Go, Little Book
By Anna Elliott | February 26, 2010 |
I had some exciting news this month. A quote given to me by the lovely Michelle Moran prompted the higher echelons at my publishers to take a look at the forthcoming second book of my trilogy, Dark Moon of Avalon, and decide to give it more publicity build up than had previously been budgeted for. The trilogy as a whole is going to be repackaged, redesigned, given new, more commercially appealing covers—and the release of Dark Moon has been moved from May to October to give the marketing department time to work. Dark Moon of Avalon has been one of my favorite books to write. And I’m of course delighted, thrilled, honored, and incredibly grateful, both for myself and for my characters that their story is exciting people besides myself. And yet this is also a reminder—a good one, I think—of just what in this business I can and can’t control.
There are reams and reams of advice for newly-published authors on how to promote their books: blog tours, hiring a publicist, websites, book trailers, newsletters, etc. And as a newly-published author myself, I read all of it, or tried to, and followed much of the advice. I’m not at all discounting the importance of the author’s responsibility to be involved with the business angle and the marketing of their book. For the release of my first book, Twilight of Avalon, I got my whole family involved: my husband designed and maintains my website, my video-production-trained mom made book trailers to be posted on youtube, my dad helped with jacket copy. (Thanks, everyone!). And I’m sure we’ll all work just as hard when Dark Moon of Avalon comes out in October.
But the broader questions, like where the book will be placed on the Barnes&Noble shelves, how many copies bookstores will order—and then of course the reviews the book gets, too—all those things are completely beyond my influence.
Or are they?
When I was thinking about these new developments, I realized that what I’m really being reminded of is that my first and most important job is to write the absolute best book I can, work my hardest to ensure that my story is as polished and compelling as it can possibly be. Because when I’ve written a book I’m truly, truly happy with and can’t wait to share it with others—that’s when good things start to happen. That’s when those others—my publishers, reviewers, bloggers, whoever—get excited about the book, as well.
I’ll close with some lines from Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, which I think are every author’s ultimate prayer. They translate roughly as, “Go little book, and wherever you are read, I pray that you may be understood.”
“Go, litel bok . . .
And red whereso thow be, or elles songe,
That thow be understood, God I biseche!”
Image by bebydenden.
Anna Elliott is an author of historical fiction and fantasy. Her first series, the Twilight of Avalon trilogy, is a retelling of the Trystan and Isolde legend. She wrote her second series, the Pride and Prejudice Chronicles, chiefly to satisfy her own curiosity about what might have happened to Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, and all the other wonderful cast of characters after the official end of Jane Austen’s classic work. She enjoys stories about strong women, and loves exploring the multitude of ways women can find their unique strengths. Anna lives in the Washington DC area with her husband and three children.
I’m putting this quote in my commonplace book. Thank you!
.-= Caroline Starr Rose´s last blog ..Why We Read =-.
This is such fantastic news, Anna! It’s also reassuring to know that a publisher is willing to increase a publicity budget, when we know the opposite happens all to frequently. I’m so thrilled for you!
What great news! Congrats!
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..Links & opportunities =-.
Great quote. Will remember and reuse it, too.
[…] over at Writer Unboxed today, blogging about some exciting news in regard to Dark Moon of Avalon. Stop by to hear the full […]
Aw, thanks everyone! I first heard that quotation when my mom repeated it as I was sending out my first novel to agents. Not that that first novel was the one to get published, of course–but I’ve never forgotten the quote.
What a lovely thought. I am glad your publisher is putting more effort behind your books.
Incidentally, I wrote about an author who spent 30 years on his novel before it got published. The post only has some tangential connection to yours: you talk about your primary responsibility is to write the best book, and this author revised his book so it could be the best book he wrote. So why do I mention this? The title of his novel: The Little Book.
.-= Yat-Yee´s last blog ..30 years for a manuscript to get published =-.
Wow. So did I read this right? Based on a quote you got the publishing company decided to put more ooomph on the marketing? That is so interesting.
.-= Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist´s last blog ..Writing Nirvana to Writing Nothing =-.
