#frontlist

[literaticat]

I've heard people say that the best way to sell books is to write a new one. Is this true in your experience? Does an author coming out with a new book usually see that much of an uptick in their backlist sales?

It IS very often true. (That's why I've probably said it on here 9,000 times!) Though how much of an uptick is anyone's guess.

Here's the thing: Your brand-new frontlist book has a limited window in which it's going to likely be appearing "buzzy" -- there are just too many new books coming out vying for people's attention! Months after release date, when you are sick of talking about it, any marketing efforts from the publisher have moved to newer books, ten thousand new books have come out to replace yours on displays at the bookstore -- at that point, it becomes backlist.

(That's not an insult AT ALL -- that's the literal term for books that are no longer "frontlist" -- the term comes from how products are listed in a catalogue. If you open a Widget Catalogue, the brand-new widgets that are about to come out have flashy looking placement in the front of the catalogue -- last season's widgets, and older, tried-and-true widgets are toward the back of the catalogue, probably with smaller and less flashy looking placement -- this is the nature of the widget catalogue, and so, too, is it the nature of how books are sold. BUT it's important to remember that flash-in-the-pan frontlist looks cool, but A STRONG BACKLIST KEEPS THE LIGHTS ON, for widget-makers, as well as publishers, booksellers and authors. BACKLIST IS IMPORTANT!)

So maybe your backlist sales are already robust, maybe they are meh, but either way, at a certain point, they have probably reached some kind of equilibrium where they aren't really GROWING anymore.

There are a few things I can think of that can cause an uptick in backlist sales at that point. (And that may mean a little bump to sales for a short time. Or maybe a BIG bump. Or maybe an improvement that lasts for years to come. Who knows?)

But you notice how there's only one of them that you have any kind of control over? Yeah.

-- Timeliness / Virality: Something happens in the world that brings this topic / book back into the public consciousness, or influencers "discover" it and revive interest in it. (Like, one of my client's decade-old backlist book originally published in 2008 all of a sudden started taking off out of nowhere, presumably because it has a similar theme to a popular Netflix show except less problematic and with queer characters, and it sold enough copies that they redid the original book with a new cover, and asked him to write a sequel, which comes out tomorrow!)

-- Word-of-Mouth: This is similar to "virality" except it usually has a slower build and it's with regular people IRL instead of influencers online. In the world of kids books, I've seen this happen where, maybe an author randomly does a school visit, and suddenly one classroom of kids in Michigan gets obsessed by that particular author -- they start asking the local bookstore for the books, so the books get brought into the store and put on display, and then another classroom at another school gets hold of it because Artie Cohen's cousin recommended it, and suddenly all of Ann Arbor is reading this book, and wouldn't you know it, the Cohens have extended family they are visiting in New Jersey, they bring the series with them to gift the kids, and an outbreak starts in Weehawken, and so on. (Yes, I have really seen this happen in my role as a bookseller!)

-- Awards / Curriculum tie-ins / State lists: If your book is lucky enough to win an award, particularly one given by librarians, that can give a big boost to sales for a good long time. If teachers start to use your book in connection with their curriculum, and/or it gets put on summer reading lists at schools, state reading lists, etc, that, too, can help sales for a good long time. These things may happen over the course of years, not instantaneously, which is why they are helpful for backlist.

-- You write a new book. The new book is buzzy! During the buzz window there's fresh marketing, you are talking about it, people are talking about it online, it's visible, on displays, etc. People are interested in the new book, they buy it, they like it, they look for your other books. Or, people are interested in your new book, they search for it online, your other books pop up in their algorithm, etc.

(There are probably other ways I can't think of, but I bet they sorta fall into one of these buckets!)

#frontlist #backlist #publishing

[showthisbooksomelove]

Ship Wrecked ~ Olivia Dade

Ship Wrecked ~ Olivia Dade

Rating: 5/5 Ship Wrecked is one of my new favorite romances, and you better believe I will be recommending it to other romance readers. Two people meet and have a one-night-stand, and although they were very passionate and emotionally connected, Maria chooses to leave the hotel room before Peter wakes up. Upon waking, Peter is understandably disappointed, as he felt the night was exceptional and…

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#ReadWomen #book review #Fiction #frontlist #netgalley #novel #Olivia Dade #published2022 #review #Romance #ship wrecked

[betterbooksandthings]

“Falling in love with a vampire, werewolf, witch, or other paranormal creature is a time-honored tradition of paranormal romance. What if you fell in love with an urban legend? Would you cower in fear, or would you get even closer? If you are in the latter group, this is the quiz for you.

