by Erin Mitchell
It’s been a somewhat random week…so seemed appropriate to share four indiscriminate observations with you…
ONE
That TIME magazine cover? Couldn’t give a hoot. I’m as judgmental as the next gal, but what people do in their bedrooms and how they feed their kids is between them and their god and/or partner. Will I buy the magazine? No. Did I notice? Yes.
TWO
For the last few years, I’ve had an annual late spring obsession with the concept and practice of preordering books. This year is no different, and I wrote about this year’s obsession—and money-back guarantee—here. I also asked some smart folks why they do or do not preorder books, and here’s what I learned:
- We do indeed live in an immediate-gratification society. Nobody wants to wait for books, least of all readers.
- Authors need to ask readers to preorder because excepting the miniscule percentage that work in publishing, they’re not generally aware of the importance of preorder numbers.
- Readers want to support authors whose stories they love, and so when asked or incentivized to preorder, they generally will consider doing so.
THREE
Whichever movie studio is putting out the new Men in Black movie is spending a fortune on promoting it in Dunkin’ Donuts. I go to Dunkin’ Donuts, but I don’t get the connection, and I sure as heck am no more inclined to pay to see the movie as a result of them selling two movie-themed donuts. I just don’t get the connection between donuts and aliens. Or donuts and movies, for that matter. Now, if a publisher was to do something similar, I’d be right with that, because I often read while consuming donutage.
FOUR
Sometimes people are intolerant, mean creatures. But this can also bring out the best in others. Call me a hippie if you must (I don’t consider myself one), but I still believe that kindness is more powerful than hate. That there is hope for the human race.
And with that, have a lovely weekend!
