This episode explores and explains the two parts of selling books. Selling in covers publishers and distributors selling books into bookshops in advance of publiscation. Selling through covers the books actually being sold into the hands of readers via bookshops.

• The importance of the month of publication, once that is set it cannot move.
• Everything works backwards from the publication month.
• Book reps (representatives) visit bookshops, large and small, and sell the book to them.
• Larger sales into larger shops is discussed and the value of being in bookshop catalogues.
• Why ‘spine out’ is not what you want.
• Bookshops receive the books and then they are the ones doing the actual selling to customers.
• The value of advance reading copies (ARCs).
• Online booksellers respond to demand, but do not create it.
• Pros and cons for pre-orders, who tends to do well with that.
• Sell through of books is crucial in first month or two.
• Returns are just a part of the book business.
• Every book has a life cycle.
• Visits to bookshops are terrific for authors, once book is stocked.
• Covers are crucial, a good one makes a difference.
• What is RRP?
• How to keep sales going? Be an energetic author.

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au
• www.instagram.com/venturapress__
• www.instagram.com/janecurry1

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• Sober Journeys website: wwwsoberjourneys.com
• www.instagram.com/seanasmith
• www.instagram.com/sober_journeys

In Australia: Going Under is available in bookshops and online stores in Australia and on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the USA: https://www.amazon.com/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

Going Under Audiobook: Going Under on Audible, narrated by Seana Smith, click here.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/swoop/blue-sea

License code: JIDFICQZAHSVHXUS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• Quick chat about what we’ve been up to in our daily writing and publishing work.
• The prequel to writing is reading great books, and learning from them.
• Deciding what to write, asking yourself what you love to read.
• Finding out what is popular and what might sell, the joys of loitering in bookshops.
• The importance of understanding genres in fiction especially. Know your genre!
• Literary fiction versus genre fiction and the blurred edges.
• Writing is a craft and can be taught and learned.
• Seana lists some of the courses done in creative non-fiction.
• Discussion about creative writing post-grad courses and PhDs.
• Writing tips: getting started and keeping going.
• Writing first draft is one thing but the editing often takes far longer.
• The importance of the opening lines.

Links for this week’s podcast can be found in the show notes.

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au
• www.instagram.com/venturapress__
• www.instagram.com/janecurry1

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• Sober Journeys website: wwwsoberjourneys.com
• www.instagram.com/seanasmith
• www.instagram.com/sober_journeys
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatdidyoureadtoday/

In Australia: Going Under is available in bookshops and online stores in Australia and on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the USA: https://www.amazon.com/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

Going Under Audiobook: Going Under on Audible, narrated by Seana Smith, click here.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/swoop/blue-sea

License code: JIDFICQZAHSVHXUS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Navigating the Path to Publication: Understanding Unsolicited Manuscripts

In this episode, we discuss a range of topics pertinent to aspiring authors, from differentiating between types of publishing (trade, educational, and self-publishing) to the process and challenges of handling unsolicited manuscripts. Jane shares insights into the evolving landscape of publishing, the digital transformation, and offers practical advice for writers seeking to get their manuscripts noticed.

• We use the term unsolicited manuscripts these days, and it is a good time to be sending them in. Publishers do not want to miss out.
• Aspiring writers are seen as an opportunity for publishers. However, the reality is there are few spots each month for new writers.
• How Jane manages unsolicited manuscripts at ventura and the sticky issue of whether publishers send rejection emails, or just don’t bother.
• Seana’s experiences of sending in unsolicited factual book pitches.
• Jane discusses the opportunities that arise when publishers build a new list.
• How to keep up to date with the traditional publishing companies.
• The importance of sending submissions exactly to the publishing companies’ specifications.
• Agents in the USA versus other parts of the world.
• Virginia Lloyd’s service to help polish an agent pitch.
• Seana and Jane’s experience of literary speed dating as writer and publisher.
• The skill of managing rejection and writer self-care.
• Strategies for sending out manuscripts and pitches to agents and publishers.
• Routes from self-publishing to traditional publishing.

People and websites mentioned

Virginia Lloyd - Lloyd Literary

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au
• www.instagram.com/venturapress__
• www.instagram.com/janecurry1

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• Sober Journeys website: wwwsoberjourneys.com
• www.instagram.com/seanasmith
• www.instagram.com/sober_journeys
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatdidyoureadtoday/

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/swoop/blue-sea

License code: JIDFICQZAHSVHXUS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.