Monday, December 6, 2010

My future in publishing and a giveaway!


THE RANDOM GENERATOR HAS SPOKEN. THE WINNER OF AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB IS: JEANNENE WALKER. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT mariageraci1@gmail.com with your address so I can put your copy in the mail. Congratulations!



My Future in Publishing
by Maria Geraci

Today, my third baby goes out into the world. My third novel, that is. You’d think by now I’d be a pro. Or at least a semi-pro. And although I’m a bit more savvy about publishing than I was eighteen months ago, in a lot of ways I still feel like an amateur.

A few months ago I attended the first day of the Novelists, Inc, conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. It was a day of forum workshops led by some of the biggest names in the publishing industry- agents, editors, attorneys, publicists, New York Times best selling authors. The topic was the future of publishing. I was surprised (or maybe I shouldn’t have been) to discover that a lot of those people are as clueless as I am. Okay, maybe not as clueless, but the bottom line was that nobody really knows what’s going on in publishing today. The advent of e-publishing is changing what we refer to as “the book” in much the same way as the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press did almost 600 years ago. Book stores are going out of business, print runs are declining, self-publishing is on the rise, and Google and Amazon are plotting to take over the world. If it’s confusing seasoned pros, how’s a newbie like myself going to survive in this rapidly evolving world of publishing?

I’ll never forget the moment when one author in the audience raised her hand to ask this question, “What can an author do to help promote her books if she has a relatively low print run, like say, 20,000?”

There was a pause. You know that pause. When everyone in the panel turned and looked at each other with the expression that said, “who’s going to answer that one?”

And then one brave soul (I wish I could remember who said it) looked the audience straight in the eyes and said, “Absolutely nothing.”

No one gasped. No one shook their heads in disbelief. Instead it was met with a lot of knowing smirks and nods. Because the truth is, in a lot of ways, that answer is correct. There’s a lot in publishing that as an author, is completely out of our control. Like print runs. And co-ops. And bad covers.

But there’s one thing that is completely within our control. And that’s writing the best book that we can. We heard that advice a lot from the panel. And while there was still some smirking in the audience (I mean, who doesn’t set out to write the best book they can?) the panel was right on about that. A good book plus lots of positive word of mouth is still the recipe for a successful novel.

And the new word of mouth is, dare I say it? Social networking. It’s the promotion mantra of the new millennium. And while a part of me is sick to death of hearing about it, there’s the other part of me that thinks social networking, while sometimes overrated, is good. Print runs may be down, but people are still reading. They’re just using a different medium (the internet). And that same medium offers authors like myself (those of us who don’t have big print runs) a chance to expand our fan base with electronic word of mouth.

So how’s my future in publishing looking these days? Well, I wrote the best book I could, and I’m promoting it the best way I know how. The rest is up to the cosmos. The one thing I do know is that I’ll keep writing books and somehow they’ll get published (even if I have to do the self-publishing thing) because my future relies solely on me. And that, at least, is something that I can control.

That all said, I’ll happy, proud and just down right tickled to announce that my third novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club is out in bookstores everywhere today! It’s a romantic comedy about a woman who turns her dysfunctional book club into a boyfriend club where members critique the men they’ve dated, comparing them to classic literary heroes and villains.

At thirty, Grace O’Bryan has dated every loser that Daytona Beach has to offer. After the ultimate date-from-hell, Grace decides to take matters into her own hands and turns her dwindling book club into a boyfriend of the month Club, where women can come together to discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real live twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?

Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents’ failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who’s great with a smile but not so great at commitment? Unfortunately, just like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers…

"Romance readers will revel in the Austen-perfect happy ending and the warm friendships among members of the club." Publishers Weekly

Leave a comment and I’ll randomly select one person to win an autographed copy! US and Canada only, please. I’ll announce the winner on top of this post Wednesday morning. Good luck!

Maria Geraci writes fun, romantic women's fiction. You can learn more about her books at her website http://www.mariageraci.com/ or her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MariaGeraciBooks




42 comments:

  1. Yay, Maria!!!
    Congrats on the release ;). Amazon told me that my copies have shipped, so I'm looking forward to their arrival this week. Can't wait to read it!! xo

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  2. The book sounds wonderful, Maria--looking forward to reading!

    Just saw it highlighted in the Goodreads December newsletter (on the New Books sidebar.) More great publicity!

    Congrats!

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  3. Thanks, Marilyn!

    Melissa, I just saw the Goodreads newsletter. What a nice surprise! Thanks for letting me know :)

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  4. My copy's on the way too! Congrats on release day!!

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  5. Hi Marai,

    An interesting and positive post. Happy pub day.

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  6. This sounds like so much fun. I am the founder of a neighborhood book club that meets once a month & even though we really do discuss the book, we have to catch up with everyone's news first, especially our single ladies' love life!

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  7. I agree that social networking can be exhausting. I'm not an author, but I am a reader and a book blogger and keeping up with everyone's blog posts, tweets, and Facebook pages can be a bit overwhelming. What I can say with certainty is that I have bought some books that I would not have even heard about otherwise because people took the time to blog about them, mention them somewhere online, or the author has put him/herself out there. So keep it up- it's working!

    I would love to be the lucky person to win a copy of your new book! I just saw it on "Chick Lit Is Not Dead" as well and I'm intrigued.

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  8. Thanks, Jamie and Karin!

