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Original poster

To worry I've not got enough book preorders

59 replies

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 19/08/2023 15:59

I'm very happy generally as I got a literary agent and then a good publisher. I was told my book was amazing, haunting, and likened to Gillian Flynn's writing. The book has been advertised recently as available to preorder, but so far I've had very few preorders. Do you think people are waiting for the real thing to be published, which is not til next year? I'm worried my publisher might drop me.
I know I am BU.

OP posts:
OriginalBin · 19/08/2023 16:21

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 19/08/2023 16:04

No, not a plug; just wondered if nobody preorders anything!

Nicely, OP, if you’re a still largely unknown author who’s only had a single novel out there previously, why would anyone pre-order a year out? Or are you thinking of bookshops? You’ve had no reviews, no publicity, no festival readings etc etc yet for individual purchasers to say ‘Oh, I liked her first one/she was interesting at Hayes. I will preorder this.’

How many did your debut sell?

This is in the hands of your publisher now. You’ve done your bit. Crack on with number three. And good luck!

Original poster
blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 19/08/2023 16:21

Thanks for replies. First book sold well but was digital only. This one is with a different publisher & will be available in shops. I shall lower my expectations. :)

OP posts:
NeedTheSeaside · 19/08/2023 16:22

I don't pre order books. I would only pre order a book if a friend had written it & just to be supportive.

would you pre order a book written by an unknown author? What would be the point?

how many copies did you sell of your first one?

Good Luck when it's on the shelves.

Radiat · 19/08/2023 16:24

I only pre-order books that are part of a series I’ve loved and want to continue reading. I’m not even particularly fussed on pre-ordering when it’s stand alones by authors I know well and enjoy reading.

I’m sure your publishers won’t be expecting a rush of pre-orders if this is your second book. Best of luck with it, I hope it does well!

cruffinsmuffin · 19/08/2023 16:24

I tend to pre order books that are either part of a series I've started and I don't want to miss out on the next book or if it's a book in particularly interested in. I've got currently two books on pre order from a series perspective and one on preorder (a cooking book) that's from a pastry chef I love the work of because I just want to make sure I get a copy delivered as soon as it's out 😊

RightOnTheEdge · 19/08/2023 16:24

I never pre order books OP, even ones I am really looking forward to. I just get them as soon as they come out.
Good luck when it's published. I hope it does well.

Original poster
blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 19/08/2023 16:26

Thanks, all!

OP posts:
Prescottdanni123 · 19/08/2023 16:28

Is it your 1st book? I do a lot of reading, and only preorder books if it is from an author whose books I have already read and liked.

Publisher won't drop you over a small amount of pre orders.

primoseyellow · 19/08/2023 16:29

The only book I have pre ordered was a Michael Conelly.

Itsnotrightbutitsok · 19/08/2023 16:54

Most people only pre-order from a well known author.

Lots of people publish books all of the time and it would be silly to preorder something you have no idea if you’ll like or that will sell.

Relax. Take a breath. This is normal.

Good luck for when it does come out.

WorseDecision · 19/08/2023 16:56

I never pre-order unless it's something by my favourite author even then I usually wait till the day before.

Plonkydonkey · 19/08/2023 17:03

Harry potter books and in particular the beautiful illustrated version is the only series I have ever preordered.

For a new author I need a book cover that entices me to pick up from the shelf.

SchoolBlazers · 19/08/2023 17:07

I would never ever pre-order a book from an author I'd never heard of, and with no track record. I'd wait until it came out, and see whether it was being reviewed positively, or if people were talking about it.

Bonniethewestie · 19/08/2023 17:07

Go on then OP tell us what your first book was so we can have a nosy?

Ive never pre ordered a book either just wait for it to be released.

AgnesX · 19/08/2023 17:08

I rarely pre order.... I usually use book tokens and wait til there's an offer. It's rare I'm desperate enough to pre order a paper book.

I did it once on Amazon for a kindle book by mistake but it was cheap so I left it.

AgnesX · 19/08/2023 17:10

AgnesX · 19/08/2023 17:08

I rarely pre order.... I usually use book tokens and wait til there's an offer. It's rare I'm desperate enough to pre order a paper book.

I did it once on Amazon for a kindle book by mistake but it was cheap so I left it.

Sorry, I meant to say that I don't think pre orders have a bearing on sales (but what do I know about publishing).

TheSaltyPath · 19/08/2023 17:12

It might be worth having a chat with your agent about what the publisher's realistic hopes are for this book, and what they're doing to achieve that. Pre-orders aren't really looked at so far ahead of publication - unless there's been some sort of targeted marketing/publicity that might have a quantifiable impact.

TeapotTitties · 19/08/2023 17:13

laurenlodge · 19/08/2023 16:02

Is this just an attempt to plug your book?

My guess is yes.

There was an almost identical thread a couple of weeks ago and the OP got tonnes of interest, before the thread eventually got pulled but by then it was at around 200 posts.

Loobydoobies · 19/08/2023 17:28

For people saying 4 months is a long way out for pre-orders, it isn't. Most orders for wholesalers, library suppliers etc are c 6 months pre-publication. So whilst an individual probably won't order at this stage, those who will supply them do.

OP- I would ask your publisher what they are doing to push sales through these channels, and what they intend to do to improve them.

Dependent on various factors, what you think is low may not be- ask your publisher and agent what the expectations are, and what is being done to market and publicise the book.l (and what you can do to help).

tjugofem · 19/08/2023 17:32

The only book I've ever preordered was Harry Potter tbh though I'd probably only preorder an author I know

The main reason I preordered HP was because it was huge and I wanted to read it before I ran into any spoilers. Aside from that, books aren't something I'd think to preorder.

TheSaltyPath · 19/08/2023 17:34

For people saying 4 months is a long way out for pre-orders, it isn't. Most orders for wholesalers, library suppliers etc are c 6 months pre-publication. So whilst an individual probably won't order at this stage, those who will supply them do.

Is the OP talking about trade or individual pre orders though? Supermarkets are confirming orders later and later; it used to be three to four months but that's shortened a lot. I'm not sure how you'd know what individual pre orders were like at this stage, unless OP is looking at Amazon ratings which is... somewhat opaque, at the best of times.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 19/08/2023 18:19

I want to know what the book is now 😁

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 19/08/2023 18:22

Is your publisher giving out ARCs? I'd love to put my name down.

Testina · 19/08/2023 18:24

Pre-ordering is generally completely unnecessary.
The only book I ever pre-ordered was a Young Adult because my 12yo was excited at the idea I’d ordered it for her.

Norachance · 19/08/2023 18:56

I often preorder books on Amazon If they sound like something I would like to read!
Is your book is already being advertised?

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