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TheroneShellman

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Everything posted by TheroneShellman

  1. You have the two book stores listed already. Mejah Books in Deleware, and Hakim's in Philadephia. Under Therone Shellman Media, they don't currently stock my titles, because we just had all of my book covers done over, and entered into Ingrams system. But, they're both open. Mejah, does signings. I've done quite a bit with them in the past. In regards to what can authors, who aren't good sales people do to sell books, without going hand to hand. The only option I see, is to sign with an established publisher (big or small). Or they're going to have to create a budget, for paid social media advertising, on facebook, develop an email list through a service like constant contact, advertise on sites like yours, and definately utilize pr releasing service blackpr.com to get the word out to media. Reach out to online radio shows, on blogtalkradio, to possibly do interviews, etc. This is just a start. But their road, will be harder, and more costly. Consistency, and taking inventory of what works, is important for them. Their skillset, plus type of book is going to determine, what hits off and what doesn't. No way of knowing, beforehand. I would never go this route again, because I don't believe in exclusive distribution contracts, and I am working to control my own distribution. But it would maybe be in their best interest to sign with an independent book distributor, so they can obtain shelf space in B&N, etc. My pov on the many sites disappearing. Quite a few sites were started by readers, many of whom catered to the Urban literature market, and some Christian. Their programs were too narrow in scope. Plus, many were just doing it for fun, and as a hobby. Other sites catering to the same market, (moreso urban market) were showing personal favoritism, to certain authors. Which isn't a smart idea ever, from a business standpoint. Within the Black book market, there are those who write to entertain, and those who do so to educate. A smart site caters to both. Let the authors have their views, and commentary, without choosing sides. There are readers on both sides of the spectrum. Dialogue and heated debates are great between the authors and readers. But there's a fine line, when admin gets involved, in this grey area. Especially when it's blatant and obvious. Some of these sites caused some writers, who were bringing them considerable traffic to stop messing with them. No interesting topics, and the following dwindles. If the site is going, to cater to a specific genre. Then say so outright, and be savvy enough to market to get this following of readers, and writers to come to the site. The site has to be interesting enough to stay. Some of these sites reminded me of, reality TV because there were no interesting articles, commentary. Cannot keep book readers, or writers interest, with that stuff for long. There are way more people who don't read books than who do. This says, something about readers. I understand what you mentioned in regards to books being sold below market value in the streets. Which messed it up for vendors. They messed it up for themselves. Just because, they bought the titles cheaper, doesn't mean they had to sell the books for less than $10. Especially when they're buying books everywhere else from $5-7 and have to sell thesr books, for $10-12. Greedy, and stupid. As for the authors, this had nothing to do with their hustle. A quality product, the owner dictates the value. This is in any business. If you're an independent author. The only options are to hustle hand to hand, sign with a distributor and create a marketing budget, and strategy. Possibly do both like I first did. OR hire a book consultant, and alIow them to do most of the work for you. Sorry, books won't sell themselves. So before you begin, think this through. There are plenty of resources on this site, as well. In the past many independent authors, were found by the noise book clubs were making, street sales, and through being signed by known publishers. I believe the future wave of those, who get big deals, will be the result of the big companies, seeing them as being businessminded, and folks who they can forge longterm relationships with. So they're going to be looking for more than just sales. Talents, such as public speaking, business intelligence, marketability within other platforms, etc. Changes in the music industry is a good indicator, of what's to happen in the publishing world.
  2. @Cynique You spelled Is as IS. Maybe, you didn't notice the typo. Not for the intention of debate. @Troy I definately understand, what you've mentioned in regards to the closing of so many African American book stores. Many urban literature authors, benefited greatly from them. I personally, only dealt with four. Two of which, are still open. This being, because No Love Lost, is my only street literature, title. My first novel, Love Don't Live Here revised edition, is literary fiction. So I didn't have much success through Black Book Distributors. I then focused my efforts on, hand to hand sales (which is where any indie author should), and I took the risk with, signing with an independent book distributor, which catered to the chain retail market (Borders/ Waldenbooks/Booksamillion), etc. Luckily, I found some success, and had some fun too. Today, independent authors, are selling in Barnes & Nobel, Booksamillion, and I'm not sure. But, I would assume they're utilizing African American book stores. The library market, is always available. Hand to hand sales, is always here to stay. It's way more than setting up on the streets as well. Vendor opportunities, on a short term basis, are available everywhere. I will always be a fan, of authors, publishers, controlling as much of their distribution as possible. I was lucky to be able to out the gate sell alot of copies of the revised edition, in 2005. But an independent author should be focused on the longterm, and building their catalog. This, is how a career and brand is built. With the emergence, of the NYC street market. It was great but it also decieved many. Many authors, and companies were able to build a platform and careers, because of the hardwork, of some authors and the street vendors, who built incredible customer bases, and networks with readers, within NYC. From 2010-2015 this market began to change, as some street vendors left, for various reasons. I took a 4 year hiatus, because I went down south, and I also wanted to restructure, after my distributor closed its doors. Other authors, I assume just focused, on their own boroughs, and locales. When I came back in 2014, and decided to stroll around, no more did I see authors set up as usual. I used to even see out of state authors, occassionally. So many authors, were able to take advantage from the market, which existed. But, many didn't want to put the work in, when it was time for them to grind on their own. Believe, it or not many authors obtained the big book deals, because of the street market. I really don't know why any independent author, would see amazon, or Facebook, as the main avenue to sell books. I see them, as part of an authors portfolio, for marketing, sales channels. Again, controlling avenues to ones customer base is important. Whomever, controls this, controls career(s). There's no easy route to building the ground floor. As far as why so many African American sites closed. You know more than me, because this is your lane. I have my speculations. But as an author, I'm going to remain mute. My position may be prejudiced, a bit. I will say that, your site is broader in it's view, than just books. News, commentary is what attracts people. You mentioned authors, not going it alone. I think any artist needs to protect their brand, and artistic vision. With that being said. They should be a fan of contracts to protect their interests. Most importantly deal with folks, who are on the same page as their vision. After all, it's their career, their ship. I work with quite a few people. One of them does video media for me. I just recently signed on with a company to host a live webshow, beginning July. Working out something with a brother, who is connected to the media. So yeah, I don't think it's about writing and printing books. It's bigger. Just have to be careful, and I do stress from an artist standpoint contracts. Never mix business with pleasure. Some folks have found themselves without a business, and others having unecessary headaches, and drama. I feel we are all creating legacies. So lets view it like this. Thanks for responding @Troy @Cynique
  3. As a writer, and artist of other forms, I see the arts in general, especially the segment of the African American diaspora, as entering a whole new awakening. Since 2003, when I self published my first title, Love Don't Live Here I've seen the publishing world go through many fazes. Many new, and unexperienced AA writers, took not just the self publishing world by storm, but the whole punlishing industry. Over the years the whole industry has had to change, how they do things, and aclnowledge that, self publishing isn't a fad. It's here to stay. One of the things, I'm delighted to see, are the new era, of multi talented artists. These artists, write books, have an interest in music, film, theatre, etc. They bring with them a whole new level of thinking, as they're not just artistic. But they're also businessminded, and understand the importance of creating a brand. This is beneficial for their legacy, and the African American entertainment, broadcasting and media industry as well. I am interested, in hearing others thoughts on the matter. Therone Shellman
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