I should title this, ‘Marketing post’, but–meh!

I just mailed sales-packs to 10 small gay bookstores that have sizable community followings. I got a list of gay bookstores from ABA, and did some research online. My criteria for choosing them was 1. they have lots of events, 2. Staff that post ’staff picks’ and whatnot, 3. they have online newsletters. I found only 10 that met my criteria, and to these ten I offered an option of ordering 4, 8, or 16 copies at 55% off the cover price. If they choose to order the standard case of 24, they’d get 60% off, just like Borders or BN. Now, I sent a free review copy as a gift to these stores. Why? Well, thanks to the anonymous internet and anthology carrying chain stores, the small gay bookstore needs all the help they can get–and the fact that they’re still in business means that they’re serving as a community hub–rather than just a place to get GLTB reading materials. A copy of Gadarene is our gift to them, even if they choose not to order.

In the sales kit I placed 1 copy of the book, a 5×7 promo card with cover image on front and spread of books front/back with review blurbs and publisher info, a SASE with order form–which contains my email if they want to order online via credit card–or they want to talk consignment terms with me instead of purchasing copies up front.

My cover letter, is just personal enough to let them know I’m doing this on my own, and not operating through a distributor -

My name is Tina Anderson, and I’m a graphic novelist who’s recently entered into fiction with my friend C.B. Potts. My debut title is called Gadarene and it’s a gay historical horror set in the Five Points of 1870’s Manhattan. We’ve sent you this free copy so that you or one of your employees can read the book, and decide if it’s something you’d be interesting in selling in your store.

While our book is sold online at Amazon and other outlets, we wanted to personally give gay bookstores an opportunity at acquiring the book for a deeply discounted wholesale price, because we think Gay bookstores are important to both readers and creators, wishing to connect with the community.

You’re not obligated in any way to buy and sell my title, this solicit is simply an invite to do so, and if you decide against it, please keep the book as a gift; our thank you for still being there—despite the internet and large chain stores making it more difficult.

Also enclosed is an order form laying out our small bookstore terms, as well as an SASE should you decide to place an order, and a small one-sheet catalogue that lists my gay graphic novels and comics currently on sale.

Thank you for your consideration,

Tina Anderson
& C.B. Potts
Authors of Gadarene

Mailing these [and the 3 press-kit folders to magazines] only sets me back about $30 in postage plus the price of the gift copies, which all total sets me back about $68. I think it’s worth it. This isn’t the only book I’m going to release on my own, and so establishing a connection with these stores now, will be helpful for future releases. Not only that, I was able to slip my half-sheet ‘graphic novels on sale’ flier in the envelope…this has the books I currently have out, the distributor name and logo, as well the publishers name and logo–in case they see these books and are interested in ordering them.

*crosses fingers* and hopes this works.

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In other work related happenings, I submitted two projects to Yen Press, and mailed them my resume as a comics-writer. We’ll see what that turns up in about 8 weeks. (^_^)