If anyone is interested there is a recent television interview with Avon Books's VP, Liate Stehlik, where she talks about the current market success of books in the romance genre.

Go to

http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html

Then type 'the love affair with romance' into the search for videos field. (It's about half way down the page on the right side, under the video player)

Dave

Nice video but too bad they didn't promote one of Lynsay's books if they wanted to promote a vampire novel!

Kim

If only...

Do they promote Lynsay's books in any way? I don't think I have ever seen an advertisement for them anywhere. I do read a few book magazines but not on a regular basis so I may have missed them.

Now I'm curious though. Do they just rely on word of mouth (the loyal fans here do our part ) or do they have anything else out there? I know I've read here before about Lynsay going to writer's conferences but has she done any book tours?

You might want to try and get her an invite to a sci-fi convention. Quite a few sci-fi fans are women and might really enjoy her books. Most of my book collection is comprised of fantasy books, it has only been a few years since I started reading in the romance genre. Maybe that's why Lynsay is my favorite author. The paranormal slant. I have to say though, the humor is what keeps me coming back.

Kim

It's something of a mystery for us as well, Kim. I don't really know how the publisher's promote the books.

We know they do something because of the promotional posters we had to beg for, along with other small items to be used as giveaways. We're informed these are for the retail buyers and distibutors and are not point of sale incentives. Other than that I'm not sure how they handle it. I'm sure it could be useful for us to know the mechanism and to be involved at some stage.

As for book tours - no, not yet. There has been the occasional conference, but that's about it.

I do take your point about sci-fi readers, though, as we did talk to several when we were in Toronto for the book expo last year and they expressed a very keen interest in Lynsay attending their own conferences. It does make me wonder sometimes if the publisher isn't missing something in not tapping into this audience.

Dave

Mr. Spice.....

I was acutally going to ask you about that,A few like Christine Feehan, actually have commercials for new books comming out. A lot of them get posted on her webpage, myspace and over the internet. To be honest, they are a bit cheesy...but

Does Lysay ever get offeres to do something like that?....or is it just word of mouth for her books,
I don't think I have ever even seen a poster in either of the book store I go to for one of her books...

strange! G3

Gena, I know what you mean about cheesy.

While I do think there is some value in a well made promotional video, I have yet to see one made in support of a romance novel that doesn't insult the intelligence of both the viewer and the reader.

Personally I'd prefer something short, funny and visually striking in support of the Argeneau series in general, rather than trying to focus on an individual title and attempting to make the movie of the book.

Maybe one day...

Dave

In the March issue of Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine, Avon has a full page featuring Lynsay Sands and the latest Argeneau books. It's really nice, and includes Lynsay's website. It kind of looks like the promotional poster. Across the top of the page...

"From New York Times Bestselling Author
LYNSAY SANDS
Sink your fangs into the
hotter-than-ever Argeneau Series!"

(Lynsay's name is in the orange color that was on Vampires Are Forever in large letters across the page, with the rest in white against the black background, and picture everything centered correctly)

Then it has a large picture of Vampire, Interrupted with Lynsay's website underneath it, and a blurb out to the right ("Take a bite into fresh, fun vampire comedy...read Lynsay Sands! -Carly Phillips, New York Times bestselling author) Two smaller pictures of The Accidental Vampire and Vampires Are Forever are underneath that, with Available Now! below them. Across the bottom is Avon's logo, and the Harper Collins stuff.

In the paranormal/urban fantasies review section, Vampire, Interrupted is listed as a TOP PICK! and says "...one of the best books in the Argeneau series, in part thanks to Sands' lovely humor."

Also, Borders/Waldenbooks has an advertisement for "spring flings" with Vampire, Interrupted by Lynsay Sands as the first book pictured under paranormal. I've noticed that Borders seems to get the posters and promote our books a little more...is that just good advertising on their part? There are twelve featured books in their advertisement, showing books being released for March.

wren

P.S. I'll have to look to see what was in the February issue. I do know there was some promotion of Vampires Are Forever...I share these with a friend, but I haven't put it in the mail yet.

Mr. Spice,

There is also a website, www.avonauthors.com
that promotes Avon romance authors and features new and upcoming releases, a place that authors list special contests or fun stuff they are having, and a message board. When you click on the author's name, it takes you to their own website. Often, an author will pop in and answer a question on the message board. I don't know if authors have to subscribe to be a part or anything, but it is a good way for people to find a favorite Avon author. I realize that Lynsay's website already covers everything they have there, but many of the other popular authors are on there even though they have their own websites that do the same thing.

wren

Just as an FYI, even though I haven't seen a promotional poster for Lynsay's books, I had read that in one bookstore, the promotional poster for "Always" caused the books to be sold out.

Hummmm I was wondering why the publisher hasnt sent her to RT. I asked a few weeks ago why she isnt going to be there. I thought the publishers paid for there "Star" writers to go.
AS for book signings I hope she does one near me!!
I would even go to D.C. Annapolis or Baltimore for that.

'Fraid not, Linda. Apparently authors don't get to sample the rock'n'roll lifestyle. Which is a pity since I always had a yearning to toss a TV set over a hotel balcony.

trust me Mr. Spice it is not as much fun as looks. TVs don't bounce.

Are you speaking from experience? Or just an observation?

J4...are you speaking from experience? Care to share?

W2

W2 do you think we think alike???

C1

That's us big sis! We just can't help it...and lil sis will probably think the same way.

Plus, we have to keep an eye on our J4-Billie. She is not aware yet of the strength of her powers!

W2

Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience. I probably shouldn't admit this because it will make me look like an idiot.

A couple years ago, I decided I was going to rearrange my room. My window was rather big, and I got the bright idea to place my tv there to get it out of the way while I moved my dresser that it sat on to the other side of my room. While my window was big it wasn't that big and the screen wasn't that strong.

The way I had placed it on the sill put all the weight against the screen and it gave way. BYE BYE t.v. And course because it was the middle of the day on a Saturday, plenty of people were outside to witness.

Like I said TVs don't bounce.

But don't worry, if Mrs. Spice wants a rock n roll lifestyle, I promise to be one of her groupies.

GO LYNSAY SANDS :)

That's funny about the tv, Jill. I know it wasn't at the time...but now you can always say you have thrown a tv out the window during your rock star career! You know we will keep your secret.

wren

that is funny Jill, not many people can say that they have actually done that!

Well looking at the glass half full, I did get a new tv out of it and it was bigger so I guess something good came of it.

Of course after that though I decided not to do any more rearranging anytime soon

J4 -A just a little embarrassed but learned a valuable life lesson.

Has Lynsay ever thoght about going to RT?? I was thinkig of going this year. I have people to split the room with. It looks like fun.

I work with Anderson Merchandisers. We are the vendors that put the books in Walmart and Sams club. Generally speaking advertising from the publisher comes in the form of posters and shrouds for front door. As far as book signings go ....well that is up to the publisher as well. I have tried to arrangebook signings with some of our local authors(Sherrilyn Kenyon and Teresa Medeiros)and the answer I got from my company is that if te store and author are willing then it is up to the publisher to arrange.I would absolutely love Lynsay for a book signing however her publisher would have to approve. It is all alot more complicated than it has to be and the readers and authors miss out on opportunities. The readers miss the chance to meet their favorite author and the author missesthe chance to generate more sales by their appearance.