The literary tradition of falling for an otherworldly person is everywhere. The animal bride and groom tradition shows a longstanding pattern of mystical or magical creatures who end up with human partners. Animal shifter romances are also entrenched in the western literary canon with poems like Marie De France’s Yonec (where a lady falls for a Hawk-Knight) and Bisclavret (where a lady falls out of love when she realizes her Knight husband is a werewolf and the king takes him on as his werewolf-Knight). Something is incredibly appealing about an otherworldly person who chooses to trust you with their secret, power, or secret powers. I, for one, cannot see it stopping any time soon. If it does, I will have to read the backlist of my favorite sub-genre as I patiently wait for paranormal romance to become popular again.

I’ve selected a mix of backlist and frontlist paranormal romance books that cover a range of love interests from vampires, to werewolves, to witches and so much more. I am a fan of all of the paranormal romance books that are getting published once more. All I have to say is, bring it on. The paranormal romance novel you should read next awaits after a short quiz that targets your preferred vibe.“

#QUIZ: WHAT PARANORMAL ROMANCE SHOULD YOU READ NEXT? #paranormal romance #romance #paranormal #book quiz #quiz #vampire #werewolf #witch #paranormal creature #marie de france #yonec #bisclavret #animal shifter #knight #legend #magical creature #powers #backlis #frontlist #KELLEY ARMSTRONG #BITTEN #J. EMERY #FROM THE DARK WE CAME #E.S. YU #HUMAN ENOUGH #TJ KLUNE #WOLFSONG #NALINI SINGH #SILVER SILENCE

[theobviousparadox]

Best Books I Read in 2023

Best Books I Read in 2023 I feel like I’ve spent the whole last month scrambling to catch up on the things I didn’t get to in December, which means that my January tasks have also gotten pushed back a little later than normal. But, at last, here we are: talking about the best books I read in 2023. Last year was a really great one for me in terms of books. I read a lot of books that I very much…

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#2023 #backlist #Best Books #Best Books of 2023 #Frontlist

[kanika456]

Frontlist interviews Asha Nehemiah, the author of 'The Adventures of Mooli the Bully on wheels,' a children's book, in an interview that discusses the inspiration for the book, Nehemiah's writing process, and her thoughts on children's literature. To read the full interview, please visit: https://www.frontlist.in/interview-with-asha-nehemiah-author-of-the-adventures-of-mooli-the-blue-legged-alien?fbclid=IwAR0Zv0uOhqe2t4Mhf7xKGFIl-p_Lwwxo3nKzNPqx_CwaEScW64rhcWwC5M

#frontlist media #author interview #asha nehemiah #the Adventures of Mooli and The Bully on Wheels #frontlist

[frontlistmedia]

On the Frontlist website, you can read a fascinating article that explores the contentious issue of censorship - from the banning of controversial books to the suppression of ideas. The article provides insights into how censorship can stifle creativity and restrict diverse perspectives, highlighting the negative impact it can have on the publishing industry and the right to freedom of expression. Take a moment to visit the website and discover how censorship has evolved over time, and the ways in which it continues to impact the world of literature today.

#Frontlist Media #The Impact of Censorship on the Publishing Industry #frontlist

[anjali1511singh]

Buy Best Professional Textbooks like Corporate Laws, Company Law, Modern Indian Company Law, etc. by MC Kuchhal at best price from Buy Books India. For Teachers Sample copy kindly whatsapp your institution ID and complete residential address on 9811639696.

#Modern Indian Company Law by M.C. Kuchhal #Corporate Laws by M.C. Kuchhal #Company Law by M.C. Kuchhal & Alok Kuchhal #Frontlist #Shree Mahavir Book Depot

[sandiptrivedi11]

Best Professional Textbooks by Mahavir Publications

Mahavir publications is one of India's leading publishers of College, Senior secondary school (CBSE), and Best Professional Textbooks

#FrontlistBook #Mahavir Publication #Best professional textbooks #Frontlist

[hallohartje]

not me avoiding work meetings like one of my authors today was like "oh will you come to visit us? it would be so nice!" and i was like "if you send me an invite i will strongly consider it" and she was like "only strongly consider???" ma'am i love all my authors but who do you think maintains the crab basket of doom emails while i'm out seeing you

