Since I doubt networks will take an interest in such a project, I'll occasionally pass on publishing industry news that comes from a variety of sources.
The ARC of Big Budgeting
Most writers know that before books are published, a certain amount of them are distributed to reviewers as advanced reader copies. The books are often not yet finished in terms of copyediting and cover art. The point is to get the story out and publicly reviewed in order to heighten consumer demand.
Most writers might think in terms of 20 copies or a hundred. If your book is lucky enough to get the attention of a marketing-minded publisher, however, that number may increase to one considered by anyone as more than sufficient to carpet-bomb the reviewer market.
I say that having just read on a recent PW Daily that independent publisher Sourcebooks Fire sent out 4,000 ARCs of Jessica Shervington's Embrace, a young adult book about warring angels and humans.
The free books paid off, in that the response was so positive the publisher decided to bump the marketing budget to $200,000.
It's nice to know at least one writer will be properly taken care of!
Choosing Topics From Today's Headlines
There's no surprise that choosing a hot topic can increase a book's potential for sale and publication by a major publisher. Kim Purcell, a former journalist, has captured such attention for her new young adult novel (Viking Juvenile), Trafficked, about a Moldovan teen who thinks she's traveling to America to be a nanny in Los Angeles, only to discover she's been sold as a slave.
I am curious how many authors choose their topics based on current headlines. If you're one, let me know!
Happy writing!
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