Parker Peevyhouse

Travel

travel

when you promote your book at an event far from home

Will I travel to promote my book?

Probably not? If your book is a lead title, your publisher might send you on a tour. Even if your book is not a lead title, your publisher might send you to a few places to promote your book (maybe a conference or festival or signing). But most authors don’t travel to promote their books unless they set this up themselves.

If I do travel, who will pay for it?

Any time your publicist emails you about doing an event that requires travel, you can expect you publisher will pay for said travel. That includes hotel, airfare, and usually a per diem for meals (you might have to ask about this last one). Also, they’ll cover the admission price to whatever conference they might send you to. Keep your receipts while you’re traveling so you can later email them to your publicist for reimbursement for costs like meals and taxi fare to the airport.

Your publicist will send you an itinerary for your travel, which will include your flight, hotel, schedule, and contact info for the travel agent. If anything goes wrong while you’re traveling to promote your book (you miss a flight, or the hotel says your publisher isn’t paying for the room) contact the travel agent or your publicist. Basically, you shouldn’t be paying for anything to do with promoting your book while you travel. (But if you decide to do some sight-seeing or anything extra like that, that cost is on you.)

TIP: Get TSA Precheck if you can afford it and give your publicist your KTN (Known Traveler Number) so they can submit it when they buy your plane ticket! This will save you a lot of hassle and time spent in the security line. It will also get you funny looks from people who think only business-types use Precheck and can’t figure out why a ~~rumpled~~ cool and casual writer would be using an airplane. So entertaining!

How does a publisher decide to send an author somewhere?

It all depends on the marketing budget for your book. But here’s a little more about the process:

Your publicist might pitch you for conferences and festivals, and if those organizations accept, your publisher will send you. If you want to know whether your publicist is pitching you for anything, have your agent ask (but be prepared for a “no, we’re not pitching this treasured author for anything, it’s sadly not in the budget”). Don’t be too bummed if your publicist’s pitch is turned down–not every organization can be expected to recognize what a gem you are.

Your book also has a page on Edelweiss that specifies whether you are available for travel and how far from home you can travel (based on whether/how much your publisher is willing to pay for travel, which depends on their marketing budget for your book). Bookstores can use this page to request that you visit their store. The publisher will then ask if you’re willing to travel to said store, and will pay for you to make your way there.

If you get your hustle on and pitch yourself directly for any out-of-town events, you can try asking your publisher if they can help pay for your travel. Sometimes they will and sometimes they won’t–and sometimes they’ll tell you that the event you have your eye on is really not worth doing and you should save your money.

Should I pay to send myself somewhere to promote my book?

I mean… I wouldn’t. But I also really love my bed (I have a great hybrid mattress). But if you can sleep on someone’s couch or use some points to fly free, maybe it would be worth it? See also: Tour.

What kind of follow-up should I do after I travel to promote my book?

If you visited a bookstore, consider sending a thank you note. This is not only just a nice thing to do (and I bet you like doing nice things!), but it’s also a way to help them remember you so that they keep selling your book long after your event has ended.

If your publisher sent you, email your receipts to your publicist for reimbursement. Also send them a short email on how the event went so that they know 1) that it was worth sending you or 2) that this event isn’t so great after all and they shouldn’t subject other writers to participating in it. “But was it worth sending me?” Yes–even if you didn’t have great sales, you probably made some positive connections that will help your book into the future.

Traveling is the coolest part of being an author!

No, it’s not. It’s grueling and lonely. It makes you feel like a big shot for about five minutes, and then you realize that it’s no guarantee of success. Enjoy those tiny plane pretzels, though!

See also Tour and Visits.

Taxes

taxes

the big slice of your advance that you owe to the government

How much of my advance will I owe in taxes?

First, a disclaimer: I am not a tax expert by any means and you should ask an accountant about everything in this post. Also, I live in the US and can tell you nothing about taxes in other countries.

Onto the bad news. Writers are considered independent contractors, which means they have to pay both the employers share of taxes AND the employees share. Yeah, you’re going to pay TWICE the amount you would if you were using a W2. This seems totally unfair to me, and frankly kinda enrages me. Hang on while I go do some pushups or something…

To be safe, you should set aside one third (or even one half) of your advance to pay taxes. I know–that’s a lot!

