JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: I'm working on something new, but it's kind of tiny and fragile with sharp claws and needle-like teeth, so I'm not going to be talking about it for some time yet.
I can definitely talk about AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY, and in fact, my publisher would love me to do so. We're at the stage where the book's publication seems both impossibly far away and also holy cow it's coming up fast. The quantum novel: it will never be on the shelves, it will be here practically tomorrow.
My agent and editor have sent out requests for blurbs and they're coming in (many, many thanks to Rhys, who took time she couldn't spare to say very nice things about the book) and there have already been a couple pre-ordering deals. St. Martin's is running a giveaway contest at Goodreads, the second ebook in the series is priced at $2.99 all month, and Steve, my really, really nice marketing manager, has been sharing graphics with me I don't even know what to do with.
 |
| This is a "short vertical." I bet Jenn knows how to use this. |
I was Zooming with my bestie in Colorado (Hi, Roxanne!) and her husband popped on to say he'd seen a promotion from Barnes & Noble and got all excited about the book being here soon and was shocked to see the pub date was November 18th.
 |
| This one's supposed to go on top of my Bluesky profile, I think. |
That's November 18, folks! Find it in fine bookstores everywhere!
I laughed and said 1) I would send them a book so don't worry and 2) the publisher likes to get way out ahead.
But why?
I've written about what pre-ordering means to the author before: it shows the publisher the amount of reader enthusiasm, and gets bookstores excited, and more likely to up their orders. However, there's another point of view to consider: the publisher's.
I think this version would look nice silk screened on a bolster cushion, what do you think?
Book publishing, you will not be surprised to hear, is a business with slim margins. The old joke goes, "How do you make a small fortune in publishing? Start with a large fortune." Like many businesses, the Big Five try to cut material costs wherever they can. The price for print-quality paper has been rising since 2021, and the looming trade deficits won't help that trend, since a considerable amount of it comes from Canada. (67% of the "uncoated" paper used in the US - that's the stuff you stick in your printer or copy machine, as well as what you find between the covers of your favorite books - comes from our friendly neighbors to the North.)
 |
| This is for my Instagram Story. I've never done an Instagram Story! I have a feeling I'm going to let Steve down. |
However, publishers have a limit to the amount of raw material they can save. Mars can sell you a mini Snickers bar, but no one is going to read a book that tops out at 87 pages because it's been printed in this size font!
In addition, the number of large-scale printing companies in the US have been shrinking over the past twenty years. Scheduling the when, where and most importantly, how many copies of of the book to be produced begins to look like another moon launch at times. 75,000 copies of THE WELL-LOVED DETECTIVE INVESTIGATES? Slot it in between the 25,000 run of AN MFA STUDENT'S STORY and the 200,000 copies of QUIRKY MILLENNIALS IN LOVE. God forbid two weeks ahead of time, AN MFA STUDENT'S STORY gets featured on Fresh Air with Teri Gross and you've got fourteen days to figure out how to double the print run. (I mean, that's a good problem, but it's still a problem.) .png)
Also for my Instagram Story. I'm going to have to call Virginia in De Haag and have her walk me through this.
Every book that doesn't sell, and that has to be pulped, is a waste of resources. Conversely, getting a book on the shelves and immediately having to go back to print is expensive and can lead to a lot of upset bookstore owners who have to send those Teri Gross listeners away. "Sorry, we can have it in two or three weeks, do you want to get on the list?" is not a winning commercial strategy.
So, dear readers, this is why we have pre-sale specials, and contests and publicity and all that other stuff: so when St. Martin's pushes the button for AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY, the printing presses will chunder out exactly the right number of copies to meet the demand - the demand you, dear readers, establish. Fingers crossed I outsell QUIRKY MILLENNIALS IN LOVE...
Phew! Kind of makes you wonder how anything manages to get published . . . . Still, November 18th seems like an impossibly long time to wait for a book I am SO anxious to read! But I think it must be even more difficult for authors . . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's like waiting for a baby to arrive, Joan, complete with the occasional heartburn as you get close to the due date!