#just those lil' publishing things i guess #i could go see you but what about my other 100 frontlist authors and their emails

[toskarin]

The STG post just made me think about the recent steam shmup sale where most of the games being frontlisted were twinstick roguelites and survivor games. And while that types of games are fun, there was something sad about the idea that there's going to be a generation of designers whose primary influence and understanding of bullet pattern games come from those sources (if that generation isn't now...)

well, this has always been a bit of a problem inherent to the genre, especially now that it's old enough to span several generations. it's an old enough genre that it's not entirely out of the question that there are people on this site whose grandparents remember playing at least one

some of the best modern stgs were made because the developers couldn't find what they were looking for in the modern incarnations of the genre. it's something that reemerges pretty frequently and can't really be adapted out of existence in the same way as other "oldschool" genres that dredge up that kind of nostalgia. it's still one of the first things people learn to make when creating games

I think, like with roguelikes, there's a very intense "core" audience that will always demand incredible challenge and classic gameplay. touhou's persistent popularity will ensure that there's at least one easily accessible avenue to get into the genre (authentically even!) for the foreseeable future, I'd say

[the-monkey-ruler]

Is wukong’s relationship with tripitaka similar to hanuman and rama (but down to earth of course)

I really can’t say for certain myself as I haven’t read the Ramayana and the only real Hanuman media I've seen is the 1993 Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama.

It was a really great watch!

From what I can tell Hanuman was a pillar of loyalty and trust when it comes to Rama, he never gives up on him and goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to helping his endeavors to save his wife. That can be reflected in how Wukong is loyal to Sanzang in that regard as well. Wukong goes all over the world, heaven, hell, wherever when it comes to finding something or someone that can save Sanzang from whatever demon they are facing at the time.

The biggest difference though is that Hanuman never had to really go through a whole character arc (at least not that I saw, might have been cute from the movie), rather he follows Rama because of the honor and respect he has for while the other while Wukong was on the start of his own journey to better himself on his parole. Wukong is still unruly by the start of the journey and also almost kills Sanzang on sight, not to mention the trust they built took years to get to the level of what I think Hanuman and Rama had.

I hope that I can get the time to read the Ramayana soon! I've been hearing nothing but good things! But until then I hope to find more great media about the character.

#anonymous #anon #anon ask #jttw #journey to the west #sun wukong #xiyouji #hanuman #Ramayana #Ramayana the legend of prince rama #First media i've seen on him #He has a tv show on netflix I think? Or at least I've seen him in something on there #Also saw a monkey in sri lanka #that was an interesting movie as well #need to learn more though #ask

[showthisbooksomelove]

Yerba Buena ~ Nina LaCour

Yerba Buena ~ Nina LaCour

The first two chapters are so distinctly different, both in the narration style and the character’s journeys, at first Yerba Buena read as a collection of short stories. I actually looked it up when I was halfway through the second chapter to see if it was, only to find that the two protagonists’ journeys intersect down the road. Now I was reading it with a new lens, trying to find the ways in…

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#ReadWomen #book review #Fiction #frontlist #literary fiction #netgalley #nina lacour #novel #published2022 #review #Romance #yerba buena

[ebookporn]

Let the Kids Get Weird: The Adult Problem With Children’s Books

On Jon Klassen, Ruth Krauss, and the Grown-Up Weight of Nostalgia

By Janet Manley

Picture books must hitch a ride on the parent if a child is to get a look-in so the children’s publicity machine is tilted fully at the adults. The frontlist is built around celebrities children have never heard of (is Zadie Smith a sure thing for a young reader? Is Aubrey Plaza?), and market needs—ideas around the science of reading, social education, and moral values (of kindness, of bravery, of Christianity, etc.).

On top of that, picture books are, perhaps more so than other genres, subject to the aesthetic of bookishness—they are large format, hardcover decor, objects that parents like the idea or look of, tools that have been deemed  “appropriate” or “necessary” for their kids.

“There’s this desire to raise them to be the best baby you can,” says Hayley DeRoche, an author and comedy writer who runs the popular Sad Beige Baby accounts on Instagram and TikTok satirizing the current minimalist, monochrome nursery trends. “Sometimes I think that optimization steamrolls the silliness of childhood, the cuteness of babyhood, in an attempt to adopt this aesthetic that’s much more adult.

People keep buying The Giving Tree, despite the fact that children hate the book.