Is there any way to mitigate the horror of paying such high taxes?

Yes!

You can deduct business expenses! Get an accountant to help you, because this will really ease the pain of owing so much of your writing income to the government. Meanwhile, keep your receipts for things like books, conferences, swag, etc.

Also ask an accountant if you can put some money in a retirement account to offset what you owe in taxes. I don’t really know how that works, but I heard a savvy writer talk about it once and it sounded like something I should look into?

Depending on which state you live in, you might also be required to pay a business tax or risk getting hit with a fine. BUT you might be able to file for an exemption from this tax if you don’t make a ton of money from your writing. Yay for exemptions!

And if you want to avoid yet another fine, pay taxes on your writing income quarterly as opposed to yearly. Who knew that some of us are required to pay before April?? But it’s true–self-employeds gotta watch out for this.

How will I get my tax forms and whatnot?

Your agent should send you a 1099 in January. But like I said, you’re technically supposed to pay quarterly (unless your writing income is pretty low), so ask an accountant for help with that.

Canceled book

canceled book

when your publisher changes it mind

Wait, are you saying my book could get canceled even though I signed a contract?

It could, yes, but it’s probably not going to. Worrying about having your contract canceled is the least productive thing you could do right now, especially since it’s pretty unlikely, but I had to post something about it just in case you end up in that boat. How does this unlikely situation come about? Well, I know a few authors whose small publisher folded before publishing their contracted books. It’s also possible that something like artistic differences could prompt you and your publisher to go your separate ways. But I think that in general, everyone will work really hard to find a way to get your contracted book published.

***Just know that there is a really cool club of authors whose books have been canceled, and that if your book gets canceled, you can join us–I had a book canceled once (before my debut came out) so now I’m heading up the snack table at club meetings and wow, you are going to like the spread.***

Could my second book in my two-book contract get canceled?

Yes, it could. You could write a manuscript, and your house could decide they don’t really like it. You might revise it, or write another manuscript, and find that your publisher still isn’t excited. Most likely, you and your editor will work together to figure out just the right project to fulfill your contract and get that second book out there. But it’s just possible that you won’t find something you are both crazy about. And so you won’t publish a second book with them after all. That might feel dismal, or you might feel like you’re happy to start over with another publisher.

The thing is, this is a fickle business. You can go from up to down in no time at all. But if, after a terrible experience like having your book canceled, you find that you still love to write, then you’re going to be okay. Honestly. Like I said, I’ve had this very experience. I had a book canceled years before my debut came out. But I kept writing because I love it so much. I found myself writing a book I really loved, and then (thanks to my amazing agent) I found myself with a contract to publish that book–with a bigger house than the one that was going to publish my canceled book, and for a lot more money. The nice thing about that experience was that it taught me to expect outrageous vicissitudes. Don’t get too excited about good publishing news, but don’t get to down about the bad stuff either. Your contract can get canceled, but no one can stop you from writing a book you really want to write.

But what about the money?

Unless you are the one who initiated the cancellation of the contract, you should be able to keep the money you’ve been paid. You won’t get the rest of your money, though. And you might have to pay back some money to your publisher if you publish your manuscript elsewhere. It all depends on what your agent can wrangle for you.

I’m joining the Canceled Books Club. Where do we meet?

You think I would post that info here for all the un-canceled yahoos to find? Our snacks are limited. Email me.

Hardcover/paperback

hardcover/paperback

two different book formats

Will my book come out in hardcover or go straight to paperback?

I’m guessing you would know if your book is going straight to paperback, as that would have been made clear upon signing the contract. Here are some advantages of going straight to paperback: 1) They’re cheaper, so people will be more willing to take the risk of buying a book by an author they’ve never heard of. 2) They tend to take less time to produce and release. Here are some drawbacks of going straight to paperback: 1) Libraries might be more hesitant to purchase them because they’re less durable. 2) Paperbacks are nominated for fewer awards.

Will my hardcover book eventually be printed as a paperback too?

Maybe. If you go to your book’s Indiebound/Amazon/BN page you will probably see a listing for your paperback and maybe a projected date for its release (usually one year after your hardcover publishes). But your publisher might decide to delay your paperback, possibly even “indefinitely.” Some paperbacks get delayed because the hardcover is selling so incredibly well that the publisher wants to keep on selling it (because hard covers have a higher profit margin than paperbacks do). Some paperbacks get delayed because so many hard covers have gone unsold that the publisher doesn’t want to start putting cheaper paperbacks on the market knowing that no one will then buy those more expensive hardcovers that are still floating around.

