Inside Publishing

Now that your book is finished, what happens next? We're here to guide you through the publishing process, from editorial to distribution and sales.

The Point of No Returns

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Mar 22, 2022

Industry statistics reveal that book returns can be 30% or more of sales. If you reduce or eliminate returns, then you could increase your net sales and revenue by that same amount and your profits by even more.

But, you say, you have no control over returns since Ingram and the bookstores return them at will without selling them. On the contrary, there are many things that we as authors and publishers can do to eliminate returns.

The first thing to realize is that bookstores do not sell books — they display them. Any marketing they do involves promoting major titles or special events to entice people into their stores. It is up to the authors to create awareness of their specific titles. Similarly, most distributors utilize commissioned sales representatives whose income depends on selling books that are not returned, i.e., those promoted more heavily. They understandably spend their time selling those titles.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

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Nine Kinds of Sales Opportunities

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Mar 8, 2022

A key challenge to growing your publishing firm is to find new paths to greater revenue by building upon your core strengths without making a radical shift in the way you currently do business.

There are ways in which you can build a steady flow of revenue and profits to help your business reach significant long-term value – as you expand your comfort zone. Here are nine strategies for increasing your sales, revenue and profits using existing (or sometimes new) content in current markets, growth markets and new, “Frontier” markets.

Marketing strategies for mature markets. These strategies provide opportunities to hit short-term sales targets.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

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The Latest News From The Hot Sheet Newsletter

by Richard Smith
Bowker | Tue Feb 22, 2022

If you’re an author and want to stay on top of the important issues in the world of publishing — issues that affect you — you need The Hot Sheet.

With all the chatter out there, it will help you sort through the noise with stories that focus on relevant topics from across the publishing spectrum. From author success stories to key industry statistics, you’ll find what you need to know in The Hot Sheet. Among the most important insights in this issue:

Inside Publishing

News & Resources

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Why Does The Price Of Many Products End in 95 or 99?

by Brian Jud
Bowker | Tue Feb 15, 2022

It seems it would be a lot simpler for both retailers and consumers if the price of that $29.95 book were instead a nice, round $30. There must be a good reason why the prices of so many products end in 95 or 99. But what is it?

Two theories stand out. One suggests a ploy to coerce the customer into a purchase, the thought being that a price of $29.95 seems more palatable than one of $30 (though sales tax would likely shove the total over $30 anyway). The theory seems plausible even if it does not place much value on our intelligence.

Inside Publishing

Marketing & Publicity

Read more about Why Does The Price Of Many Products End in 95 or 99?

Inside Publishing

The Point of No Returns

Nine Kinds of Sales Opportunities

The Latest News From The Hot Sheet Newsletter

Why Does The Price Of Many Products End in 95 or 99?

Pages

Getting Started

Create a Culture of Quality in Your Publishing Company

How to Write a Business Plan as Narrative (Part 2 of 2)

A Novel Planning Technique for Book Publishers (Part 1 of 2)

Do You Have the Write Stuff?

Today's Great American Novel (Part 2 of 2)