happen...and that they don't just get a lot of returns...you know, it IS possible that these bookstores ordered so many copies mostly because of the great quotes you got, especially the Card one, and it won't necessarily translate to sales...
For one, I would've thought there'd be more reviews by now, like in the major SF/F magazines and Locus. Nada. Were review copies sent out late?
My Amazon order just shipped, but it'll be slow coming from Delaware. Alas.
On a different note, did you retain audiobook rights?
-
Elantris as read by Gemm. now avalible on the abriged 15 CD set.
-
First of all, 11,000 is a pretty good first printing already. Going to a second printing already is amazing. Sounds like it's doing really well. Are preliminary sales figures that good? That's great!
-
For one, I would've thought there'd be more reviews by now, like in the major SF/F magazines and Locus. Nada. Were review copies sent out late?
It was my understanding that Locus rarely reviews books that are expected to sell well anyway. Is this true? I don't know the SF/F magazines that well.
-
It's possible that's the case for really established writers, but I think they'd definitely want to review a book by a newcomer getting a lot of buzz (if only to counter it when they deem necessary). And I don't KNOW if Brandon's book has been getting buzz; I haven't been paying enough attention to see any marketing that Brandon hasn't specifically mentioned, and that hasn't seemed like much. (The quotes he's gotten are only tools for marketing, not marketing themselves; that the Card review was posted on Card's website might even have been too far in advance to have a large effect.)
Locus is a really small organization though, so they probably have a backlog.
But any magazine definitely has a lead time of several months, so if the review copies weren't sent out until a couple months ago, that could delay things a bit. (Publisher's Weekly being weekly is a different animal.)
-
That sounds exciting. Do you know how often that happens? Did your editor expect it?
-
Oh oh, can I do the audio booked version?! That would rock me so much!
-
I retained audio rights--and pretty much all other rights too. Don't know what I'll do with them, but hey.
I asked about Locus. We haven't gotten a review from Booklist yet, either. However, since the book isn't supposed to come out until next month, maybe those magazines are waiting to put the review in their May edition.
-
Jeffe, I bought a second copy. I was going to give it to someone, but plans changed. Rather than return it, I'd rather give it to you.
Brandon, sweet. Keeping my fingers crossed. Let us know!
-
sweet!!!!
-
That's good. It sounds like everybody has been effectively promoting the book.
-
We just bought the book on Saturday. As I was wandering through the bookstore I noticed that they had put one of four books in the normal shelves and three on the "New" shelves. S for Sanderson was on the bottom, so I did the Josh (or was it Moshe) thing and moved them to the top. They were already face out.
Any news on the book signing yet, Brandon?
EDIT: Does my husband get a prize for finding the typo on page 124?
"The planting season is upon us, my lords," Sarene sad.
If you fix it in the second edition, then it will make the first that much more valuable!! ;)
-
...ouch...
-
If you fix it in the second edition, then it will make the first that much more valuable!! ;)
Yes, and if there's even a second printing at all - especially this soon, it will make our signed first edition copies more valuable. Muahahaha.
-
I saw three copies of the book in Iowa. If there is a second printing, you might be distributed in more obscure places like Nebraska or the Dakotas (if they exist).
-
There were still 3 copies at the B&N in Arlington last I went.
I hope that one day you too can have a copy of the book in NOrth Dakota and Montana.
-
That reminds me, SE. I forgot to number your copy. Remember that you're #4--I'll number it with my super signing pen next time I see you.
-
cool
I'm hoping to go to the Anaheim con next year. I probably won't be at any cons this year, though.
-
Oh dear...if I don't see you until September, the numbers will be sky-high by then!!
-
he's only numbering upto 50.
-
Well, I would definitely want one... v_v
-
Ookla,
I'll sign and number you one from the box of twenty I get from Tor.
-
Well heck, EUOL. I've already got my copy but I would very much like to trade it for a numbered one next time I see you.
What say ye?
-
Sure. However, you could always just get YOUR copy signed and numbered. I haven't even gotten the box from Tor yet.
-
Thanks!!
I had totally forgotten about the numbering thing. When Diann got her first book published she numbered her signatures for quite a while. Not sure how many she did for the next books.
Skar, it's not so much the books being numbered as the signatures.
-
Right, but both would be better right? Currently my copy is neither signed nor numbered since I haven't seen EUOL since I bought it.
Thanks EUOL. Next time I see you I shall plan on you brandishing your pen for me.
-
Hey, Ben's coming up soon. Can I just give him my book for you to sign? I'm hoping you'll still be numbering them in two weeks.
-
Me too? (trade for a numbered copy, I mean) I didn't realize that was done. Don't know if I'll make it down to Utah this summer, but I could trade you at Cascadiacon.
-
On Tuesday he was only on #9.
-
If you're interested to hear BookScan numbers... about 450 sold to consumers each of the last 2 weeks. (This is bookstores...I don't know if it includes Amazon.)
-
What do those numbers mean, exactly?
-
I just talked to my agent about that.
He says those are good numbers. Not "lets dance in the street" numbers, but good numbers.
Bookscan estimates their numbers cover about 70% of the US market. That puts me at selling about 1200 copies or so. On a book like this--where nobody has heard of the author--we really depend on word of mouth to push the sales.
So, the number to watch is drop-off. The fact that we sold about the same number of copies in the first week as we did in the second is a very good sign. An even better sign will be if they continue to be in the 300-400 range for this week.
Ookla, are these numbers something you could peek at for me consistently?
-
I'll try to check them every week, until the guy in marketing gets tired of me...
