Getting in on the Branding

Subject: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:02 am

So I was wondering...when I was a kid, my parents had these leather look bound books by Reader's Digest that came in the mail once a month or so. They were pretty average looking really, but at the same time unmistakealby Readers' Digests. They are remarkably plain, but unforgettable. Hmm.
I wonder what the appetite would be to brand and market POD books in a particular way. Doesn't have to be all POD books; perhaps it is the POD books of a certain group of authors, or...not referred to as POD, but perhaps as something else. The goal would be to attract not just our already massive following of loyal readers, but something that grabs a reader's eye and says "PICK ME UP, I AM A DAMN GOOD BOOK and don't have to come from one of the big houses". The other day in my local book store, some time after I went around and faced all my friends books so that the covers can be seen by the browsing public, I looked at the big displays. Most of them center around a theme. I wonder if we could. I mean, there is a table for chick lit (which generally has a branded "look" even from different publishers), a table for recipe books, a table for local authors, and even one for Dummies. Depending on the season, there is one for Mother's Day (here in May), one for "summer reading and travel" and so on...I think I will percolate about this a little longer. In the meantime, share your thoughts and let's see what we can come up with...you know, dream a little dream... affraid

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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:21 am

Super idea for a thread, Pam! (there I go again with the exclamation mark - my editor said that is my most outstanding problem in my writing)

When I go into a brick & mortar store, I am usually looking for my favorite authors latest releases. I can scan a wall of books and pick them out just from the cover alone. I can't put my finger on what exactly draws my eyes to it, but if you look at the covers of Jean Auel's Clan of the Cave Bear, The Valley of Horses, The Mammoth Hunters, etc. you will see what I mean (She's one of my faves).

The Harlequin Romances are another example, but those show me I'm in the wrong section... lol.

For my book, Keechie, my wife did a watercolor for me to show the publisher what I wanted, and they used it! It definitely stands out on the shelf... if I could get in on the shelves, that is... sour grapes.

Leather-bound books... hmmm
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Brew
My website:http://www.philwhitley.com
"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." ~ John Adams, 1765

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:14 pm

You with the exclamation marks Brew, and me with the dashes. I know what you mean about the look of the books--they're distinctive and eyecatching. I am not saying we would want to be leather bound (of fake leather, since we're on a self pay thing here), but something perhaps, to draw in the indie music listener as an indie reader...something compelling...
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

Pam,

How about this? The Reader's Digest books were condensed books (four books to a volume). What do you think about producing a set of books with shortened versions of novels?
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:53 pm

That's a good idea Shelagh. I think it's an interesting way to showcase several authors at once, and spread the cost (and risk I suppose) among the group, as well as the reward of recognition.
I wonder how the publishing houses would embrace it? Easier for them to market, or more complicated? Maybe some of our publishing friends will weigh in on this too.
More ideas folks?
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:31 pm

Here's an idea. How about four of us getting together, and releasing an abridge version of our books in one volume via Lulu or some other self-publishing house. We could share the costs (and the work). Of course, you'd have to your publishers approval to do this....
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Jenny
Writing as Victoria Howard

www.victoriahoward.co.uk

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:52 pm

Getting permission might be a problem, but with so many prolific writers here, how hard would it be for several to collaborate on new novellas, and put them all in one book? I wonder what our publisher members think of the idea?
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

I wonder if there might be sufficient interest to put together an anthology by Published Authors similar to Stories of Strength. I could publish it under Mandinam Press.

The anthology could be short stories and poems. The Stories of Strength anthology sold about 1,000 copies. With 114 contributors, that's less than 10 copies per contributor. The book was reasonably priced and available on Amazon and all the other bookstores. If the work involved would be worth it for the sale of 1,000 copies, I'll work with a group of volunteer editors to put the book together.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:31 pm

We may have hit on a good idea there! With a collaborative effort, it might go over very well. What kind of costs would be involved, do you suppose?
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:45 pm

This is a really good idea, and needn't be limited to local collaboration.
With authors and presses springing up like mushrooms after a rain, it's probably a really good time to offer readers the same kind of digest/survey reading that made Condensed Books such a success.

WHat is Mandiman Press?
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Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

No costs involved. Only time. That would be my biggest worry. I know that I would put the time in but how many of the 153 members here would do the same?

People always want to be in on everything (especially if it means they can see their work published) but they have a million excuses for not pulling their weight.

I delete between 60-100 unopened emails each day but when I send a broadcast message from the Published Authors Network, I receive requests to remove people from the email list. All they need to do is delete me from their list of friends but that's too much effort on their part. They joined the network for what they could get out of it, not to be a contributing member.

It doesn't exactly endear me.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:55 pm

lin, what do you mean by 'local'? We are all so widespread that the promotion would virtually be global. Or am I not understanding what you mean?
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Admin Joined : 11 Jan 2008 Posts : 1780 Location : UK

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:59 pm

Time, of course, is a prime concern, as most of us have other irons in the fire. But if we each devoted some time, it wouldn't be overwhelming to just one person. Dedication and responsibility would have to come into play here.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Subject: Re: Getting in on the Branding Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:56 pm

I know what you mean on the collaboration from Shelagh, and it is a big time commitment. I am currently involved in two large projects based in the US (non-fiction projects I can share with your guys later this year and early next year) that have 40-50 authors involved each, and a couple of full time "coaches" trying to herd the fish that are contributing. Because that's how it can get, herding fish. It's difficult, even if it done as a POD type project where they have to pay to get into the book.
I agree that local is a relative term; we are local as part of the forum here since we have things in common that draw us together. Hmm.
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Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com