Go, little book! Go, Dark Moon of Avalon! I love the concept of writing the best little book you can…and following the strands of story, rather than getting tangled up in the publishing market’s demand! It just seems so right, and so pure to me!
.-= Gael Lynch´s last blog ..Singing the Revision Song! =-.
Rebecca, it is very, very interesting the way the publishing world works. As I understand it, the quote was what prompted the higher-ups at my publishers to take a closer look at the book and decide on more promo. But yes, as I said, you really just have to focus on writing the best book you can, because you could go crazy with wondering what random occurrence is going to affect your career.
And Yat-Yee, what an inspiring story! Thanks for sharing.
Anna, wow, such fantastic news for you and your books!! and thanks for the quote! so happy for ya! t
Go, litel bok
Love.
Big congrats, Anna! And how very interesting that a powerful blurb prompted extensive alterations in your PR and marketing plan. Can you share the blurb?
Oh, of course, Therese–should have thought of that myself! :-) Here’s the lovely Michelle Moran’s quote:
In this sequel to her phenomenal debut, Twilight of Avalon, Anna Elliott returns with the unforgettable characters of Trystan and Isolde. Passion, conflict, danger and magic combine for an irresistible love story which will keep you turning the pages!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Anna.
Great post! I especially liked reading about how supportive your family is. :)
.-= Lydia Sharp´s last blog ..How Much Do You Love Your Story? =-.
Congratulations, Anna, and thanks for sharing the story! How exciting for you, and for Michelle to see how much weight her words carry. I never appreciated what an important role blurbs play in publishers’ marketing decisions.
I was wondering what was going on when I saw some differences in the pub date!!
That’s great news, I still have your Twilight book on my blog sidebar as o e if my gave reads.. You are the only lucky author that has been there for so long, even if I do keep moving it around. I just can’t hit that remove button, I really loved it.
I am glad that someone is paying attention now, kudos to Michelle for backing you up like that! She is so awesome & I love it seeing authors stick together. Can’t wait to see the new looks & best of luck with the marketing push .. I’ll be right there cheering you on!
.-= Marie Burton´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon~ Have you entered yet? =-.
I am so happy for you, Anna!!! I see big things for this book. It’s a such fantastic read and I am already looking forward to the third novel :]
Excellent, Anna – this is significant news at a time when publishers are being so cautious.
What an interesting turn of events – congrats!
I think what mgith make another interesting follow-up post is how you went about gathering that quote from Michelle Moran. Many writers find it so difficult to figure out how to approach authors for potential blurbs.
.-= Lisa Romeo´s last blog ..Friday Fridge Clean-Out: February 26th Edition =-.
Lisa, not sure whether there’s enough material for a whole blog post, but the answer to your question is that Michelle was nice enough to feature my first book and do an interview with me on her blog back in May when it came out, and we know each other a bit through a historical fiction on-line chat forum where we’re both members. So I just asked her whether she’d think about giving me a quote, and she said yes.
Thanks so much again, everyone! And go check out Michelle’s Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and latest, Cleopatra’s Daughter! :-)
Congratulations, both on the publishing support and your obvious ability to find a larger, nurturing community. That some are related to you by blood can only be a bonus.
In the end, I think you’re right. It comes down to the Serenity Prayer and moving forward on what’s our business to handle. Here’s hoping your little book finds many hands to hold it.
.-= hope101´s last blog ..You Might Be a Writer If… =-.
congrats! This is awesome news. I am very happy for you and will patiently wait until October. I can’t wait to see what the marketing dept comes up with. I loved the cover of Twilight of Avalon so this new one better wow my socks off. I’m sure it will.
.-= jennygirl´s last blog ..Review: The Epic of Gilgamesh =-.
This is so exciting! I admit, I was rather fond of the original covers, but if that lead graphic is any indication of the new design then I think I’ll love the new ones, too! I’ll be sad to have to wait another few months for the release of DARK MOON OF AVALON, especially after liking TWILIGHT OF AVALON so much, but it just means there’ll be more icing on the cake. :)
Congrats on the news and don’t worry: you’re a wonderful author.
…and that’s a fantastic quote! I love Chaucer. :)