The weeks end on Sunday (I think that means they include Sunday numbers), so those numbers don't include anything from this week. I'll let you know what I find out next week.
-
Does that include B&N.com as well or not?
-
It for sure includes BN bookstores, but I don't know if it includes bn.com. I would kinda think yes.
-
Does Amazon order directly from Tor or from random distributers? Becasue if it was from Tor we could get a number on how many they've sold.
only selling about 10% of the books published seams kind of weak, especialy when last week they were talking about a second printing.
-
I'm pretty sure most of the books would have been sold through Tor's distributor, Holtzbrink.
-
Here's the exact weekly numbers through 5/15
43
424
454
413
Total: 1334
Could be a peak, but a pretty flat one...
-
Damnit people! Just 3 more books and EUOL would have been the most net-saavy author in the world!
-
or at least the most retarded one with familiarity to make stupid use out of the keyboard and brain-damagedly thinking using a script makes him a hacker.
-
Ookla--
Joshua will be glad to hear those numbers. If we can stay around 400 for a while longer, we're doing pretty well.
-
I think someone has a problem with leet. And punctuation.
-
I don't think I had a problem with punctuation. My problem was with ... creative use of words and their arrangment.
-
I would be really interested to see trends in daily numbers (like...are weekends more popular? How much does a negative review on top on Amazon affect things?) but if daily numbers exist, they're more expensive.
(I was told that the numbers do include Amazon.)
-
But punctuation might have saved it. Maybe.
-
Wonder how Sci-Fi book club sales are doing? Anyway for Joshua to dig those up?
-
Exact weekly numbers through 5/22
43
424
454
413
407
Total: 1741
Go go go...!!!
-
Yea! To quote several people on the site: "And there was much rejoicing."
-
Well, it just keeps plugging away, doesn't it? Those numbers sound good to me, Ookla. Thanks for grabbing them every week!
-
Next week will very likely end the string of numbers beginning with "4"... :'(
-
and only 6300 left to sell.
-
Well, if Bookscan is 70%, then the total is actually about 2,500.
That means we have 5,500 left we need to sell before I earn out my advance.
-
I'm not worried about your advance, I'm worried about Tor descision on wiether or not they want to buy more books from you.
-
Exact weekly numbers through 5/29
43
424
454
413
407
288
Total: 2029
That's a significant drop-off. :(
-
Wow, yeah it is. Brandon, weren't you going to go on book tour? Perhaps it needs a little more promotion.
-
He's planning on one, but it all depends on Dave. I do know he's going to Indiana soon, this month I beleave, but I don't know anything about the westcoast ones.
-
I won't say much, because EUOL can speak for himself, but since I was present at the lunch between Brandon and Dave where they discussed it, I can say that the book tour has been moved to August. So, it's on--but postponed.
Stacer and other book editing types familiar with the publishing world: What else can be done to increase sales--right now?
-
I'm not really a marketing person, so I don't really have many suggestions. I've been talking it up to my friends, have a copy here at work for people to borrow if they want. Word of mouth is good, but not wide-scale. All I can say is make as many appearances as possible. And ask your editor what else you can do.
-
Is one week's worth of numbers going to hurt things that much? I mean, it could be a fluke, right? The numbers might go back up next week.
-
There's an internet/pod cast show that he might be going on, it's an actual radioshow in the southwest that's all about sci-fi/fantasy books and authors. I also know he's planning on doing signings at BYU (they want him to do the signing during Education Week) and BYU-Idaho but those wont be until augest/september. There's also a possible book signing in Idaho Falls sometime this summer. He's also heading to NY in July, I'll probaly be going with him, and they might set something up there. I'm sure we can get an article in BYU's newspaper too which will help sales, but it won't do us much good until school starts up.
-
Having worked at a PR firm and having a father who owns one, I really think he needs to focus on getting the word out more in the local market. The Daily Universe is fine and all, but the Deseret News and the Trib would be much better. I would also target area papers where there are high concentrations of Mormons. Idaho, Nevada--California would be awesome. For some reason, it's been my experience that Mormons will buy something based on the sole factor of the creator's membership in the church. Quality often doesn't enter into it. In EUOL's case, where he actually has a great product to boot, I really think it would increase word of mouth buzz. The same thing happened in a way to Orson Scott Card. I've heard numerous people around BYU who say they like him "'cause he's a member." Or look at Steve Young. The 49ers almost became the official church football team to root for while he was there. You get a strong LDS following, and then people in the church start talking about it. That extends nation wide. It's like a ready-made marketing group. (Sheesh--this is making me sound really cynical--that isn't what's intended.) The bottom line is that by getting the word out to church members, I think things could really get going. EUOL, if you happen to read this, I've called my aunt at the Deseret News--she wasn't there. I'll call her later tonight though and see what I can find out.
-
Parker sounds like the guy to talk to.
-
I had popped into Deseret Book the other day to see if they had my book, and I asked off hand if they had a copy of Elantris. I explained it was fantasy, but written by a 'local'. The cashier seemed surprised.
I wonder if since you are a local, and LDS, if Deseret Book and Seagull Book would carry it. I know their Sci/Fi & Fantasy sections have shrunk, but they still carry Card.
I apologize if this has already been suggested, I haven't read through all the threads. But I agree with Parker, LDS people like to see other LDS people succeed on a larger scale.
-
You should have then blown the mind of the clerks and followed up "he's a local" with "he teaches at BYU".
-
I didn't want to witness any uncontrollable weeping.
