Who is the target audience for fantasy novels?

[lauren$77]

Does anyone know (perhaps there is some statistical evidence out there) who the target audience actually is for a first fantasy novel??

I'm hoping to self publish my fantasy novel next spring and had this barmy idea that I'd build another show garden at the NEC (something I did in 2010) as a way to promote it. I'd design the garden based on my fantasy world - real world building I thought! But I've been told by my family this is a stupid idea as the 50k people who go to BBC gardeners world live show are not my target audience! I guess I was trying to combine my two passions, into one strange multicoloured plant stained blob! But perhaps launching my grimdark book on the unsuspecting grey haired affluents of middle class Britain is not my best idea to date - although could be fun!

So just who is the target audience for fantasy novels?
And what other bonkers ideas have writers had/done in order to promote their books?

 

[Mouse]

Unfortunately, you can't put people into neat little boxes.

I go to gardening shows and I read fantasy.

 

[Brian G Turner]

the 50k people who go to BBC gardeners world live show are not my target audience!

This is a very good point - marketing is primarily about targeting.

Oh, there is brand marketing, where big companies are more interested in volumes of eyeballs. Any big brand you can think of tends towards this. However, their products tend to have wide consumer appeal and unlikely to be considered niche (soft drinks makers, food companies, technology companies, banks, etc).

For a focus on growing sales, you need to focus on a target audience - know who they are, and find how to reach them.

A spot in a gardening exhibition might bring some attention - but it's going to be untargeted. Additionally, being self-published could be a stigma that means a general audience may take you even less seriously.

AFAIK, the way books sell mainly falls into this pattern:

1. Targeted advertising raises awareness
2. Potential buyers then look for reviews and recommendations to support a sales decision - or not

Fantasy is a genre niche whose audience (in the UK at least) is relatively small. IIRC, a debut novel that sells 3000 copies in a year is doing well.

 

[lauren$77]

Thanks Mouse and I,Brian,

I guess if I do another show garden I need to be realistic that it probably won't increase sales of an e-book! But I still may do it sometime as you can get funding and any publicity is better than none. Plus there's always the chance of getting televised.

I,Brian I think I can live with the stigma of being self-published. I haven't tried sending anything to a literary agent, but according to John Jarrold chances of getting published are 0.01% so I don't reckon those! I have a friend who self published last year and now earns 5k per annum - I'd be very happy with that!

 

[Jo Zebedee]

Peter Graham who used to frequent here a lot broke those odds down quite a bit, though. Once you remove those who don't have the basics of writing in place, those who don't have a defined market and those who don't build a story well enough, it came to down to only 3% of writers were producing stuff at the level it needed to be to be published.

There is no stigma to being self published, provided you make it as good as it can be. Having said that, having been priveleged enough for an agent to make suggestions for a novel I'm working in, it's hard to do that on your own.

I know JJ edited for you and will have made fab suggestions, but has anyone read the version you have produced from that edit? Before you put it out, it might be worth getting a few more beta reads?

 

[lauren$77]

Peter Graham who used to frequent here a lot broke those odds down quite a bit, though. Once you remove those who don't have the basics of writing in place, those who don't have a defined market and those who don't build a story well enough, it came to down to only 3% of writers were producing stuff at the level it needed to be to be published.

There is no stigma to being self published, provided you make it as good as it can be. Having said that, having been priveleged enough for an agent to make suggestions for a novel I'm working in, it's hard to do that on your own.

I know JJ edited for you and will have made fab suggestions, but has anyone read the version you have produced from that edit? Before you put it out, it might be worth getting a few more beta reads?

I'm still working on the version from that edit But I am lucky to have a few beta readers who read fantasy and have been very helpful! In fact I've also arranged to do a beta swap with Cosmic Geoff in a months time!

I totally agree, if you're going to self publish it has to be the very best you can make it! It's why I will definitely be pestering more people to beta read for me! and I really can be quite persistent!

