https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/15/audible-settles-copyright-lawsuit-publishers-captions
Audible Settles Copyright Lawsuit with Publishers over Audiobook Captions
17 01 2020Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Audible, Copyright Law, Publisher's Captions
Categories : Breaking News
Select Book Conferences, Fairs, and Festivals in 2020
13 01 2020Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: 2020 Schedule of International Events, Book Conferences, Book Fairs, Book Festivals
Categories : Uncategorized
How to Not Waste Money on Facebook and Instagram Ads
13 01 2020Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Advertising, Facebook, Instagram
Categories : Book Marketing Tips
SECOND CALL: THE 2020 ERIC HOFFER BOOK AWARD
3 12 2019SMALL PRESSES * ACADEMIC PRESSES * MICRO PRESSES * SELF-PUBLISHERS — $2,500 GRAND PRIZE — LOW ENTRANCE FEE ($60)
Did you know that the Hoffer Award has categories for E-BOOKS, CHAPBOOKS, MIDDLE READERS, HISTORICAL FICTION, MYSTERY/CRIME, SCI-FI, SHORT/ANTHOLOGY, and ROMANCE, and printed books older than two years old (i.e. LEGACY) for both fiction and nonfiction? We have a category for EVERY BOOK. Visit our website to read Hoffer Award success stories.
All books accepted. … The Eric Hoffer Book Award recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Prizes awarded by genre, press, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vince Eye, the First Horizon Award, and the Hoffer grand prize. (See submission guidelines below, in Writer’s Market, or by visiting HofferAward.com.)
A single registration qualifies you for:
* $2,500 grand prize (the Eric Hoffer Award for Books)
* Winner of the Montaigne Medal for most thought-provoking books
* Winner of the da Vinci Eye for best covers
* Winner of the First Horizon Award for debut authors
* Winner and First Runner-Up in your selected category
* Honorable Mentions for your selected category
* Individual Awards for Micro, Small, and Academic Presses, as well as Self-Published Books
* Legacy categories for any book older than two years (fiction and nonfiction)
* Award coverage in the US Review of Books and on the Hoffer Award website
* Gold Seal Certificates
* Worldwide Exposure
Categories include Art, Poetry, Chapbook, General Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Children, Middle Reader, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Crime, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Short Story/Anthology, Romance, Culture, Memoir, Business, Reference, Home, Health, Self-Help/Spiritual, Legacy Fiction, Legacy Nonfiction, E-book Fiction, and E-book Nonfiction. (There is a category for every book.)
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES (entry deadline January 21st, 2020):
Awards are open to academic, independent, small press, and self-published books that were released or copyrighted in the last 2 years, including unique books with small print runs. (Books over 2 years enter the Legacy Fiction or Legacy Nonfiction category.)
One grand prize will be awarded for the entire contest. In addition, each category will be awarded a winner, runner-up, and multiple honorable mentions. Books must be registered by category and then are automatically considered for Individual Press Awards, the Montaigne Medal, the da Vinci Eye, and the Hoffer Grand Prize.
For each entry, submit the book, entry form, and $60 fee (check, money order, or Internet payment receipt) to Hopewell Publications, LLC, PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560. Be certain to specify award category and press type. Registration will be confirmed via e-mail. In May, all entrants will be notified of winners. Submissions must be postmarked by January 21, 2020.
ENTRY FORM (submit one entry form per book):
You may also visit www.HofferAward.com and click on the “Nominate” link.
Book Information
Title:
_______________________________________
Author:
_______________________________________
Publisher:
_______________________________________
ISBN:
_______________________________________
Category (see below):
_______________________________________
Press Designation (check only one; see description below):
Self-Published __ Micro __ Small __ Academic __
Author Debut? Yes __ No __ (select Yes if author’s first book)
Contact Information
Name:
_______________________________________
E-Mail:
_______________________________________
Phone:
_______________________________________
Address:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
AWARD CATEGORIES (select one per entry application):
* ART: titles involving the experience, execution, or demonstration of the arts, including art, fine art, graphic art, architecture, performing arts, design, photography, coffee table books, and poetry.