-
Fire--
I contacted them both. Seagull said they don't carry non-LDS-themed fiction, no matter who wrote it. Deseret gave me the email of their fiction acquisitions editor, who never replied to me.
I should send them another one, though.
-
Tell Seagull the book is analagous to Zeezrom or something.
Yeah, I'd check back with Deseret Book, and just drop hints about working at BYU, drinking non-caffinated beverages, loving the green jello... Maybe that will help.
-
Don't email--call. Try to find out the phone number and actually talk to them. It's much harder to ignore a person talking in your ear than a random email from a stranger. And you can do more convincing that way, too.
-
I would never rely on email when it's something important.
-
Yeah. I actually passed a lot of these phone numbers on to my publicist. I figured that if she called, it would be much more important-sounding than if I called. No luck yet, though.
-
EUOL--I'm not sure if having your publicist call is always better than calling yourself. After all, your publicist is in charge of a whole slew of people, not just you. Also, you can offer to do personal interviews, etc. I would suggest at least calling your publicist back and finding out how things went.
-
All the "how to market your book" panels I've been to at cons say that you have to do the work yourself if you expect it to get done, and that starting local (with ANY location you have some connection to--your current city, your place of birth, your relatives' hometown, your other relatives' hometown, etc.) is the way to go.
-
Yeah, I agree w/ Ookla. If you're trying to start a local buzz, it's just seems kind of pointless for a writer not to capitalize on BEING local. Why try to get a publicist in NY to talk to contacts in UT when you're in UT? Methinks EUOL is being too content to pass the work along . . .
-
Exactly. Is a NY publicist going to know how big a card Orson Scott Card is out here? (pardon the pun.) Or what sort of stories usually run in the local papers? If you're intimidated, EUOL, start small. Call the Daily Herald. Call a podunk Idaho paper. But get some articles written, and get some practice--then use those articles as leverage when you call the larger papers. Show them that other people have thought it's news--why shouldn't they run an article, too? Just remember--newspaper writers and magazine editors rarely come up with stories on their own. Take if from a guy who knows--they rely on people coming to them with stories. You're just helping them do their job.
-
I third Parker and Ookla. All the marketing stuff I've heard is that the writer does most of the legwork him or herself. Local stuff is the thing to do. School appearances, book signings, articles, etc. Walk into local bookstores and introduce yourself to the manager or person in charge of events. They usually will order more books for a signing.
-
I was just checking out the "new and used" button on Amazon for Elantris. (By the way--how do people sell your book for only $9, EUOL?) Anyway--saw this listing and found it amusing:
$26.42
Like New
Seller: abebooks (Safe buying guarantee)
Rating: 4.4 stars over the past twelve months (117234 ratings). Seller has 233706 lifetime ratings.
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days; Ships from United States. Expedited shipping available. International shipping available.
See shipping rates
Comments: SKU: 502496910; 1st edition, Hardcover, New in dj, A first novel with an initial print run of 35,000! Wow. A first novel too! maybe they're expecting rave reviews, maybe they're going to promote the h
Cuts off there. Since when did Tor decide to print 35,000, EUOL? ;)
-
could be copied from some other entry accidentally
-
I bought something from abebooks once, off e-bay. It took me about a month to stop getting spam from them...
Well, I purchased a copy of Elantris for Father's Day (Sometimes it's nice to do your own shopping). Let me know if you are doing any signings in the area (I'm up in Ogden, but can come down south if I need to)...
As far as buzz goes... I know Card wrote a very nice review of the book, is there any way to get that review printed in some local fare? Like Meridian magazine, and what not? Many people seem to worship Card, and it really would pack a lot of weight with people. I was just over on Meridian's online and there is a huge article by Card about losing weight... I suspect next month he will be telling us about vehicle maintainence or something.
Anyway, just a few more thoughts.
-
If you need an in with Meridian, EUOL, my dad writes articles for them about the Tabernacle Choir. I think it'd be pretty easy to get an article in there--though I could be wrong, of course.
-
I know LOTS of people read Meridian, so I'd definitely try to get something there.
-
Exact weekly numbers through 5/29
43
424
454
413
407
288
Total: 2029
That's a significant drop-off. :(
Ookla--do we have numbers for this past week?
-
Numbers come on Wednesdays.
-
Exact weekly numbers through 6/5
43
424
454
413
407
288
297
Total: 2326
Good news there!!
But that doesn't mean Brandon doesn't need to get out and do marketing like we've been discussing. ;D
-
Joshua called this one, actually. He said he thought sales would go up this week from last week. I'm not sure why. Memorial Day, perhaps, with bookstores closing and people being on vacation?
-
and word of mouth growing... fantasy and sci-fi readers tend to be clanish. One reads it and then the others follow suit.
-
and word of mouth growing... fantasy and sci-fi readers tend to be clanish. One reads it and then the others follow suit.
Yes, much like sheep, are we. *Baaah!* Oh dear, was that me bleeting? ;p
-
There were actualy several bought through EUOL's site this week, more then in the past 3 weeks in fact.
-
I have a link in my signature I use on the animeondvd forums...don't know if anyone's clicked through, though...
-
Exact weekly numbers through 6/12
43
424
454
413
407
288
297
234
Total: 2560
Sales are definitely dropping off.
-
Sales are definitely dropping off.
:'(
Hopefully the book tour will pick things up. But that's not until August.
-
How many were printed?
-
out of 11,000, and they're thinking of doing a second printing.
First post ;)
How did that meeting ever turn out, anyway?
-
I think about 10k were printed but EUOL needs to sell 8k for TOR to break even on the advance.
