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Writer's Haven => Marketing Loft [Public] => Topic started by: Shoe on March 30, 2020, 01:37:34 PM

Title: Holding New Releases
Post by: Shoe on March 30, 2020, 01:37:34 PM
Is anyone having, or hearing of anyone else having, "normal" success with new releases? If not, I'm tempted to hold new titles until May.
Title: Re: Holding New Releases
Post by: TimothyEllis on March 30, 2020, 01:52:30 PM
Is anyone having, or hearing of anyone else having, "normal" success with new releases? If not, I'm tempted to hold new titles until May.

My next one is releasing April 2. I'll let you know how it goes.

The pre-order wasn't up as long as my previous one though, so that may be a factor.
Title: Re: Holding New Releases
Post by: Lorri Moulton on March 31, 2020, 12:11:33 AM
Shoe, is it next in a series?  People are hungry for books with the libraries closed. 

Best of luck whatever you decide.  :dog1:
Title: Re: Holding New Releases
Post by: Bill Hiatt on March 31, 2020, 12:32:31 AM
I'm conflicted. May 1 could be better--last I heard the prediction from NY was that it would peak in 21 days. On the other hand, it's possible other areas will get worse. I haven't found any statistics yet today, but California's case count has been doubling every three or four days, and some were worried it would surpass NY as the viral epicenter. Here and elsewhere, much depends on how effective the attempts to mitigate the spread have been. That can't really be judged until they're at least two weeks old. If the curve generally starts to flatten, that's a good sign. If the increase rate on the whole keeps escalating, not so much.

On the other hand, a lot of people are still working and/or will be making about their regular salary when the new, improved unemployment kicks in. A lot of them may be looking for escape. For at least the ardent readers, books will be their escape of choice. And some of those may be ardent fans of yours, eagerly awaiting your next book. (I'm sure all three of mine are awaiting my next book. :icon_rofl:)

It's hard to predict how people will respond to a situation many countries haven't experienced in our lifetime. The weird let's-take-a-vacation response we see from a lot of people is a good example. It never would have occurred to me that people would do that. Will readers start buying books again, even in uncertain times? It's hard to say. Maybe.
Title: Re: Holding New Releases
Post by: Lorri Moulton on March 31, 2020, 03:24:56 AM
My non-fiction has been selling more than usual.  They're my most expensive ebooks, so I guess it just depends on what people feel like reading right now.
Title: Re: Holding New Releases
Post by: dgcasey on March 31, 2020, 06:21:13 AM
I have my next book with my editor right now and as soon as she sends it back, I'll make the changes and then reset the pre-order date, which is August 1st right now. I already have quite a few pre-orders and the book's page says that it will be released a lot sooner than the the first of August. I'm not going to hold it back just because of this pandemic. I'm actually having my best month ever and figure I might as well shoot for the moon while people are still buying books.