Author: Jennifer Vance

Jennifer Vance is a publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers. Interested in what's possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.

Books Forward Authors in the Media: November 2024

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins.

  • Jane Seskin spoke with AgeBuzz about Older, Wiser, Shorter, her new poetry collection about aging.
  • Whiskey Lore talked with Books Forward author Clay Schwab about his book Manny Shwab and the George Dickel Company.
  • Joseph Bauer’s Sailing for Grace was described by Kirkus as “deeply felt novel of immigration” in its review.
  • Mean Low Water by Stephanie Alexander was recently featured by Charleston.com.
  • Lori B. Duff chatted with Authority Magazine about the five things one must do to become a top lawyer in their field.
  • South Tahoe NOW highlighted the release of Bridey Thelen-Heidel memoir Bright Eyes.
  • Evette Davis joined the Bookshop at the End of the Internet podcast to talk about The Others, the first in her paranormal urban fantasy trilogy.
  • Readers’ Favorite gave Joanne De Simone’s memoir Fall and Recovery five stars, calling it “authentic and raw” and describing her writing as “introspective and engrossing.”
  • Author Ann Lowry passes along a lesson in patriarchy in this article for GirlTalkHQ.
  • Beverly Armento joined the hosts of Be Heard: Empower Yourself to discuss her memoir Seeing Eye Girl.
  • Author Lisa Kastner highlighted her publishing company Running Wild Press in this piece for Women Writers, Women’s Books.
  • A Bookish Way of Life is raving about Francine Falk-Allen’s A Wolff in the Family in their recent review.

Want to stay up to date on what Books Forward authors are doing? Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads!

Your Ultimate Guide to Book Cover Design

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

So, you’ve written a book, however now you need to figure out how the outside is going to accurately reflect what’s on the inside.

Getting started on your first book cover is truly one of the most exhilarating moments in the publishing journey. It’s often the first tangible glimpse of your work, where your book starts to feel like a real product. Since first impressions matter this excitement can quickly turn to anxiety. What if your cover doesn’t resonate with readers? What if it’s off-genre? 

Creating a captivating book cover is an essential part of the publishing journey. It can make or break a reader’s decision to pick up your book. We’ll walk you through what you need to know about book covers, the importance of hiring a professional designer, and how to collaborate with your designer to ensure you end up with a cover that truly represents your work.

What You Need to Know About Book Covers

Your book will be judged by its cover, and that is normal

We know the adage: Don’t judge a book by its cover. But the reality is that people do judge. Our brains process visual information incredibly quickly, making design a powerful tool to attract readers. A great cover can pique reader interest, convey your book’s genre, and entice potential buyers. A bad book cover can denote that the time and budget weren’t put into the outside of the book — and can undo the appeal of content inside the book, no matter how great the writing is.

There are objectively “good” and “bad” book covers

Of course, we know a bad book cover when we see it. Good cover design is not purely subjective. A successful cover effectively captures the essence of the book, and in turn, attracts the intended audience. A great cover should make potential readers say, “I need to read that.”

Elements for a good book cover

  • Imagery: The imagery should match the period and tone of your book. For example in a dark-ages fantasy epic, modern hairstyles or clothing would be out of place. Ensure that multiple images work well together, adjusting colors as needed for consistency.
  • Color choice: A unified color scheme enhances the overall aesthetic and keeps the text legible against the background. Use colors that complement the imagery. A color should be drawn from the images or act as a direct contrast, avoiding any random clashes. 
  • Contrast: Contrast helps your cover stand out. Use stark contrasts between figures and backgrounds to draw the viewer’s eye. Light against dark or vice versa is effective in making elements pop.
  • Font: Choose fonts that resonate with your book’s genre. A chick-lit cover, for example, might use a whimsical font, and historical romance could benefit from an elegant script. Consequently, the right font conveys the essence of the book, while the wrong choice can mislead potential readers.
  • Typography and composition: Pay attention to how your title and author name are arranged. Well-aligned text creates a professional look, like stacking the title can help maintain visual balance. Composition is key to a visually appealing cover. Consider a grid layout for balance, with careful placement of subjects and text. Ensure that text spacing is equal or purposefully unequal for a polished look.
  • Plan for the future: Want to incorporate some blurbs or reviews on your cover? Make sure your designer leaves a good amount of space on the front and/or back of your cover to accommodate future blurbs for final copies or additional print runs.