* CHAPBOOK: books 40 pages or less, with typically some form of saddle stitch binding and/or artistic assembly. (Qualifies for special registration fee.)
* CHILDREN: titles for young children, including stories and picture books.
* MIDDLE READER: Titles for pre-teen audience, including chapter books.
* POETRY: titles with poetry or highly stylized prose.
* YOUNG ADULT: titles aimed at the juvenile and teen markets.
ADULT FICTION
* COMMERCIAL: genre specific fiction, including thriller, suspense, religious, romance, and horror.
* GENERAL: non-genre specific fiction, including literary and mainstream.
* HISTORICAL: titles involving historical fiction.
* MYSTERY/CRIME: titles involving mystery, crime, and true crime.
* SCI-FI/FANTASY: titles within science fiction and fantasy.
* SHORT STORY/ANTHOLOGY: titles involving short story collections and anthologies.
* ROMANCE: titles in the romance genre.
NONFICTION/TRADE
* BUSINESS: titles with application to today’s business environment and emerging trends, including general business, career, computer, and Internet.
* CULTURE: titles demonstrating the human or world experience, including true story, essay, multicultural, women’s issues, sexuality, gay, lesbian, memoir, aging, travel, sports, true crime, and current events.
* HEALTH: titles promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being, including psychology, fitness, and sex.
* HOME: titles with practical application to home or home-related issues, including general home, gardening, cooking, parenting, family, interior design, animals, and pets.
* MEMOIR: titles capturing specific personal experience.
* REFERENCE: titles from traditional and emerging reference areas, including but not exclusive to history, psychology, biography, science, philosophy, education, fashion, sports, recreation, training, travel, and how-to.
* SELF-HELP: titles involving traditional and emerging self-help subjects.
* SPIRITUAL: titles involving the mind and spirit, including religion, metaphysical, and mystical.
E-BOOK
* FICTION: any fiction titles published in e-book format.
* NONFICTION: any nonfiction titles published in e-book format.
LEGACY
* FICTION: all fiction titles over two years of age.
* NONFICTION: all nonfiction titles over two years of age.
(Unlike major trade organizations, we think good books last more than a single season.)
INDIVIDUAL PRESS AWARDS (select only one; in addition to category):
In addition to the above category awards, books will be singled out for additional awards in the micro press, small press, academic press, as well as self-published arenas. Please check one of the following types on the application.
* SELF-PUBLISHED – books financed by author or not by the publisher (regardless of press size).
* MICRO PRESS – books from a press producing 24 titles or less per year.
* SMALL PRESS – books from a press producing 25 titles or more per year.
* ACADEMIC PRESS – books from a press with an academic or library affiliation.
ADDITIONAL AWARD DISTINCTIONS:
All registered titles will automatically be considered for the following:
* MONTAIGNE MEDAL – most thought provoking book(s).
* DA VINCI EYE – books with superior cover art.
* FIRST HORIZON AWARD ¬– superior books by debut authors.
If you don’t see your category or cannot determine your press designation, please e-mail us with a description and our staff will guide you. A great book will supersede any category designation.
QUESTIONS:
Visit: www.HofferAward.com
Email: info@hofferaward.com
Fax: (609) 964-1718
The Eric Hoffer Awards
PO Box 11
Titusville, NJ 08560
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Tags: Entry information, Eric Hoffer Awards
Categories : BOOK AWARDS, Uncategorized
Reasons Why a Distributor May Turn Down Your Book
27 11 2019by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Oct 1, 2019
Bowker | Tue Oct 1, 2019
There are many opportunities for book sales through non-bookstore retailers. These could be airport stores, supermarkets, discount stores, gift shops and many more. The good news is that you sell to them in ways in which you are already familiar: you get a distribution partner and they contact buyers for you. The bad news is that the distributors are inundated with books that they cannot take on and therefore must reject them. Even a good book may be declined if not submitted properly or has missing information.
The Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS, www.bookapss.org) has a program to submit our members’ books to distribution partners, many of which specialize in selling to non-bookstore retailers. Years of experience has helped us develop solid information about what they may or may not accept – and why. There are many reasons why a well-written book may be turned down for purchase, but too often the books are rejected due to several common mistakes. Any one of these may be cause for it being declined. Here are some common reasons why a book might not be accepted by a distributor or wholesaler.
