Page 25 - November-December Together

TOGETHER NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021

Wendy ‘I think the main thing is that we each
I can concur with what you are saying. My local bookshop is very helpful,
and I have got to know the staff well. I’ll go to buy a book and they’ll say have to have an understanding of the
‘Oh, you’ve already bought that, Wendy, did you mean to buy it again?’ other’s world.’ FEATURE
Can I bring the conversation back to authors, they are obviously keen
to get their books into bookshops; can you give authors like me some
thoughts on how to approach bookshops? Also, an insight into the kinds Wendy
of things you would think about before putting books on your shelves. Absolutely. Authors just can’t sit back and rest on their laurels, it has
to be a partnership. Talking of partnerships, how best can authors and
Andrew booksellers work together?
I think this is a very incisive question. For authors, either with a publisher
or self-published, it can be very difficult to get your books into a bookshop Andrew
particularly in larger stores or chains where they have a defined product I think the main thing is that we each have to have an understanding
buying procedure. of the other’s world. I’m a member of a number of Facebook groups
that have both authors and booksellers. It is a good way to open up
Smaller independent bookshops may have more leeway. But we also dialogue as we can see the difficulties each of us face. It is also about
need to be quite careful about what we bring in. That said, I do think getting to know the managers of your local bookshops and establishing
that our championing of local authors gives us a wee bit of advantage a relationship with them. That way they are more likely to be open to
over the bigger bookshops. We’re keen to support local authors and the recommendations. Show your support of the bookshop by sharing their
work that they do. So definitely approach your independent bookshop. social media posts about other books as well as your own. From a
A couple of things to bear in mind. Firstly, make an appointment! Please bookshop manager’s perspective, it is also about listening to the authors
don’t just drop in with a pile of books. The manager may not be there or and hearing them out so that you really can make an informed decision
may be busy. The second thing is to prepare a very brief summary of the on organising events you may never have considered before. I guess what
book, the price and why people would want to buy it. Could you give us a I am trying to say is, we should have an understanding of each other’s
summary of one of your books, Wendy? requirements and expectations. Working together is a real opportunity for
Wendy encouragement, support and sales.
Well, you’ve put me on the spot now! I’ll use my Cass Claymore book, Wendy
Antiques and Alibis. Cass Claymore is a red-headed motorbike-riding Thank you, Andrew, this has been fascinating and has given me a lot of
ex-ballerina who inherits a private detective agency and accidentally food for thought. I will certainly be taking your advice on board.
hires an ex-con dwarf and an octogenarian. It’s a laugh-out-loud caper
around Scotland. The target market is anyone who likes humorous fiction
set in Scotland.

Andrew
Excellent! I know exactly where I stand with that and that helps me to
make an informed decision. Wendy H. Jones – Author and Publisher
Wendy Andrew Lacey, Manager – The GLO
Moving on to a new question. What should authors do if we want to hold Bookshop, Motherwell
an event in a bookshop?
This article
Andrew is adapted
I would recommend that you make your first approach to the bookshop via from an interview between Wendy Jones
email and then follow up by phone. Of course, your approach may depend and Andrew Lacey on 14 April 2021
on how well you know the bookshop and the manager. The more time for Wendy’s ‘Writing and Marketing
you can give the shop to organise the event they are more likely to say Show’ podcast. You can listen to the full
‘yes’. Particularly important, don’t leave everything up to the bookshop, interview (plus many other episodes) at
especially when it comes to promoting the event. The author has to play https://wendyhjones.buzzsprout.com/
their part in getting the word out and marketing the event as well.

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