DeleteBe a writer, they said. It'll be FUN, they said.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I've had my copy preordered from the moment I first learned it was available.
My next book release is scheduled for November 7, so I'm very aware of how far away AND how soon it is.
Right? Please feel free to drop any promos in the comments, Annette...
DeleteExcited anticipation here! I too have had the book preordered "forever." I did know about the slim margins but did not realize the other current pressures. Fun fact: GONE WITH THE WIND had 31 print runs in its first year. Since it was May, 1936 and the Depression, for the first run MacMillan printed a conservative 10,000 copies. They quickly realized their mistake. However the second print run of 50,000 in early June sold out on its first day. I have my mother's 1936 copy, bought when she was thirteen, which says "Published June, 1936. Reprinted June, 1936. July 1936 (Three times.) August, 1936. (Four Times.)" My guess is hers is from this fourth August printing. However they had to keep going back. GWTW sold a million copies in its first year.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for you, Russ, and Clare! I can't wait!
P.S. I agree about the silkscreen. It's a lovely graphic. (Selden)
Selden, what a fascinating bit of publishing history! And yes, you can imagine all the impatient readers in 1936 returning again and again to the local bookstore until they FINALLY have their copies in.
DeleteLike Annette, my copy is preordered, and I can't wait. I know well the value of preorders. I hadn't thought about the problem (may I live so long to experience it) of appearing on Terri Gross (or Oprah...) and not having enough books available on release day. Fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, however, on Instagram stories. Not a clue! I too would have to ask people much younger than I, but I think my son and his wife could help.
Also delighted that a sharp-clawed new little thing is breeding!
DeleteThank you, Edith! I know you have experience with tiny book-kittens.
DeleteJULIA: I am sure your new book will out sell QUIRKY MILLENIALS IN LOVE!
ReplyDeleteI am crossing fingers that pre-orders and "want-to-read" on Goodreads help.
To9 bad 95% of giveaways are US only. I get it. It's waaay too $$ to ship prizes to Canada + Canada Post might be going on strike again soon!
And book prices will continue to go up due to our poor US/CA exchange rate. A hardback book costs over $40 CDN + tax. I heard 47 say the US doesn't need Canadian lumber and they will cut, cut cut more domestic trees. But he doesn't know that stat about print-quality paper, right?
Grace, this is all so wrong. But when one green pepper costs $2.35 and a box of Connecticut eggs costs $9.50...the madness is just beginning.
DeleteInstead of smuggling whiskey over the border, I'm thinking boxes of books.
I have to assume that that is 12 eggs, and not a flat. I could mail you a dozen, fresh brown and white eggs of $5, but I doubt Canada Post would carry them, and there may be tariffs at the border - and perhaps they would arrive scrambled. Better you should come and visit!
DeleteAnd now I'm picturing a resumption of the lively black market cross border trade between Canada and the US during Prohibition, except this time we'll be smuggling eggs and books...
DeleteJUDY: Canada Post does NOT have media mail so it is often cost prohibitive to mail books within Canada. Fir example, I won a book from Ottawa author Mary Jane Maffini. We live in the same city and it would have cist her $15 to mail the book to me. So we met up in person.
DeleteAuto correct is not correcting "fir" and "cist". I should just turn it off.
DeleteP.S. Canada is $3 billion in the red since 2018 despite these high shipping charges for parcels. They have to do residential home delivery 5 days a week, despite the fact that fewer people are sending letters.
Wow, I had no idea how complicated the process is. A real eye opener. Meanwhile, I love the title and want the book. And best wishes for fabulous sales.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth. And yes, I find the mechanics of the industry fascinating.
DeleteEagerly awaiting the book and will pre-order with my women owned independent bookstore. This is my clue to re-read the others to refresh my memory of all things Russ and Clare.
ReplyDeleteWe stan a woman-owned indie bookstore, Joyce! Share the name, if you can!
DeletePre-ordered the instant I knew I could. Julila, your pub date of November 18 (almost) makes me look forward to summer being over and winter arriving...Bring. It. On. And best wishes with Instagram and other social media promos; so much young-person-help needed, so little time!
