They say if you build–in an author’s case, write–it they will come. But when they come looking will they find it on the shelves? The answer just might be perhaps. My guests today are going to help answer that question. Please extend a warm welcome to Anthea Lawson, which is the pseudonym for a husband-wife team who write spicy Victorian romance. Their debut novel, PASSIONATE, was nominated for a Best First Book RITA in 2009, and their newest book, ALL HE DESIRES, hit the shelves on November 3rd.
All He Desires
Author: Anthea Lawson
Publisher: Kensington
Pub. Date: November 3
ISBN-13: 978-1420104578
320 pagesSelf-exiled on the Isle of Crete, an English doctor with a troubled past meets the one woman who can bring him out of the shadows and into the light.
Far from home and her noble relatives, Miss Caroline Huntington has been injured in a fall from her horse. Called to her side, Alex Trentham knows he must assist her, though he has not practiced as a physician for a long while. Just to see so lovely a woman in a state of undress is a hard test of his self-control…
~~~
RELEASE DAY
Since our new book, ALL HE DESIRES, was released a week ago, we’ve had cause to ponder the logistics of how a book actually gets freed into the wild. We were surprised to found out how imprecise the actual release date can be.
Unless you’re a big-name author, your book will have a ‘soft’ release. In other words, it will be shipped one to two weeks before the release date and put out on the shelves—whenever. Sometimes when the boxes get there, or sometimes a week or two after the official release date. It depends on when the stores gets the shipment (weather can delay shipping in various places), how behind they are in stocking shelves, how much buzz there may be for a title. It’s not uncommon to go to a chain bookstore the day a book is supposed to be available, and not be able to find it on the shelves. How frustrating! Chances are, the title you’re looking for is somewhere in the back, so don’t be afraid to ask.
So why do some books have a strict ‘laydown’ date? (Also called a street date or a ‘hard’ release.) Obviously, big sellers like the Harry Potter and Twilight books need to have coordinated availability for the hordes of clamoring fans across the world. Also, the New York Times bestseller list is based on sales velocity within a week, so publishers don’t want those numbers being diluted by early sales trickling out. Any title that has a chance of hitting “the lists” will likely be restricted by the publishers. We hear that those boxes have big DO NOT OPEN UNTIL stickers plastered all over them—and the book is not allowed to be shelved or sold until that specific day. Often this is a publisher’s call, but sometimes the chain can impose hard dates, too.
In case you were wondering, ALL HE DESIRES had a soft release (grin). It’s gotten into stores in a fairly timely fashion as far as we can tell, and we think the book is doing well (that’s a part of the mystery of publishing, which we blogged about recently at RomCon). Since there really is no way to know how sales are (and often authors don’t get solid figures for up to a year after the book releases), we really appreciate the glowing reviews and positive reader feedback we’ve been getting.
It’s like sending a kid off to college—we’ve done the best we can, and hope all goes well. Good luck, little book. We hope you make some good friends, don’t take too many hard knocks along the way, and end up being a success!
Thanks, Bev, for having us here—and for making The Season one of the most fabulous sites for Historical Romance ever.
To celebrate the release of ALL HE DESIRES, we’re giving away a copy to one lucky commenter—and if we get lots of comments we may add a bonus give-away!
Tell us – can you usually find the title you’re looking for when you go book shopping? Do you wish book distribution were different? What’s your ideal book-buying world?
I can usually find a book that I am looking for on the release date. If not, I will ask at the store and the book has been in the back or just about to be shelved.
Hi Anthea (we need to stop meeting like this). I went to a terrific Q and A at the NJ Conference with an editor from Grand Central and learned a lot about book distribution. Basically the publisher pays for good exposure: the tables at Borders & B&N, mentions in their literature and newsletters, placement on special displays at chain stores etc etc. All paid for with “co op” money by the publisher. If your publisher isn’t ponying up, then the fate of your book is indeed as hit-or-miss as you describe. (And I’m happy to say my publisher Avon does lots of co op, another reason they are the awesome-est).
I would urge you readers to go beyond the new book displays and make sure you hit the romance section – not all new releases make it to the front of the store.
