The Tremulous Future of Bookstores and Bound Books

By Mark W. Danielson

There is nothing official about this topic. It’s just some observations about the book industry. First and foremost, readers need to support their local book stores, especially independent ones, or they will cease to exist. When that happens, a dark era begins, and you will have to visit Starbucks or McDonalds for your coffee and free Wi-Fi.

In October, 2009, I sent 70 newsletters to independent book stores and fifteen were returned because those stores are no longer in business. Others may follow suit unless our economy makes an abrupt turnaround. This is a disturbing trend, particularly for authors who aren’t household names. If Kindle is successful, bound books may only be published on demand.

Personally, I like browsing through book stores. I like the feel of a book in my hand, flipping pages back and forth. Sometimes I might dog-ear a page or two, or highlight things if there’s good reason. My library is full of reference, fiction, and non-fiction books. I have plenty yet to read, and some I may never read in their entirety. Still, they are comforting to have, knowing they can be viewed regardless of my electric power situation. I don’t believe Kindle can match a book’s features.

Independent book stores feature a far greater variety of authors than you will find in chain book stores. These stores are more likely to carry my books. My latest, Diablo’s Shadow was highly rated, and yet Barnes and Noble won’t carry it because neither my publisher nor I are big names. However, I did receive a nice letter from their corporate department manager saying my books meet their criteria, and they will gladly order them on demand. At least I have that going for me.

Last November, I participated in another enjoyable Men of Mystery event in Irvine, California. As one of the fifty-plus authors in attendance, I am always amazed at the talent in the room, and yet few have heard of the majority of these mystery writers. In this regard, an author breaking out is comparable to an actor being discovered while waiting tables. There are plenty of wonderful books out there, but unless they get noticed by the right people, it’s unlikely they will ever become best sellers.

Some of these issues are discussed in my upcoming novel, Writer’s Block. More than a murder mystery, it’s an inside look into the fiction writer’s world. Please don’t confuse this with a documentary or autobiography, though. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writer’s Block is simply a fun story filled with twists and turns. I hope to name a publisher later this year.

Without readers, there would be little reason for authors to invest so much of their time in creating stories, and yet those of us who take writing seriously would probably write them anyway. Once a story teases your brain, there is no escaping it until it’s written down. Whether you read my stories or someone else’s, please try to buy them from your local book stores. They really need your business.

Fixin' It

By Mark W. Danielson

There’s an old phrase that says, “Ya can’t fix what ain’t broke.” While this may pertain to assorted things around a farm, it hardly pertains to “fixing” manuscripts. You see, in writing, the problem is most authors are too close to the problems to see them. For lack of a better word, let’s call it tunnel vision.

Anyone that’s ever given driving lessons to a teenager knows that as an observer, you see plenty of room for improvement. When you safely reach your destination, hopefully you share words of wisdom that will help the teen drive better the next time. But when you put yourself in the driver’s seat, suddenly you’re the only safe driver on the road. Isn’t it funny how our perspective changes from seat to seat? Isn’t it amazing how everyone else suddenly becomes a bad driver? If you see some parallels to writing, then we’re on the same track.

Getting back to manuscripts, one of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from another writer who had proof read Diablo’s Shadow for me. She thoroughly enjoyed the book, but then said I didn’t need the first chapter. What say you? I thought to myself. The first chapter is the whole setup. But truth be told, she was right, so I deleted it. Afterwards, I looked back on it wondering how I could have been so blind. The answer is I was so emotionally attached to that setup that I couldn’t see the forest through the trees.

Letting that chapter go was easier than I thought, though. After all, I had a lot of respect for this lady. After all, she does chair our MWA chapter’s critique group. Once I deleted it and re-read the story, everything made perfect sense.

Each week, I spent a lot of time writing articles on various topics and not enough on my manuscripts. True, it slows progress, but diversity also allows me more objectivity. In other words, when I do go back to my manuscript, my tunnel vision has expanded. If you don’t believe me, next time you’re driving, keep your eyes on the center of the road and note the difference in your peripheral vision between twenty miles per hour and eighty. The same holds true in writing. If you keep hammering away without every taking an objective look, you may miss the obvious. Too often, manuscripts that are sent off without that objective look are returned. To correct this, take heart, find someone who will provide an honest critique, and listen to what they say. Remember that if your goal is to produce a solid story, then time is always on your side. The caveat is you must plan ahead if you’re meeting a deadline.

If there is anything I’ve learned in this business, it’s that there is a distinct difference between writing for yourself and writing for publication. By necessity, publishers are most interested in a book’s marketability, therefore, if they want you to make changes, so be it. If you’re not willing to make their changes, then withdraw your manuscript and walk away. It’s as simple as that.

Keep writing, stay focused, and have fun, but always remember, when it comes to professional writing, your job is to please others.

Mysterious Disappearance at Men of Mystery

By Mark W. Danielson

For the past six years, I’ve been privileged to participate in Irvine, California’s, Men of Mystery event. Each year, fifty authors gather to dine with five hundred wonderful mystery fans. The highlight is hearing two famous authors, such as Dean Koontz, James Patterson, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, and Martin Cruz Smith, speak about the business of writing. This spectacular event is the brainchild of Raven Award recipient, Joan Hansen, but would not be possible without her many devoted volunteers. Open to the public, it is normally sold out months before its November date. I am fortunate to be attending again this year.

My latest book, Diablo’s Shadow, was released just two months before the 2008 event. The week before, my book received a five star review from Mysterious Reviews, so we made an information sheet to help promote it at Mysterious Galaxy Books’ event book store. My wife and I checked with the book store that morning to make sure our acrylic-covered information sheet was properly displayed with my books. It was, and looked great.

The MOM event began with the authors introducing themselves, followed by a break where its attendees could wander through the book store and chat with the authors. This was followed by lunch and the featured authors’ presentations. At its conclusion, the book store remained open for a brief period before the authors checked out. This is where the mystery began . . .

When we went to gather my display items, our acrylic Diablo’s Shadow information sheet was nowhere to be found. Since the book store had relocated my books from their original location, we thought that perhaps my display sheet may have been at the previous site, but alas, this was not the case. We looked under the tables, but there was nothing there. We scoured the trash bins. Not there, either. Not even in any empty boxes. Nope, the trail was cold. Now, as one might imagine, the competition among authors is fierce, but I can’t imagine any of them sabotaging my display. Then again, we are talking about murderous people who possess unlimited imaginations . . . How about an obsessed fan? Highly unlikely, considering their polished etiquette and the fact I’m hardly a household name. Besides, these attendees are some of the nicest people I’ve met. So, what about the book store folks? Get serious; they had plenty to pack, and my display is of no value to them. The hotel staff? Oh, please. Why would any of them risk their jobs to take a silly information sheet home? And so the mystery lingers . . .

Months have passed since this mysterious disappearance, so I must let it go. But I vow to return next year with a new and more stunning display! Perhaps I’ll taint it with dye so that anyone caught moving it would have purple hands. Or maybe I shall connect it to an electric current . . . Yeah, that would work if I framed it in metal. Okay, I won’t do either of those things. After all, displays are easily replaced. But beware—whoever you are. I will be watching, and if I find you, you may find yourself written into one of my future novels. Ah, a mysterious mind never stops plotting . . .