If my book gets a paperback edition, when will that edition go on sale?

Usually around one year after the hardcover. But your publisher may try to publish the paperback at the same time that your second book comes out, or even a few months before. That way, as buzz builds for your second book, readers who haven’t yet discovered your first book will pick up the paperback. Plus, Barnes and Noble, who probably stopped stocking your first book after a few months or so, will likely now stock your paperback for a few months around the time your second book comes out.

Will my paperback get new cover art?

Probably. New cover art means a second chance to appeal to readers who didn’t discover your book the first time around. Then again, if your first book’s cover art is already working well to appeal to readers, it might not get changed.

Signing

signing (books)

you know, applying your signature to a page in your book

How can I sign stock of my book at bookstores?

Drop by a bookstore when they’re not busy, check to make sure they have your book on the shelf, find a manager, and say something like, “I’m an author with Prettycool Publisher and I noticed you carry my book–can I sign your stock?” (I would recommend naming your publisher because the minute you say “I’m an author” the manager will wonder whether you are a self-published author looking to sell your book in his/her store, and that will just lead to confusion–just my two cents.) I’ve only ever had great responses to this nerve-wracking proposition. And usually, the employee I’m talking to will then want to introduce me to other employees. Everyone feels very happy and you’ve just made friends with a bookstore. I recommend tweeting after you leave the store (“I just signed copies at the wonderful Bestybest Bookstore!”); it’s a nice way to give the bookstore a shout-out.

How exactly should I sign a book?

It seems odd that I have things to say about this, but I do. Here you go:

Where: Sign on the one title page that lies flat when you open the book. I once signed on a different page and the bookstore manager told me that I was doing it wrong, and she seemed pretty grieved by it. I’m sorry to everyone who has a copy of Where Futures End that I signed on the wrong page. I’m not sure why I’m sorry, but I am.
How: Some people say your author signature should be different from your legal signature to avoid identity theft or something like that, but I bet your internet passwords are an easier target than your signature, just saying. In any case, you should pick an author signature that is quick and easy to sign. You won’t believe how hard it is to sign a book when the buyer is talking to you at the same time.
With What: A pen with ink that dries quickly and won’t smear when you close the page. Most authors I know use Sharpies. Do you care that Sharpies are not archival quality? Then use something else. Some authors do very extensive pen-testing, but that’s way too much pen-anxiety for me–ymmv.

Why should I sign books?

Signing stock at a store is a great way to start a relationship with that bookstore. It also means your book will get a shiny sticker (Signed Copy!), which might help it sell faster or get displayed more prominently. Some stores will keep your book on their shelf a little longer if it’s signed, but some stores have no qualms about sending unsold, signed copies back to your publisher. Obviously if a reader asks you to sign their copy of your book you’re going to say yes (right?), and that’s a great way to make a connection with a reader who will probably go on to buy your future books. And if you find yourself at an event where you don’t have books to sell or sign, sign some swag and hand that out! I used to be shy about signing swag because I hate to get all Gilderoy Lockhart on people, but readers kept telling me they really wanted me to sign the swag I gave them. So do that.

Dang, signing books makes me feel like a rockstar. How can I do more of this?

Set up some visits. Arrange to do a signing at a conference or convention. Drop in on bookstores while you’re traveling. Win “Witch Weekly’s Most Charming Smile.”

Publishers Marketplace

Publishers Marketplace

a website where new book deals are reported

When will my book deal be announced on PM?

Some agents report their sales right to PM right away. Some like to wait until the contract is signed, which can take months. Some wait to release the news after some sub-rights have sold so they can make the deal look bigger and more exciting. Some agents don’t report sales to PM at all. Honestly, it can be fun to see your book reported there (although you’ll have to have someone screenshot it for you if you don’t subscribe to the site), but I’m not sure it really makes a difference whether it’s reported or not. Sometimes it’s a good way to advertise your book to industry people who are looking to buy sub-rights, but I can’t think of any other reason you’d need to be bummed if your book isn’t reported.

What is the secret code for PM deals?