Create a cover design brief

Whether your publisher is handling your cover design or you are seeking a designer, putting together a book cover design brief can help keep all relevant information in one spot. This is a vital tool of communication between you and your designer, ensuring that both parties are aligned on expectations and vision, and the ideal scenario would involve the designer reading your book, however, that isn’t always practical, your brief serves to encapsulate the key elements they need to know.

 Essential elements include:

  • Book title and author name
  • Tagline (if applicable)
  • Book size and page count
  • Publishing platform (for technical specifications)
  • Genre (with any nuances or combinations explained)
  • Audience description (condensed into key ideas)
  • Book description (blurb and author commentary)
  • Specific design ideas (what you want to see)
  • Back cover information (tagline, blurb, author bio, testimonials)
  • Author branding elements (logos, color palettes)
  • Book format (paperback/hardback details)

What You Need to Know about Cover Designers

You’re armed with your cover design brief, now what?

You should not design your own book cover

It’s best to leave cover design to the professionals who understand the nuances of designing book covers. If you are working with a publisher, they likely will handle your cover design. 

Preparing to hire a book cover designer

In the hiring process, it’s crucial to be prepared:

  • Identify your target audience: Understanding who will read your book is crucial. Identify your audience by demographic details (age, gender, income), interests, values, etc.
  • Look at LOTS of book covers: Browse through covers in your genre and beyond to understand what works. Trends in 1980 aren’t the same as trends in 2024, however, so pay close attention to design trends and tropes, and when the book was published. .
  • Narrow down your favorites: Save a selection of covers that embody elements you like. This will provide visual references for your designer. One cover may have a font you like. A second cover may have a color scheme you enjoy.
  • Create a mood board: Collect logos, artwork, and images that capture the aesthetic you envision for your book cover. 

Working with Cover Designers

  • Schedule a call if you can: Use phone or video calls for initial discussions, as they facilitate clearer communication. If a phone call isn’t possible, keep clear notes via email or elsewhere that you can refer back to.
  • Share your inspiration: Provide your designer with your research before the call to give them a sense of your style. Be specific about the book’s message, its spirit, and the elements you envision for your cover. Consider what plot elements or imagery should be featured. Summarize your book in a concise blurb that will capture its essence.
  • Discuss your vision: Clearly explain your book’s genre, target audience, what you like and dislike about the reference covers and the emotions you want to evoke. Make sure to discuss any design elements you want to avoid. Listing colors, fonts, or images you dislike can save a lot of back-and-forth and help the designer steer clear of unwanted concepts.

Communicating with Cover Designers

  • Maintain communication: Start conversations with your designer early in the process and keep lines of communication open. Regular check-ins and deadlines can help clarify ideas and answer questions as they arise.
  • Request mock-ups: We recommend requesting at least three initial designs to choose from. This gives you options and sparks discussion. Designers will have different rates and stipulations as to how many mock-ups they will provide. Review any contract you’ve signed to see what your designer will provide you.
  • Provide constructive feedback: Don’t hesitate to voice your thoughts about the initial designs. If one design stands out, give specific feedback. If not, articulate what changes you’d like to see. Remember, you’re both working toward the same goal!

Check out more on working with a book cover designer in this interview with Books Forward author Nancy McCabe and her cover designer Maryann Appel.

Conclusion

A compelling book cover can affect your book’s success.  understanding the design process is crucial. From recognizing the importance of professional design to collaborating effectively with your chosen designer, this guide provides the insights you need to create a cover that captures your book’s essence and draws readers in.

In Books Fluent’s interview with cover designer Eric Labacz, he emphasized the importance of effective imagery, typography and color. A great cover is a combination of creativity and strategic design choices. Follow these guidelines you can navigate the book cover design process with confidence. This results in ensuring that your book stands out on the shelf and online.

Ready to get started? 

Need help designing the cover for your upcoming book? Fill out our contact form to get in touch with our team!

