What Would You Like to Change About the Book Publishing Industry? The Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month and encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts today are Rebecca Douglass, Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Cathrina Constantine, and Jacqui Murray!

July 1 question: Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?

There are so many aspects of publishing that could be changed or adjusted:
Marketing
Royalties
Fees and hidden costs
Vanity presses
Book returns
Book events
Book tours
Consignment
Printing costs
Shipping costs
Amazon monopoly and eBook returns
Use of AI and AI authors
Copyright infringement
Big publishers and agents
Bookstore monopoly by bigger publishers
Book reviews
Audio book royalties

The list goes on and on…

As the owner of Dancing Lemur Press LLC, I know the one area that needs to be changed – book returns. They began during the Depression and never stopped. Book stores and wholesalers/distributors to book stores have 90 days to over a year to return unsold book, demanding a refund and sometimes shipping for books that are no longer in good condition. This results in a negative balance to publishers and authors. It is a practice that is long overdue to be retired. Along with Amazon’s 7-day return policy on eBooks – they are the only ones who allow returns.

What aspect of the industry do you think needs to change?

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Your Book’s Target Audience: Its Benefits and Filling a Need

 

Now let’s start off with the tough questions! Ask yourself:

 

·                  Who is my target audience?

·                  What are the benefits of my book?

·                  Does my book fill a need?

 

Let’s consider audience first. Create a reader profile sheet. This can guide you when writing the book, but the greatest benefit comes when you’re ready to begin marketing. Write down the following aspects as they relate to your target audience:

 

·                  Age

·                  Gender

·                  Income bracket

·                  Location

·                  What are their hobbies and interests?

·                  Where do they shop?

·                  Where do they frequent?

·                  What magazines, websites, and news sites do they read?

·                  What are their needs?

·                  Where do they hang out online?

 

Fill in as much information as possible. Refer back often to your reader profile and continue to add details. The more you know about your audience, the better you can tailor your book to appeal to them. (Still write the story you want to write but be aware of what your audience likes.) It will be that much easier to reach them when you’re ready to promote.

 

Now, what are your book’s benefits? How will it enrich the lives of your readers?

 

Are they reading for entertainment? Will your book amuse them? Will you help them to escape their everyday lives? Will they enjoy the experience?

 

Are they reading for enrichment? Will your book deliver meaningful and deep views? Will readers be moved by the experience?

 

Are they reading for information? Will your book expand their knowledge and understanding?

 

Are they reading to better their lives? Will your book help them save time or money? Will it provide healthier options? Can your book solve their problems?

 

This is where you really need to place yourself in your reader’s shoes. There are millions of books on the market. Why should they read yours? “They’ll enjoy it” is not enough. You must give people compelling reasons to read your book, appealing to their logic, their emotions, or both. Brainstorm every possible benefit.

 

Finally, does your book fill a need? There are several aspects to consider.

 

Does your book provide information people are actively seeking? Is it new information or a unique take on a subject? Are changes in the world (technological, political, etc.) making this information necessary or beneficial?

 

Is your book tied to events, locations, or people? Is there a demand for this information? If other books already exist, will you provide new or more current details?

 

If a work of fiction, is it part of a new or growing trend? (Current trends will be on the slide by the time your book hits the market.) Is your story unique and fresh? Is there a demand for the storyline?

 

That’s a lot of questions! However, the more you can answer, and in as much detail as possible, the better equipped your book will be to succeed.

Insecure Writers Support Group and Story Inspirations

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the June 3 posting of the IWSG are Victoria Marie Lees, Sarah Foster, Natalie Aguirre, and C. Lee McKenzie!

 
And co-host/IWSG Admin C. Lee McKenzie has a new book out - That Moonwater Witch! Find it here.

 
June 3 question - Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?