As for the second printing this was resolved a few weeks ago there were a lot more spread out across the warehouses then TOR had originally thought so there's no need to do a second printing right now.
-
Heh. They figured out that one of the distributors had ordered WAY more than anyone expected them to sell, which was why the 11k disappeared so fast.
-
Well, if it helps, a couple of my friends in MA have been reading it on my recommendation. Meaning, hopefully they'll be then recommending it to others, and so on. :D Yeah, I know, small potatoes. But it was nice to hear a friend say they'd been reading it on my recommendation. She was going to post a review of it on her blog, but hasn't given me the link to it yet.
-
Another tip (maybe this was covered, I'm not sure)- Brandon should call every bookstore within an hours radius, ask them if they carry his book in stock. If they don't, say "Oh darn...I wanted to see if I could sign a few copies for you..."
Here's the part where they should jump on it and say, "oh, but we can order some in!" Us booksellers are pretty insane about authors, it makes us feel special. If they don't say that, then mention it. I know we didn't get any in our store (but we don't get a lot of hardcover fantasy), so I had my boss order two in after I saw the romantic times review. Currently one copy is getting whored around by the employees, one I sold myself, and now we're getting another one.
And speaking of whoring the copies, if you're at borders/bdalton/waldenbooks/barnes and noble, and an employee there likes fantasy, tell them to take it out. They get to read it for free, but in turn they'll recommend it, we always do (if we like it, that is).
[/mybooksellerexpertise]
-
I almost had EUOL convinced to do a big booksigning party at Borders, so he could invite everyone he knew slightly and they could buy his book and he could sign it. He even started to set it up. I stopped asking him about it because I didn't want to be a nag. But I think he forgot about it and it kind of faded out...kind of like his masters thesis.
Maybe if we all nag him together, he'll listen to us. He definitely needs to print off his thesis so he can get his masters, and a little more marketing can't hurt. ;)
-
Sheesh, EUOL. Get on the ball with the booksignings. This really is an important time for you to be doing this.
-
But that would require him to go outside and interact with people and that's very un-authorly.
-
I almost had EUOL convinced to do a big booksigning party at Borders, so he could invite everyone he knew slightly and they could buy his book and he could sign it. He even started to set it up. I stopped asking him about it because I didn't want to be a nag. But I think he forgot about it and it kind of faded out...kind of like his masters thesis.
Maybe if we all nag him together, he'll listen to us. He definitely needs to print off his thesis so he can get his masters, and a little more marketing can't hurt. ;)
That would work like a charm too. If people see other people buying them up, they'll do it too. I've seen signings go horribly, and I've seen them do really well. We had this guy, John Ketwig (nicest guy ever) who wrote his story from vietnam. Everyone loved him, and he'd always talk to people so people then (I guess) were guilted into buying his book. Then other people saw what the fuss was about, and came over and bought more.
People are too easy :D Especially when you tell them the book is sold in stores nationwide, they'll get right on it.
-
But that would require him to go outside and interact with people and that's very un-authorly.
And very un-Brandonly. I know. I have to use candy to entice him out of his basement.
-
Since when dose he eat candy?
Salt licks I could see but not suger.
-
In Mexico they have a candy where the only ingredient is "salted sugar." I don't know why they chose that over "sugared salt," but there you go.
-
In Mexico they also make candy out of tobasico sause which is still better then the Japanese chared black suger lumps which is basiclay black, burnt, metled sugar.
-
In Sweden they sell salted liccorice. It's good stuff.
-
Ah, see I know a weakness that even Spriggan does not know. EUOL likes suckers. He's a sucker for suckers. That was one of my first attempts at flirting--I knew he liked suckers, so I brought him one to our writing group.
Although a trail of salt from his basement would be possibly even more effective--he eats salt like a...er...major salt eater (I give up. It's too late and I'm too brain dead to be clever. See posts earlier in the day for cleverness.)
-
he eats salt like a...er...major salt eater (I give up. It's too late and I'm too brain dead to be clever. See posts earlier in the day for cleverness.)
/me whispers:
Chimera, the term everyone at TLE used was "salt vampire." Combines the salt with the undead, you see.
/whisper
-
The term "salt vampire" originates from the first regular-season episode of the original Star Trek ever filmed, though it was aired sixth.
-
Oo, this I didn't know. I actually didn't even know about the connection between EUOL and the term till Worldcon, which is why I was whispering it--I am no expert.
-
Chimera, the term everyone at TLE used was "salt vampire." Combines the salt with the undead, you see.
Well, it better not be garlic salt!
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
-
[Paraphrase from memory of Harry and Neville discussing an essay on Vampires in Book 3 The Prisoner of Azkaban]
Neville: And I can never remember what you're supposed to do with the garlic. Are they supposed to eat it?
-
No numbers today Ookla?
-
If I had thought of it, I would have looked it up myself a few hours ago. I don't have direct access to it, but we were looking at BookScan on my coworker's computer.
-
That was one of my first attempts at flirting--I knew he liked suckers, so I brought him one to our writing group.
I remember that. That's when I first noticed that there was something going on. Way to keep it under wraps, guys. :P ;D :P
-
I remember that. That's when I first noticed that there was something going on. Way to keep it under wraps, guys. :P ;D :P
Well, I wasn't trying to be discrete at that point. I was trying to give EUOL a little sign that I liked him--I wasn't concerned about what people in the class thought.
I am so glad that is all over. I still feel stressed when I think about it.
-
Sorry, I forgot about the numbers until a few minutes before I looked at this post this morning. I already sent off an email, so there should be some numbers in a couple hours.
