tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post2149807458354414668..comments2023-10-26T11:34:38.322-04:00Comments on Ask Allison: Thinking Long Term, Part 2Allison Winn Scotchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-26249637174609117122008-11-26T10:20:00.000-05:002008-11-26T10:20:00.000-05:00these posts were fantastic, allison (sorry I came ...these posts were fantastic, allison (sorry I came to them late). i think you and your agent have been incredibly smart. the brand is everything these days. maybe you could write a non-fiction/memoir book one day, "The Brand of my Life" !Joanne Rendellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712130417571454604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-87417405902963172572008-11-21T10:24:00.000-05:002008-11-21T10:24:00.000-05:00MM-I'm late to answer your question. Sorry! Yes,...MM-I'm late to answer your question. Sorry! Yes, this was intentional...ideally, all of the titles will play off each other in some way.Allison Winn Scotchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06820208316115681320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-57467594905068013282008-11-21T10:12:00.000-05:002008-11-21T10:12:00.000-05:00I didn't intend to go for a brand. But, it came fo...I didn't intend to go for a brand. But, it came for me. I have about a third of a novel written in the stupid-criminal comedy genre like Carl Haaisen and Tim Dorsey.)<BR/><BR/>My question is: When you know the genre, do you look for an agent who has experience in that genre or simply an experienced agent who believes in your work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-56677628957945949362008-11-19T16:43:00.000-05:002008-11-19T16:43:00.000-05:00This may sound crazy, but I've thought of this rig...This may sound crazy, but I've thought of this right from the start! This is probably due to my background in marketing (designing newsletters, brochures, ads, etc. to small businesses.) I think it's not only smart, but really quite necessary to distinguish yourself ("brand") as a writer in a true and unique fashion. By true, I mean that your brand must be an honest representation of your work (i.e., "wish fulfillment"), and by unique I mean the book cover or design of your work (blogs, etc.) must be eye-catching and consistent.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for bringing this up! This is my first visit -great blog!Debra Lynn Sheltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08238268767406623274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-31433886930149705322008-11-19T16:29:00.000-05:002008-11-19T16:29:00.000-05:00The branding thing has been all the rage the last ...The branding thing has been all the rage the last several years. It's good business on authors' and publishers' part. You get an identifiable niche to which readers connect you, and the publishers get more bang for the buck promoting your "flavor" or brand.Angie Ledbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16407006980893727627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-56584973317942100672008-11-19T08:23:00.000-05:002008-11-19T08:23:00.000-05:00These posts are fantastic, thanks for sharing your...These posts are fantastic, thanks for sharing your process with us! I just attended a luncheon with author Lisa Scottoline who has branded herself very successfully as crime novelist who writes about strong women in Philadelphia. Makes sense to me. Here's to your continued success!Aimeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12292321210951612616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-74381037658244094772008-11-19T00:42:00.000-05:002008-11-19T00:42:00.000-05:00I've noticed that all of your book titles kind of ...I've noticed that all of your book titles kind of sound similar and long enough to use abbreviations. Has anyone else notice that? ...<BR/><BR/>The Department of Lost and Found<BR/>The Time of My Life<BR/>The Happiest Days of My Life<BR/><BR/>(listening), yep, definitely sounds similar!<BR/>That could be part of your brand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-7777928906540134962008-11-18T21:45:00.000-05:002008-11-18T21:45:00.000-05:00Question for ya: Do you plan to have all your book...Question for ya: Do you plan to have all your books with similar titles with Of My Life at the end of them? <BR/><BR/>I can see this really working, and it is a great concept!MaNiC MoMMy™https://www.blogger.com/profile/14038801888210803955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-4560907520955043202008-11-18T15:58:00.000-05:002008-11-18T15:58:00.000-05:00I think it's a great idea to brand yourself. I to...I think it's a great idea to brand yourself. I too love Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella and love love Nicholas Sparks. I love your two books so far, and look forward to your next book!