Comments on: Endangered book ads?

By: Robin

Robin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:37:34 +0000

The problem with advertising is that you can't measure your success. If I see a book on NPR or Oprah for that matter, it might take an ad to remind me to buy it. You can't rule out the cumulative effect. Also, if no one buys book ads, we won't see book reviews, which are big motivators in my family. Sometimes you have to support an institution (buying expensive ads) so it will be there when you need it.(reviewing your book)

By: DGLM

DGLM — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:03:16 +0000

Thanks for these thoughtful answers, which really are instructive. Publishing houses would do well to do a better job of targeting the on-line space to build word of mouth. But much as i see the writing on the wall, I can't help but mourn the passing of regional book review sections (and regional newspapers)which are the inevitable byproduct of falling ad revenue. I too make my reading decisions based on a combination of reviews and word of mouth. I'm also in the fortunate position of havng books thrust in my hands with an accompanying "you MUST read this." I almost always dip in, and if it grabs me, I feel it only fair to keep going.

By: Angela Korra'ti

Angela Korra'ti — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:50:22 +0000

Mary Witzl:

John Scalzi is an SF author with a high-traffic blog at http://whatever.scalzi.com. One of the things he regularly posts is a "Big Idea" column, showcasing other authors and the central idea that got them started on whatever book they have coming out next. It's focused on SF/F, but he does a nice variety of forthcoming work.

It's inspired me to pick up the awesome YA novel The Forest of Hands and Teeth (by Carrie Ryan), and more recently, Malinda Lo's Ash.

By: Costal

Costal — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:46:41 +0000

As for "what works..." Word of mouth is king. Facebook's Virtual Book shelf. NPR. Blogs. I rip out hundreds of slivers about interesting things I find in everything from the New Yorker to Entertainment Weekly, those, however, more often than not, end up washed in my pajama pants.

I am also most driven by finding things for my stduents to read, so if I think a book's appeal or theme matches one of my courses, I am much more likely to turn that ripped out ad into a purchase.

By: Costal

Costal — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:39:17 +0000

LOL about the beret…I have spent many a lost minute considering the purchase of a poke boat, though.

By: Sarah N Fisk

Sarah N Fisk — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:33:10 +0000

I don't really pay attention to print ads at all, whether for books or other things. My eyes pass over them without really registering.

However, I can't say that they have NO effect because if I'm trying to decide between two books and I've heard of one somewhere (but can't remember where) and haven't heard of the other, I'll buy the one that triggers a memory. Usually that memory is caused by twitter or blog mentions, but it could also be from an ad.

By: Don

Don — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:34:48 +0000

I bought a book—from an ad in The New Yorker no less—called The Story of Stupidity which turned out to be someone's self-published thesis. I still have it on my shelves,

By: evilphilip

evilphilip — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:47:13 +0000

I don't read magazines or newspapers -- I have the internet -- so I don't think I have seen a print ad for a book in the last 5+ years.

However, I do read the newsletter sent out by the Sci Fi book club and I have purchased a ton of books after leafing through that newsletter.

After that, I hear about most new books from Chuck Palahniuk's official website, The Cult or its sister site, The Velvet.

By: Colette

Colette — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:44:20 +0000

Does an ad cause me to buy a book? Never. Does a review cause me to buy a book? Sometimes. Do recommendations cause me to buy books? Often. These could be word of mouth, something I read, or amazon's predictions for what I will like.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:53:13 +0000

My girlfriend reads most of her books based on recommendations from her friends. The last book I was recommended was an old R.A. Salavtore book, but that was back when I was in high school. As a working adult guy, I'm more often recommended non-fiction than fiction.

So how do I find out about books? Movies based on books, books in front of the bookstore, and author's websites. I like reading Neil Gaiman's website, and I read his comics as a kid. I have also been picking up books that are in the series LOST out of curiosity. As for reviews, I really only care about the amazon reviews. Newspaper reviewers come across as too pompous. I don't care if it's good lit; I just want to read a good story.