Books Forward Authors in the Media: October 2024

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins.

  • Clay Shwab talks about this origin of George Dickel Whiskey in this Jewish Journal article.
  • Dr. Eichin Chang-Lim discusses how to navigate sensitive subjects with your kids for L.A. Parent.
  • Evette Davis wrote a piece for Writer’s Digest about how her vast “writer’s library” helped in her research for her Council Trilogy.
  • Wall Street Journal featured this piece from Pepper Stetler about how her daughter helped change the way she thinks about IQ.
  • South Tahoe NOW featured Bridey Thelen-Heidel library event for her memoir Bright Eyes.
  • Author Ann Lowry discusses her novel The Blue Trunk and discovering your roots with Wisconsin Public Radio.
  • School for Startups had author Jeremy Hurewitz on the show to talk about his book Sell Like a Spy.
  • Jane Seskin refuses to apologize for aging and discusses her poetry collection Older, Wiser, Shorter on Oldster Magazine’s Substack.
  • Reggie Reed joined the Mind Over Murder podcast to discuss his memoir about his mother’s murder.
  • The Jabot podcast chatted with Lori B. Duff about her new courtroom drama Devil’s Defense and writing the kind of legal story you want to read.
  • Ginelle Testa’s memoir Make a Home Out of You is called “engaging and helpful for anyone interested in personal healing and growth processes” by Nonfictional Books in their review. 
  • Kelly Vincent joined the The Incoherent Fangirl Podcast to talk about their Art of Being Ugly series. 
  • The Santa Barbara Independent profiled author Jenna Tico and her new book Cancer Moon.
  • An excerpt from Francine Falk-Allen’s book A Wolff in the Family was featured by Boomer Magazine.
  • Tamara J. Walker was interviewed by Hippocampus about her nonfiction book Beyond the Shores.
  • Brave Together spoke with author Joanne De Simone about disability parenting and her memoir Fall and Recovery.
  • The Mystery of Writing described Jenny Milchman’s The Usual Silence as their favorite Milchman novel to date in this review and interview with the author.

Want to stay up to date on what Books Forward authors are doing? Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads!

Selecting the right genre to successfully market your book

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

*Points to the sign* If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, book marketing is daunting! And understanding how to effectively position your book within the right genre is a crucial step. 

Your book’s genre plays a pivotal role, both in defining your work and in guiding how it’s marketed and received. It can be complex and confusing to balance crafting your story and thinking about how you’ll position it in the market.

We have tips to help you not only reach your target audience but also to help get your book discovered by readers who will truly appreciate it. Here’s a comprehensive look at how to navigate genre, and balancing your artistic vision with industry expectations.

What is genre?

Genre can be, well, complicated. To effectively market your book, you should understand what genre means and how it differs from other literary terms. It’s a way to set reader expectations. For example, labeling a book as a “romance” prepares readers for a love story that ends in a happily ever after.

Keep in mind that genre is different from something like categories, which might denote age groups or certain nonfiction genres like wellness or memoir. Terms like “women’s fiction,” “upmarket fiction,” and “commercial fiction” often serve more as marketing tools than precise genre descriptors. While they help in positioning books within specific market segments, they are not necessarily genres themselves.

Why are genre labels important?

Genre labels, though sometimes seen as restrictive, play a pivotal role in book marketing. They serve as a useful tool for categorization and marketing and help readers find books that align with their preferences.

For instance, if your book involves futuristic technology and warfare, it might be categorized as science fiction. However, if the story is more two star-crossed lovers set against the same backdrop, it could be classified differently.

In his essay for Literary Hub, Lincoln Michel defended genre labels, emphasizing their utility in helping readers set expectations. Michel’s perspective challenges the common reluctance among literary novelists to categorize their work, arguing that genre labels offer valuable guidance for both readers and industry professionals (we agree!).

How to determine your book’s genre

Remember, genre is not a rigid construct but more so a fluid system used to guide readers and marketers.

