I know there's better studies out there, but there's this from Zogby:
When asked about their most recent book purchase, 43% said the book's subject was the most important factor, followed by the author (29%) and a good recommendation or word of mouth (11%). When asked what makes them want to buy a book, 60% said suggestions from friends and family members, while nearly half (49%) said they are influenced by book reviews.
(http://www.zogby.com/News/readnews.cfm?ID=1513)
I agree that you have to get the word out about a book, but primarily through a couple channels that are out of the author's control: whether the chain bookstores buy it, and whether the publisher buys any special placement for the book; reviews in the major publishing and library magazines too. Even though only people in the industry read them, they're the ones who are in a position to talk a book up to everybody. Book blogs are great things--and somewhat dependent on having your publisher send out ARCs.
I'm still about nine months away from my release date, so I feel like it's a bit early to say how my publisher is doing on promotion, but they're sending me a bunch of ARCs to use, and one of the sales reps is really behind my book. Also, it has a lesbian main character and it comes out in June, and I'm not sure if that's an intentional marketing thing but it pleases me, because the Union Square B&N had a big display of teen GLBT books all this past June.
no subject
I agree that you have to get the word out about a book, but primarily through a couple channels that are out of the author's control: whether the chain bookstores buy it, and whether the publisher buys any special placement for the book; reviews in the major publishing and library magazines too. Even though only people in the industry read them, they're the ones who are in a position to talk a book up to everybody. Book blogs are great things--and somewhat dependent on having your publisher send out ARCs.
I'm still about nine months away from my release date, so I feel like it's a bit early to say how my publisher is doing on promotion, but they're sending me a bunch of ARCs to use, and one of the sales reps is really behind my book. Also, it has a lesbian main character and it comes out in June, and I'm not sure if that's an intentional marketing thing but it pleases me, because the Union Square B&N had a big display of teen GLBT books all this past June.