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-72617938956900435082008-11-18T14:27:00.000-05:002008-11-18T14:27:00.000-05:00This is really fascinating. No, I've never thought...This is really fascinating. No, I've never thought about this before, but I've been thinking about marketability quite a bit since you posted Part I. <BR/><BR/>Any writer who publishes successive times successfully has a flavor. Maybe not the specific thriller/wish fulfillment/historical romance genre exactly but I know what kind of book I'm picking up with anyone who's written several. I've never before thought of it as a brand though. Thanks for the great post, as usual.Sarah Yhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00753180768919416208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-83310883965422355702008-11-18T13:55:00.000-05:002008-11-18T13:55:00.000-05:00As a wannabe Fairy Godmother, I honestly thought t...As a wannabe Fairy Godmother, I honestly thought this was YOUR plan when writing ToML. It just makes sense and offers thoughtful, insightful and positive novels for readers.<BR/><BR/>Btw, Allison, I've been referring to you as the "Emily Giffin of Random House" for the past few weeks. ;) They must be thrilled to have you!Larramiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788910637361812265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-56600265641298993612008-11-18T12:33:00.000-05:002008-11-18T12:33:00.000-05:00I've been thinking about this a lot, in relation t...I've been thinking about this a lot, in relation to my WIP, my blog, my persona on places like Facebook and Twitter. What appeals to people about my published essays and articles that transcends into my fiction? There are themes - there is voice - and to bring a manner of it all into books is key. <BR/><BR/>I'm finishing up my first novel and already have ideas for subsequent books with similar themes, from a different perspective. <BR/><BR/>My brand is still in the works, of course. Yours has skyrocketed and it's a model for us all to follow as we build our own.Amy Sue Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13854920309673361956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-82152532457668330942008-11-18T12:11:00.000-05:002008-11-18T12:11:00.000-05:00Hi, Allison, I think I decided on my branding a fe...Hi, Allison, I think I decided on my branding a few weeks ago when I got into the groove on my newest WIP. <BR/><BR/>I love writing historical fiction, books that show a woman in a part of her life that changes her forever. My strength is writing scenes through dialogue and description from different decades and making them authentic. Who knew? <BR/><BR/>As for your niche, I think your subconscious was already there before the NYT's list. It just seems like you already knew at some level, don't you think?<BR/><BR/>Congrats on a great strategy. I think it's brilliant and I'm really excited that you have a place that is yours in this crazy market. Nice feeling.<BR/><BR/>Trish<BR/><BR/>http://www.trishlawrence.com/blogTrishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04688069372756264007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-30509404138912094492008-11-18T12:00:00.000-05:002008-11-18T12:00:00.000-05:00I think it is a very savy, and strategic idea that...I think it is a very savy, and strategic idea that will help to draw in readers. (Side note: I absolutely LOVE the cover of Time of My Life - and I think it is a great idea to have similar covers for your forthcoming books!).Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665201017518290672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31033821.post-783730352356378232008-11-18T11:11:00.000-05:002008-11-18T11:11:00.000-05:00I think it's very smart, to find your niche and to...I think it's very smart, to find your niche and to own it. It's worked out quite well for Nicholas Sparks and James Patterson, and certainly for Danielle Steel. You know exactly what kind of reading experience you are going to get. I don't think it has to be so narrow as 'wish fulfillment' necessarily but more about tone and voice. Emily Giffin and Sophie Kinsella, though their stories vary, their overall approach and voice is similar from book to book, which is why all these authors are auto-buys for many. (Myself included).<BR/><BR/>Interestingly, I think that branding yourself like this helps even more in recessionary times. Books that are viewed as 'escapism' tend to do very well. According to my local bookseller, the latest Danielle Steel book is flying off the shelves. <BR/><BR/>I know I'm looking forward to your next book.<BR/><BR/>~Pampamclhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03272373376910975546noreply@blogger.com