One of the best bits of advice I picked up last week was this gem from the Gatekeepers Post: author publicity makes better sense than book publicity.
It’s something I think I’ve tried to do—promote my name(s) as opposed to individual titles—but I’ve never really thought about the why behind what I was doing.
As the article mentioned, books do have a fairly short shelf life in bookstores (online, obviously, longer.)
Also, titles and series change. Just as I’ve got you remembering that I’ve got a book out that’s titled Delicious and Suspicious, Finger Lickin’ Dead gets ready to launch.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve only got so much room in my head for titles. Especially if an author is particularly productive. I’ll definitely remember an author’s name and I’ll be able to recognize a book’s cover art. A title? Probably not.
So I put my name out there. It’s on Facebook, it’s on Twitter. It’s on my blog. And I have my covers right up there with me—they’re splashed on my Twitter background, are uploaded on Facebook, and are in my sidebar. I visit blogs and my name and comment stays behind to show I was there. And I try very hard not to talk about my book. I mean—it’s obvious I’ve written a book or two. If someone is interested, they’ll check them out.
Promoting a book can get obnoxious. There are many, many books that I feel have been over-promoted and overexposed by publishers, authors and PR people. It really lessens my desire to read the books. It’s a shame, because what I was usually interested in was the author. And the author obviously didn’t get it and shoved the book’s title down our collective throats, instead.
Which will ultimately be around the longest—us or a particular title? Unless we’re as unfortunate as Stieg Larsson, we’re the ones who’ll be out there writing long after the books are gathering dust.
The nice thing about promoting our name is that it also gives our books exposure. I’ve gone into the bookstore many times and asked for “the latest Elizabeth George” or “the new M.C. Beaton” or “the last release from Deborah Crombie.” I don’t even remember the title of the book I’m looking for. But I sure remember the authors.
I’m definitely promoting my next release…in the short term. But my long-term strategy is basically author branding (although I do hate that term.)
Do you find that authors’ names are easier to remember than their titles (if the books are regular releases and not a really hyped title…e.g. Da Vinci Code, etc.)?
Wait…so author branding isn’t when you have fans rabid enough to sear your name into their skin with hot pokers? Apparently I need to reacquaint myself with industry terminology….
;)
(But I pretty much agree with you. *nods*)
Elizabeth, I agree completely. In fact, a few weeks ago my daughter and I were at the book store and she asked my opinion on which book she should choose. I pointed to the book with a familiar name. It does make sense, and it does work. :)
Elizabeth – Oh I so agree with you. If you want loyal fans, you need to focus your branding on yourself. It’s not a book title that gets invited to do a workshop, a signing or an interview. It’s the author. It’s not a book title that (as Mary says so well) readers often look for in libraries or bookstores. It’s the author’s name.
And I think branding yourself by name makes sense, anyway. Think about your own genre, mystery fiction. How many titles out there in that genre have the word Dead in them? Um – a lot of ’em. So setting yourself apart by titles is a lot harder anyway.
Most definitely it’s the author. For me, anyway. I may not always remember titles, but I always remember authors I like.
I remember author names much more than I remember titles. (And they do alphabetize by AUTHOR name in bookstores and libraries, don’t they?) I think promoting yourself is a very wise strategy.
Never thought about it like that before, but you’re absolutely write. I have no idea about your books but what I know about YOU as an author is, You write mystery, Your name is Elizabeth Spann Craig or Riley, you have wonderful Sunday round-up posts on your Twitter, which you made into a web-site (So Cool, thank You), you live in NC, and I was very disappointed that I missed you when you came to Winston.
I don’t really remember the titles of your books but I remember a whole lot more about YOU as the AUTHOR. So Author branding works. Good job.
I can never remember book titles. I get my own mixed up — I mean, When Danger Calls and Where Danger Hides–the names are supposed to give series recognition, but I’m forever confusing them. (When I’m referring to them, I usually either say, “it’s the BLUE one” or “Ryan’s book” or “Dalton’s book.”
Then I have “Hide” in two of my totally different titles as well.
Definitely want people to remember my name, because the titles get too confusing. The only one that’s worked for me as far as series branding is JD Robb’s “In Death” series, but I can’t remember which is which.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
When I go to a bookstore or library I always look for the author’s name, not a book title. If the author is prolific, often I’m rewarded by finding a previously undiscovered title.
Good advice. It works both ways for me. Some titles I remember but not the author (The Line, for example. I remember the title and the cover, but I couldn’t tell you the author) and others I remember the author, especially if I’m a fan anyway and know they have a new book out.
I think the difference is “That’s an interesting book” vs “I like that author.” But I DO know that when I see a name from someone I recognize from blogging or the writers forums, it jumps out and I pick it up.