The question, then, is how children get their hands on a book like The Skull, the newest from Jon Klassen and a goodie but—to emphasize—a book about a girl and a skull, friendship and death.

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#don't lose the weird with the woke #librarians #children's books #book publishing #childrens literature #authors #writers on tumblr #childhood

[literaticat]

My editor has been keeping my agent and me apprised of our preorder numbers as we head into pub day, which is awesome info to have. But where does it come from? How does the publisher know what is a preorder versus just a retail stock order? Is it updated in real time or do various retailers submit the info in bulk? Just very curious about how they know!

I am truly not sure what it looks like on the publisher side, having never been in that position. From an indie bookstore perspective, we place our initial frontlist order many months in advance -- so let's say we order 10 copies of the book. That's not going to count as a "pre-order" -- that's our initial frontlist order for the store itself.

Now if a customer came in or called or went online to our store and "pre-ordered" a copy of the book before it came out ... well if we rang it up they could see it on bookscan, but we wouldn't ring it up until the book went on sale, so I'm not sure how an outside person / the publisher COULD see that, that's like, inside our own computer system?

I guess if we were *running a campaign* for the author we'd be telling the publisher/author how many orders we'd gotten -- but if it was just stray people ordering it from assorted indie bookstores across the country, yah, I don't think they COULD know.

That being said -- maybe I'm wrong? Or B&N and Amz might well be different? Maybe the publisher has some kind of portal into their inventory? IDK. If any people DO know, put it in the notes!

[kanika456]

Dive into the world of books and ideas at PVLF 2024 with Frontlist! Join us for the PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival and experience the joy of literature. Engage in exciting discussions, celebrate creativity, and be a part of this unique literary celebration. Explore more at https://www.frontlist.in/public/pvlf2024/.

#Frontlist Media #PVLF 2024 #Literature festival #PragatiE Vichaar Literature Festival #World Book Fair #National Book trust

[frontlistmedia]

Why Teen Literature Matters: The Importance of Books for Young Adults | Frontlist

Over the past decade, the young adult literature industry has experienced a substantial surge, with popular book series such as "The Hunger Games" and "Twilight" dominating the market. This genre of literature holds great importance in shaping the thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives of teenagers, and it is crucial that we acknowledge its significance. In this blog post, we will explore the value of young adult literature and how it can assist teenagers in navigating their intricate and often bewildering world.

Escaping Reality Through Books

The teenage years are characterized by significant changes and uncertainties as young adults navigate the challenges of growing up. From academic pressures to interpersonal and personal issues, teenagers face numerous difficulties on a daily basis. However, they can seek solace and comfort from these challenges through the medium of young adult literature. The value of teen literature lies in its ability to provide an escape from reality, creating a sanctuary where teenagers can immerse themselves in an alternate world of their choosing, forget their worries, and enjoy the story. It offers them an opportunity to relax, step away from the stresses of daily life, and find solace in the pages of a good book.

Validation Through Representation

As young adults journey towards adulthood, they often experience isolation and disconnection, grappling with complex issues such as identity, relationships, and societal expectations. In a world where many feel alone and misunderstood, teen literature plays a crucial role in offering a mirror that reflects the realities of life.

Through its depiction of relatable characters and situations, teen literature validates the experiences of young adults, reassuring them that they are not alone in their struggles. This is especially significant for marginalized groups whose voices are often underrepresented in mainstream media. For these groups, teen literature provides a powerful platform for self-expression and empowerment, granting them visibility and a sense of belonging. By reflecting their realities and providing them with a voice, teen literature helps to bridge the gap between personal experiences and societal understanding.

Developing Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

As young adults navigate the complexities of social relationships and personal challenges on their journey of growing up, developing empathy and emotional intelligence becomes critical. These skills enable them to understand diverse perspectives and build meaningful connections. Teen literature plays a pivotal role in fostering these skills by offering a window into different experiences and perspectives.

Furthermore, literature can provide a safe space for young adults to explore and manage complex emotions and communication strategies effectively. By reading and reflecting on literature, young adults can develop the emotional intelligence and social skills necessary to navigate the challenges of growing up and establish meaningful relationships with others.

If you want to know more why teen literature is crucial, check out this website: https://www.frontlist.in/why-teen-literature-matters-the-importance-of-books-for-young-adults.

#Frontlist Media #Why Teen Literature Matters #frontlist