The book is not a good fit with them. Most book distributors specialize in certain genres and will not accept books outside them. For example, Cardinal Publishers Group (CPG) will provide distribution for adult non-fiction books (no fiction, inspirational or children’s books) to bookstores and other non-bookstore retailers across the United States and Canada. If you send them your children’s picture book it will be turned down. Check their websites before submitting books so you adhere to their guidelines.
No marketing plan is submitted. Demonstrate that you know your target audience, competitive titles and prices, and are willing to promote your book. Give detailed information about the pre-publication promotion you have done and the post-publication marketing you will do. Indicate the size of your platform and what you are doing to maintain and build it.
Not understanding the retailers’ hot buttons. Retailers want products that do three things for them. One, bring more people into the stores. Two, increase profit per square foot and three, increase inventory turns. Describe how your heavy promotion will help them meet those criteria. If not, your book won’t sell, will be returned for full credit and replaced by another product.
Not providing specifications. What is the size of your book? Case quantities? Number of pages? Photos or illustrations? Is it one of a series? List the ISBN and LCCN or CIP data. What other books have you published? How many did you sell?
Know the customer of your target retailers. Think of the types of people who frequent airport stores before submitting your book to the Hudson Group. For example. If your book is not appropriate for travelers, it will not be accepted. Think about how much different the customer is for a Hallmark gift store than those who go to Spencer Gifts.
What are the author’s credentials? The author must have credible credentials for writing a book on the topic, not just the fact that he or she has a special experience raising children or overcoming a particular illness. Certain subjects require the education and knowledge of experienced professionals. If fiction, has the author written other books? How many were sold?
Cover art and interior design look self-published. Chose an experienced book designer to produce your cover and page layout. Distributors can look at a book’s cover for just a few seconds and judge the book’s sophistication and professionalism. The cover design includes the spine and rear cover, too.
The book was not edited. If your book passes the initial design test, the acquisition people will read the first few pages and other pages chosen at random. If your content is rife with typos and grammatical errors, it will be declined.
Testimonials should be from people with impressive credentials. It is common to have a quotation from a businessperson on a business book, but unless that person has nationally recognized credentials it hurts the book’s chances more than it helps. The same concept applies to endorsements attributed to initials only (BJ, Avon, CT).
The format does not fit the age group. For example, a children’s picture book with pages that have large amounts of text no longer works as a picture book. If your target reader is in an older demographic category you might need a large-print edition.
The book is inappropriately priced. It is not difficult to research competitive prices before establishing the retail price. If the price of your book is outside the parameters for your category and format it may not be accepted. The price should also be shown on the rear cover.
To stay in the retail stores – including bookstores – your book should sell well in 60 to 90 days. It will remain there as only as it is more profitable than a replacement product. And you must keep up the heavy promotion over time to keep it selling, or your unsold books will be returned.
Retailers do not sell books, they display books. And they don’t want your book on their shelves, they want it at their cash register. They want products that can sell themselves in terms of design, content, fit, price and promotion. The easier you can make it for a potential distribution partner to sell you book, the more likely it is they will accept it. Make them confident that your book will be profitable for them by giving them the information they need to make a decision.
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Tags: Book Distributors, Marketing Plan, Non Book Store sales
Categories : Book Marketing Tips
SELLING TO NON-BOOKSTORE RETAILERS
13 11 2019Selling to Non-Bookstore Retailers
by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Aug 6, 2019
There are many non-bookstore, brick-and-mortar retailers through which you can sell your books. These include airport stores, supermarkets, gift shops, discount stores and others. Your current distributor may already be selling to them, so check with them before pursuing retailers on your own.
Otherwise, creating a retail-distribution channel is a good way to start your special-sales efforts because it is much like selling through bookstores. You work through distribution partners, the discount structure is similar, and books are displayed on shelves. Fiction usually outsells non-fiction in the retail setting. On the other hand, unsold books are returned, and you are paid in 90 – 120 days. Here are some things you can do to profit from selling through retailers.
