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Home » Writing Craft » Book Business » Page 14

Book Business

Genre Hopping

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 3, 2013
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bounce rate, web marketing

An author recently posed a question to us through our question button (in the right column on the blog page). We like when authors do this, so please feel free to use the button!

While everyone’s situation is different, the elements of the question are relevant to many so I’m addressing those today.

I have a question about genre hopping. I have a non-fiction book geared for parents of teens that is going to be released by a traditional publishing house in the spring. I have written 100’s of articles , but this is my first book project. I also have worked on a historical fiction novel for middle school readers for about the last 7 years and am in the final edits, book cover design and all the other details that go with self publishing. It will also be released at the beginning of next year as well. I have a distinct marketing plan for both books that are separate from each other as to not cause genre confusion for readers.  

What is the rule of thumb for staying within a single genre?

This author honed in on one question, but has asked many. If this author were a client, I would set aside a good block of time for a phone call to talk over the following:

1.) Your first allegiance is to your traditional publisher. Because you are usually under a contractual obligation to your traditional publisher. The terms of that agreement likely will include a non-compete clause that should be honored. Why? Because this is the publisher investing thousands of dollars in you in hopes of making your book a success. Even if the publisher didn’t pay an advance to you, professional editing, artwork, printing, marketing, etc. are not free to the publisher. In return, your obligation is to work with the publisher to ensure that book’s success. This means promoting that title over others you have in the works.

2.) Your books seem to be releasing too closely together. While keeping readers from becoming confused is commendable and desirable, the fact is, no author can commit 100% to marketing two books at once. See #1.

3.) Do you have the time, energy, and finances to be effective in marketing two disparate books, regardless of their planned release dates? For example, will you purchase and maintain two web sites? Two domains? Two blogs? Will you use different publicity pictures and materials for each book? How will you handle book signings? What about a speaking ministry?

4.) Your career appears to lack focus. Why is it a good idea to release a book you’ve been working on for seven years at this point in time, right on the heels on a book you have sold to a traditional publisher, one that you hope will make money and an impact on your readers?

5.) Self-publishing can be beneficial to authors, but timing needs to be strategic. The desire to get your name out there on as many titles as possible, with hopes of increasing income, is understandable. But since these two audiences have very little overlap, the titles won’t help each other sell.  The question should also be raised as to whether the middle grade has even been marketed to traditional publishers. If not, why not?

6.) You appear to need a career plan. Are you hoping one of the books finds an audience and will plan to write and market your next book accordingly? Or is the seven-year project the fruition of a dream and more or less a lark? Wouldn’t it be better to focus on writing your followup book for the traditional publisher and build your brand that way, thereby maximizing your potential to gain an audience thanks to your connection with a traditional publisher? Or, if the self-published project is the book of your heart, why not take the path of a fiction author? See #4.

7.) And finally, the answer as to whether or not an author can or should hop genres is as varied as the number of authors. The answer needs to be customized to your career path. Factors such as how established an author is, where her audience lies, how her audience finds her, and her contract with her traditional publisher, are only a few aspects to consider. Yes, you have addressed the idea of separating genres and should keep from confusing your readers. However, the real question, is this idea workable?

Your turn:

1.) Which authors do you enjoy who hop genres?

2.) Do you feel it’s difficult as an author to divide your loyalties in genres, or seamless? Why?

3.) As a writer, do you want to hop genres? Why or why not?