ReplyDeleteSince it's been in the low 50s / low teens and rainy here for the past week, it feels like we've already skipped summer and have gone straight into fall, Amanda. Sigh.
DeleteAs an avid reader, whose husband is a bit cranky about the piles of books stashed around the house, I nevertheless am a serial pre-orderer! So Julia, (and many other favorite authors), I do my part and hit those B&N pre-order sales with energy and purpose. My Kindle overflows with the newest one in so many series, ( or the anticipation thereof), and my new reading prescription sunglasses are ready for a serious summer of stories. I tell my librarian about authors I love and I send lots of books to my reading buddy in Florida who also shares them. I post about books I love and write reviews ( only for books I like) so my favorite authors get support from me. I know that I am very fortunate to be able to buy the books I want, but I also use my library a lot! They know me there!
ReplyDeleteTell us what you need us to do, Reds! We are your cheering section!
You are the best kind of fan, Judy!
DeleteYou betcha Judy! We are indeed!
DeleteJudy, you're the type of reader we all LOVE!
DeleteCapitalism seems to be squeezing everything and everyone these days and publishing is just one more example. I'll check with one of my favorite independent bookstores about pre-ordering. I'm very much looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteYou got me with this: "Mars can sell you a mini Snickers bar, but no one is going to read a book that tops out at 87 pages". I thought, "Oh I might read a book that tops out at 87 pages, depending" and then realized there was more--without my glasses and before 5 am, I could barely make it out. Thanks for the laugh
Is that Powell's, Gillian? Next time I'm out there, let's meet at Powell's. Allegiant just announced super cheap direct flights, so I will definitely be out there again!
DeleteOh, I wish I could meet you ladies at Powell’s! I can - and have - spent half a day there. — Pat S
DeleteKaren, I do go to Powell's a lot and order books from them--my sister helped their union organize years ago--shoutout to ILWU local 5! I would love to meet you at Powell's next time you are in town! (and you too, Pat!) However, I have two gift certificates to Broadway Books, a sweet small independent book store in the Lloyd area (fairly close to your daughter!) so I think I will order from them.
DeleteGillian, I did a signing at Broadway books way back in the aughts; I'm delighted to hear they're still in business!
DeleteIt's a date, Gillian and Pat!
DeleteI'm looking forward to your upcoming sci-fi rom-com QUARKY MILLENNIALS IN LOVE. (That was the title, wasn't it?)
ReplyDeleteI will happily cede that one to Jenn, Jerry. She can do it as a follow up to her fantasy rom-com, WITCHES OF DUBIOUS ORIGIN, coming out October 28th! (See what I did there...?)
DeleteInstead of a beach read, your latest is a curl up by the fire kind of read. Looking forward to it and of course, the Writers Who Kill blog would be delighted to host you.
ReplyDeleteI'll take that as an invite, Margaret! Send me an email and we'll get it on the calendar.
DeleteJulia, I have had your book pre-ordered at one of my local independent bookstores since you said it was available for pre-order. November 18th does seem far away but we all know how time goes! I spent 11 years as a sales rep to independent bookstores for W.W.Norton so the woes are not unfamiliar. Every year it seems to get harder. I cross my fingers and say a little prayer that all of the JRW books get published and promoted and pre-ordered and sold.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzette. I suspect publishing has never exactly been an easy business - look at Selden's story about Macmillan misjudging the print runs, plural, for GONE WITH THE WIND.
DeleteWoohoo, Julia! Pub date will be here before you know it! Which comes first, the book baby or the grandbaby? Many blessings this year.
ReplyDeleteThe publishing world seems to have gotten more complicated, rather than less.
If you want a cushion made with that gorgeous graphic, there are a couple places online that will make custom-printed fabrics, including custom cushion covers. For fabric (or wallpaper--you could do a powder room wall, right?), https://www.spoonflower.com/ And this company will print on pillow covers of several sizes, plus cell phone cases, etc. https://fineartamerica.com/custom
Thank you for that info, Joan - I was making a joke, but really, it would be delightful to have something printed as a memento or even for a giveaway.
DeleteThe grandbaby is due about three weeks before the book, so it better not be late!
