Last week I got the link to an article in Publisher’s Weekly featuring 10 debut authors. The article highlights debut authors of a variety of genres, though paranormal and historical lead the pack.
A few things I thought were interesting:
1) people keep pondering whether the historical is dead but it’s the historicals which have the larger print runs (Highlander Untamed and Claiming the Courtesan) though Jacquelyn Frank’s book, Jacob: The Nightwalkers also has a large print run (tied for first with Highlander Untamed) and is a paranormal. The book with the fourth largest print run is, ironically, a historical paranormal vamp story, Colleen Gleason’s The Rest Fall’s Away (which I, incidentally, read this weekend and will blog about closer to the release date. Nothing like leaving Colleen in suspense, eh?) To be fair, two books didn’t have print run numbers at the time this was published, but of those two, one is a historical.
2) Break-out strategies. For Jacquelyn Frank’s book, it included radio giveaways. Linda Cardillo’s contemporary novel, Dancing on Sunday Afternoon: Sample chapters given to vacationers on cruise ships in the Caribbean in January and February.
3) Compare to: Colleen Gleason–Laurell K. Hamilton. I’d just like to go on record now as saying, that would be an early, early LKH, before her characters spent all their time having sex and there was actually plot to the books. Just saying 
Gerri Russel, author of The Warrior Trainer–Julie Garwood. Hmm. Where can I sign up for an ARC? Anyone got an in with Gerri cuz I want a hook up. No really.
But the thing I was most intrigued with about this article was the previously mentioned Jacob: The Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank. For two reasons. The large print numbers (250,000 mass market) and the glowing testimonial from editor Kate Duffy. “It’s so magical, sexy and intense…. I’ve never been more enthusiastic about a project.” —Kate Duffy Add that to the fact that I’d not heard of the book before the article (sorry, Jacki) despite the fact that it releases this next week (November 28th is the listed date in the article, though Amazon says December 1st) and I was curious enough to email the author herself and ask some questions. Her story is quite unique. Okay, very unique. I’ve never heard of an author with such a fortuitous road to publishing!
Can you give me the down and dirty on Jacob?
Jacob the Enforcer has survived almost 700 years on this planet as part of a rich and exotic culture of the night, one of the Nightwalker cultures, the societies that live in the shadow of the human race despite their superior power and abilities. He is the Enforcer, the one and only of his kind given the job of policing the people he calls friends and colleagues. Normally, it isn’t a difficult job, but when the Hallowed moons of Samhain and Beltane start to turn to full something primitive and bestial starts to overcome his people, the urge to mate falls on them like a wicked fever…and they start to break the law. The law is simple. Humans are off limits. Jacob must hunt them and stop them, at all costs, because no human could possibly survive so volatile a mating. Good thing he never misses a catch…
But there is that small glitch of a small human female who starts to tempt the Enforcer in ways he has never been tempted before. Jacob begins to dance a careful, frightening dance of control that he knows must be maintained or else he will hurt her…probably even kill her. As the moon grows full, however, Jacob finds out just how easy it is to forget little details like that…
I noticed that the next book is Gideon, could you tell me when the release date is on that?
Jacob comes out in a week (Jacki answered these questions last week, so Jacob actually releases this week) and Gideon June 5th of 07. Can’t tell you about the next books because then it gives away twists in the first. Each book will be like that I think. Twists or surprises or what have you. I am mum because I HATE SPOILERS! Heh.
what kind of promo are you doing for your first book, to get your name out there?
The only promo so far has been ads in RT and the articles in RT and PW and the giveaway Kensington did. I will be signing in Houston at the RT convention, hopefully with ARCs of Gideon in hand. No promises there though.
I am on my site www.jacquelynfrank.com and myspace and I try to connect with as many other authors and readers as I can possibly manage. Jacki has both a message board and a blog on her website, if you’re interested in checking them out and learning more about Jacob and future books.
Anything interesting about this book, yourself or the process of being a first time author you’d like to share?
The interesting thing about getting published was that I completely backed into it. I never pounded the pavement, never hawked my wares. I was too chicken. Too much of a perfectionist and too afraid of those rejection letters I guess. Bad combo confidence wise. But…Brava held a contest and my GFs beat me with love and praise until I entered and Kate Duffy called me and solicited me for work. Long story short, she read Jacob, went crazy over it, and spoiled me with a great agent from Writer’s House, a six book contract and has been so nice to me in spite of my nerves that she deserves a medal. Voila! I’m an author without a single rejection letter. Now there’s a confidence builder! Heh. She is a fabulous lady. So is Robin Rue from Writer’s House. Robin is like everybody’s mother, and Kate is this blunt, brilliant lady who just charges ahead with so much faith in me it’s insane!