 

[DaCosta]

Hi there; I come from a marketing background (for my sins!) and you're best bet is to target the websites/conventions where the SFF community congregate. Pin down your content, find comparable works and see where those books are being marketed. Pick your main competition (if you have any) and monitor their marketing activity.

 

[lauren$77]

Hi there; I come from a marketing background (for my sins!) and you're best bet is to target the websites/conventions where the SFF community congregate. Pin down your content, find comparable works and see where those books are being marketed. Pick your main competition (if you have any) and monitor their marketing activity.

devils work!!

Just kidding I used to work for a marketing agency as a graphic designer once upon a time! You're advice is really helpful DaCosta, thanks

 

[DaCosta]

Would you believe I also worked as an estate agent (I can still hear the screams) I'm actually a nice gal though. Honest.

 

[JoanDrake]

I agree with DaCosta. Though the idea of using your book as the theme for a garden seems very original and interesting too. After all, a show garden is usually better with a theme, yes? And what could be better than a book you had written.

I just wouldn't expect a lot of readers from it as the regular attendees at a garden show are not that likely to be fantasy readers too.

OTOH, if it's a prize winner as a show garden you may just start an entirely new trend. Who knows?

 

[lauren$77]

I agree with DaCosta. Though the idea of using your book as the theme for a garden seems very original and interesting too. After all, a show garden is usually better with a theme, yes? And what could be better than a book you had written.

I just wouldn't expect a lot of readers from it as the regular attendees at a garden show are not that likely to be fantasy readers too.

OTOH, if it's a prize winner as a show garden you may just start an entirely new trend.

Yes show gardens are always themed. I saw an alice in wonderland one when I did mine in 2010 which was fun. Of course you can always pump your local press and there is the 1 in 5 chance you'll get televised, but appearing on a gardening programme is probably of little use anyway.

So I agree I don't think it would generate sales for a book and building a show garden is ALOT of work. I do hope to do another in the future as it's a rewarding thing to do, but perhaps I'll look for a sponsor next time with prize money! At least that way I'll make some hard cash!

 

[Montero]

Couple of passing thoughts.

1. If you get TV coverage for your different garden that might attract more of the target attention.

2. YouTube film of your garden and book. Some people like quirky and that gets attention.

3. A lot of people on SFF have said regarding self-published sales that volume helps a lot especially if you are writing a series i.e. have several books out before doing a lot of marketing. Also gives readers a happy feel that they are not starting a series that would never be finished. So maybe the garden in a couple of years when you have several books out.

But I've never worked in marketing.

Mind you - did you see the plasticine garden that was entered into the Chelsea flower show by James May ? Liked that.

 

[Glitch]

I haven't tried sending anything to a literary agent, but according to John Jarrold chances of getting published are 0.01% so I don't reckon those!

Even with low odds, it's still worth a shot in my book. Never hurts to try

 

[lauren$77]

Couple of passing thoughts.

1. If you get TV coverage for your different garden that might attract more of the target attention.

2. YouTube film of your garden and book. Some people like quirky and that gets attention.

3. A lot of people on SFF have said regarding self-published sales that volume helps a lot especially if you are writing a series i.e. have several books out before doing a lot of marketing. Also gives readers a happy feel that they are not starting a series that would never be finished. So maybe the garden in a couple of years when you have several books out.

But I've never worked in marketing.

Mind you - did you see the plasticine garden that was entered into the Chelsea flower show by James May ? Liked that.

Thanks Montero for some great ideas!

Yes perhaps in a couple of years would be better! I think you're right it would need to be quite quirky and I like the idea of posting it on Utube!

I do remember the plasticine garden - it certainly got plenty of tv coverage! It's actually a dream of mine to build a show garden at Chelsea. I have a few friends who've done it and were televised - what a buzz!

 

[thaddeus6th]

I agree that it's worth a shot. Sounds like a good, original idea to me