1. Define your target readers. Who are they? The worst answer to that question is, “Everybody who likes (your genre).” If your target readers are in a low-income demographic then you want your book in Walmart, not Neiman Marcus. In what form will they buy it? If your target buyers are in an older demographic category, they may prefer a large-print version. Where do they shop? You want your book sold in those locations. Is your content seasonal in nature? That might dictate when they purchase your content.
2. Know the customer of your customer. You may have the best book in your category, but that category may not be important to a retailer’s customers. The customer of a Hallmark store is different from one at Spencer Gifts. Who shops at airport stores? Supermarkets? Discount stores? Understanding your target readers will direct your efforts to the appropriate retailers.
3. Know why retailers decide which books to carry. There are three major factors that influence the products chosen to place on the shelves. One is store traffic. Will your promotion help build the number of people who come to the store? More people shopping there should increase the other two criteria: profit per square foot and inventory turns.
4. The least important item in the decision process is your book. Buyers want to know your platform size and what promotion you have done and will do, thus increasing the factors described in point number three. If your book doesn’t sell, the retailer will replace it with another product and return your book to the distributor. They do not want your book on their shelves, they want it at their cash registers.
5. Know how the middlemen work before submitting your book for possible distribution. For example, Choice Books (http://choicebooks.org/ ) manages the title assortment on the displays it sets up and services in retail locations. Titles are tailored to store demographics and sales history, and they specialize is selling bibles (adult & children’s), cookbooks, devotionals, family living and fiction. If your content does not meet the needs of their customers, Choice Books will not accept your book.
6. Retailers don’t sell books per se, they display them. It is up to you to promote your book and drive prospective customers to the stores. Work closely with your distribution partners to support their salespeople and give them information about your upcoming promotion and sales tips about how your book is different from and better than competitive titles
7. Is your book produced to expected quality? Walk the stores so you understand the topics, pricing, colors and dimensions of the books sold there. Is your spine of sufficient width to be seen on the shelf? Does the rear cover identify the BISAC subject heading under which your book should be shelved? Does it show the bar code and price of your book?
8. Work with your distribution partners at all levels to offer creative solutions to increase their sales. Offer to conduct store events (vs. book signings) to increase store traffic. Give them ideas for cross merchandising. If your book is about cooking steaks, create a display to place on the supermarket counter near where the steaks are sold. Sell the same book in large quantities to Lowe’s for them give as a free gift to people who purchase a grill there.
Promote your book so your distribution partners (middleman and retailer) are more profitable selling your book than another one. If not, it will be returned since it is relatively easy to find a replacement product. But when two companies are linked by mutual value, what was purely a financial transaction becomes a co-created partnership fed by trust and loyalty.
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Categories : Book Marketing Tips
The BookLife Prize – Enter Now
28 10 2019
The BookLife Prize is an annual writing contest sponsored by BookLife and Publishers Weekly that seeks to support independent authors and discover great books. The BookLife Prize has two Contests:
Nonfiction Contest
- Entry period October 1, 2019, through January 1, 2020.
- Four categories: Memoir/Autobiography; Self-Help; Inspirational/Spiritual; and Business/Personal Finance.
Fiction Contest
- Entry period April 1, 2020, through August 31, 2020.
- Five categories: Romance/Erotica; Mystery/Thriller; Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror; General Fiction; YA/Middle Grade.
Both Contests of the Prize are judged by PW reviewers, editors, acclaimed authors, and publishing veterans.
PRIZES
The grand prize winner for both the Fiction and Nonfiction Contest of the BookLife Prize receives $5,000 cash as well as an author profile in Publishers Weekly.
All finalists receive a blurb from a bestselling/award-winning author or professional editor serving as a guest judge for the contest, as well as mention in Publishers Weekly. Plus they each receive $1,000 worth of BookBaby’s Facebook + Instagram for Authors.
All entrants receive a Critic’s Report, which includes a score as well as a brief written critical assessment of their novel by a Publishers Weekly reviewer. (Click here to see real examples of Critic’s Reports.)
“Since reaching the finals I have signed with a literary agent and been contacted by a film producer. Most importantly through the process of participating in the Prize, I got very valuable feedback on my work and broadened my author network considerably.” T.J. Slee
HOW TO ENTER
BookLife members enter the BookLife Prize by logging in and going to project page for the book or manuscript they’d like to enter. Here are detailed instructions.