Karen and I are reading the book out loud...we're down to about 60 pages left, and I'm amazed at all the stuff that's left to happen in those last 60 pages... (She wants to whack you upside the head a few times, by the way. Sadistic writers torturing their readers...) (And we've got a loong list of typos...probably most of which have been found and listed already.)
-
Exact weekly numbers through 6/19
43
424
454
413
407
288
297
234
236
Total: 2796
Nearly as flat as possible!
-
At least it didn't drop significantly.
-
<pokes Ookla>
My agent is expecting some drop offs these next few weeks. He seems to think that this is the time that the book will be going off the new release shelves and into the general stacks. But, we can hope the numbers will keep up, eh?
-
Exact weekly numbers through 6/26
43 +/- percent
424 886.05%
454 7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 0.85%
217 -8.05%
Total: 3013
Well, it has been dropping. Does he mean some kind of huge percentage drop?
If there's been any pattern yet, it's that a largeish drop week has been followed by a flat week. The numbers aren't dropping like chart-topping hollywood blockbusters that drop 40-50% every week, that's for sure.
(And I remembered an hour before you poked me. ;) It just took a while for J. to get back to me.)
-
Exact weekly numbers through 7/1
43 +/- percent
424 886.05%
454 7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 0.85%
217 -8.05%
198 -8.76%
Total: 3211
Did I kill the forum? >_>;;
-
nah, you'll only hear about it if you forget a week again.
-
I it makes anyone feel better. My nephew has been recommending the book to his middle-school friends and my sister has been recocommending it to random strangers she meets during her weekly run to Barnes and Nobles.
-
EUOL just signed all the copies at the B&N in Idaho Falls. And my mom bought two for her brother and sister and talked it up to her entire side of the family (which, admitedly, is only 50 people, and that includes a lot of kids). But they all acted impressed--both with the fact that EUOL is a published author and that he was willing to ride a jetski with me (my nickname is "Wild Woman" on the jetskiis :D).
-
I was invited to go jetskiing this weekend, but I was too lazy to drive the hour down to Tacoma by myself. There were like 50 people at it, so I'm sure I wasn't missed, but I should have gone. Yet.... it was the first weekend since I moved into Seattle that I've both been at home and had my stuff, and after all that travel the weekend before, it was nice to just sleep in and watch the Monk marathon on USA (OCD can be hilarious when done by Tony Shaloub :D).
-
I love Monk. I would have liked to see the Marathon.
I am having a lazy day today. Too much traveling--I'm exhausted.
-
nah, you'll only hear about it if you forget a week again.
Like, uh, now?
-
Sorry. San Diego Comic-Con happened.
I'll try to get the numbers today.
-
Exact weekly numbers through 7/15
43 +/- percent
424 +886.05%
454 +7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 +3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 +0.85%
217 -8.05%
198 -8.76%
128 -35.35%
151 +17.97%
Total: 3490
-
Cross your fingers and hope that the book tour gives it a significant boost. EUOL and Dave leave in the middle of August to sweep the West Coast.
-
Are they coming to Reno or the Northwest?
If not, will Brandon be in Utah the week of August 14?
-
He told me, but I can't remember exactly. I think he leaves on August 13--if not that, soon after.
-
I should still be in Provo for the 14th. I'm signing at BYU on the 16th.
And, I have some interesting news. Following all this talk of declining sales, Tor has decided to go into a second printing after all.
I know. Odd, eh? Well, the truth is that they have around 600 backorders and no copies of the book in stock. So, they have to reprint (only about another 1,500 copies.)
I just hope we sell them....
-
YAY!
I'll be up there for Education Week, and I'd love to get a signed copy.
I should probably go ahead and order the book off Amazon (to get the discount), and then bring it with me to Provo?
Congratulations on the 2nd printing. I've heard lots of good things about Elantris, and I can't wait to read it. (I know I'm a little late... I haven't wanted to spend any money on books lately, but if I can get you to sign a copy, it'd be worth it - besides, my girlfriend today promised me she'd buy me a copy when I finished my D&C independent study course)
-
Whoa, 1,500 won't have a very good price per book cost... Though just using the existing plates makes the cost go down.
Would be nice to fix some of those typos though ;)
-
They're already sent in, Ookla. I did that yesterday.
And, I think St. Martins has its own presses, so that brings down costs a lot.
-
Congradulations on the second printing, even if it is small.
By the way, I haven't got my copy signed. I'm planing on being in Utah in from the August 9-16. I'll try to get a hold of you then, if not, I'll have my clone work something out.
-
Yeah, when can I meet up with you, EUOL? Should I just show up to the book signing (if so, where/what time is it)?
-
there are 2 this week in Utah, Friday (28th) in Murry at Borders and 29th at Orem Media play.
I have no idea about times but probaly in the evening.
-
Isn't the 28th a Thursday?
-
Not in my world.
-
<Pokes Ookla>
-
Ouch...
Sorry...um... how about I get them every 2 weeks from now on? :D
-
Every two weeks is wonderful, Ookla. I really appreciate you getting these for me. It's nice to know how sales are going--and this will be especially true through August and September, because that's when we'll be negotiating for a new contract.
-
Whoops. Unfortunately it's Wizard World Chicago this weekend, so the people who look up the numbers won't be back until Monday. I'll have to get you 3 weeks' numbers next Wednesday.
Negotiations, hmmm? Well, hopefully I can get the stuff to you on time. In two weeks we've got Otakon in Baltimore, so that will be another delayed week or more.
-
If I happen to get a chance, I can ask here.