  • Determine Your Story’s Core: Ask yourself what your story is fundamentally about and how it’s told.
  • Sensibility Matters: Different genres have different conventions and expectations. Understanding these helps in aligning your story with the right audience (more on this below).
  • Read Widely: Look at books similar to yours and see where they’re categorized.
  • Research Publishers and Agents: Check where similar books are published and who has endorsed them, as well as how their publishers have categorized them.
  • Use Indicators: Book covers, blurbs, and reader reviews can offer help with classification.

What are some genre conventions and stereotypes?

Writers should be familiar with genre conventions and stereotypes because this knowledge enables you to make informed decisions about how to use or subvert these elements in your writing. 

There are what seems to be an endless amount of genres and subgenres, including fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, historical fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, inspirational, children’s books, self-help, cookbooks *takes a deep breath* you get the point.

Knowing what’s typical within a genre allows you to:

  • Decide whether to adhere to or break from norms.
  • Explore areas where you can innovate within the genre.
  • Understand what has already been done, helping you avoid clichés or find unique angles.

For example, if you’re writing a science-fiction novel, being aware of common tropes — like futuristic technology, space travel, talking robots going “beep boop beep boop” — helps you either embrace these conventions or twist them in new and unique ways.

Navigating subgenres

While it’s important to identify your genre, being overly specific can be counterproductive, especially in traditional publishing. Try to avoid super-specific subgenres. Instead, focus on well-known subgenres and let your plot description highlight the unique aspects of your book. Jane Friedman has more on defining your genre for agents and publishers in this Q&A with a couple of industry experts.

In self-publishing, being niche can sometimes help authors achieve bestseller status within that category. However, for traditional publishing, a balance between specificity and broader appeal is often more effective.

If your book doesn’t fit neatly into a single genre, that’s OK! Identify the key traits of your book, and determine the genre that aligns most closely with the book’s primary elements. To position your book, you can use comparisons to established authors or titles to help agents and publishers understand what genre your book fits in.

Tips for identifying and marketing to your genre

Identify your target audience

Ultimately, you need to understand where your book fits within the broader landscape by determining who most likely will be interested in it. This could be based on demographics such as age or interests.

If your book straddles multiple genres, consider which one would attract the most satisfied readers. For example, if your book blends elements of historical fiction and romance, it might best be marketed as a historical romance with a strong romantic element.

Understand your audience’s preferences

Tailor your marketing efforts to how your target readers discover books — whether through social media, book blogs, or other channels. For instance, younger readers may find new books on BookTok or Bookstagram, while Facebook ads may reach older readers.

Keep your target audience

Once you’ve found your niche, focus on nurturing that audience! Engage with your readers, provide regular new content, and maintain an active presence. Authenticity and a genuine connection with your readers can turn a book from a one-time read into a beloved favorite. Learn more about staying fresh on social media with these tips.

If you’re an established author looking to explore new genres, it’s essential to strike a balance between your creative desires and contractual obligations. Focus on building a base in one genre before venturing into others. Gradually introducing new genres can help maintain a strong reader base while allowing for creative exploration.

Research similar books

Look at how books similar to yours are marketed. Analyze their covers, descriptions, and promotional strategies.

Many authors have to balance writing a unique story while packaging it in a way that appeals to genre expectations. See how other writers craft a compelling narrative that resonates with their readers, while presenting it in a genre-appropriate format.

Design a compelling cover

Ensure your book cover aligns with genre expectations and attracts attention. An effective cover includes a clear title, engaging visuals, and relevant genre cues. We interviewed Eric Labacz on elements that contribute to great cover design.

Use trends as a (loose) guide

Trends are cyclical, and what may seem out of favor can return to popularity. Publish Drive noted some of the most popular genre trends for 2023 in this article.

Focusing too much on genre trends can be risky — writing what you’re passionate about and waiting for the right moment can be a much more effective game plan.

Same thing with book covers: Look around the market for trends in covers but don’t hold yourself too strictly to them! Playing into a trend for cover design is fine as long as you’re not just trying to do that to get your book picked up — it should also be a true reflection of your book and your author brand.

A final note on genre

Understanding and strategically utilizing genre labels can significantly enhance your book’s marketability. But remember: Genre is your tool — not a cage. While understanding and using genre conventions helps in marketing and publishing, your primary focus should be on crafting a compelling and engaging story. Whether you embrace or challenge genre norms, what matters most is creating a narrative that resonates with your readers.