They’re usually not there on the release date for me, so I have to wait a bit and sometimes even pre-ordered ones can come later than expected.
Hi Anthea – congrats on the release! So looking forward to reading it!
The whole soft/hard release thing is pretty mind-boggling. My debut book was released in Canada two weeks before the official release date. Crazy! I have to say, though, that even big-time authors with hard release dates can get screwed – I tried to get Anna Campbell’s latest on release day at Chapters in Canada (our big chain), and the store I went to didn’t even have it in the back. The same thing happened with Eloisa James’s latest, too – at more than one store. I told the sales clerks how bad that was, and that it would affect the author’s chances of getting on a list. Shrugs all around. First they tried to blame it on the publisher, then on the distributor. It was a load of bull, since the books were released in other stores in Ottawa on the right date.
It’s such a bizarre business, isn’t it?
There have been times I haven’t been able to find a book I wanted but usually I am looking for a book long after it’s been out since I am always so far behind on everything I want to do.
Hi Anthea,
Welcome to the blog. I have your book and can’t wait to read. It’s joined my ever growing TBR pile that mocks me everyday and tells me there isn’t enough time in my day to do all the things I’d like. 🙂
I’ve gone into the store on many a days looking for a particular book that was supposed to be out either that day or days before and returned home empty handed. I find that many stores have a very lackadaisical attitude to making sure the books are out on the shelves in a timely manner. And that starts at the top and for the poor worker who is being paid probably not a whole bunch of money with lots of work to do, it’s the attitude of, hey, I’ll get to it when I get to it.
I usually have no problem finding the book i’m looking for. Mostly because i shop on amazon and half.com a lot. I do find when i shop in stores that its sometimes harder to do so. It doesn’t always help that most book store employees would rather order you a copy rather than take the time to go back i the back and see if they have any in stock. This is a reason i love amazon and half.com so much. I know the book is going to be there when i’m looking for it. I just have to wait till it gets to me. Course amazon’s free shipping of $25 does led me into buying more books than i would have normally in the store. lol
I always go searching my favorite book store on release day. Most times I am successful in my hunt, but I get quite frustrated when I am out of luck. My most recent challenge – I had to go to five places before I found it, only to realize I was ahead of the formal release date!
I’ve been having a hard time trying to find books lately. I would go on my way to work since I work in the afternoon and sometimes they wouldn’t have it so I would stop coming home and still nothing. I would bounce between 3 or 4 stores just trying to find what I was looking for. I went to a store a few weeks ago with a list of books to buy (I had a coupon!) and I went into the store to find it a mess. They were changing the shelving, books were everywhere and I almost wanted to cry because they had none of the books I wanted. But I always find what I want… it just may take alittle longer then I like!
I order most of my books, since I live in a very small town. I would love to live in an area that has your smaller book stores, but the town nearest me has only one bookstore. It is easier to order the books I want.
Hi Anthea!! Congrats on your release! It sounds wonderful.
I have to admit I love Amazon. It rare for me not to find the book I’m looking for there. I went to Borders recently in search of Anna Campbell’s latest and they had none in stock. The book just came out! They had more on order but that would mean another trip and as much as I love Anna, it probably wasn’t going to happen. So I came home, brought up Amazon and I expect the book will be delivered to my doorstep today or tomorrow. Can’t beat that.
Most of the time I can’t find the book I am looking for in the stores, so I usually have to order it for Amazon! We don’t have a good book store where I live, just one small one and they will order for your too! We also have Wal-Mart but its touch and go there on what they have.
Hello and Congratulations! I am truly enjoying your blog tour and your website. You have explained how Anthea Lawson came to be a published writer. Now, you continue to enlighten us regarding the whole “writing/publishing/into the hands of the reader” process. Your story line for ALL HE DESIRES sounds fabulous! Just my kind of “wounded hero” brought to life by the love of the right woman.
When a book first comes out I usually go to Wal-Mart because they honestly have the lowest price but one thing bad about that is that sometimes Wal-Mart doesn’t have the book. I like Borders also better than Barnes & Noble because again Borders always have coupons that I can use for new release. I wish price of the book would go a little lower than what is today because I would buy more books instead of borrowing from the library or trading the book swap sites.
