BACKLIST BOOKS

When is a book considered backlist? It's almost as soon as it comes out. With so many titles
to consider and sell, the publisher just can't give every book it's due. However, a creative author will work with the house and go beyond the marketing and publicity plan set forth.

The key is not to complain, but to get out in public and create a buzz. The publicity, sales and marketing department work about 6 months in advance of the pub date. The sales rep has about 10 seconds to present each title and has to choose what to sell.

The marketing team has a few months to do mailings and drum up interest. The publicist has a few months as well. A smaller house will keep backlist titles ongoing for years. And in many cases it works well because timing is everything.

So what should a poor backlist author do? Go out and give talks, do readings, have another book party and get on the air whenever possible.

Office Emails that Really Click which I wrote with Maureen Chase had ongoing publicity for about five years. Every time one of us did a radio or TV show we saw an increase in sales.

So you may think that writing a book is tough. At least that has an end. Publicity is ongoing.