Several things. This all went poof a minute ago, as the AI has overtaken my machine and is driving me nuts. Let me think my own thoughts and stop writing your gobbledygook! Argggh!
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Carrying on.
Paper. I was really surprised at your words about how much paper came from Canada, and when starting the conversation with the fellow in the chair with the newspaper, we questioned whether or why the northern states – Vermont? – does not make paper. They have trees. Maybe not south Dakota or Arizona, but maybe out west, although paper from redwoods would be a shame.
If I could read, I would pre-order, but definitely not in size 6 font. I will be quick to get the audio version. Does the printer do a large print run at the same time as the main run, or maybe at all?
As for number of copies – I wonder if a publisher thinks “oh, this author sold really well for the last book. I wonder if the gild is on or off the lily, and therefore should we print the same or more or less copies this time. I would imagine it would be a factor.
Printing – we had a wonderful printer for our monthly paper. There was no deadline, but they kept the entire last week of the month open for us. The copy went in electronically with the number of papers needed and that day or the next day, it was ready for pick-up. We started at about 250 copies of 8 pages and it went up to 500 of 44-48. It did not matter – it was instantly printed, stapled, folded and boxed. Colour cover and back? No problem. Colour centerfold, or colour pages somewhere weird – no problem. Tom pre-read the paper (he liked it) and reported things that did not work (rarely), and was even known to come in all evening to get it out in the morning for us. Wow! We were lucky.
Concerning the number of copies – how hard is it to do another run, should the first printing sell out instantly or perhaps was miscalculated? Is it a major event and therefore discouraged or refused? My father wrote a self-published memoir, and was told that to reorder a smaller run was doable, but costly.
As for “it's kind of tiny and fragile with sharp claws and needle-like teeth” I sure hope it is a cute little kitten or maybe a baby raccoon and not QUIRKY MILLENNIALS IN LOVE. Baby kittens are so much easier to love than quirky millennials, I think. Congratulations.
Margo, it's the species of tree that is important. Paper can't be made from just any tree, apparently.
DeleteMargo, I have raised several quirky millennials, and I'll agree, there have been many times when I gladly would have traded them for a kitten. Or even a baby raccoon.
DeleteThere's still a lot of paper manufactured here in the US, but as with most of the global trade world, it's concentrated on the types of products we make best and most economically. Maine, with it's thousands of square miles of Eastern Pine forests, is a major supplier of pulp paper, which goes into things like paper towels, toilet paper and cardboard. We've specialized in that for at least the past thirty years.
Can’t wait Julia! Also excited about the new secret project 😁
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lucy!
DeleteI am already saving up for the price of the book. No idea how much it will cost by then, but some things (like your books!) are worth the price, tariffs or not. It's too early to put in a library request but I will talk to them about ordering it. Not sure how that works but I know they will want to have it.
ReplyDeleteMost librarians I know are more than happy to have their patrons suggest books to add to their collection, Judi. And do keep in mind - having a book available in a library, so new readers can discover us and maybe want to read the rest of our books, is VERY valuable to every author. So if a hardcover is out of budget (they're $29, which seems ridiculous to me!) spreading the word is just as important.
DeleteJulia, I am so excited for At Midnight Come the Quirky Millennials in Love! (That would be the title if you and Jenn wrote a book together!) Seriously, I am happily anticipating the arrival of your latest book. I am off to pre-order it today! — Pat S
ReplyDeleteAnd I am equally excited about the fragile, sharp claws and needle-like teeth germ of an idea you’re contemplating. You keep writing, I’ll keep reading! <3 Pat S
DeleteSomeone needs to write that, Pat! LOL
DeletePat, I think Jenn and I would collaborate very well together indeed. The problem would be she'd have finished her half of the book while I was still noodling on themes and relationships in my notebook!
DeleteJulia, but what if Quirky Millennials’s author is Jungle Reds’ and Maine’s outstanding millennial and your very own? ;-) Looking forward to November 18…already preordered. May all go well. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI've stopped nagging her about finishing her latest WIP, Elisabeth, but Victoria, if you're reading this, just note there's already demand for your book!
