Virtual Book Tour
July 6th, 2003Just two weeks before the big event, I finished writing my book. The last pass was the most difficult; about three months ago it became clear that each chapter was good on its own, but the material did not come together to make a whole book. I am told that this is a typical problem for the first time author. I fixed it; Web Design on a Shoestring is now the book that I wanted it to be. In September or October, it can be in your hot little hands.
There is, however, a chance that it will not be published under this title. There are three book buyers in the English speaking world: Amazon, Borders, and Barnes and Noble. One of these three (I myself do not know which one it is) has trouble with the title.
My publisher and I are working to resolve my little problem; market research indicates that Web Design on a Shoestring registers well with consumers. If the research does not cajole the reluctant book buyer to accept our title, my editor and I will come up with a new moniker.
Book writing is hard, and book marketing is hard. I may only have to change my title to get my book picked up by the sellers. Easy enough. But for an author to get her book to sell to consumers is the next worry.
Kevin Smokler has a plan for helping authors with this problem: the Virtual Book Tour (VBT). Most book deals do not include marketing, so authors must take it upon themselves to sell their own stuff. Tomorrow, The Rogue Librarian site will be a stop of the first day of Mary Roach’s Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers virtual road trip.