I never find anything in the stores when it should be there so I order online. http://www.deepdiscount.com has free shipping and better prices even if it’s one book and no non-reader snobby bookstore employees to contend with either.
Congrats on the release this books sounds wonderful and I have added it to my must have list.
Here in Australia you never find the books that have just been released on the shelves I order my books from specialty romance bookstores there are a couple here in Oz and I check out the new releases and put an order in online I usually get them about a week or two after release day in The States but I don’t miss out on them one day I would love to go into a bookstore and find all the new releases on the shelves on release day.
Have Fun
Helen
Great comments, and wonderful to see so many familiar folks! *waving to Miranda, Vanessa, Bev, Christie, Quilt Lady, GingerC* Sounds like it can be hit or miss at the brick-and-mortar stores — I agree that ordering online is more reliable! Another site that offers free shipping is the Book Depository ~ even international free shipping!
Good for you for persevering when you go book shopping, Rochelle, Lisa, and Jamie — authors are lucky to have such dedicated readers~
Marjana, you might want to keep an eye on the Zebra debut program. They release 2 books a month, the debut priced at $4.99 (Lori Brighton’s WILD HEART for example), the other at $5.99 (ALL HE DESIRES for example). They just bumped up that price, so if you buy, say Christie Kelley’s debut EVERY NIGHT I’M YOURS (or Vanessa Kelly’s MASTERING THE MARQUESS, or ours – PASSIONATE) you’re only paying $3.99. Sweet! (These titles from are generally not in the bookstores any more, so they will have to be online purchases.)
Such great info being shared – more, more~
Congratulations on the release! I can usually find the books I want on the day they are released at our local B & N, but I love to pre-order from the indie book store in town. They give a discount and will order whatever I want. Sometimes I do have to wait a few extra days, but it’s worth it to me to help the store out!!
I buy most of my books online where the selection is the greatest and sometimes the books ship before the release date. When I do shop at a bookstore, the books I want are usually available.
I usually go to our largest Barnes and Nobles and they’re pretty good about getting what you want if its not unpacked.
Congratulations on your release. I am looking forward to reading it.
I make it a point to know what I want and preorder either from B&N or BookStar, which is a division of B&N. So if I know about a release in advance I get it the day (and on some occassions the day before) it comes out.
Congrats to you both. Wish you much success with your career.
I am not going to lie, but I love soft releases. Congrats on the “soft” release 😀
Hi Anthea!
I use to be able to find new books on the day their released, but now your lucky if you can. Usually the books are still in the back waiting to be shelved, or the store clerk will say they haven’t received it yet.
Congratulations on the release of your new book, and for the success of your debut novel “Passionate”. I have heard great things about “All He Desires” and can’t wait to read it.
I have a WONDERFUL little bookstore that I frequent. It is easy to find the books because the authors are in alphabetical order, the new releases have their own special bookshelf, and other books are divided into sections by publisher and genre. The two owners of the bookstore are great in helping me find books if I need the help and they will order books for me as well. They also know the type of romance stories I like and are always keeping their eyes open for new authors and releases that might interest me.
Hi guys!
What I find sad, is how hidden debut authors are on some book shelves. We’ve usually only got a few books in each store, and they stuff them in the shelves, covers hidden, barely noticable. I know, you have to put those best sellers up front, but it seems almost impossible for a new author to sell when his/her book is hidden away.
Also, you said that you dont usually find out hard figures for a year after your book is out, is there a time frame when you might perhaps get an estimate of your sales figures, a hint of some sort? Thanks!
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy shopping online, you can usually find what you’re looking for very easily. However, there’s still nothing like going to a book store and browsing the shelves, finding gems you hadn’t heard about.
All He Desires sounds like a great story, I’ll be looking for it next time I book shop.
I have to rely on WalMart or the grocery store or order online. The closest book store is a 140 mile round trip drive.