Books Forward Authors in the Media: September 2024

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins.

  • Janine Kovac wrote a piece for Salon about how dancers embrace their lives after retiring from dancing.
  • History Central featured an excerpt from Manny Shwab and the George Dickel Company by Clay Shwab.
  • The Santa Barbara Independent’s cover story was on author Jenna Tico and her book Cancer Moon.
  • Evette Davis was interviewed about her new book The Others by USA Wire.
  • Joanne De Simone wrote an article for Parents Together on advocating for your children when they have disabilities.
  • Writing and Wellness ran a guest article from Ginelle Testa on how the writing process helped her learn to forgive and heal.
  • Bridey Thelen-Heidel joined the Good Grief podcast to discuss her memoir Bright Eyes.
  • Jeremy Hurewitz joined Make It Happen Mondays to talk about his book Sell Like a Spy.
  • Authority Magazine interviewed Eichin Chang-Lim on raising children to feel loved and connected.
  • Lori B. Duff was interviewed by Awesome Gang about her new book Devil’s Defense.
  • Oxford Free Press ran a story Pepper Stetler, her daughter and Stetler’s new book A Measure of Intelligence.
  • Kelly Vincent joined the Queer Family Podcast to discuss their journey writing their Art of Being Ugly series.

Want to stay up to date on what Books Forward authors are doing? Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads!

Books Forward Authors in the Media: August 2024

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins.

  • Claire Berger talked about the importance of using humor and quick wit in your career in this New York Post article.
  • Newsweek published this piece from Ginelle Testa about her addiction to dating and what that revealed to her.
  • Author Penny Lane wrote this piece for  Jewish Journal on her story of redemption and writing her memoir Redeemed.
  • LitPick raves about Evette Davis’ new book in this review, calling The Others “a terrific book with an amazing concept.”
  • Reggie Reed spoke about his mother’s murder and the journey writing his memoir in this feature from San Antonio Report.
  • Author Lois Melbourne spoke with Authority Magazine about exposing the issues of child abuse and trafficking through her sci-fi novel.
  • Self-Publishing Review call’s Kelly Vincent’s Ugliest “an important work of YA fiction” in their review.
  • Author Anne Abel joined the Adult Child of Dysfunction podcast about overcoming generational abuse.
  • Charles Lachman and his new nonfiction title Codename Nemo were recently featured in this Military.com article.
  • Jeremy Hurewitz hopped on Finding Genius to discuss mastering sales and influence.

Want to stay up to date on what Books Forward authors are doing? Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads!

14 books to celebrate National Sisters Day

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

If you’re lucky enough to have a sister, you know that the bond you share is unlike any other. To celebrate National Sisters Day this Aug. 4, we put together a list of books that examine this unique and special (though sometimes painful) relationship.

When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar

Three siblings are left to raise one another after their parents die. The youngest, Kausar, grapples with the incomprehensible loss as she also charts out her own understanding of gender; Aisha, the middle sister, desperately tries to hold on to her sense of family in an impossible situation; and Noreen, the eldest, does her best in the role of sister-mother while also trying to create a life for herself.

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

Marilyn Connolly and David Sorenson fall in love in the 1970s,and by 2016, they have four radically different daughters, each in a state of unrest. Wendy, widowed young, soothes herself with booze and younger men; Violet, a litigator turned stay-at-home-mom, battles anxiety and self-doubt; Liza, a neurotic and newly tenured professor, finds herself pregnant by a man she’s not sure she loves; and Grace, the dawdling youngest daughter, begins living a lie that no one in her family even suspects. As they grapple with years marred by adolescent angst, infidelity, and resentment, they also find the transcendent moments of joy that make everything worthwhile.