Your book deal announcement may or may not include some code words to signal how much money your book sold for (example: “Writerface McClackety’s debut, THE NICE WORDS, to Smug Publisher, in a very nice deal”). Here is the deal key:

Nice deal = $1 to $49,000
Very nice deal = $50K to $99K
Good deal = $100K to $250
Significant deal = $250K to $499K
Major deal = $500K and up

Visits

(school/bookstore/library) visits

when you make an appearance at a school/bookstore/library to promote your book

How can I do school/bookstore/library visits?

If you’re high on your publisher’s priority list, they might schedule some visits for you. Otherwise, you can schedule your own by contacting schools/bookstores/libraries and letting them know you are available for appearances. You can do this by email or with postcards (see also SWAG). You might start by contacting local places. If you want to travel to other states to do visits, you can try asking the venue to pay for your travel expenses. In general, you can ask schools and libraries to pay for you to visit them, as you will do a presentation for students/patrons. Bookstores will not pay you but will try to sell your books during the event (and after).

Are visits worth the time/energy/cost?

Yes? They can be fun, they promote your book, and they help you build relationships with booksellers, librarians, teachers, and readers who might continue to promote your book long after your visit has come and gone. You can make money from school/library visits. You might sell books at a bookstore visit. Plus, you can always just do one or two visits, see how you like them, and then decide whether you want to do more. And your visits can be sporadic, booked around your personal schedule.

No? Preparing for and traveling to these appearances takes a lot of time away from your writing (not to mention your personal life). They’re exhausting and sometimes not fun. Bookstore visits are a toss-up: few people will be motivated to come out to see an author they’ve never heard of–you might end up paying more for parking than you make from book sales.

You might try joining up with a group of authors to do your visits so that you’ll be more likely to draw attendees and/or so that you can share some of the travel costs. You can turn your visit into a panel, which might be more fun for you anyway (yay for writer friends!). You might also try doing visits at bookstores that already have teen reading clubs in place so that you are guaranteed some kind of turnout.

See also: Tour.

“Best Of” Lists

“best of” lists

lists that proclaim your book to be the “best of” something

Who puts out “best of” lists?

Bloggers, associations, review journals, libraries, websites. A review journal might include your book on its “Best of 20__” list, or a blog might declare that yours is one of their “Highly Anticipated Books of April,” or a blogger might call your book one the “Best Books with Alien Makeovers.” These lists are designed to keep you feeling alternately inadequate and overrated; prepare yourself by reading this post on envy.

When should I expect these lists?

There are two kinds of “best of” lists: the kind that come out at the end of the year as a look back at the books published that year, and the kind that look ahead to books that are about to be published.

Expect end-of-year “best of” lists to start mostly in November, with some popping up as early as October, and expect them to wane around January. However, expect some of these lists come out, like, a year later!

As for the looking-ahead lists, keep in mind that these lists are usually made after the lister has read your ARC. So if your book isn’t coming out in the early months of the year, it’s not going to be included on lists like “Books We Are Most Anticipating Next Year,” but it doesn’t mean no one is anticipating your book. Instead, lists closer to your publication date might include your book under the heading “Best Books Coming Out This Summer” or whatever. Likewise, if your book came out in Jan/Feb/March and was prematurely declared a “Best Book of the Coming Year,” brace yourself for the idea that lists at the end of the year might focus more heavily on books with later publication dates instead of on your lovely book.

How can I get my book on a “best of” list?

Make sure it’s the best? Haha, just kidding. You probably already know that I’m going to tell you that lists like these are subjective, and therefore it’s totally out of your control as to whether your book appears on one. Sometimes I think books get on these lists just because they appeared on one list to start with and the idea sort of snowballed from there. Unless we’re talking about your book–I’m certain that your book got on a list like this because it truly is the best of… something.

How do I know if my book got on a “best of” list?

You could scour social media for mention of these lists and go see if your book is on them. Just kidding! That’s the worst idea. If you have to scour, your book is probably not on the list.

You can hope that your editor/agent/publicist will find out and forward the info to you. Likewise, you can hope that someone on social media will notice that your book is on a list and will tag you.

Orrrrrr you can make your own best-of list, include your book on it, post it on your bathroom mirror, and forget about whether your book has the somewhat arbitrary elements that list-makers are looking for.