The Southeastern Booksellers' Association -- which is changing its name -- reports that booksellers are vastly underwhelmed by the fall season's offerings:
On the trade show floor, most exhibitors termed the bookseller traffic slow, while booksellers often reported not finding any major books, except for Widow of the South, to spark sales during the holidays.
Now, this is a regional trade show, and they can only go by the galleys and finished copies they already have, but they don't think people will shell out oodles of money for the next Scott Turow, Sue Grafton and Thomas Harris books, all which will hit stores before the end of the year?
And surely all of you who hang out in the backblogs can offer suggestions as to what booksellers could push for the holiday season?
this makes no sense. the fall is when I want to buy books the most. all you want to do is curl up with a good book. perhaps for the holiday season they should start a marketing campaign - something like "Got Books?" or maybe "I'm lovin' it...READ A BOOK". or like, "just do it - READ, that is".
hmmm. these are getting too complex...but I feel like I'm onto something...
Posted by: christin | September 21, 2005 at 09:41 AM
The pickins do seem to have been a little slim lately... But I'm sure there are still plenty of books that will sell. Some of them might even be good. Overall, this fall ain't the strongest I've seen, though.
On the other hand, winter looks promising. Robert Ferrigno's new book (Prayers for the Assassin, coming in February) is going to be a big one, I think. It has a terrific concept -- a thriller set 30 years in the future after the Islamic revolution has taken over in America -- but it also has great writing. If there's any justice in the world, it will hit #1 on the NYTimes list.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | September 21, 2005 at 10:05 AM
Hmm...
I did a signing at a Borders in Louisville.
Actually, I sat at a table for an hour in the cafe at Borders.
Anyway, the manager said business has been horrible lately because they're competing with college football and because of Katrina.
Later that day, I did a signing at an independent bookstore about a mile away. Sold five books. The owner said she had a spike in business during Katrina and usually did MORE business because of college football.
Marketing? Is the clientele of a chain store different from that of an indie? Maybe.
Ask me again after I get back from Louisville this weekend.
Posted by: Jim Winter | September 21, 2005 at 10:05 AM
Looking forward to getting my hands on Sean Doolittle's RAIN DOGS right after Christmas. Nebraska noir, oh yah.
Posted by: Naomi | September 21, 2005 at 02:51 PM
It *is* strange.... I always thought fall was the season for the big-hitters -- one reason I worry about being overshadowed. But the Jewish book fairs are all in October-November-December, so a fall pub date makes sense for me.
I'm doing First Looks, First Books for ReadersRoom.com and hoping to discover some great new authors. My favorite, since I started, is gods in Alabama, by Joshlyn Jackson.
Posted by: Rochelle | September 21, 2005 at 03:31 PM
I'm also interested in Amy Tan's new book, because it seems like she's trying something different (perhaps the death of her mother has spurred her on to explore new themes). And how about Jennifer Weiner's GOODNIGHT NOBODY. It's a mystery, right? Haven't heard a peep about that from mystery fans.
Posted by: Naomi | September 21, 2005 at 04:09 PM
Naomi, I haven't even heard about that one.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | September 21, 2005 at 04:19 PM
As a bookseller, I have to admit to being underwhelmed by both the fall and winter lists this time around. There are a few guaranteed sellers, but very few quality titles. The Turow, Grafton, and Harris titles will probably do a respectable business, as will the new Michael Connelly and the new Patricia Cornwell, but they aren't the kind of things that really ignite a fire in the belly of the independent bookseller.
Most of the stuff that I've read recently that I'm actually excited about won't hit shelves until early next year--Steve Hockensmith's HOLMES ON THE RANGE and Sean Doolittle's RAIN DOGS, among others. The sole fall title that I'm really looking forward to getting in to handsell is John Galligan's THE BLOOD KNOT, which doesn't say much for the big publishing houses.
Sadly, too, most of what was on display at the PNBA fall show was winter list (making it different from previous years) and it gave me the feeling that even the pubs aren't doing cartwheels over what they have on offer for the fall.
Posted by: Billie Bloebaum | September 21, 2005 at 05:55 PM
A little out of genre, but I can't wait to read ANANSI BOYS.
Posted by: Clair Lamb | September 21, 2005 at 06:35 PM