The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls by Anissa Gray

The Butler family has had their share of trials — as sisters Althea, Viola, and Lillian can attest — but nothing prepared them for the literal trial that will upend their lives. Althea, the eldest sister and substitute matriarch, is a force to be reckoned with and her younger sisters have alternately appreciated and chafed at her strong will. They are stunned when she and her husband are arrested, and in a heartbeat the family goes from one of the most respected in town to utter disgrace. As Althea awaits her fate, Lillian and Viola must come together in the house they grew up in to care for their sister’s teenage daughters. 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it’s not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it’s everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined.

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

Jayne and June Baek are nothing alike. June’s three years older, a know-it-all narc with a finance job and an equally soulless apartment (according to Jayne). Jayne is an emotionally stunted, self-obsessed basket case who lives in squalor, has egregious taste in men, and needs to get to class and stop wasting Mom and Dad’s money (if you ask June). Once thick as thieves, these sisters who moved from Seoul to San Antonio to New York together now don’t want anything to do with each other. Until June gets cancer. And Jayne becomes the only one who can help her.

You Have a Match by Emma Lord

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie. But when the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents. The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby’s growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, so when he meets the spirited and ambitious Julia Padavano in college, it’s as if the world has lit up. Julia and her three sisters are inseparable: Sylvie, the family’s dreamer, is happiest with her nose in a book; Cecelia is a free-spirited artist; and Emeline patiently takes care of them all. With the Padavanos, William experiences a newfound contentment. But then darkness from William’s past surfaces, jeopardizing not only Julia’s carefully orchestrated plans for their future, but the sisters’ unshakeable devotion to one another. 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Marianne Dashwood wears her heart on her sleeve, and when she falls in love with the dashing but unsuitable John Willoughby, she ignores her sister Elinor’s warning that her impulsive behavior leaves her open to gossip and innuendo. Meanwhile Elinor, always sensitive to social convention, is struggling to conceal her own romantic disappointment. Through their parallel experience of love — and its threatened loss — the sisters learn that sense must mix with sensibility if they are to find personal happiness in a society where status and money govern the rules of love.

Lulu and Milagro’s Search for Clarity by Angela Velez

Overachiever Luz “Lulu” Zavala has a solid ten-year plan. First up: nail her interview for a dream internship at Stanford. The only flaw in her plan is Clara, her oldest sister, who went to college and sparked a fight with their overprotective Peruvian mom, who is now convinced that out-of-state-college will destroy their family. Middle sister Milagro wants nothing to do with college or a nerdy class field trip. Then a spot opens up on the trip just as her own spring break plans (Operation Don’t Die a Virgin) are thwarted, and she hops on the bus. But the trip opens her eyes about possibilities she’d never imagined for herself. On a journey from Baltimore all the way to San Francisco, Lulu and Milagro will become begrudging partners as they unpack weighty family expectations, uncover Clara’s secrets, and maybe even discover the true meaning of sisterhood.

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. As children, Gillian and Sally were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at. Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Korede’s sister Ayoola is many things: the favorite child, the beautiful one, possibly sociopathic. And now Ayoola’s third boyfriend in a row is dead, stabbed through the heart with Ayoola’s knife.

Korede’s practicality is the sisters’ saving grace. She knows the best solutions for cleaning blood, the best way to move a body, and she keeps Ayoola from posting pictures to Instagram when she should be mourning her “missing” boyfriend. Korede has long been in love with a kind, handsome doctor at the hospital where she works. But when he asks Korede for Ayoola’s phone number, she must reckon with what her sister has become.

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

In a middle-class neighborhood in Atlanta in the 1980s, James Witherspoon is caught between his two families — the public one and the secret one. When the daughters from each family meet and form a friendship, only one of them knows they are sisters. It is a relationship destined to explode. 

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides

In a quiet suburb of Detroit, the five Lisbon sisters — beautiful, eccentric, and obsessively watched by the neighborhood boys — commit suicide one by one over the course of a single year. As the boys observe them from afar, transfixed, they piece together the mystery of the family’s fatal melancholy, in this hypnotic and unforgettable novel of adolescent love, disquiet, and death.

