| Here's what I've discovered in perusing the | | | | Jesus. Mmm....Does that ring a bell? I'm sure |
| coverage of this year's BookExpo America: all | | | | it's no mistake that Ms. McGowan's publishers |
| is NOT doom and gloom in the publishing | | | | are promoting her at the Expo at the same |
| industry! If anything people are just as | | | | time that The Da Vinci Code movie is out |
| excited about books as they ever were and | | | | there ringing up the big box office |
| that means lots of opportunity for people | | | | bucks!This doesn't necessarily mean that |
| like us who are interested in putting more | | | | McGowan was looking to ride the coattails of |
| books out there in the world. But success | | | | Da Vinci when she wrote her book, but when |
| doesn't happen by accident. There are still | | | | marketing time comes around and you can |
| obstacles to overcome and the more you know | | | | connect your book to a previous success and |
| about the publishing process, the easier your | | | | hop on that bandwagon as she's doing, by all |
| journey will be. So let me share with you a | | | | means, get on board!Not All Stars Get All the |
| few of the tips I gleaned from this year's | | | | Attention.I thought it was interesting that, |
| Expo that can inform--and hopefully | | | | as the Times reports, less than half the |
| inspire--your process.Making the Leap from | | | | seats (in a 400-seat conference room) were |
| the Unknown is Still PossibleThe New York | | | | filled for author Mitch Albom's presentation |
| Times highlighted the story of author | | | | at the Expo. Here's someone with a proven |
| Kathleen McGowan and how she was present at | | | | track record: Tuesdays With Morrie and The |
| both last year's and this year's BookExpo. | | | | Five People You Meet in Heaven, so it's not |
| Last year, though, Ms. McGowan and her | | | | as though he's someone whose selling power |
| husband had gone into debt to travel to the | | | | has dried up. I'm wondering if the book reps |
| Expo and struggled to get anyone to pay | | | | at the Expo are more focused on finding the |
| attention to her self-published novel, The | | | | next hot thing instead of spending time with |
| Expected One. The whole experience brought | | | | the tried and true, which they're going to |
| her to tears. "I was, like, is there any | | | | stock anyway. If that's the case then...It's |
| point for us to be here?" she told the | | | | Worth Your While to Attend--If You're Clear |
| Times.Apparently there was because months | | | | About What You Want!If the reps are looking |
| later Ms. McGowan managed to sell her book to | | | | for the totally new, you could be the writer |
| Touchstone Fireside, an imprint of Simon & | | | | they're looking for. So consider making the |
| Schuster, for a reported seven-figure | | | | investment for next year, BUT only if you |
| advance! This year she is being toasted at | | | | have thoroughly prepared your material and |
| numerous parties and people are lining up for | | | | know what you want to get out of the event |
| her to sign her book. She's a great example | | | | and who you want to meet. I'd say going to |
| because she perservered when she could have | | | | such a big convention would justify also |
| easily given up in frustration. It's also | | | | spending the money to get the help you need |
| good to know that those rags to riches | | | | to complete your book or whip it into shape. |
| stories can still happen. One note, though: | | | | You want to make your first impression the |
| Ms. McGowan's book was not necessarily sold | | | | best. I'm sure the McGowan's didn't make the |
| on its own merits alone. The author either | | | | decision lightly to attend last year at such |
| knew or soon learned that...It Helps to Be | | | | great expense. It looks like she brought her |
| Tied in to a Big TrendMs. McGowan's book, The | | | | A-material and her A-game. I'd say her return |
| Expected One, is described as a thriller | | | | on investment has been excellent! |
| about a descendant of Mary Magdalene and | | | | |