-
Everyone's at Worldcon this week. It's not a big deal. Next week should be great, Ookla. Thanks!
-
Hey, Ookla. Your peeps back from Wizard World?
-
Yes. I emailed him this morning...if I don't see any numbers early tomorrow, I'll go ask him.
-
EUOL, I hate to break this to you, but you're not a rapper. Never use "peeps" again.
-
It's a little known fact that Tokyopop employs a large number of peeps for their marketing department.
More information: http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/
-
Ookla works with tiny yellow marshmellow creatures?!
No wonder we can't get the numbers. ;D
-
Don't underestimate the intelligence of marshmellows. Especially peeps! They are the masterminds behind the entire marshmellow conspiracy.
-
a conspiracy which involves getting people to eat stale marshmellow product, and nothing else. It's been highly successful, but hasn't gained Peeps anything except people dissolving stale pink marshmellow shapes into their hocho.
-
We don't call people hochos on this website.
-
Maybe not you. But *I* do.
-
Peeps are noble and honorable. Many peeps gave their lives during the story board process that brought us the recent Peter Jackson epic.
http://www.lordofthepeeps.com/lotp/fotp.html
-
Exact weekly numbers through 8/5
43 +/- percent
424 886.05%
454 7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 0.85%
217 -8.05%
198 -8.76%
128 -35.35%
151 17.97%
115 -23.84%
128 11.30%
122 -4.69%
Total: 3855
Pretty flat.
-
Awesome, Ookla. Thanks!
-
It seems that the sales seem to be driven by word-of-mouth recomendations.
before i read the post at www.silklantern.com describing how good the book was, i had no idea it even existed. besides Card's statement, there was very little else to set it apart for the bookstore browser.
it would be best to capitalize on the word-of-mouth crowd, and start encouraging the fans to post reccomendations on the blogs, forums, book clubs, and whatever else they are a part of.
And as long as you're doing personal appearances, poke your head in the local university doors: set up a date with a few English/Literature professors to do a short seminar.
there's no audience like an audience that has to listen to you for two hours or get marked down for it.
in the higher level courses (where there is a better chance that they like to write, and not just want an easy major) you should set up the seminars to something like "Your Voice Heard: How to get your books published" that should get them to attend.
if you bring a stack of books with you, and offer to sell them discount (and signed!) after the seminar, you'll undoubtedly get more fans. the important part is not that you get a room full of college kids buying your book, it's that you get a room full of sci-fi/fantasy fans telling all their online friends about your book. as far as the seminars are concerned, you're not selling books: you're winning converts.
-
Just got the news on a THIRD printing. Another thousand copies! Sounds good to me.
Say, uh, Ookla. Could I get in a pre-emptive request for numbers this week? First Wednesday of the month and all.
(If this is too annoying, just let me know.)
-
Most excellent, Brandon! Always nice to see a book that deserves it doing well.
-
You know you could have skipped that 3rd printing there if you actually sold all the books you have sitting around your house.
-
sweeeeeeet. I want three printings of my book.
-
this one actually has corrections in it too.
-
The guy I used to get numbers from switched jobs, so it may not be as easy. I asked last Wednesday and he said he'd have to get them from someone else (but...I also called him by the wrong name--the name of someone in the office whom it is popular to dislike (But they start with the same letter and have the same number of syllables!!)--so he said that gave him the right to automatically deny anything I asked him. :'( :'( :'( )
But I will ask again and see if I get any answer.
The second printing didn't have the corrections?
-
Congrats on the third printing. Nice that it's going so well.
-
Wow--congraturations. I think you should start letting other people claim your printings as their own. As in, Parker--this printing's for you. Not as good as a dedication, but it's the thought that counts. Hope it keeps up.
-
Well, I'm sure they wouldn't be going to a third printing if they thought they were going to get a lot of returns off the first printing.
-
Ha! Eric, that's an awesome avatar.
-
Exact numbers through 04 Sept:
43 +/- percent
424 886.05%
454 7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 0.85%
217 -8.05%
198 -8.76%
128 -35.35%
151 17.97%
114 -24.50%
129 13.16%
122 -5.43%
115 -5.74%
111 -3.48%
82 -26.13%
90 9.76%
Total: 4253
Some very small drops, a biggish drop, a medium-sized rise.
The last 6 3-week totals:
1698 +/- percent
1226 -27.80%
885 -27.81%
591 -33.22%
480 -18.78%
398 -17.08%
-
Thanks, Ookla!
Maybe I should acknowledge your friend in the next book. Do you think he would like that?
-
...Maybe? He doesn't get his name in books around here usually, unlike me... I'll ask him!!!
-
Wecome Eric!
(This is Janci.)
Don't forget to introduce yourself. :)
-
Here's the link for the introduction thread:
http://www.timewastersguide.com/boards/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=news;action=display;num=1051196804;start=90
-
I'm sorry, we can't have two Eric's here, it's far too confusing.
You'll all have to stop calling e Eric, ya hear? Or else I'll get confused and make a fool of myself. And you wouldn't want that.
Of course not.
-
Reminds me that time we had 3 erics up at TLE. . . at least I think it was three erics we had. One of them got called e3.
-
That was Ethans. Skar is one of them.
-
I got so used to calling them all "e", that I forgot.
-
Be glad you weren't at a rave, that'd get confusing fast.
"Hey E, you got the e?"
"No, I gave it to e."
"You gave it to e?"
"To e"
"Hey e? Where's e?"
"Weren't you just talking to him?"
"Not e, e, e!"
"Oh, you mean the e! I gave that to e!"
