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A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Can you sell older books? Yes!

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  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  This week's conversation addresses the fate of older books. Is it possible to bring them back into the world of active books? Sure - and, it depends.  Some of our oldest books are among our best sellers. However, other older book simply fall by the wayside, and that does not have to be. After all the effort put into writing it and, assumedly, marketing it when the book first came out, it is a shame when older books are allowed to languish in the boneyard. Here are some CPR strategies authors have used. Do  something , anything. If you forget your book, it is likely others will, too, and new folks will not find out about it. So...

A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: Marketing a Book Long after the Release Date

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  It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's post discusses the reality that after a book is released, life goes on...and on...and on. Soon (it seems) the book is no longer new, but old. Now what? Walk away or do something? What are the options? Put the book on the shelf Yes, many authors do that. There are differing reasons. Sometimes, the topic gets old. Other times, the author does not know what else he or she can do. Yet, other times, the author has simply moved on to other interests. In some rare cases, the author dies. In all these cases, except where the author has moved on to other interests, book sales can be revived unless the author no longer wishes to put in th...

A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: When a Book Gets Long in the Tooth

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It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side.  Today's topic is books that have aged. Can you consider to market and sell an "old" book? Sure! Here are some suggestions: First, really important, look at the content.  Is it dated? Then, it is time for a second edition. Outdated books do not sell. New editions do. Make sure you bring it right up to date. Then, you have something to market. Not dated? You might still want to consider a second edition. A second edition says "new," and "new" attracts. Previous purchasers. Look through your records. Would they buy the book again? Many would, if there were a new edition. New markets. How has the market changed si...