Into the Fire

It's a lot to ask of a fiction author to produce a book that sells thousands of copies. The endless choices in print books and e-books are astounding. How can one or two or even three novels from a single author with an as-yet-unknown name find the recognition they might deserve amidst the sea of selections? Especially when terribly written novels with perverse plots gain fame and fortune appealing to the darker side of humanity.

What will make a book remarkable? What sustains sales?

When excellent authors who write noteworthy tales suffer from poor sales, what does it really mean?

As a writer/author and fiction reader, I know there is a plethora of novels from which to make choices. Those choices make a statement of investment. Money and time – neither of which comes easy for many readers – define whether or not a 21st century reader will spend either on a book. The only stalwart marketing factor which most, if not all, professionals agree works is "word of mouth sells books". But it can be painstakingly slow in traveling the necessary social sites, private conversations, and book clubs. And how many sales can be generated by diverse individuals preaching on the value of singular novels? Do a boatload of 5-star Amazon Reviews increase sales?

Also as a writer/author, I enjoy the new opportunities provided by e-book publishing. And POD (print-on-demand) is a wonderful solution for curbing the recycling of non-sellers.

Traditional publishing faces huge new challenges with more and more authors resorting to "self-publishing" their work into e-books. The cost to do so is manageable, and those who are tech-savvy can do it truly by themselves with the aid of a graphics artist, or by using their own skills if they have them, for cover design. Even with these expenses and a low price for the finished product, the profit margin is considerable for the author - and certainly much higher than traditionally published books which now require most authors to be their own marketer and publicist for free.

Standards for "successful" sales might have to be modified under current publishing conditions. There were unlimited choices for buying fiction before e-publishing became abundantly popular, but now? The overabundance of books out there for under $5 seems endless. 

Father, you know the aches and pains of your authors. I ask you to minister to all of us and help us keep our focus on you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.