This is a multi focus article, I guess, but I believe it is all connected. Naturally our attention on this blog is centred on our romantic pocket novels and primarily these are found in newsagents, corner stores, supermarkets, etc. The good thing is that they go on in many cases to have a further life in the form of large print romances in libraries and, for many of us also, as ebooks to get them out to an even wider audience. After all, we write from our own inner drive or need but also, ultimately, for readers to enjoy what we create.
It's amazing to learn how readers discover us. Pocket Novel readers will go to their usual retail sources each month but what about other books by that author or their backlist once the current novel is taken off the shelf and before a new one comes out? According to the Smashwords blog on ebooks, for example, 29% of readers discover your book via blogs and message boards, Facebook and so on. 18% go out and particularly look for their favourite author. I know I tend to do that. Find an author I love or who has been recommended to me, so I seek other titles by that writer.
Many good reads are simply found by browsing and 14% of readers find us that way. The very smallest percentages are retailer recommendations, free ebooks, sampling then downloading, reviews and bestseller lists.
I have to say, personally, I do a lot of browsing, mostly online, to find my historical and romance fiction. I would be interested to hear how others - both authors and readers - acquire books to add to their reading pile.
As for what else we pocket novelists write, I love Australian history, genealogy and the Middle Ages, so my works both published and planned reflect that interest. Besides my last pocket novel, WOMBAT CREEK, which comes out in large print in libraries in September, my latest release is an Australian historical saga/romance ebook, BARRATT'S RUN, set in the pastoral country of the lush Western District of Victoria, Australia, where I live. I'm hoping this will become available in print within a year. I've just finished writing a squatter saga about the Penross family dynasty set in the same region which is really book 1 of a planned 6 book series. Plus I have 4 novels planned in the medieval era, a few modern mainstream stories roughly drafted out and heaps more romance novels titled and planned.
I know my fellow pocketeers write all kinds of different genres so this is a great opportunity to hear more about them. Over to you ladies...
Great post, Noelene. As you all know I also write (whispers) erotica, but I use a different pen name for that. I've also written speculative fiction, and I've written short stories for women's magazines.
ReplyDeleteMy pocket novels tend to be romantic intrigue/cosy crime type. I love country houses and ladies in pearls, and the sort of arch humour that Agatha Christie used, or to write a Hitchcockian mystery. But I also like bringing that up to date, and having the same sort of stories set in the present time. Oh, and I also write romantic westerns. I've written two that have been published. I do love a cowboy and a girl in a gingham dress!
I've also had a Cat-Rom ebook published by Siren Publishing, and have another one of those coming out in May.
Oh, I'm with you on the country houses and pearls. I have your Mistletoe Mystery to read soon. Am currently halfway through Margaret's Second Time Around.
DeleteInteresting post. It's great that pocket novels encompass so many genres. It's encouraging for someone like me who flits between genres and types of writing. I usually find books and authors online, through blogs, Amazon and Facebook.
ReplyDeleteHow do we find good reads? Perhaps I shouldn't say this, because it doesn't generate author income, but don't overlook the auction sites like eBay. I've picked up several sets of pocket novels that way recently, including some published as recently as last December! It's a good way for a new or returning reader to sample authors' various styles at a faster rate than four per month. The books are usually a bargain. Sometimes they cost less, in fact, than the postage, depending on where in the world you live. And unlike large-print library books, which have to be returned later, or books you have to hunt for among magazines in some supermarkets etc., they're delivered to your door or gate.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry, Anon. As we only get a one off payment for pocket novels and large print (apart from PLR for the latter, of course), it doesn't eat into any profits. And even if it did, personally I don't mind seeing my books for sale second hand. That's how I've discovered many other writers, and have then gone on to buy their books new because I liked them so much.
DeleteYour post also sent me off to ebay where I'm pleased to see some of my own pocket novels for sale on there, though a little upset that one of them is £3.99, when the original cost was only about £1.60! I don't mind people buying my books second hand, but I wouldn't like to see them taken advantage of.
I'm with you both on this. Quite often buying an author secondhand or their back list will generate a new and faithful reader for future books.
DeleteI'm with you both on this. Quite often buying an author secondhand or their back list will generate a new and faithful reader for future books.
DeleteHi - Friends' recommendations are a big one for me. Also, I must be old fashioned in that I love to browse in bookshops (rather than the web) and will often buy a pile of books there, especially when going on holiday. I too purchase books second hand sometimes from charity shops and although I know many authors would spit to hear that, I feel it's okay as long as I buy my fair share of new ones - which I do! I'll often try a totally new author to me in the charity shops and then get so hooked I have to have their new one as soon as it comes out so have even bought hardbacks (although they're total rubbish for reading in the bath or bed - too heavy!) As far as genres I write in, I've done short stories in the following: supernatural, historical, sci fi, crime and thriller. I'm also doing my first serial for People's Friend and am at instalment 4 - half way, hoorah. It's a totally different process as each instalment has input from an editor who will often request changes and then once, approved, is 'banked'. That means that you cannot go back and change anything or tweak things to suit the plot. It's a different thing entirely from the pocket novel where you write the whole draft and can fiddle about with things throughout to suit twists and turns in the plot. The editor may still, of course ask for amendments but then you amend the piece in its entirety. Still, he who pays the piper calls the tune and I'm happy with that! Cara x
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting, informative post, Noelene. And what fascinating statistics.
ReplyDeleteI know lots of writers use their blogs as marketing tools to spread the word about their books - but 29% of readers finding our books through blogs, well, that’s impressive. I can see I will have to get a blog.
As for writing in different genres…
My first large print pocket novel, Danger at Mellin Cove, is published on May 1 (and I’ve just managed to Kindle it) I have two more awaiting decisions, plus another novella with Mills and Boon.
I’ve just sent off a submission for a crime serial (first episode/Synopsis) to Woman’s Weekly, and oh yes, there are three short stories out there at the moment.
Sadly, patience is a virtue I was never blessed with.
The refresh button on my email is beginning to wear away.
As a regular reader of Pocket Novels, I am delighted that some of the books are available on Kindle. It's not always possible to find the books in the shops or to find the books in libraries, so it's wonderful to have the chance to find the books you would otherwise have missed at the newsagent online - not to mention the fact that as ebooks, one saves much needed space on one's bookshelf!
ReplyDeleteJulie, all my backlist were originally Pocket Novels and are available on Kindle and at Smashwords for all other ereaders. :)
DeleteCongrats on your PN Rena, I'll look out for it, even better that you've Kindled it, the more readers of pocket novels the better. Good luck with the crime serial an the shorts, the more you can get out there the better.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie B, glad to hear you like the PNs. I'm sure everyone on the blog here will let you know when theirs are available as e-downloads. It's a shame PN and MW don't do them, but they can supply back print copies if there are particular ones you've missed. Thank you for your support!
Thank you so much, Cara.
ReplyDeleteI had to unpublish my first attempt at Kindling because the live book looked nothing like it had done in the preview.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for my second attempt, which should go live (along with another little collection of short stories) tomorrow.
A huge thanks also to Sally Q, whose ‘100K Words in 100 Days’ challenge inspired me to keep so busy writing.
Rena, I found out with kindle is that it's best to use an html file, rather than a pdf, so maybe that's what went wrong for you?
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the 100k in 100 days challenge! I did too and got just over 100k done in the end. I'm doing it again starting next January 1st.
Thanks, Sally.
ReplyDeleteYou can count me in again for next year.