"E said you gave it to you!"
"Not e, e, e, gave me the e, and so I gave the e to e."
Oh, and spivak pronounds would make it even more confusing.
-
Hence "Skar" and "e3."
-
I laughed out loud, Jam.
There were only two Ethans, despite one of them being named E3. That's why I named my son Ethan, to fill in the gap.
-
I thought you named him Ethan becasue you were sure he'd like to shoot things.
-
And we were right! But right now he's on a lightsaber kick, so he hits things.
-
I'm sorry, we can't have two Eric's here, it's far too confusing.
Feel free to call me EJS -- that's what the Hatrack Writers usually do.
::waves to Brandon's groupies posse::
-
You forget. They were visiting me. ;)
P.S.--Eric, and anyone else who has a speculative fiction manuscript just dying to be submitted, our open call has opened again: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=books/main/submissions.
-
I am reminded of E Prime, the world's easiest to learn language:
"E, e e e?"
-
I am pretty sure there were three Ethans...#2 just didn't show up much (if ever) after his first appearance.
-
Yes, I seem to recall this, also.
-
I was pretty sure that calling the second one e3 was part of the joke. I could be wrong.
-
I'm with Fell on this one. I distinctly recall calling Ethan Sproat "E3" and getting a chuckle because there was no E2.
-
Well, that clears up a lot of my own confusion. I distinctly remember wondering why there was no E2.
-
And so, e to the world and e's goodnight.
-
To return to the topic at hand. I'm confused and naive.
To the uninitiated eye, the numbers on Elantris look pretty dismal. Less than 200 sold a week for the last many weeks? But every time I talk to EUOL he says the book's doing really well and the gist I get off this thread seems to pretty much agree with him, that it's doing well.
Are these numbers actually good or are we all being artificially bright and cheery? How do they compare with mainstream thriller numbers? Or Romance numbers?
???
-
Deseret Book sold 10 copies of my book last week, if that puts anything in perspective...
-
Skar,
Some perspective. A mild bestselling hardback book (i.e. in the NY Times top 50, but not in the top 25) sells between 35-40k books. Or, around 2-4k books a week in its opening weeks, averaged at 700 books a week over a year (though paperbacks usually come out after about ten months, so it would be a little higher.) A super mega bestseller in sf/f (Robert Jordan, Terry Goodkind) sells between 100k and 200k books in hardback.
Tor Printed 11k of my book to start, and had to print 2k more in order to fill demand. The numbers Ookla is giving us count for about 70% of the POS (Point of Sale--i.e. bookstores) market in the US. They don't include Canada or library sales.
So, my book has sold around 4,300 copies via bookscan. Small initial week sales, but also small drop off (indicating good word of mouth.) That translates to around 6,100 copies POS, with perhaps another 1k copies in Canada and library sales.
That takes us to about 7000 copies sold. My advance for this book was 10k. With the money from the book club, I've so far earned around 20k in royalties--or, about double the advance.
If I continue to sell an average of 50 books (bookscan) a week until the paperback comes out, we will be inching toward 9,750 copies sold in hardback, which will equate to a 75% sell-through of the novel's print run. This is a very respectable number, about where a 'successful' book is expected to be.
For a first time author, these are very good numbers. Publishers don't expect to make a lot of money off of someone like me, they just want to get the name out. However, I've done as well as a lot of old-timers have. Other new authors aren't as lucky.
As a frame of reference, this book came out the same day that mine did. You can compare sales rank numbers for it and for my novel:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060741503/ref=pd_sim_3/002-0382797-1574406?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0765311771/qid=1116370464/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-0382797-1574406?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
(Oh, and by the way, Eldon is LDS and a really great guy. I haven't read the book, but I have a copy, and I'm hoping that his numbers pick up with the second novel. He seems like a class act, very humble and interesting.)
-
Well, that's cool. Amazon has them bundled together for a deal. Do you think that's because people have been searching for you two at the same time since the conference?
-
To my knowledge, Amazon's "deals" aren't. In other words, where it says "buy them together and save!" it's merely giving you the amount you would have saved off the list price by buying them separately. I think it groups books by what's commonly searched/bought together.
-
They're also grouped together as a form of advertisement so sometimes publishers/companies will pay Amazon to group their item with another.
-
I read Eldon's book and enjoyed it. I hope his sales pick up with the second and third books, because I understand he has a fairly large advance to earn out.
-
Thanks Brandon. I understand. Way to go!
-
Exact numbers through 25 Sept:
43 +/- percent
424 886.05%
454 7.08%
413 -9.03%
407 -1.45%
288 -29.24%
297 3.13%
234 -21.21%
236 0.85%
217 -8.05%
198 -8.76%
128 -35.35%
151 17.97%
114 -24.50%
129 13.16%
122 -5.43%
115 -5.74%
111 -3.48%
82 -26.13%
90 9.76%
80 -11.11%
62 -22.50%
64 3.23%
Total: 4459
Some moving 4-week totals, with % dropoff from week 1 to week 4:
1226 -27.80%
1055 -32.46%
984 -29.96%
885 -27.81%
779 -26.16%
694 -29.47%
591 -33.22%
522 -32.99%
516 -25.65%
480 -18.78%
477 -8.62%
430 -16.67%
398 -17.08%
363 -23.90%
314 -26.98%
296 -25.63%
4-week drops are speeding a bit.
-
Hey Ookla, just incase you didn't see it on Brandon's site, Elantris just got picked up in Japan. We're one step closer to an Elantris Manga.
