Today’s topic is an uncomfortable one for me, as I am not a natural-born salesperson. But with launch day for Beautiful and Terrible Things fast approaching, I have a request: If you are considering ordering the contemporary novel, please consider pre-ordering it now. (Yep, that’s the extent of my ability to hard sell.)
In today’s world, pre-orders really matter. Why? For several reasons.
Why Book Pre-Orders Matter
You’ve probably got some sense of how much clout Amazon has when it comes to marketing products. All pre-orders of Beautiful and Terrible Things on Amazon will count as sales on the book’s launch day (July 18), which gives the book a big bang on that day. That helps the book appear higher up in Amazon’s various lists, which makes Amazon take notice and consider the book for other promotions. (The image above is a screenshot of the current Amazon rankings for Beautiful and Terrible Things, which are not bad considering the book isn’t even out yet!)
But it’s about more than Amazon. Healthy pre-order numbers (on any retail site) also demonstrate to the publisher that people want my book, so they will invest more of their limited marketing dollars in promoting the title.
Plus, bookstores are watching. They have access to pre-order numbers. Books with strong showings are more likely to be ordered by bookstore managers for their shelves.
Librarians are also watching, and are more likely to order books with strong early sales.
Where to Pre-Order
Beautiful and Terrible Things is available for pre-order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, Target, Bookshop.org (which benefits local bookstores), and Black Rose Writing (my publisher).
If you pre-order Beautiful and Terrible Things directly from the publisher’s online store, you can use discount code PREORDER2024 when checking out to save 15% off the list price. You can save even more if you sign up for the publisher’s Rosevine newsletter. You’ll get 25% off all your Black Rose Writing purchases. Sign up for the newsletter here.
If you want to order in bulk for your Book Club, I can ask the publisher about a volume discount.
The paperback and ebook versions of Beautiful and Terrible Things can also be pre-ordered on these retail sites, some with discounts. (Click on the store’s name to get to the book’s page.)
Bonus Materials Available A Little Longer
I’ve been offering a pile of free Bonus Materials related to Beautiful and Terrible Things to people who sign up to follow me. That offer won’t be available forever, so if you know someone who might be interested in the free novelette, short stories and bonus scenes, please forward this email to them so they can consider signing up to follow my news and get access to the Bonus Materials.
ICYMI: Recent Posts
I’ve been churning out more updates than usual, as we get closer to Beautiful and Terrible Things‘ publication day. (Don’t worry — I’ll return to a more sedate pace soon!) In Case You Missed It, here are a few recent posts on topics that may be of interest:
- Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Review
- Book Launch Party, Goodreads Giveaway & Free ARC
- Pre-Order & Discount Information