Leave a Comment
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Genre, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: Career, Genre, Writing Craft

Mystery of the Bestseller List

By Dan Balowon September 24, 2013
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In my years in publishing, one of the most interesting aspects has been the evolution of best-seller lists.  The primary source of confusion for authors and publishers of Christian books is that the most influential best-seller lists (New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly) do not consider sales of books at Christian retailers in their calculations to any great extent.  Hence, Christian …

Read moreMystery of the Bestseller List
Category: Book Business, Book Sales, DanTag: bestseller lists, Bestsellers, Book Sales

Brainstorming: The Ground Rules (Part Two)

By Karen Ballon September 4, 2013
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Are you getting excited about brainstorming? I really hope so. There is so much to be gained from surrounding yourself with other writers ready and willing to share their creativity with you. And from being willing yourself to share with others. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary task. Knowing you have a group of writers rooting for you, excited about and praying for your project as you’re …

Read moreBrainstorming: The Ground Rules (Part Two)
Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: brainstorming, Career, Creativity, Writing Craft

Success! Now What?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 22, 2013
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Christian publishing professionals want to honor God with success. Sometimes God grants recognition quickly. Other times, He does not. And since Christians are human, it's hard not to be a little jealous of acclaimed authors.

But what about success? Are you ready for it?

Here are just a few concerns I've seen from various published authors:

1.) I'm nervous about my advance. What if I …

Read moreSuccess! Now What?
Category: Book Business, Career, TamelaTag: Book Business, Career, Success

Back to School for You

By Steve Laubeon August 19, 2013
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by Steve Laube

I'm of the generation that remembers the day after Labor Day being the first day of school. But no more. All through August kids of all ages have been headed back to the classroom. When our daughters were in Marching Band they had rehearsals on the field twice a day, starting two weeks before school began...which put their practices into the month of July...in …

Read moreBack to School for You
Category: Book Business, Book Review, Career, Craft, Get Published, Marketing, Reading, SteveTag: Book Review, Reading, School

Be More Dog!

By Karen Ballon August 7, 2013
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Last Friday our blog featured a wonderful video called "Be More Dog." My dad had introduced it to me a couple weeks ago.

As I watched it, I realized what great advice this is for us as writers. In your writing, in your career, be more dog! How, you ask? Simple…

Meet each day—and each challenge—with abandon. Jump at the day, ready to take on whatever comes. Live in the moment. Embrace the …

Read moreBe More Dog!
Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Fun Fridays, Karen, Personal, Writing CraftTag: Career

One Day at a Time Technology

By Dan Balowon August 6, 2013
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Computers are the perfect example of something we learn about and then must constantly update that knowledge. It’s like we have all had to become scientists or doctors. Just a few years ago, computer storage was measured in megabytes. Then it reached a thousand megabytes and we moved on to gigabytes. When we reach a thousand gigabytes we need terabytes.

As a public service, here is something to …

Read moreOne Day at a Time Technology
Category: Book Business, Career, Dan, Marketing, TechnologyTag: Book Business, Technology

Attract Attention…(Part Four)

By Karen Ballon July 24, 2013
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So we've considered three of the four BPs of attracting the attention of an agent or editor. BP number one was “Be Professional.” Number two was “Be Passionate.” The third BP was "Be Plugged In."  I've loved the discussion for each one, and look forward to reading what you think of this last BP. Especially since I think this is the hardest one for us. We writers are so focused on learning and …

Read moreAttract Attention…(Part Four)
Category: Agents, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Get Published, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Agents, Editors

What Am I Looking For?

By Dan Balowon July 23, 2013
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I started in Christian publishing in 1983 working in the telemarketing department for David C. Cook Publishers when they were located in Elgin, Illinois.   As a young guy working for a company that had been around for over 100 years, I was in awe.

Starting to work for Steve Laube and with professionals like Karen Ball and Tamela Hancock Murray, I am stunned once again.  We combine for over 100 …

Read moreWhat Am I Looking For?
Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Craft, Creativity, Dan, Writing CraftTag: Agency, book proposals

Fun Fridays – July 19, 2013

By Steve Laubeon July 19, 2013
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This is a fun cover of a popular song. The unfortunate thing is that the chorus is one of those that sticks in your head...all day. But to make it worse the lyrics of the chorus could be the anthem song for either publishers or bookstores. Listen yourself to see if you agree (you can skip the part where the arranger begins talking at the end):

Read moreFun Fridays – July 19, 2013
Category: Book Business, Creativity, Fun Fridays, Get Published, Steve
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