Thursday, March 11, 2010

Timing Is Crucial…I’m Pretty Sure, Anyway

Now Playing: Time Is Running Out by Muse

Ha! How appropriate. iTunes is on shuffle and this is what came up. Perfect timing, heheh. Because I’m all worried about time and timing right now. We’re shooting for a summer release of PATIENCE and, preferably, early summer. We’ve been thinking and targeting for June, but I’m starting to wonder just how realistic that is with all there is to do still. I don’t want to rush anything, but…

I can’t wait for it to be out!!!

Sorry, I lost control for a moment. Anyway, I thought four months (when we first decided) was enough time; now I just don’t know. That’s the problem when we all have other jobs and homes and those darn families. Just kidding – about the families. We love them! But June just keeps charging at us, not caring at all that we’re not ready for it yet. And it would have to be early to mid-June, because…

Eclipse comes out June 30. Have you seen the just-released trailer? It’s not very exciting, IMHO, but, really, neither is the book. (It’s my least favorite.) But in case you haven’t checked it out yet, it's here: http://www.eclipsethemovie.com/

What does this have to do with PATIENCE? More than I’ll ever admit. But I will say that my books target adult fans of Twilight, as well as fans of True Blood/Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake, though not dark like those last two.  And not so vampire-centered. I digress again…

So June brings True Blood Season 3, Eclipse and…PATIENCE?

Here’s my conundrum (had to throw in a $5 word just to show I can do it)…should PATIENCE come out before Eclipse? Will it get any notice? Maybe take advantage of the hype? Or will it get overshadowed?

Should it come out after Eclipse, as in a few weeks or so later? Will it still be overshadowed? Or will fans be ready for something new to keep them occupied, especially since they haven’t even started making Breaking Dawn? Maybe they’ll be all heated up for something new? Maybe take advantage of that angle? Or will they be constantly comparing my main characters?

Does it really matter for my little book in the big world? Perhaps not. But in my world it does. Just like a new mom wants the very best start for her newborn, I want the very best start for mine. And I know timing is crucial in marketing. I’m sure the first readers will be close friends and family, but even they could easily get sidetracked with Eclipse (I know a few in particular).

So…what do you think? If you’re a Twi-fan, would you be more apt to notice a book aimed at you before Eclipse or after? Even if it’s not Twilight for you, maybe it’s Harry Potter or something else (hmm, can’t think of anything else right now). Do you read a whole favorite series before the next movie comes out? What do you do after, in that let-down period?

6 comments:

  1. I agree with V.R Leavitt.Distance is a good thing. I would wait until after Eclipse - those Twilight fans are crazy and until the hype is over they won't be interested in much else!

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  2. One thing I noticed with both Twilight movies is that our newspaper will run an article right around the same time the movie comes out listing books that will interest fans. This is just a notice from my area and I don't know if other newspapers do this or not.
    Personally, I look forward to these articles more than the movies now, because I always get at least two new books out of it.

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  3. I am friends with a few tri-fans and I can tell you for a FACT that after seeing the last movie a couple of them went to the bookstore just to feed their addiction and find new books. So, yeah -I think you should capitalize on it as much as you can!

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  4. Timing is such a fine line to walk because so many variables are outside of our control, but I think Rebecca may be right in that fans will want to read more right after Eclipse.

    Just wanted to let you know I was over here following you now from Elana's blog.

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  5. While it delays when you want to release it, I would say to wait until after Eclipse and capitalize on it.
    Maybe even run an ad before the movie (hehe)... But seriously, I'll stand outside the theaters handing stuff out to promote your book, but I get dips on Mercato since I live closest :)

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  6. Thank you, everyone, for your input. It is greatly appreciated. And so the decision has been made. I'm not going to announce an exact date because it's not quite finalized, but it will definitely be this summer, but after Eclipse and that craziness dies down a bit. Fortunately, it doesn't really take that long because the die-hards are there at midnight and the rest by the second or third week.

    Sarahjayne, thank you for the follow!

    Alys...you're on! Great idea!

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