-
Folks,
I'm going to get to the Nano thread and things later today. Sorry I've been gone so much lately--life has been hectic. I'll try and respond a bit more soon.
Right now, however, I was hoping that maybe Ookla could get one final batch of Bookscan numbers for me on ELANTRIS. This would let me know how my signings during the last two weeks went.
Ookla, any chance of that? Thanks!
-
yeah, sure. I hadn't realized we'd passed 5 weeks...or did I get the date wrong in that post? (Guess not.)
Anyway, do you want them Monday, or the new numbers Wednesday?
-
Wednesday is fine, Ookla.
Oh, and how soon will you and Karen register for Worldcon next year? I need twenty votes to get me nominated for the Campbell, and the only people who can nominate are those who are registered for the con by January first.
-
How much is it to register before Jan. 1st? Of course, I'll probably be going down courtesy of work next time, so it might not be a good idea to spend my own money on it.
-
I already registered a little after Worldcon 2004. I'll talk to Karen about it...I guess I still need to get my address of record changed though.
Does Worldcon let industry people in for free? I don't see any suggestion of this on the website. I had always assumed only actual Guests got in for free, though industry people at media cons like Anime Expo, Comic-Con and the like do get in for free.
Stacer, if someone has to pay anyway, then you might as well register now and get reimbursed by your work later.
Ugh...registration is $175......I should have registered Karen before the rate got that high. Though I don't think I paid too much less than that when I did it...
-
Even if one can't go to WorldCon, one can still participating in the voting for Hugo (and, I presume, Campbell) awards as a "supporting" member. Supporting membership is only $50.
-
Ookla, I meant that if my company is paying for it, I probably shouldn't try to deal with the hassle of getting reimbursed. Though EUOL would know specifically if panelists get comped registration--I don't know.
-
And goodness gracious, Ookla, I just remembered that I owe you money for Cascadiacon. Did you ever send me the exact amount?
-
Remember, also, that if you can't afford a membership right now, you can get a supporting membership (and the right to vote) then apply that money to your actual membership when you join.
And, Worldcon does tend to reimburse those who go and are panelists--but it's not promised. It depends on how much money the con makes. They are non-profit, so what they make they pass on to the people who did presentations.
I also just realized that our own Eric Stone is also eligible for the Campbell next year. I wonder how many people each one of us can nominate.
-
Each member is allowed to make five nominations in each category.
-
*Fish contemplates whether or not she can come up with $50 before January first.
-
Well, Eric, I'll bet that between the two of us we can drum up enough votes to get us both on the list! Huzzah and onward!
-
What happens after you make the list? Who votes from there?
-
Later on, members get postcards with nominees on it, and they all vote. Or you're supposed to go to the site. Or something. I can't remember.
-
Only the top 5 nominees make the final ballot, so I'm not sure where that "need twenty votes" number comes from. It may be that in the past, 20 votes was sufficient to make the final ballot.
-
That's what several people told me at World Fantasy this year. 20 nominations to get a sure place on the ballot. I don't know if that's a hard rule, or if that's just what you've needed in the past.
-
If you bribe me for $50 I'll vote for you. ;D J/k
I'll have to see if I can get $50 as well before Jan 1. It would be cool to get EUOL and Eric on the ballots.
-
Eric, is this your first or second year of eligibility?
-
It's my second year -- my clock started running with WOTF XX, published last year.
-
Stacer, yes, I did tell you. ;) Do you save your emails? ;D
Karen said she hasn't read any new writer this year better than you, Brandon, so she will have no compunction about voting for you!
-
Okay, then I have it here somewhere. Sorry, I'm very easily distracted these days.
-
Numbers through week 30, 11/13/05
Week # / units sold this week / percent change / 4-week running total / percent change
| 1 | 43 | | | |
| 2 | 424 | 886.05% | | |
| 3 | 454 | 7.08% | | |
| 4 | 413 | -9.03% | | |
| 5 | 407 | -1.45% | 1698 | |
| 6 | 288 | -29.24% | 1562 | |
| 7 | 297 | 3.13% | 1405 | |
| 8 | 234 | -21.21% | 1226 | -27.80% |
| 9 | 236 | 0.85% | 1055 | -32.46% |
| 10 | 217 | -8.05% | 984 | -29.96% |
| 11 | 198 | -8.76% | 885 | -27.81% |
| 12 | 128 | -35.35% | 779 | -26.16% |
| 13 | 151 | 17.97% | 694 | -29.47% |
| 14 | 114 | -24.50% | 591 | -33.22% |
| 15 | 129 | 13.16% | 522 | -32.99% |
| 16 | 122 | -5.43% | 516 | -25.65% |
| 17 | 115 | -5.74% | 480 | -18.78% |
| 18 | 111 | -3.48% | 477 | -8.62% |
| 19 | 82 | -26.13% | 430 | -16.67% |
| 20 | 90 | 9.76% | 398 | -17.08% |
| 21 | 80 | -11.11% | 363 | -23.90% |
| 22 | 62 | -22.50% | 314 | -26.98% |
| 23 | 64 | 3.23% | 296 | -25.63% |
| 24 | 42 | -34.38% | 248 | -31.68% |
| 25 | 49 | 16.67% | 217 | -30.89% |
| 26 | 33 | -32.65% | 188 | -36.49% |
| 27 | 45 | 36.36% | 169 | -31.85% |
| 28 | 51 | 13.33% | 178 | -17.97% |
| 29 | 31 | -39.22% | 160 | -14.89% |
| 30 | 41 | 32.26% | 168 | -0.59% |
Total: 4751
Looks like it's flattening off.