DEAR SHELLEY ©
 MYTH # 7  

by Shelley Bradley 

 

 

You've heard lots of information, clichés, rumors and advice about the things you need to know once you're published. Published authors often find out this information from hard experience. After being in the publishing business for nearly eight years, Shelley Bradley has picked up a thing or two along the way. In this series of articles, she'll discuss the information she wish she'd known before she sold a book. She'll touch on what it really takes to get that first book bought--as well as the second and beyond, the realities of contract negotiation, royalties, distribution, editor relations and your career. Print publication primarily addressed, but electronic publishing also discussed.

 

Here's the seventh of our myths...

 

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT PRINT RUNS AND DISTRIBUTION,

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK

The answer to this question is that It depends on who you write for. Some publishers are very forthcoming and don't mind telling you such things. Some publishers...they keep that secret better than the KGB ever kept intel info. It's nice to know for some reasons. You can't make lists without an adequate print run. Period. But if it's your first book, unless you have a lot of publisher support, you're probably not going to make many, if any, lists. And distribution follows your print run. If you have a smaller print run, your distribution will probably be a few copies in the big chain stores. Independents can be all over the map in such cases. As your print run grows, that 2 copies per the Tier 1 Walden stores may become 4 copies in all stores except Express locations (or some such).

If you have an agent, get them to ask your editor about your print runs. If you get an answer, they can tell you how that compares with other authors in similar situations if you're trying to figure out if it's high or low. If you're agent is unable to get an answer, this is when it behooves you to belong to the published author loop for that publisher. The people who have gone before you and been there a while can tell you if the info you're receiving (or not) is typical of them.

 

~ ~ ~

The complete 2006 Dear Shelley series:

Myth # 1: "If the editor likes your book, they'll buy it."

Myth # 2: "After you sell the first book, your editor will want to buy others from you quickly."

Myth # 3: "Once you're published, it's always easier to sell again."

Myth # 4: "Contracts aren't that hard to negotiate."

Myth # 5: "My advances will keep me cozy until my royalties arrive."

Myth # 6: "Your book will get quality editing and distribution."

Myth # 7: "If you want to know about print runs and distribution, all you have to do is ask."

Myth # 8: "Once you sell, your editor will always return e-mails, phone calls and read your material promptly."

Myth # 9: "Your editor will come back after getting married or going on maternity leave."

Myth # 10: "By my 10th book, I'm likely to be an NYT Bestseller."

Myth # 11: "A last few notes."

 

 

Copyright 2006 Shelley Bradley -- all rights reserved, please obtain written permission before use.