New users who have no BookLife account enter on this page.
Complete Information
Click here for complete infomation about the BookLife Prize.
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Tags: Book Life prize, BookLife, Business/Personal, Fantasy, Finance, General Fiction, Horror, Inspirational/Spiritual, Memoir/Autobiography, Mystery/Thriller, Romance/Erotica, Science Fiction, Self Help, YA/Middle Grade
Categories : BOOK AWARDS
An indie author’s novel is selected as one of PW’s Best Books of 2019
28 10 2019Author Fiona West, recently profiled in an indie success feature in Publishers Weekly, has made PW history: her novel, The Ex-Princess, has been selected as one of PW’s Best Books of 2019, making it the first-ever self-published novel to be included in the annual roundup. The book, a fantasy romance, features coffee-loving protagonist Princess Abelia Olivia Jayne Venenza Ribaldi Porchenzii, who has renounced matriarchal Brevspor’s throne in favor of an ordinary life working in the field of waste reclamation. When she learns that she is still under contract to marry Prince Edward of Orangiers in order to protect Brevspor from being overthrown, she agrees. Adding to the complicated circumstances, Edward is in love with her. PW’s review praised the book, calling it “a vibrant, voraciously readable adventure whose technocratic fantasy world is grounded by a generous understanding of everyday limitations and love.”
West is “thrilled to be counted as a romance stand-out with such accomplished artists.” “Thank you for honoring a diverse book like mine!” she adds.The Ex-Princess is the first of The Borderline Chronicles series. The second book, The Un-Queen, catches up with Edward and Abby in the days leading up to their marriage. Earlier this fall, West released the third and fourth books, The Almost-Widow and The Jinxed Journalist, which are tangentially connected to the Edward and Abby universe, but introduce new central characters.
West is currently working on the last book in the series, The Semi-Royal, and preparing to launch a contemporary medical romance series called Timber Falls. With West’s recent accolades, readers might expect her to be aiming for a book contract, but she sees no reason to rush to a traditional publishing path. “I’m very happy as an indie-published author,” she says. “I love the creative control, the freedom to ‘just be a mom’ when I want to, and setting my own goals for my business.”
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Tags: Children/YA, Fiona West, Indy success feature, Publisers Weekly, PW best books of 2019
Categories : BOOK AWARDS
Children/YA Bright Spot In Soft August
24 10 2019The children/young adult category was one of only two categories that posted a sales increase this August, over August 2018, according to AAP’s StatShot program. All three print formats posted gains in the month, leading to an overall increase in the category of 7.9%.
August sales dropped 7.5% in the adult book segment compared to 2018 with every format except downloadable audio posting a sales decline. The biggest drop came in the mass market paperback format where sales tumbled 22.7%. Trade paperback sales also had a tough month, with sales down 12.0%. Even the increase in downloadable audio was modest in terms of the segment’s rapid growth; sales were up only 5.7% in August, although for the first eight months of 2018 sales of the format were up 25.7% over the comparable period a year ago.
Sales for all 1,361 publishers who reported data to AAP fell 8.0% in August. The only other segment beside the children/ya category to have a sales gain in the month was K-12 instructional materials, where sales increased 12.7%.
The higher educational course materials segment had the worst August performance, with sales down 24.7%. The big decline in the category was reflected in the recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau that showed a 10.3% decline in August bookstore sales compared to 2018. A drop in spending by students at college stores was seen as a major factor for the decline.
Through the first eight months of 2019, total sales of the companies that report to the AAP were up 3.6%. Sales of adult books increased 0.9% over the first eight month of 2018, while sales in the children/ya segment rose 8.9%.
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Tags: Audio books, Book Sales, Children/Young Adult, Trade paperback books
Categories : Book Statistics, Uncategorized
Children/YA Has Strong July Sales Gains
3 10 2019Comments : Leave a Comment »
Tags: Adult Books, Children/Young Adult books, Hard Cover Books, Mass Market Paperbacks
Categories : Book Statistics, Uncategorized
