[...] what he’s learned since installing a computerized point of sale inventory system. Johanna of Comics Worth Reading has done a nice job of picking a few highlights out of the [...]

And web previewing is dangerous, with “too much” material available (which varies by particular opinion) turning off retailers who think you’ve given too much away.

In short, I don’t envy your predicament. But I wish you the best, and I’m eager to see it!

Always make sure to put a site address, an email address, and maybe even a P.O.Box address in every book you print. That way, you’re audience can contact you if they want and you can build a data base for future advertising.

Jamie: Good suggestion on the previously published books — I sent out paper previews to the top 300 indie-friendly comics stores when the book was in PREVIEWS, but I didn’t think to link it to other books. Interesting idea, thanks!

Web Previews are only so effective. A lot of retailers won’t bother looking at them. They can help with readers though. Paper Previews that the retailers can see and let their customer see are much more effective. I realize this is more expensive and takes some work, but it’s that on it’s own is recognized by the retailer and lets them know your serious about promoting your book.

I would also be honest about which previously published books are similar to yours. If they have any tracking system they’ll know what those other books sold and will give them something they can use in ordering.

If you can identify who your audience is exactly, you can start doing research on where they get news and information (for your press releases), or if you can send review copies to those who talk about your particular genre. Another option is to send press releases to the local state or community paper, or send an inquiry to your local radio station. I would like to think they’d be interested in featuring someone like you. Then you work your way up.

But since you’ve already earned favorable reviews from Booklist and The Library Journal, it should be an easier ride for you with your next OGN. Best of luck!

So the question arises (and one that I’m very interested in investigating, as I’m starting a new, non-Vogelein OGN soon) — If you aren’t a well-known creator, what else can you do to get your book out there, to have retailers take a chance on you? Web previews are a given — the new book’s going to be serialized online first — but what else works?

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Hopefully, those who create these “dead weight” books would do something more than just “fulfill a dream.”

I just today spoke with the comics guy at my LCS. He said he sold a bunch of older trades in the last two weeks that had been on the shelves for longer than he could remember. Different markets, different needs, I guess.

My LCS shop has a POS system, but doesn’t use it for comics, just the gaming stuff. They think it is too much trouble to enter the codes.

[...] The Future of Comic Stores? Two Stock Changes (tags: ComicBooks retail) [...]

I have heard others say that the more imprints/material a publisher puts out (especially if it’s notably diverse), the easier it becomes to break the habit of carrying their entire line. So outreach to new audiences may cause unforseen consequences.

And I agree with the internet back issue comment. Someone from Lone Star Comics responded to the ICv2 column with a letter that boiled down to “shop online with us for back issues for you and your customers!”

Scott, it’s true that there are a lot more options for smart shoppers looking for good deals on book-format comics.

While I don’t buy a lot of back issues from them, I buy even fewer tpb/gn’s.

Regarding your comment on pre-orders, I’d be curious to know if you are not alone in cutting down on that practice.

Since I have a limited budget (and have seen too many previewed items that didn’t live up to my expectations), I never got on the preorder bandwagon.

But the “graphic novels need to turn” and the notion of culling slow movers (and not even ordering some DC/Marvel GNs that won’t sell) is a couple years old for us, and probably for many.

As for the back issue section, we killed ours about five years ago and I don’t regret it for a second. Every so often someone comes in looking for them, and there’s still a market for those shops, but I think a lot of the back issue market has moved to the big chains like Mile High and Lone Star and then onto online peer-to-peer selling and buying on Ebay.