From Susan/Miranda:
Like most writers, I’m a compulsive reader, which of course makes me a book-buyer as well. I’m constitutionally unable to walk by a bookstore, always lured by the siren call of the latest releases. Well, maybe that’s putting a bit strongly (not to say luridly), but I do like to see what’s new on the shelves each week.
Like everyone else, I look for the names of authors I’ve enjoyed in the past. I pick up books with intriguing cover-art, and generally avoid those that depict bullet holes, shards of broken glass, or dead bodies, however artistically portrayed. Next I’ll skim the cover blurbs for a hint of the plot and setting. I don’t pay much attention to quotes from other authors, and figure that review quotes have been edited. But what convinces me finally to buy a book are the first few pages –– if the writer can convince me that I’ll want know more about her/his story and characters. Those first pages are like a first date: will this be only a passing acquaintance, or a long-term relationship?
But publishing is Big Business, and like every other Big Business, publishers are always trying new ways to sell books. As a jaded reader/consumer, I thought I’d seen everything in the way of special displays, discounts, readers’ guides, and membership clubs.
Yet there’s a just-launched promotion in both Borders and Barnes & Noble that’s absolutely made my jaw drop. I don’t know a thing about the book or the author it’s promoting, so I’m not going to mention the title, but if you’ve gone into either one of these stores this week, you know the novel I mean. There are lavish posters, huge displays of stacked books and books-on-CD, reading guides, and book club guides as soon as you step into the store. There’ve been special emails to store members, with all sorts of predictions about this book being an instant classic and future bestseller.
To this previously-unknown author, I wish endless congratulations for having her work so recognized and promoted, and much luck for a long and prosperous career. Forget playing the PowerBall numbers: she’s hit the author jackpot big-time. Over the course of our writing careers, each of us Wenches has been the beneficiary of publisher perks, and we all recognize how important store placements, dumps, and other kinds of point-of-purchase advertising can be to our sales.
But as a reader, I looked at this unprecedented example of expensive hooplah, and just went . . . huh. I’m an ornery consumer. I don’t like being told what to buy, or that I’ll miss out if I don’t. If this same book were sitting with the other new releases, I would have picked it up anyway on account of the promised connection to "Jane Eyre", and given it the first-page test. But seeing it set apart in solitary splendor like this made me suspicious and resistant, the same way that cats can sense there’s medicine buried in the choicest chunk of tuna.
It also made me wonder how many other readers feel the same way. Certainly publishers wouldn’t do this if it didn’t sell books, lots and lots of books. But I’ve overheard disgruntled readers returning big-push books, telling the clerk in no uncertain terms that they want their money back because a book didn’t live up to expectations (something I’d personally never dream of doing –– I just chalk up any turkeys to acceptable risk.) But I’ve also met readers who automatically buy all books that are favorably reviewed in People, or only buy ones that get five stars from Romantic Times.
Now you Wenches and Wenchlings are clearly a discerning bunch. Do you regard a big-splash book like this as a must-read? Do you race out to buy what Oprah or Kelly recommends? Or do you consider the messenger before you buy –– you’ll look for a book your sister recommends, but not one with the glowing review in Publishers Weekly and the biggest advertising budget?