Hey Everyone!

 

Two weeks ago, during our free author training, we discussed what the book market will look like as the economy returns to the new normal (yes, we’ll be posting the video on our YouTube channel soon).

 

In just a few moments, I’m going to share a few more implications for authors, but first, a few quick announcements:

 

Illumify Media is hiring a Social Media Coordinator/Publishing Intern!
To see the job description, click here.
To apply online, click here.
Deadline for application: June 8

 

Attend One of the Premier Writing Conferences at Home for Pennies on the Dollar!

Marlene Bagnull was forced to postpone her Colorado Christian Writers Conference and Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference until next year. Her conferences are known for being jam-packed with every kind of instruction you can imagine.

 

Karen Bouchard and Mike Klassen can’t recommend her conferences high enough.

 

But if you act fast, you can download all of last year’s Philadelphia conference for pennies on the dollar.

 

https://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/2019mp3s

 

If you’ve attended Marlene’s conference in Philadelphia before, you can get all 75 hours of instruction for just $38. If you’ve never attended her conference, the cost is only $53—that’s about 70 cents per hour of teaching from editors, writers, journalists, agents, publishers and more. 

 

You’ll get expert, practical help on:

• Writing
• Platform-building
• Marketing
• Publishing

 In fact, in the package you’ll get about seven hours of teaching from Mike and Karen on these topics:

• “How to Take Your Nonfiction Book from Good to Great” (Mike Klassen and Karen Bouchard)
• “How to Add More Humor into Your Writing” (Karen Bouchard)
• Incorporating God’s Life-Changing Word into Your Writing (Mike Klassen)

WOWOW!!!! 75 HOURS of instruction for writers for about 70 cents an hour!!!!

 

This amazing offer expires June 10.

 

Check it out:

https://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/2019mp3s

 

We owe a big thank you to Marlene for making this training and encouragement available to us at a token price!

 

Get Intensive Training on your Genre in June

Watch for an email later this week that gives more information about upcoming two-hour intensives in June:

June 16 Christian Devotional Writing with Mike Klassen

June 17 Historical Fiction with Larry Yoder

June 23 Writing for Women with Karen Bouchard

June 24 Fantasy/Sci-Fi with Larry Yoder

June 30 General Nonfiction with Mike Klassen

July 1 Memoir writing with Karen Bouchard

 

Okay, Now onto Getting Your Book into Bookstores After the Covid Crisis…

We all know the Corvid crisis has been hard on local bookstores. Most are searching to find ways to serve customers within the new rules on social distancing. Many stores have demonstrated tremendous customer service efforts.

 

Bookstores are lowering prices on certain items and creating special discounts, while maintaining return policies and ever-improving delivery. All major publishers recognize the valuable place the local independent bookstore plays in the book business and their profits.

 

You need to know that bookstores are very price-conscious, not just about titles but also staff, rent and utilities, and other business necessities. Most stores must operate with a skeleton staff, if at all. As the economy opens up the economic pressures on bookstores is great.

 

This means independent authors must be mindful of the discount they offer to bookstores for their title(s), and delivery. The “discount” is the discount you give bookstores on the price they pay for your book—before they sell it to the consumer.

 

Be ready to give them a higher discount if possible, including any special discount for three or more copies of your title. Don’t consider giving them less than 53% off the retail price (the industry standard).

 

If you want to get your book into bookstores, the retailer will need to know the specifics of what you are going to do to promote your book and send customers into their particular bookstore.

 

Right now, through August, most titles for the Fourth Quarter will be bought. Yes, that means Christmas and Hanukkah, so if you want your title in a store through the holiday season, then make an appointment with the bookstore buyer now.

 

So, go ahead and make that contact with book buyers and make an appointment to sell your book. Be prepared to answer:

• Your best discount for initial orders and reorders
• How they can reorder more books
• Where in the store  is the best placement for your book(genre)
• Your best thirty-second “What’s in it for the reader?” elevator pitch

Remember the rule on Buyer Appointments is to follow the rules of courtesy. If you want to stay competitive you need to know your cost per title and offer the best discount possible to break even or gain a small profit. You also need to make sure your delivery route is well stated.

 

When you make the bookstore buyer your friend, you create selling opportunities for future books.

 

As always, if we can be of assistance to you, please contact us!

 

Larry Yoder

Mike Klassen

Karen Bouchard