Stuart wrote:Ascaloth wrote: Well, we need as many slash reviews as we can get to make TSW a bestseller, and who better than someone like Ryan who would be actually motivated to write one? This is one troll I'd advocate we keep feeding, guys; we need him to come up with a cracker that'll send the sales of the dead-tree version soaring.
If we can get the sales high enough, we might be able to sell the film rights as well. Although I suspect it would have to be done in two "volumes" like Kill Bill. The slash-review thing is interesting; I suspect people work on the basis that if somebody hates the book so much, it must have something going for it. Most of the slash-reviews are pretty pathetic. In the case of TSW though, the fundies and other nuts will be out in force so we ought to concentrate on good reviews to balance them out.
Here are some other tactics I've seen used. The efficacy of some of these are questionable, but, like I've said, pretty much every author uses them.
1. Game Amazon
1a. Tell your friends/fans to buy on the release date, not preorder.
1b. Wait until you get a negative review before you send your fans in to swamp your book with positive reviews.
1c. Before the book is even published, Amazon will collect search terms. However, names tend to change when they get to the publisher. Wait until the name is finalized, then, before you buy anything on Amazon, you search for the book.
2. Game bookstores.
2a. Bookstores keep track of what people ask, IF they search for it using a computer.
Have your freinds/fan/feinds ask for a book search at the help desk.
2b. Your book needs to be seen. Move a few copies from the shelf (never the entire stock) to the display at the front of the store. Be discrete, but If you are caught, be honest.
2c. Book store employees read a lot, and recommend books a lot. If you talk to them about the book, it will be on your mind. The best time to do this, is when they walk over to the cafe for their break. Just sit down, and read the book. Occasionally say "Woah" , "Wow" etc.
The book store employee will often ask about the book if they see you enjoying it.
Do not be creepy. Let them ignore you if they don't want to socialize.
3. Write wikipedia articles.
3a. There are often issues with notability, especially for a self published book. However, a self published book that has actually sold copies will get in. You will have to write the article more than once. They erase everyone at least once.
3b. Also write an author article, complete with bio.
4. Book signings.
4a. Many people will show up to book signings just because they collect books with signatures.
When your favorite author comes to town to sign the books, you make sure that theupcoming book signing is listed in every newspaper, local website, online community calender etc. If the line gets long enough to reach down the block, you are doing ok.
5. Google.
5a. Everybody knows how to do a google bomb. I'm not suggesting it.
5b. I'm suggesting you donate a few free copies to the breakrooms at Google. I'm not suggesting google will take the book as a bribe and change the internet for you. I'm saying that if the folks are talking about it at google, then it will get talked about elseware.
6. Free ebook
6a. Many publishers will do this already. But sometimes the author has to ask. If you have a trilogy, they'll give away the first book, knowing they've hooked you for the rest.