http://www.stanford.edu/~asorense/pa...ookreviews.pdf is getting a bit old and I suspect the results don't apply to small press poetry books.

I'm repeatedly told that reviews don't sell poetry books but poets do - at readings. Facebook and blogs help nowadays too, if you already have a following.

My theory: a combination of the economy and the availability of used (and sometimes new) copies on Amazon at much less than the cover price. People learn to be patient and to get what they want for less.

Hi all--long time no post--but to go along with what Bill said, the word has to be put out there.

At least one term for that is "buzz." I daresay what helped Quincy sell books (apart from "looking like a poet," which is entirely true) is the "well, I may have one more in my bag. . ."--had he been all "why sure! I have tons!" it would have been a bit of a turn-off.

Jill Essbaum's on a bit of a reading tour now--I should be rude and ask her how sales are going.

But I can't imagine that anything sells books like selling books and creating "buzz." Part of that can be done on line and part of that with reviews--the problem is that there's no (apparent) "poetry machine" for getting books out there (and certainly not books of anyone who isn't Billy Collins or Mary Oliver [i.e. under, what, 80?]).

All best,
Michael

Gail:

Let me echo what others have said about books being a better way of capitalizing on exposure than generating it.

Probably neither. Even in the best of times, poetry is a tough sell. "Poetry's only selling point is that it is cheaper than tear gas."

Even if you do everything right (e.g. perform rather than read or recite your work, emphasize dramatic and humorous pieces, keep banter succinct and amusing, etc.) you still run into the question of the internet age: "How do you sell something that others are giving away free?"

How many people are attending your readings? I find that higher attendance numbers affect sales percentages, not just raw totals. No one wants to be the only one buying a book, but a line-up of people doing so attracts other buyers.

-o-

I buy an extravagant amount of poetry books. Most are from folks like you at the sphere or other online places I frequent. Next, I buy because I've read an interesting review, and after that because I have met the writer at a conference or possibly a reading, but really I don't attend that many readings. So for me, it is online connections or reviews that grab me. When I do attend a reading, I do buy the book, but even here in the San Francisco area where readings are plentiful, I don't attend them unless I know the author. Just me. But I know I buy more than most. Well written reviews attract me most.

Gail, it is possible that many of those who attend your readings already have your book and that is why they are there.

But for sure, the economics apply.

From where I sit the dollar is half worth (one dollar is 6.2 kronor this morning) what it was when I was in the states (one dollar cost 12 kronor then). Consequently, I am buying more books than I usually do. And I think I'll go fishing at a contest or two and hope it goes up before I win :D. But only IF.

I still believe in the old adage, Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door. (I don't build 'em, I buy 'em.)

Thanks for the advice, all!

I find that I don't buy much based on reviews. There are so many good reviews (and so many total strangers who somehow have my e-mail address & bombard me with book data) that I have limited my book buying to poets I know - either personally (including West Chester) or virtually (including the Sphere). This includes plenty of poets and at any rate guarantees that I'm only buying poetry I know I'll enjoy reading.