DeleteJulia, it is likely the reproduction quality via online and my iPad or quite simply “pollen eyes”, but the silk screen that everyone is raving about is just blackish, navyish, greenish rectangle. Suspending belief to agree how great it is. And besides, it is your words, not the picture that make this book wonderful. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteIt IS mostly a blackish, navyish, greenish rectangle, Elisabeth! That's why I need an expert to tell me what to do with it... :-)
DeleteAh…so good to not be alone. Elisabeth
DeleteSo looking forward to reading this book!! And anything else you choose to write, Julia. They'll be prying books from my cold, dead hands when I kick the bucket.
ReplyDeleteAll of those publishing details also factor into why some authors' books never see the light of day. Well-written, perhaps, but the odds don't favor selling enough copies to make it worth a publisher's efforts. My heart goes out to anyone trying to make it with traditional publishing houses these days. Especially with the pumpkin-colored piece of garbage roiling the markets on a minute-by-minute basis.
The economic do make a difference with the Big Five, Anon. Luckily, there's a whole small-to-micro press industry that's sprung up in the wake of big publishing's consolidation; they're putting out loads of amazing novels every month.
DeleteYeah, I should've noted "the major" publishing houses. (Flora)
DeleteTo be fair, the only way I'd be buying QUIRKY MILLENIALS IN LOVE is if that was the first half of the title of a book...and the second half was about the WELL-LOVED DETECTIVE INVESTIGATES THEIR GRISLY MURDERS. :D
ReplyDeleteBut that's probably just me.
Jay, you win the award for first commentor to make me laugh out loud and scare my cat.
DeleteDo I get a trophy?
DeleteThis is SO EXCITING and I love that graphic! Cannot wait to read it and so many great reasons to stoke the pipeline, including that it's a chance to once again hang out with Clare and Russ. And now you have all of us salivating at what sounds like a fascinating "something new" in the pipeline.
ReplyDeleteYou know you all will be the first to know, Hallie.
Deletetesting to see if blogger will publish my comment here.... I just preordered your book! When I was in high school, my mom and I were shopping at the mall when we saw clerks at a small bookshop packing books to be sent back to the publisher. My mom, a high school English teacher, asked if she could have the books. The bookstore was more than happy to give away the books for free. The cover jackets were already torn off.
ReplyDeleteGlad your comment made it, Will! I remember the days of the torn-off covers; there was a whole warehouse-style store in Syracuse that sold them. I used to spend HOURS there of a weekend.
DeleteAsked my library to order it. Can't wait for November to get here! Thank you for taking time to educate us about the paper type needed for books. I had no clue it was so specific. I am always learning something new here. Jungle Reds is like a continuing education class for me. And it leaves me awed and grateful that you folks continue to write given all that it entails these days. -- Victoria
ReplyDeleteWe're always happy to share information or give one of our readers a smile, Victoria!
DeleteI've had my copy on pre-order since day one and I'm waiting with bated breath! But Julia - why not a link in the blog? Or did I miss it? I tried to add one to my comments, but Blogger wouldn't let me.
ReplyDeleteHooray! I've been eagerly waiting to place my order but just to walk into the bookstore. Eagerly waiting for Annette's next book since last Christmas when I heard about it. Must make a list.
ReplyDelete(I hit something while deleting items in my office email account the other day. The incoming page is extremely small but when I open the document, it's oversized ...... [Imagine the eyes rolling emoji here])
LOL - totally spot on, Julia. Also, pre-ordering At Midnight Comes the Cry -- NOW!!! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeletePre-ordered, Julia!!! Your cover is so gorgeous--can't wait to get my hands on the book!
ReplyDeleteMy pre-order has been locked and loaded for some time now. After reading about the trials and travails of publishing I'm surprised anything gets published!
ReplyDeleteI have had your book pre-ordered from the minute I read that ‘ AT MIDNIGHT COMES THE CRY ‘ was coming out !! I’m so excited to read it and have loved this series for so long ! Thank You Julia - I know it’s going to be a best seller! Oh, the cover is just beautiful ! ( Mary E )
ReplyDelete