But she is the reason I got that huge first print run. She got my book out to everyone and helped create this excitement and anticipation for it.
So, there you have it. Now I just want to rush through the next couple of years so you all can catch up to where I am in the series. It is going to be so much fun! I have a huge playground of species and cultures to introduce you to. I am just as surprised and delighted by them as you might be!
/end interview
Six book contract? Anyone else think her editor believes in not only her writing but the series? That’s just…wow! I haven’t read the book yet, since of course it doesn’t release until next week. I will be searching this one out at Barnes and Noble, though, because I’m eager to see what Kate Duffy is so enthusiastic about.
You know when I read that article re: Frank and the comments by Kate Duffy
I have to wonder what her other authors think? Isn’t this the editorial version of Anne Stuart’s comments a couple of weeks ago? From RWA reports, it sounded like Duffy was telling everyone she could that this is the best book she’s edited in 30 years. Again, quite a slam for her other authors.
Or do we just chalk Duffy’s statement up to promotional fodder. (although with a 6 book deal, its obviously not promotional fodder).
I also thought that the “break out” strategies for everyone’s book was a bit weak. How come there was no big cardboard display or signing tours? With a 250K print run, you have to sell alot of books to break even.
Which brings me to one other thought and then I’ll shut up. If all it takes is a good title, cover and publisher backing to make a bestseller, then why not do that sort of thing for everyone’s book?
Frank’s book isn’t on my list. I’m waiting to see reviews before I get it. *nudges Angie gently*
Jane, did you hear about the book that lost to Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale? It definitely doesn’t take just publisher support to become a bestseller. Besides, if every book got publisher support, then the playing field is leveled, while costs increase and that means consumer choice will fall as supply falls.
No, I didn’t hear about the book that lost to Thirteenth Tale.
But I do have a review of the Frakn book going up tomorrow.
I’ve heard enough to be intrigued and I love reading a new writer’s first book…clean slate, no expectations and lots of curiousity. It’s on the list TBB tomorrow.
I’ve seen the RT ads for at least 3 months. I’ve been intrigued by the cover and more intrigued by the blurb each time I’ve read it (most recently last night).
I’ve decided I’m going to give Ms. Frank a chance and buy her book (although now I’m tempted to wait and read what Dear Author has to say).
Jana! You’re someone who buys based on reviews? I wouldn’t have guessed that!
I’ve ordered the Frank book, the synopsis in RT sounded interesting, and the article in RT also said she was from Saugerties, which I would consider a “local”, she lives about 25 minutes from me and I’d like to support local writers when I can.
Reading these comments are so interesting. Who cares what the publicity says or doesn’t say? Why get an attitude about it? I’ve actually read the book (gotta love those ARCs) and it’s phenomenal!
Someone had an attitude? I missed it, I didn’t see attitude.
And it’s the nature of some of us to discuss things like publicity. We’re just analytical that way.
I’m glad you loved the book, I have to go out today and see if I can find a copy at Barnes and Noble!
You know having lil promo except to have various big names tell me how fab the book is doesn’t work for me.
at. all.
I won’t be looking for this so of course I saw it last night at wally world. Hope you enjoy angie
. Do tell us if it is the bestest thing since slice bread.
Hell with that print run even if it is the bestest book evah it will be in the ubs in a week… hmmm me think I am annoyed. Must go blog or something… :dammit:
That Frank book was EVERYWHERE at BEA. Seriously, they had hundreds and hundreds of fancy-cover advance copies — whole architectural towers of them at the Kensington booth. So I would say there is a lot of promo.
Interesting to see the different responses, however (i.e., Jane’s viewing it as a slam against other authors, Sybil being unimpressed).
Personally, I thought the publicity efforts are huge — signing tours don’t sell much, especially in romance. The push from the publishers at BEA though? I bet they got a LOT of orders to justify that print run. So clearly it worked. And ads in the NYTBR are a REALLY big deal. But these are things that aren’t reader-direct.
I think that is my biggest thing Diana. How is a book all over something that big and readers not hear about it?
The general everyday, reader… ok. But the bloggers who stalk the new stuff… the info… the whatever… nothing.
And it isn’t just publisher people at places like RWA and BEA. There are readers there not in force maybe but they are there. So does the silence mean the book bites? Or were the readers not important enough to get access to the book?
That is what annoys me. I am interested though to see if all it takes it getting the book out there. If it covers rows at Walmart… it will sell regardless of it is good or not. (I say that having no clue if it is good or not – in my lil useless reader opinion of course :sigh: )
I am surprised that signing tours don’t do much in romance. I would say that Suzanne Brockmann pretty much built her career on signing tours. It’s one way to cement relationships with readers because no matter how many books the buyers buy, you still have to sell them to the reader.
