Comments on: How to negotiate a bigger book advance: 9 insider tips http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:10:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-2267 Alan Rinzler Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:04:33 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-2267 Hi Penny, Search on line for "Email List Brokers" and you'll see a large choice of companies who offer a variety of services, depending on how much you want to spend, from specialized lists you can rent, to helping write marketing letters, create special offers, and other techniques. You can also try to get free email lists from friends, professional organizations, or colleagues you can trade with, yours for theirs. -Alan Hi Penny,

Search on line for “Email List Brokers” and you’ll see a large choice of companies who offer a variety of services, depending on how much you want to spend, from specialized lists you can rent, to helping write marketing letters, create special offers, and other techniques. You can also try to get free email lists from friends, professional organizations, or colleagues you can trade with, yours for theirs.

-Alan

]]> By: Penny Lopez http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-2258 Penny Lopez Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:40:36 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-2258 Where can I get these email list (blasts) from? Thanks. Where can I get these email list (blasts) from? Thanks.

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1825 Alan Rinzler Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:03:20 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1825 Hi Livia- Regarding how to be telegenic and persuasive, check our post from November 19, 2009, especially 1.Rehearse, 2. Read Just Enough and Not Too Much, 3. Look Your Audience in the Eye, and remember that any time you're at a public event or in the media, you're a performance artist. For some people that can actually be a lot easier than writing itself. As for whether or not big advances are always a good thing, I advise authors, that no matter what, they should ignore all horror stories about how awful and impossible it is. In fact, most published books don't earn out their advances. Nevertheless we do spend more on marketing, print more copies, and hype a title more, if we've paid a big advance. Sad but true. And I've never known in 47 years of book publishing, an author to turn down an advance because it was too big! It always works better when authors, agents, editors, and publishers all have confidence. Or is it blind faith? -Alan Hi Livia-

Regarding how to be telegenic and persuasive, check our post from November 19, 2009, especially 1.Rehearse, 2. Read Just Enough and Not Too Much, 3. Look Your Audience in the Eye, and remember that any time you’re at a public event or in the media, you’re a performance artist. For some people that can actually be a lot easier than writing itself.

As for whether or not big advances are always a good thing, I advise authors, that no matter what, they should ignore all horror stories about how awful and impossible it is. In fact, most published books don’t earn out their advances. Nevertheless we do spend more on marketing, print more copies, and hype a title more, if we’ve paid a big advance. Sad but true. And I’ve never known in 47 years of book publishing, an author to turn down an advance because it was too big! It always works better when authors, agents, editors, and publishers all have confidence. Or is it blind faith?

-Alan

]]> By: Mimm Patterson http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1817 Mimm Patterson Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:06:06 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1817 How do you purchase an email list? And, by the way - thanks - the information was invaluable. How do you purchase an email list? And, by the way - thanks - the information was invaluable.

]]> By: Livia Blackburne http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1816 Livia Blackburne Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:44:48 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1816 Oh, and another question -- is a bigger advance always a good thing? I hear horror stories about editors being unwilling to buy a second book because the first one didn't make as much money as anticipated. Oh, and another question — is a bigger advance always a good thing? I hear horror stories about editors being unwilling to buy a second book because the first one didn’t make as much money as anticipated.

]]> By: Livia Blackburne http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1811 Livia Blackburne Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:55:11 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1811 Alan, Any plans for a post on "How to be telegenic and persuasive"? Alan,
Any plans for a post on “How to be telegenic and persuasive”?

]]> By: Cynthia Schuerr http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1787 Cynthia Schuerr Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:55:27 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1787 Alan, you are going to make me an expert, in spite of myself. I learn so much from reading your honest and informative information. Please keep it comeing Thank you, Alan, you are going to make me an expert, in spite of myself. I learn so much from reading your honest and informative information. Please keep it comeing

Thank you,

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1784 Alan Rinzler Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:33:50 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1784 Hi Garth- Hey, we love our local independent booksellers here in the Bay Area: Book Passages, Keplers, Mrs. Dalloways. These shops are still the heart and soul of the business, and can help launch a book with their special sensitivity to the local market. -Alan Hi Garth-

Hey, we love our local independent booksellers here in the Bay Area: Book Passages, Keplers, Mrs. Dalloways. These shops are still the heart and soul of the business, and can help launch a book with their special sensitivity to the local market.

