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Jonathan Miller Interview
Posted on 26 May 2005. © Copyright 2004-2008 WriteWords
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WriteWords talks to Jonathan Miller of M-Y Books, a publishing and marketing resource for authors who self-publish
What prompted you to start the company?
After working as a creative marketing consultant for several independent publishers I could see that authors who self publish are often without the opportunity to get help in raising awareness of their work and obtaining support in an active way to promote themselves and their books.
Tell us about your background
I worked originally as a record producer and sound engineer until the late nineties, which has given me a great deal of experience in understanding creative people and their concepts. While in the music business the combination of creativity and message is allied with a commercial angle, I have found in my last 5 years with books that the same rules apply in many areas.
It is often said that marketing is the biggest problem facing self-publishers. Do you have any advice to offer writers about the design and general presentation of self-published books?
The cover of a book is very important; too often the authors rely on amateur design or illustration, allied with a concept that does not invite the reader to pick the book up. The only other area more misunderstood is that of the back cover blurb – I joke with some clients it should say: ‘Buy this book, this book is great,’ in a subtle and inviting sort of way.
How do you go about the marketing process?
The campaign for any book is based on what angle the book offers which can be used as the open door to the public and trade. It can be the genre, it can be the subject, it can be what the book offers in terms of education. Once we have established that then the Press Release and consequent marketing will be based on that angle whilst supporting any secondary elements also.
Could you give us some examples of books which you have successfully marketed, with details of numbers sold and a general overall cost for an average book ?
To date we have had notable success with Wings Over Nazeing, £19.99, Volumes One and Two, which is a hardback A4 history of Broxbourne aerodrome, also Leave a Light on for Jesus, £11.99, which is hard-hitting fiction about young people. Both titles have sold well with Wings looking to pass 1,000 sales this spring.
We start our services at around £500 and will advise outside of this cost should people not be sure of what they want or what would be best.
 Comments by other Members
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Posted by :
 Zigeroon at 09:36 on 27 May 2005
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Facinating insight to an area which seems to be more and more a possible 'way in'. Food for thought.
Andrew
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Posted by :
Felmagre at 10:22 on 27 May 2005
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Interesting, but not too much insight into how they actually go about 'promoting' a book . It would have also been interesting to know if they simply take on the promotional side of a book itself or are only interested in whole printing and promotion package. The interview was not very clear on this.
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Posted by :
 Dee at 18:29 on 27 May 2005
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Yes, I am beginning to think that self publishing is becoming the only way new authors can breach the market.
This is an interesting interview but I would have liked to see more detail on how much promotion and marketing they do. That, I think, is the reason many writers shy away from self-publishing. Writers want to write – not sell.
Dee
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Posted by :
HollyB at 21:10 on 30 May 2005
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Yes, I agree - wonderful introduction, but please could we have more detail. Also a website would be useful! As well as being a marketing door for the company ...
Anne B
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Posted by :
 Anna Reynolds at 16:45 on 31 May 2005
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Jonathan Miller of M-y Books says, in response to the above:
'M-y Books does the marketing and promotion , we do not normally do the production and printing but like to consult on cover design and back cover blurb .
Our work covers everything from direct telesales and advert copy to press release , mailing , database management – so that each book sent out is carefully targeted to a person within a company - also we create with the author the creative basis for any book campaign , in other words we do the selling and we do our best to find the market and then sell the book for a self published author .
our website is http://www.m-ybooks.co.uk'
So there you go.
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Posted by :
Felmagre at 12:25 on 01 June 2005
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Thank you for clearing up some of the points raised. I would be interested to know if they take on 'existing works' and if so what sort of commission levels they want. Also,if the responsibility for payment of royalities to the author stay with the original publishers.
In terms of their fees, do they expect payment up front of is it a commision deducted over a period of time based on results i.e sales
Thank you again, for your assistance in this matter.
<Added>
PS> Website comes up 'Not Found' any ideas?
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Posted by :
Anna Reynolds at 19:06 on 02 June 2005
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Again, from Jonathan Miller himself:
'MY Books Marketing:
What we do
We read and review the title
We create a professionally written press release
We create a regional database based on a 40-mile radius of the author’s main accommodation - of booksellers, newspapers, radio, and television stations, library wholesalers or suppliers, head and regional buyers for the book retail chains, which is specific to location and subject matter of both book and author.
We mail out to this database copies of the book and press release and individually addressed letters promoting the book and author.
We will call personally to follow up this promotion endeavouring to secure for the author either book signings or media coverage.
We also approach local and regional organizations that would normally have invited authors giving talks and promoting themselves in that way should they wish.
The period of employment for MY books is 3 months from the signing of the letter of agreement
MY Books requires as promotional material a reasonable supply of books covers / posters / etc in order to do its job
My books reconciles to its clients with proof of posting and copy e mails regarding all matters pertaining their individual project and allows for one progress meeting during the term of the agreement as well as the meeting at the account's inception.
MY Books will compose letters and approach any media or publication that can be seen to be of specialist interest or pertinent to the book subject matter.
We do not supply the books etc we supply the persuasive talent'
I just tried Googling the site and it's there- http://www.m-ybooks.co.uk
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Posted by :
Felmagre at 08:28 on 03 June 2005
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Heloo Anne,
Thank you forfollowing up questions posed. I too have managed to locate website, must have been my server playing tricks though I tried several times.
Interesting, but not something one could not do for themselves if needed. 40 Miles is not much of a radius. I appreciate your 'detective' work
Kind regards
Felmagre.
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