I never expected my story to raise so many questions or hostilities about the practices of the publishing world. I would like to say that this is an abbreviated account of the story and far more went on than you are seeing. In fact, that is the case for all of it. Much, much more goes on in this process and for such a multitude of reasons than I think others realize. Rather than nit and pick and autopsy what happened to get me on the shelves, I guess I would just like everyone to read the story. Despite the ‘fairytale’ I describe, I worked hard to make that happen…to make it available to you. No one here is omniscient and no one knows what goes into a production effort like this, but I can assure you that the last thing any publisher wants is to treat readers like peons not worth informing. The ad in RT, the promos, the bit in PW and the displays at BEA and RT are clearly about gaining attention. I did interviews and letters and much more, all efforts to get your attention. If you hadn’t heard about Jacob, it isn’t for lack of trying on my part or Kensington’s.
I hope you all read Jacob and I hope you enjoy it based on its own merit alone, not on all the backstory about its author. I look forward to your opinions once you do. :bat:
I bought it last night, Jacki
And you’d be surprised at just what creates a furor in blogland. The things you think are most innocuous are the things that will jump out at you.
I’ve been intrigued about this book for awhile now. Can’t wait to read it. :chicken:
Ain’t that the truth, Angie! :exactly:
I think a lot of the time, what people hear about “everywhere” is really just a comment about where it is that they’re going. Not a positive or negastive, but sometimes we just miss out. All last year, people would talk about seeing BattleStar Galactica everywhere, but as someone without cable or a subscription to the magazines that covered it at length, I wasn’t plugged in at all. The news outlets I was reading ignored it. I didn’t even realize that the show was the same production/cast as the miniseries I’d seen several years earlier in Australia.
I don’t know why the romance bloggers might not have heard of Jacob, if they didn’t. I’m inclined to think it just fell through the cracks of that very tight knit community? LIke I said, it was all over at BEA (with a different cover). On the ARC I have, there are blurbs from Feehand, Howard, Kenyon, and Foster. They did giveaways at “fantasy and romance conventions.” All the romance people I ran into at BEA were talking about it.
To compare, I don’t know how much was made of Kresley Cole’s book pre-release and it hit the USA Today list. And I, personally, didn’t hear anything about JR Ward pre-release but I must be the only person who didn’t. I suppose I just wasn’t going ot the sites that talked about it.
And about signings — I don’t know anything about Brockmann, but I have been to dozens and dozens of signings in the romance industry — big hitters and midlisters, and this is what I see: 1) writer’s family, 2) diehard fans who flew in from out of town to meet other fans and make a day of it, 3) a few other writers hanging around looking to pick up tips. Whenever people ask me why I wasn’t on tour I ask them the last time they’d been to a booksigning. the answer was almost always “never.” I think romance is even harder than most genres because you usually aren’t doing a reading or anything else that would bring people in. In September, I talked to one of those mystery writers who ‘Made his name” touring and he said most stops he was lucky to sell a book or two — for hardcover, maybe that makes sense. But I’m not sure about MM. The real benefit is meeting booksellers and signing stock. Which is why I can see concentrating on BEA.
Just to weigh in on the book…I just finished Jacob and it was fantastic. I can’t wait for the next installment.
Congrats on your first book Jacki – no matter how you ended up getting it done!
Jacob has to be one of the best books I have read in a long time.I’m all about the paranormal romance and this book was so different from the rest.Amazing job Jacki.I wish you all the best for the future.And I so cant wait to read more!!
:hips: I have to tell you that Ive read her book only on the basis that she contacted me and we stuck up a conversation. I find her to be an enjoyable person. She has wit and fire to match. Should it be we ever meet in RL I think she would be the type of freind you call up any time day or night cause you have something going on good or bad.
She may not be able to help you solve it but she would weep or cry with you as the situation warrents.
Now about JACOB. I hate, I seriously hate romances. I cant say that enough. I did figure what the heck with the book tho. She sounds so down to earth when we chat. I figure her book might be along the same wave length. I was right.
It will take me hours or days to get into a book before I cant put it down. Man I was blasting through JACOB by page 3.
There are ALOT of negative statements and genereal issues about Jacki and JACOB. You know what?? Its this simple: the guy on the cover is nummys; the book IMO is awesome; however make up your own mind.
Go to your local Barnes or Daltons or what have you. Pick a copy up. Sit down somewhere for 5 minutes and skim the book. If you think it might be worth it then buy it. If you think its not then you havent wasted your money.
You really arent wasting alot of time either. SO you go there when there is another book out you want to get. Ok you are there then cruise her book and see what you think. Not that hard, right? Right. Good luck with it and please if you like it come back and post something here or on her webbie.:hips: