Just Another Backward Book Launch: a guest post by Scott Nicholson

Something a little different today: a guest post by author Scott Nicholson, and I have the honour of having him visit here for the launch of his latest book. And if you watch this space, I'll follow it up with a review of the new book very soon!

Just another backward book launch
by Scott Nicholson


Used to be, the launch of a new book was heralded with great fanfare by the few dozen people who actually noticed—back when newspaper reviewers and Old media rolled out their publicity machines as obligatory partners for their hidebound brethren in the print industry.

Now, so many books are getting dumped out there each day, and so few get actual ink about their release, that it’s easy to just swim on through. But not only is it now easier to launch a book, it’s also possible to “launch it backwards.” In other words, authors now are so busy releasing material that they don’t even always worry about promoting it right away. Or, at least J.R. Rain and I are doing it that way.

The urgency—no, the panic—of the traditional print release is legendary, from the whirlwind jet-setting book tours of superstar authors to the street hustle of the midlist authors who almost certainly won’t make it past Book Two. It’s gotten even worse over my decade-long career, where industry insiders rave about “platform”—and why it makes perfect sense for a dyslexic rehabbing celebrity to get a book deal while career authors are doing something else for a career.

But one of the unintended consequences of “Bring me an audience before you bring me a book proposal” is that authors are now not only trained in building their own networks, they are more effective at it that publishers could ever be. Because no matter how hard the publicists, editors, and salespeople beat the drum, they will never be able to create that personal connection between reader and author. Sure, they can create the illusion of it, but I see it as yet another power slipping away from New York’s control. I wouldn’t be surprised to see in 10 years that an entirely new generation of bestsellers will emerge, ones crowned by consumers and not predetermined by book-advances, marketing dollars, and high print runs, not to mention the bribery that takes place to get a bestseller stacked at the front of the bookstore.

So J.R. and I are launching Cursed! backward. We’re both so busy we don’t have time for an outlandish promotional blitz that will leave our nerves frayed, exhaust our social capital, and flog our loving supporters into literary Amway ants. We both have people who like to read our work, and we’ve trickled out some review copies, but that’s the extent of our marketing budget.

There’s no need to panic. We have forever. Literally. We can build the book up over time, continuing the series, writing other books, and letting it seep out there to the far corners of the Internet. Here’s the pitch, as much hype as I can muster at this point (and I will even spare you an exclamation point—the one in the title will have to do.)

Albert Shipway is an ordinary guy, an insurance negotiator who likes booze and women and never having to say he’s sorry.

And he thinks this is just another day, another lunch, another order of kung pao chicken. Little does he know that he’s about to meet a little old lady who knows his greatest fear. A little old lady who knows what’s hiding in his heart. A little old lady who dishes up a big stew of supernatural revenge, with ingredients as follows: First you take one psychotic ex from a family of serial killers. Next add a pinch or two of an irrational childhood fear. Now thoroughly mix in an angry sister, a life-stealing great-granddad, and a notorious mass murderer—who happens to be dead but doesn’t know it. Let it stew and froth and bubble thoroughly....

In just a matter of minutes, Albert’s life turns upside down and he enters a world where magic and evil lurk beneath the fabric of Southern California. And all his choices have brewed a perfect storm of broken hearts, broken promises, shattered families, and a couple of tiny problems. Namely, killer mice and a baby.

Albert Shipway is finally getting a chance to right some wrongs.

That is, if it's not too late.
Okay. My work here is done. Cursed!

-------------
Scott Nicholson is bestselling author of 12 novels, including the thrillers Disintegration, As I Die Lying, Speed Dating with the Dead, Drummer Boy, Forever Never Ends, The Skull Ring, Burial to Follow, and the YA paranormal romance October Girls. His revised novels for the U.K. Kindle are Creative Spirit, Troubled, and Solom. He’s also written four comic series, six screenplays, and more than 60 short stories. His story collections include Ashes, Curtains, The First, Murdermouth: Zombie Bits, and Flowers.

To be eligible for the Kindle DX or Kindle 3, simply post a comment below with contact info. Feel free to debate and discuss the topic, but you will only be entered once per blog. I’m also giving away a Kindle 3 through the tour newsletter and a Pandora’s Box of free e-books to a follower of “hauntedcomputer” on Twitter. Thanks for playing. Complete details at http://www.hauntedcomputer.com/blogtour.htm

Comments

  1. Hey if backwards works...
    Emily ebdye1(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. Interesting, although I'm not sure I could release a book and not promote it.

    Wakincade AT gmail DOT com

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  3. Great post!

    vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

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  4. What, no one else is awake yet?
    Nice post, Scott!
    Count me in for the Kindle please.
    Paul
    mrluckyATcharterDOTnet

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  5. It sounds like a great book. Next on my list!

    randymir@gmail.com

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  6. Holy cats! No comments yet? How is that possible? Well, anyway...another good post. I'm constantly amazed that you've been able to come up with new material every day and not have it start coming out like utter crap :-P
    teawench at gmail dot com

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  7. Sounds very interesting!

    candace_redinger at yahoo dot com

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  8. sounds like a worthy read. gotta get cursed.
    reg

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  9. Love the post and this book looks great. Can't wait to read it!

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  10. Great Post..

    monacart32 at hotmail dot com

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  11. Wow - I'm the first one here! I've never seen one of these forms where the entire left-hand side is blank!
    I'm looking forward to the library telling me that they have one of Scott's books for me!

    Email address is in blogger profile

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  12. It's so nice that books have time to find their audience now.

    bluefrog62@yahoo.com

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  13. How exciting for you! Congrats!

    It sounds like a crazy, fun book.

    My Kindle was my entry into the wonderful world of indie authors. I love the direct connection with authors and the chance to peek into the process.

    I think's great to not have a middle man decide what I want to read so that only something that appeals to most people is available. I don't read most best sellers.

    lorraine_lanning[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  14. Great post! Cursed sounds fantastic!

    chey127 at hotmail dot com

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  15. happy friday!
    hancoci_s at msn dot com

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  16. Cursed! sounds like a really fun read. Thanks for sharing that small blurb from it Scott. :)

    calseeor (at) gmail (dot) com

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  17. My wife and I both just purchased copies of CURSED! I'm looking forward to reading this one--just don't know when. Hopefully, before too long. :P

    -Neal

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  18. I think this is a fabulous book launch, Scott, it already has me buying at least two of your stories, with more to come.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

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  19. hufflepuffgrl13@yahoo.com

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  20. I went right to buying this book, and it will be the next book that I read (so help me!) and I will write my first review ever. Are there any things that I should be aware of, cautious about, or sure of when entering this process? You've said, "good or bad," right? Wish us luck, K?

    Jeff White.... whitejw@ameritech.net

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  21. Oy... that's a heavy load for just one guy and his Kung Pao. I like a guy I can relate too!! LOL!

    nedsped at verizon dot net

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  22. Thank you for the post

    eddiem11@ca.rr.com

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  23. Sounds like my kind of book! ....Tiffypoot @ (aol.com)

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  24. Cursed sounds very good!

    kissinoak at frontier dot com

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  25. Enjoyed the post and look forward to more during the blog tour.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hello again!

    blue_krista83@hotmail.com

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  27. I already bought my copy and look forward to starting it (will probably put my current read aside to start!).

    emilyking630 at yahoo dot com

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  28. ...authors are now not only trained in building their own networks, they are more effective at it that publishers could ever be."

    Ah, but that isn't always helpful in this age of challenged literacy and shortened attention spa--hey! Is that a link to the latest UFC bout?

    Twitter: MachineTrooper

    http://twofistedblogger.blogspot.com

    (I can't believe I'm the first to comment! Do I get a prize?)

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  29. I have never thought about the writing process much! Very interesting....i.pearson@comcast.net

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  30. Cursed sounds like an interesting read...;)

    purposedrivenlife4you at gmail dot com

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  31. I've been an Amway Ant (briefly with a $50+ starter kit) and this is waaaay better. I know Monster will be frothing at the mouth when he sees your picture. varbonoff22 at cox dot net

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  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  33. Hi Scot following your tour. Cursed sounds like a great book. Don't think I would want to mess with that little old lady.
    Sue B
    katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. goats.....do you shear them, card the wool and spin it to knit up? spvaughan@yahoo.com

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  35. Please enter me. bkhabel at gmail dot com

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  36. Enjoyed the post! Sounds like a great book!

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  37. Another blog I am going to follow...Thanks

    Nadine stacypilot at yahoo dot com

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  38. This sounds great! Can't wait to read. Hopping over to Amazon..

    Stefanie647@msn.com

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  39. I'll stick to reading forwards.

    dwdorow@gmail.com
    ThrillersRus.blogspot.com

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  40. Sure, now you're trying to look all "pet friendly," even if it is a goat.

    Write2Bev@gmail.com

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  41. Sounds like a great book!
    iloveegypt602 at yahoo dot com

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  42. It looks like my earlier comment didn't make it.

    lorraine_lanning[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  43. Love it!

    josephafisch@gmail.com

    Joe F.

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  44. Okay, Scott, "little old lady" and "Southern California" just did it. Since I'm approaching the "little old lady" (she sounds like a toughy) age and live in SoCal, I have to have this book!
    Christa
    cpolkinhorn@msn.com

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  45. Hm... intriguing thoughts....
    You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

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  46. Scott, count me in for the Kindle please!
    Paul
    mrluckyATcharterDOTnet

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  47. I was an Amway Ant once (briefly with a $50+ starter kit) and this is waaaaay better. varbonoff22 at cox dot net

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  48. BTW: Where is Monster A Go-Go's post? Has he been censored again? Let him in, he has been the comedian of the blog posts!
    Christa

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  49. I would LOVE a Kindle DX. Thanks for the opportunity to win one! :)

    P.S. Click on my name for my contact info. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  50. cool idea - anxious to see how that goes. I would love to read it on my kindle!

    deedeekm@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. Frontwards, Backwards, I'm in it for the Kindle.
    Thanks for the contest.
    slehan at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Great post!
    Count me in for a Kindle! :)

    LaQuiet(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  53. It's so great that you don't have to worry about all the books leaving the shelf before anyone knows they're there... now they're on an e-shelf.
    Gail in Florida
    cowgirl3000 AT gmail DOT com

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  54. This is Monster's official entry since he got deleted. Comments here are moderated, which is why there might be a delay when you post.

    @Jeff, yeah, just write a review in your own words--it doesn't have to be fancy. Fit your feelings.

    @thanks Cathy M glad you joined in

    @sandra I've had goats as pets but don't want the worry or the work now

    @christa well, she "may" be back in more books in the series...

    Scott

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  55. Please enter me.
    cjwallace43 at gmail dot com

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  56. Cover looks cool! I went to check it out, but it's not on Kobo... have to go somewhere else to find it I guess!

    inannajourney at gmail dot com

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  57. I REALLY need to download this one!

    dulcibelle [at] earthlink [dot] net

    ReplyDelete
  58. Will be checking this one out soon.

    dalelmurphy(at)gravesidetales(dot)com

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  59. I wonder how it would be to collaborate on a book. There are good points and bad points I think. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  60. Cursed sounds great too.
    Thanks for another entry.

    dorcontest at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Looking forward to reading Cursed!

    -Jesse
    conrad.jd (at) gmail (dot) com

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  62. Happy thanks giving time Scott
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com

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  63. Sounds interesting. Another one for my TBR list.

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  64. Good read thanks.

    gem.wood@gmail.com

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  65. Sounds like another great series you've got in the works and as an UF fan, I'm very keen on taking a peek at this one. Good luck taking it up to #1!

    jamesemr (at) gmail (dot) com

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  66. Adding it to my list... hopefully to read on my new Kindle, lol

    Armand Rosamilia

    armandrosamilia@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. Someone has to write or talk about a book for successful sales. Might as well be the author.

    byonge@lonepinetv.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. Hmmm. Would this count as stealth marketing--or maybe anti-marketing? :)

    therabidfox[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. backwards release. . hadn't thought of it that way but I'm seeing what you're meaning. They don't promote books like they used to but they are always coming out with something new. .

    jessangil at gmail dot com

    -Jessica

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  70. Thanks for the chance to win!

    kt1969 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  71. I'd like to see if this works. Good luck with the backward blitz!

    Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Most definitely agreed. I think the future of book marketing will be a combination of the publisher marketing a title and the author marketing their title. How is this different from now when the same thing goes on? It’ll come down to how consumers buy books and, ultimately, the fate of the bookstore. That precious “real estate” on the shelves is indeed precious now, but with consumer reading choices turning more internet-based--whether for eBooks or simply for online shopping--it’ll be the publishers’ and authors’ internet muscle that’ll really matter in the end. That’ll be the co-venture between publisher and author.

    We’re becoming a tech-obsessed, Net-obsessed society. Some areas--like music--are more ahead of it in terms of reaching folks than others, but in the end, books’ll be there, too.

    It’s my personal opinion that each bookstore should opt for an Espresso machine and a very user-friendly database for folks to pick out books they want printed up for them on the spot.

    Coscomentertainment [at] gmail [dot] com

    www.canisterx.com

    POSSESSION OF THE DEAD and ZOMBIE FIGHT NIGHT (and others) at the Amazon Kindle store. Grab your copies here!

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  73. margay, jessica, we're both too busy writing to promote! Unless you count this blog...Don't know if this will make one of those magical runs up the chart. Might need to brainstorm a special curse.

    Scott

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  74. More learning-an audience before a book-who knew?
    hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

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  75. sounds like fun. I'm sure there will be many readers for this book, myself included.

    pjtansey@hotmail.com

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  76. When Cursed! was released I ran over to my computer and picked up a copy. It's too long to read on a computer so I'll read it when I get a Kindle -- hopefully a free Kindle by getting my name drawn.

    I would be very interested to see how this backwards promoting works out for you. I've been watching the ranking for Cursed! and it didn't do a meteoric shot up the Amazon scales -- but then it wasn't priced at $0.99 either.

    I hope Cursed! does well. Not just because we'd get another Kindle in the hopper but because I'm fascinated by the premise. I really want to read it.

    Kindle please.

    Thanks for the contest,
    Greg "The Undead Rat" Fisher

    theundeadrat (@) gmail (.) com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Cursed is certainly high on my reading list! Can't wait to read it. Mainly because I have totally felt cursed the past couple of weeks :)

    Thanks for a great post!
    Cici
    cicistheories@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  78. Who better to promote a book than those who know it the best - the author(s). Not that it wouldn't be nice to have some support and help from the publishing community, but it seem that that is becoming harder and harder to come by. You are doing a great job with your 'Backward Book Launch.'

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  79. Where do you get all this energy from? You can come up with great posts. Thanks Scott and I am still following you. I want to win a Kindle. lol

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  80. Well, rats. My comment just vanished into the electronic ether. Of course I can't remember it all.

    With publishers reducing their support for authors, it has become necessary for authors to take publicity into their own hands. Since e-books make it easier to get your books out there and to your readers, it is even more necessary for you to get out there and let everyone know what you have available. The Backward Book Launch may be different, but it is working.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  81. !taob ruoy staolf revetahW

    .oot, ttocS

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  82. Following you has taken me to some interesting places. Thanks!

    wordygirl at earthlink dot net

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