Independent bookshops

[SpaceShip]

I've just come off the phone from my son - who has been nagging me! Mind you, I deserve it. As a self published author I have to do all the work from writing the book, typesetting, organising proof-readers, organising the illustrator for the cover, getting it printed, paying for everything - AND MARKETING! Now he has said that all the first things have been done very well but, from the amount of boxes of books still in the loft, marketing is my big let down. He's made me promise that my new year resolution is to market!

Oh - and the reason I've posted under this thread is because that is the genre in which I write.

I have two questions:

1. I've tried to find a list of local independent bookshops on the net but unless I'm completely dim, all I get is maybe one or two and then everything from dancing cats to strip tease artists! Where am I going wrong? Does anyone know how I can do this or of any websites that they know of?

2. Secondly, any tips on the best way to market? Where to go? What to say? If I write to bookshops, what is the best approach, etc?

I sold three-quarters of my first book (I worked for a large firm and of course nearly everyone wanted a copy); I retired from that firm two years ago and my second book (a sequel) was only published this March and, to be honest, I still have most of them - DUE TO MY LACK OF MARKETING !!!

My son says they are good and in an ideal world should sell very well - and he's not trying to butter me up. As I said, he's nagging me to get out there and wouldn't do that if my books were rubbish - he also hates being embarrassed!

So please help me - ANYONE WHO KNOWS !

If you want to look at my work - my website is on my personal info.

Thanks

 

[Joel007]

if you want a search in your local area, theoretically this link should help: Google Maps
(i tried going to the buisnessess tab, entering the first half of my postcode, and then searching for "books")

as for the marketing work, i know there are a few self published authors around here who have had to learn all the tricks and should be bursting with advice Mark, come and help!

 

[SpaceShip]

Thanks Joel - that's a start!

 

[the_faery_queen]

pm mark robson (just in case he doesn't see this thread) he has a marketting plan that's really helpful. lot sof different ideas there.

 

[SpaceShip]

Thanks Your Majesty - will pm straight away.

 

[the_faery_queen]

hehe. jolly good. we are pleased

 

[Alia]

Mark Robson is an excellent source of information.

Another thing you can do... is research what publishers are saying about Y A literature. Most of the times they talk about marketing. Besides even if they don't, it's a good source of information.

Let us know how things go...

 

[SpaceShip]

Mark Robson is an excellent source of information.

Another thing you can do... is research what publishers are saying about Y A literature. Most of the times they talk about marketing. Besides even if they don't, it's a good source of information.

Let us know how things go...

Sounds good Alia - I'll see what I can find. (Made a note.)

 

[Steve S]

Not sure if this is still helpful but the following website is handy for locating independent bookshops:

Local Bookshops

 

[Mark Robson]

That's useful to me, Steve. Many thanks. I'm never very good at finding information online.

I missed this thread the first time around, but did respond to Bookstop's pm. (If anyone's interested in that!) Always happy to try to help fellow authors.