Interesting! Never considered that, but you make a good point. I recognize authors and covers before the name. Names always slip from my memory. Veeery interesting…
I agree absolutely; I remember all my favourite authors and when I see their names on a cover, I go for the book. So once they have grabbed my attention, I am fairly loyal to them.
I definitely think it’s much better to remember the author’s name. When I go to look for their books, I am sometimes pleasantly surprised by having several to choose from.
Just read Simon’s comment and cracked up laughing. I am with you 100%, Elizabeth. I rarely remember a title, but have my favorite authors, or new ones I have met on the Internet, and I Google their names to find out more about their books.
I guess I need to focus more on that aspect, although I can’t imagine that I’ll end up with a ton of titles written.
That’s why I’m Spunk on a Stick! Excellent post, Elizabeth.
Simon–That’s *exactly* what comes to mind! We’ve been reading too much Stephen King…
TK Richardson–That’s the same thing that I did shopping with my daughter! Too funny. She asked me which book and I went right to one of Janice Hardy’s.
Anne–I’m sorry I missed you in Winston-Salem, too! And thanks–I’m glad to know the branding is working! :)
Mary–I love it when I find they’ve written more than one book. :)
Margot–There are definitely only so many original titles in a genre! Much better to brand for author than title…there’s not much with genre titles to set them apart.
Janice–It is sort of a leaping-off-the-shelf phenomenon, isn’t it?
Colene–I’m always bad about title names–I think my brain can just have so many things in it until it’s full.
Carol–That’s the way it works for me, too.
Alan–It sure makes it easier to find the book you’re looking for, considering how the shelves are organized. :)
Terry–Oh, I’ve done the same thing…I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Jane–That’s the best part, for me–when I discover an author after they’ve already written a bunch of books.
Alex–I’m going to make a prediction that you’ll surprise yourself!
Diane–Which is absolutely perfect for you!
Dorte–That’s the way I am, too. I may not love *everything* they put out, but I’m willing to keep buying every title.
Maryann–Simon is a mess, I think. :)
And I’m wondering what I used to do before Google!
Thank you for sharing this.
Sometimes everything seems so backwards when you’re insanely focused on getting work done and then forget to polish your image as well as the work.
Brilliant post. I definitely remember authors more often than titles.
It’s true for me, too, as a reader – I hardly ever remember titles, but I do remember an author’s name after I’ve read one of his or her books that I really liked. And when I know an author has a new release out, I usually end up searching by the author’s name because 9 times out of 10, I’ll try to search by what I remember the title to be, and of course, nothing comes up because I’ve got it wrong!
Considering books are categorised by author names, it definitely makes sense to promote the authro and not the book.
Forget not as well known books, I stuggle to remembebr the name of Dan Brown’s latest!
This is a concept I am trying to get used to, Elizabeth. I’m trying it on like a new outfit, not sure if I like it or how I will wear it.
Publishing is changing so fast. But one thing remains, readers are interested in interesting people.
Gary–It’s true. I don’t think it comes naturally to us to think about self-promo, but it does make sense.
Catherine–Thanks so much!
Belle Wong–I do the same…just can’t keep track of all the titles. And most authors will have a new title every year…and I’ve got 2 out this year! I sure wouldn’t expect anyone to remember both of them.
Rayna–I do, too! And I think that was an example where we got to know his title first, then his name, and now we depend on his name to find his new books because they’re not nearly as hyped as the first.
Cassandra–I don’t think it’s something that really comes naturally to most of us. I try to look at it as the fact that I’m visiting others online, making connections and friendships, and trying to present myself in a professional way. If I can master that, then I think I’ve taken care of my responsibilities to my publisher. I hope they’ll agree! :)
It’s quite clear that you are right on this. Publishers are more interested in authors who have a series in them than an individual book as it’s cheaper to promote the second in a series, therefore the author, than to start again with a brand new author. The other factor that gives it away is the author’s name at the top of the cover rather than the book’s title, with the title relegated to the bottom of the cover. This has usually been done with established authors but buyers who see an unknown author promoted this way will think it’s someone they are missing out on.
*laughing* at Simon’s comment!
I agree – I do not want to constantly talk about my books, blah blah blah — I have FB, twitter, a blog, etc, and if I went around blah blahing about my books all the time, I’d bore myself much less my friends, family, followers, readers,etc.
Besides, it’s more fun for me to be chaotic and not have to stick to some “author schedule” of being authory all the time *laugh*
Definitely good advice. While you need to promote each release, you also need to be building your brand and recognition as an author also. It’s that identity with readers that will survive new series, different publishers, etc.
Jack–Excellent point! It’s prime real estate right there at the top of the book cover–and they put the author’s name there (most often.) Publishers/marketing depts.must also know that branding sells books.
Kathryn–I think it just bores people to tears! I’ve read several bloggers complaining about it lately.
Caridad–I didn’t even bring up the fact that most authors will change publishers or have more than one publisher…and that does make even more of an argument for building an author brand. Good point!