In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

In 1960, three beautiful sisters were found near their wrecked Jeep at the bottom of a cliff in the Dominican Republic. The official state newspaper reports their deaths as accidental. It does not mention that a fourth sister lives. Nor does it explain that the sisters were among the leading opponents of Gen. Rafael Leónidas Trujillo’s dictatorship. It doesn’t have to. Everybody knows of Las Mariposas–the Butterflies. In this extraordinary novel, the voices of all four sisters — Minerva, Patria, María Teresa, and the survivor, Dedé — speak across the decades to tell their own stories, from secret crushes to gunrunning, and to describe the everyday horrors of life under Trujillo’s rule. 

Summertime sadness: Why you’re seeing a slump in book sales

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

As temperatures rise and families pack up their cars to head off to their summer vacay destinations, the literary world experiences what some call the “summer slump.” 

Traditionally, the period from June to August sees a downturn in book purchases, attributed to people spending more time outdoors, traveling, spending money on bigger ticket items like vacations, or simply taking a break from routine. And previous data has supported this idea.

In fact, most ecommerce sites will see sales fluctuations throughout the season — with dips in June, July and August and peaks between November and January. (Fun observation: Sales increases during November and December are obvious as holiday shoppers are looking for gift books. But many ebook sales are still high in January because of all those new e-readers folks receive as gifts at the end of the year).

So take solace in the fact that you are not alone.

The Seasonality of Book Sales

For authors and publishers alike, summer has long been viewed as a challenging season. You may have noticed many involved in publishing enacting “summer Friday” work schedules, emblematic of the overall decrease in activity across the industry.

Historically, sales drop noticeably compared to other times of the year. American writer Dean Wesley Smith has previously noted that from May to September, book buying tends to hit its lowest points. Despite the digital revolution and the rise of indie authors, this trend has persisted, casting a shadow over the midyear earnings of many in the publishing world.

Ebooks to the Rescue?

But here’s the catch: Ebooks appear to defy the traditional slump. According to data from Amazon’s Kindle store, ebook sales metrics in July mirror those of February, challenging the notion that all book formats suffer equally in the summer months. This resilience in ebook sales suggests that while physical book sales may dip, digital formats continue to find favor among readers seeking portable, easy-access reading options throughout the summer.

Opportunities Amidst the Dip

While overall sales may decline, the summer slowdown presents opportunities, particularly for indie authors. With fewer big-name releases dominating the market — as compared to November when everyone seems to be publishing their book — there’s less competition for visibility. Cost-per-click (CPC) increases as competition increases; so summer could be a great time to beef up your digital advertising with a lower budget. 

This also makes it an opportune time for additional marketing efforts and promotions tailored to appeal to summer readers.

Summer Slump Marketing Strategies

For self-published and indie authors navigating the summer slump, several strategies can help mitigate the seasonal downturn:

  1. Targeted Marketing Campaigns: First and foremost, it’s important to understand the reading habits of your audience. But highlighting your book as the perfect summer read can resonate with vacationers and leisure readers by emphasizing themes of escape and relaxation in your marketing materials. 
  2. Start Early: Keep in mind that you’ll want to begin planning a targeted marketing campaign well before summer hits, especially if you’ll be targeting print outlets. Reach out to local libraries about including your book in their summer reading challenge, or getting the book on summer reading lists. Try and target parents who may be looking for books to keep their kids busy over the summer, as well as getting your book on back-to-school lists.
  3. Digital Promotions: Utilize platforms—  like Amazon’s promotional tools — to offer discounts or freebies, tapping into the summer reading spirit. Keywords such as “beach read” can attract readers looking for light, engaging stories. The caveat: If your book isn’t a beach read, don’t claim it is one; readers will be able to tell right through the charade. Some genres lend themselves more to the “beach read” classification, but there’s only so many ways to spin a genre that isn’t a good fit. Also consider running a price drop promotion for your ebook to entice people whose wallets may be tighter with all the summer spending.
  4. Physical Books Appeal: While ebooks dominate digital sales, there remains a charm in physical books, particularly during the summer (is it even summer if you haven’t taken a photo of your book by a poll?). Consider promoting paperback editions for readers who prefer the tactile experience of reading on the beach or get motion sickness in a car when looking at an ereader. This could also be a great time to try and schedule events with a library or bookstore.
  5. Collaborative Marketing: Partner with fellow authors to create curated summer reading lists or run joint promotions. This approach can expand your reach and attract new readers within your genre or niche. And it’s always a great idea to connect and boost up fellow indie authors!