I rarely find books I want in the big chain bookstores, though there is one that stocks regularly which is fantastic, their prices are sometimes unreasonable so I buy at specialist stores. My ideal book-buying world? everything would be in-store on time and be a lot cheaper than they are now ;D
First…I want to say congratulations, Anthea Lawson on your book. Also, I must admit that I came across it shelved, and immediately removed it and placed it front and center with the new releases for romance. (Sorry, I was out of my store for a few days) I am a bookseller for romance, and when I know a debut author is coming out, I will give it the proper attention it deserves. How else are my romance buyers going to find out? LOL!
I have devoted an entire section for new releases and many are new authors. I applaud each and every one of you.
My ideal book buying world?? I think I’m previledged to be working for a bookstore.
Cheers!
I am continually frustrated by brick and mortar bookstores. I never did find Anna Campbell’s new release in any store (and it clearly wasn’t a case that it was sold it — it just never was there to begin with) and finally ordered it online. My local Wal-Mart has reduced their romance section by half and only carries the top sellers. I’m also frustrated that if you order from Amazon and want free shipping you better be willing to wait 10-14 days after a new book is released before it is delivered to you. Barnes and Noble’s online service is way better. One thing I noticed at B&N this month was that they are now stocking all their romance books facing out rather than spine out. Hard on established authors with a big backlist (because it appears that’s where they found the extra space)but very nice for the reader and for new authors who may only have a great cover as a means to recommend them.
I have to say it is about half and half. I often have to order the book I want. Ideal is the Kindle, the nook and Sony ebookreaders. Nothing like instant gratification for bookreading.
Congrats on the new release! I keep a running list in my purse (upcoming new releases) and either preorder online or in the store (I am a frequent visitor to my local Barnes and Noble and Borders). I have not had difficulty when preordering new releases. Often, I preorder at my local library so I can read my fave authors then purchase the “keepers” at B & N or Wal-Mart.
I can’t always find what I am looking for and sometimes I have to ask for help. I’m disabled so I usually try and send my sister or daughter looking for me if I can’t find it at the first store I go to. Your books sounds great and I like the cover.
Lately our local Barnes and Noble store has been displaying romances in a more obvious and convenient way. There is a big display”cube” in the front of the store with the newest releases (is this being dumped?) and they have rearranged the romance section. The first shelf you come to has more recent releases, then the alphabetical by author shelving usually has the newer releases facing out. It makes it pretty easy to find what you want. The one problem is genre shelving. You may look for it in romance, but it is in sci-fi, fantasy, or paranormal.
I actually try as much as possible to physically buy the book; I hate ordering them online for some quirky reason. That said, I don’t usually buy on release date (the last time I did was with the seventh Harry Potter book, and even that time I only went because a huge group of friends wanted to go to the release “party” at Borders), so most of the time I have no trouble finding the book. If I can’t, though, I have no qualms about flagging down an employee. 😀
as an international readers, sometimes it’s so hard for me to get a book on the day its release. i just can wait our local book store has the Indonesian version of the book.
and if i get so lucky, i could win on several contest on blogs 😉
like the Anna Campbell book, Captive of Sin, it was my lucky day, i won it at the end of last month.
i do like to go to bookstore to buy a book not buy it on line though.
In the Borders I go to they have all the newest paperbacks and romance in the very front and off to the left as soon as you enter. If it isn’t there I ask at the front desk and then order it if they don’t have it.
I enjoyed reading your post. I always order the books from the library as well. Way before it’s released just so I know it won’t be a forever wait.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
I just give my daughters the money and they get it for me 🙂 But from what I’ve heard them say they rarely if ever find it in the big name bookstores, they go to the small business specialist bookstores that already know them by name.
Hi, Anthea! Congrats!! The book sounds delicious! 🙂
I usually have to go to my local B&N one or two days after “release day” to find all the new releases. And even then, they sometimes still have to go in the back to get a couple of them. It can certainly be frustrating at times.
Sometimes I find the books I’m looking for in stores. When I can’t I buy them online.
“All He Desires” looks like a great book! I’d love to win a copy!
I have an e-reader, and I wish that Amazon would sell books in a PDF format for my Sony E reader…but they are only linked to the Kindle.
Also, I wish out of print books would be available in E book form.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
I rely on my B&N. I would be lost without it. I dont really like to buy books online. I think I’m too cheap to pay for shipping and I dont want to have to wait for the books to get to me.