-Alan

]]> By: Alan Rinzler http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1783 Alan Rinzler Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:30:19 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1783 Hi Al- Right -- who doesn't hate spam? But these mega lists you can buy aren't slapped together from the phone book. Skilled brokers compile the names of the people who might be most interested in your book, like members of an appropriate professional organization, recent attendees at various workshops and trainings in the field, members of specialized reading groups, magazine and journal subscribers, fanzines, past book buyers from key direct mail and on-line retailers. It's a science. Also keep in mind that publishers wouldn't keep doing this if it wasn't working. These efforts can result in returns of 1-3%, which may sound small but add up to orders that make it all worthwhile. Sales can spike within a discreet 6-8 hour period, so Amazon and others will ship fast and reorder, inspiring reprints and gaining attention for a few days. Sure it could be just a flash in the pan, but if the book has legs, getting out a few thousand more copies can generate a buzz that goes far beyond that. -Alan Hi Al-

Right — who doesn’t hate spam? But these mega lists you can buy aren’t slapped together from the phone book. Skilled brokers compile the names of the people who might be most interested in your book, like members of an appropriate professional organization, recent attendees at various workshops and trainings in the field, members of specialized reading groups, magazine and journal subscribers, fanzines, past book buyers from key direct mail and on-line retailers. It’s a science.

Also keep in mind that publishers wouldn’t keep doing this if it wasn’t working.

These efforts can result in returns of 1-3%, which may sound small but add up to orders that make it all worthwhile. Sales can spike within a discreet 6-8 hour period, so Amazon and others will ship fast and reorder, inspiring reprints and gaining attention for a few days. Sure it could be just a flash in the pan, but if the book has legs, getting out a few thousand more copies can generate a buzz that goes far beyond that.

-Alan

]]> By: Garth Stein http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1782 Garth Stein Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:16:29 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1782 This is great, Alan. I might add: if you're a first time author or so-called "emerging" author (your previous six books sold a combined total of 2,400 copies), get an enthusiastic blurb from your local, respectable, "reporting," independent bookseller. A great bookseller who says "I can sell 400 copies of this book next week" is tremendously valuable and will make a publisher take note. Of course, to get this blurb, you must support your local independent bookseller. (You are supporting your local independent bookseller, right???) This is great, Alan.

I might add: if you’re a first time author or so-called “emerging” author (your previous six books sold a combined total of 2,400 copies), get an enthusiastic blurb from your local, respectable, “reporting,” independent bookseller. A great bookseller who says “I can sell 400 copies of this book next week” is tremendously valuable and will make a publisher take note. Of course, to get this blurb, you must support your local independent bookseller. (You are supporting your local independent bookseller, right???)

]]> By: Al http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1779 Al Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:08:21 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1779 This is great, except for the recommendation that people buy lists send spam. What the hell? This is great, except for the recommendation that people buy lists send spam. What the hell?

]]> By: Maciej Gabrys http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1185 Maciej Gabrys Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:44:34 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1185 Thank you for this infinitely informative article. Your tips sparked a number of unique ideas that are sure to help me with my book proposal! Best, Maciej Gabrys Thank you for this infinitely informative article. Your tips sparked a number of unique ideas that are sure to help me with my book proposal!

Best,

Maciej Gabrys

]]> By: Maricar http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1018 Maricar Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:58:41 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-1018 Thank you for this very informative post. I sent out a proposal last week and am waiting to hear back. The process of getting book published can be very intimidating, especially to newbies like me. So insider tips like yours are always welcome. Thank you for this very informative post. I sent out a proposal last week and am waiting to hear back. The process of getting book published can be very intimidating, especially to newbies like me. So insider tips like yours are always welcome.

]]> By: John Roberts http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-766 John Roberts Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:27:57 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-766 There are loads of books on preparing proposals and promotion/marketing. I went through about a dozen each, taking notes and learning, before preparing my proposal. For newer writers, that can separate one from the amateurs. Doing the work to find useful websites like yours is another way to become a pro and increase chances for success over and above the quality of the work itself. Many thanks. There are loads of books on preparing proposals and promotion/marketing. I went through about a dozen each, taking notes and learning, before preparing my proposal. For newer writers, that can separate one from the amateurs. Doing the work to find useful websites like yours is another way to become a pro and increase chances for success over and above the quality of the work itself. Many thanks.

]]> By: Tracy Coenen http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-510 Tracy Coenen Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:01:47 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-510 Alan - This is FANTASTIC information and much appreciated. There is so much about the publishing world that is a mystery to us newbies, and we can use more information just like this. I'm going to feature this on my blog (and say nice things about you, of course). Thanks a million! Alan - This is FANTASTIC information and much appreciated. There is so much about the publishing world that is a mystery to us newbies, and we can use more information just like this. I’m going to feature this on my blog (and say nice things about you, of course). Thanks a million!

]]> By: Writer Dad http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-487 Writer Dad Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:52:38 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/10/14/how-to-negotiate-the-biggest-possible-book-advance-9-tips-for-writers/#comment-487 Timely, thanks. I'm sending out my manuscript today. Timely, thanks. I’m sending out my manuscript today.

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