Rethink the Summer Slump

While the summer slump is a recognized trend in book sales, it’s not a death knell for authors. It’s also important to remember that sales are affected by a variety of factors not limited to just time of year. It’s easy to compare sales month to month, but you should aim to compare sales to the same time in previous years. This will give you a better understanding of whether your marketing strategies are effective and improving.

Understanding consumer behavior and adapting your marketing to suit the season are key for indie authors to turn a traditionally slow period into a time of opportunity and growth. Whether through innovative promotions, embracing digital trends, or leveraging the appeal of physical books, there are myriad ways to navigate and even thrive in the summer sales landscape.

So, as we dive deeply into the dog days of summer, remember: Creativity and strategic planning can make summer a season of renewed reader engagement and book sales success.

Looking to create a specialized marketing plan for your book next summer? Reach out to us!

Books Forward Authors in the Media: July 2024

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

What can we say, Books Forward authors are always going, going, going! We’re excited to feature some of our authors and their recent media wins.

  • Reginald L. Reed Jr. was interviewed by A&E’s True Crime Blog about his mother’s tragic murder and the memoir he wrote to heal and share her story.
  • Conde Nast’s Women Who Travel podcast recently spoke with Tamara Walker about the long history of African American expats as detailed in her book Beyond the Shores.
  • Don Silver spoke with Mountain Xpress about his novel Scorched and how it explores how childhood issues manifest in adulthood.
  • Publishers Weekly recently featured pioneering queer author Fritz Peters and how the Hirsch Giovanni team became an unlikely publisher to re-release his work.
  • Author Brian Morra wrote a guest article the U.S.’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan for History is Now.
  • The Mary Sue featured Dr. Seema Yasmin in this interview about her debut YA novel that tackles abortion, as well as its pre-release book ban attempts.
  • Anne Abel and her memoir Mattie, Milo and Me were featured in this dog-friendly summer reading list by Oh My Dog!
  • Author Sarah Towle was interviewed by Michigan Public Radio’s Stateside staff about her new book Crossing the Line.
  • The Johnstonian News highlighted local author Leo Daughtry and his debut novel Talmadge Farm.
  • Charles Lachman was interviewed by Navy Times on his new book Codename Nemo and how nine men captured a Nazi sub and shortened WWII.
  • Mom Egg Review featured Joanne De Simone’s Fall and Recovery in its July bookshelf reading list.
  • Comedian, improv actor, and writer Claire Berger shares her experience of planning out offbeat book events in this piece for Writer’s Digest.
  • Author Kelly Vincent wrote a letter to their teenage self for Story Time Teen with the reminder that we don’t live in a binary world.

Want to stay up to date on what Books Forward authors are doing? Follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads!

Cookbooks I think characters from The Bear should read

Posted on | by Jennifer Vance

I’m VERY excited that The Bear is back (though, am I really ready for that level of stress?), and I can’t wait to see what journeys the characters go on this season. As a bit of a cookbook connoisseur myself, I put together a list of my favorites that I think each of them should read.

For Carmy

The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis because he has all the knowledge, he just needs to relax and remember why he loves cooking.

For Sydney

NOMA: Time and Place in Nordic Cuisine by René Redzepi because she has a solid foundation and she’s working to elevate her game.

For Richie

Setting the Table by Danny Meyer because he could really shine in his new role of managing the kitchen and front of house.

For Tina

The Professional Chef from the Culinary Institute of America because she has the chops to hang with the big dogs.

For Marcus

Advanced Bread and Pastry by Michael Suas because he clearly loves learning about his craft, and he’ll be able to dream even bigger with this volume.

For Sugar

Home Is Where the Eggs Are by Molly Yeh because you only have brief windows of time to cook as a new mom, so you want good, easy recipes. Also, that omelette. 

For Fak

Matty Matheson: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches because something just tells me he’d like this upcoming cookbook.

For Uncle Jimmy

Essentials of Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan because I expect that there’s always sauce simmering on his stove. Just in case.