    Ruthie, I actually conceived the idea of this book while visiting a friend's book club. Although they did talk about the book, the topic of conversation segued into husbands, kids, work, etc, and got my wheels spinning :)

    Jonita, thanks for commenting. I loved writing that Bucket List for Chick Lit is Not Dead!

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  9. Maria,Congratualations on your third book!! I bet the experience is as exciting as the first! My copy is also on its way. It sounds like a fun & entertaining read.

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  11. Of course it's early and I had a typo. I meant I'm so happy for you Maria. Big congrats!!

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  12. Happy Release Day, Maria! May your sales be many. I enjoyed reading this post.

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  13. Oh what a fun sounding book! I lived in Florida for a few years so this sounds especially enticing. And I love a title with the word "club" in it - my latest release is "The Tom Jones Club." lol! We'll have to make our own club - the club club.

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  14. I love a great romantic comedy! Can't wait to read it.

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  15. I recently attended an event given by a prestigious music school about making it in the music business with social media. The audience was made up of college students - the one segment of the population who seem most able to master these technologies and tools for success. They were as clueless as the rest of us.

    Which leaves us with one strategy - write the best darn book possible. Thanks for the reminder and good luck!

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  16. Great post, Maria. Thanks for affirming the necessity of social networking in these uncertain times. The online time is not for naught.

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  17. Boy, you said it, Maria--nobody really knows where the evolution will lead. A lot has changed even since my first novel came out in early '08. We do what we can do, and hope for the best.

    Your latest sounds like great fun; happy pub day to you!

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  18. Sounds like a great book. I can't wait to read it!

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  19. This book had been on my to read list. Would love to win. Good luck with everything Maria.

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  20. Looking forward to reading it as well!

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  21. Congratulations and you are right. The only thing we can control is our writing and then, the promotion of our work. The rest is up to the cosmos.

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  22. Really great post, Maria. Such interesting stuff. I wish I could've attended that conference!!

    I love the new book cover! Best of luck with it-- I really love the premise. Hope sales are soaring!!

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  23. congratulations and i just wanted to say, I think you are doing a great job on promos I habe seen your book around in 3 places now and it is definitely on my radar

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  24. I have discovered so many wonderful authors from the blogs that I'm following. I may not have ever read their books otherwise! That's how I found you! If I don't get this book for Christmas, I will be in the store the day after to buy it! I have heard nothing but great things about The Boyfriend of the Month Club!

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  25. Just found this site via @EllenMeister's tweet. Very cool! I can't imagine how exciting it would be to have a novel published, but I would expect the third time would still be as exciting to me.
    And it's true - the publishing world is changing SO much. Your story sounds compelling! I'd love to read it.

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  26. Elen, thanks! I hope my sales are many also!

    Kathy, it's amazing how many novels out there end in the word "club." I had no idea until I came up with the title for mine. Good luck with your release!

    Mary, thanks for commenting! Romantic comedy is my favorite genre ;)

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  27. Tart and Soul (love that tag, by the way), it's amazing how much no one really knows, isn't it? Write the best book, the best song, the best screenplay... that's all we can do. Thanks for commenting!

    Cindy, I read somewhere that 80% of a writers time at the computer was doing promotion. Can't remember where I saw that statistic, but it stuck in my head. I didn't believe it at the time, but there are days when it's definitely true for me:)

    Therese, thanks for the well wishes!

    BRN2SHOP9, thanks for your well wishes too!

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  28. Lauren, thanks! It's a beautiful day here in north Florida. I set my laptop right by the window overlooking my backyard:) Lots of cool sunshine!

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  29. Jeanenne and Teresa, thanks for commenting!

    Denise, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the cosmos is aligned in my favor :)

    Brenda, I only attended the first day of the conference since I'm not a member of Novelists, Inc. I plan to join, though. From what I can see, it's a great organization. Thanks for the well wishes.

    Joanna, Yay! So glad you've been seeing me around the internet. I've been trying;)

    Cindy, thanks for the kind words about my book. GBC is a great blog!

    Not Just Another Jennifer, thanks for commenting. And thank you to Ellen for tweeting about the post!

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  30. Maria, hooray on the release of THE BOYFRIEND OF THE MONTH CLUB. I cannot wait to read it! It's on my Christmas list, and you know I've got to get a copy for my sister who has her own BOMC! Hope you sell oodles! :-)

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  31. Congrats Maria! I'm diving into the book and it is terrific - witty and fun. Have a fantastic launch!

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  32. Congrats on your new baby Maria. I love this concept and look forward to reading. And you are so right. If we write the best book we can and do all the heavy lifting with promotion, beyond that it's not in our hands. Sending lots of good vibes your way!

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  33. Congratulations on your new release. Sounds like a fun story set in one of my favorite locales, Florida.

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  34. Susan, thanks! I hope I sell oodles too ;)

    Sarah, thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book!

    Saralee, thanks for the vibes. I'll take all the mystic powers I can get!

    Patricia, I'm a bit prejudiced since I grew up here, but Florida is definitely the best ;) Thanks for commenting!

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  35. I would love to win! Thanks for the chance!
    ra6352 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  36. Happy release day Maria! Such an exciting day when a book hits the shelves. May you sell a gajillion copies!!

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  37. Maria,

    Good luck with the book. Your post has come at just the right time for me too. Write the best book you can and promote the hell out of it. Sounds so simple, but it helps to hear it again and again. Good luck with the new book!

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  38. Uhh...I'm just a random person who happened to stumble by your blog. xD But it looks like I'll be following in either way. :)
    I would love to win, so count me!

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