What We're Writing Week: Why Preorder?

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Like several other Reds have copped to this week, I haven't yet started writing UNTITLED CLARE FERGUSSON/RUSS VAN ALSTYNE MYSTERY #10 (as it's so elegantly called in my contract.) I'm also at the research-and-noodling stage, with half a notebook filled with ideas, questions and themes. Today, I'm in Greenwich NY - just a hop, skip and jump away from Millers Kill - to visit friends and see the annual Lighted Tractor Parade, which I'm pretty sure will feature in the next book.

Instead of talking about writing, then, I'm going to talk about buying. Specifically, pre-ordering books. Lucy mentioned her next Key West Food Critic mystery, THE KEY LIME CRIME, is up for pre-order, even though the book won't be published unto July. So why should you order it now? Why pre-buy Jenn's PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, also out in July? Or HID FROM OUR EYES, coming in April, which has been available for pre-order for two months now?

For readers, there are several reasons why pre-ordering is a good idea. You don't have to remember that a book you want to read is coming out - you order it when you learn about it, and then have the happy experience of seeing it in the mail or getting a call from your local book store - is there any happier news than, "Your book's here!"

You can also skip waiting in line, ensure you'll actually be able to get your hands on a copy, and avoid getting spoiled as to the events in the book - because you'll have read it before anyone else!

B&N has a funny list of why pre-order, including this gem: "You can take the time before the book’s arrival to build yourself a cozy reading nook with food and water supplies and possibly plumbing. That way, when the book finally arrives, you can sit down and read without interruption."

But the number one reason to pre-order is that it materially supports the authors you love. No, we don't get our royalty payments any faster. (Oh, that it were!) Instead, pre-orders are one of the major ways our publishers gauge reader interest and commitment to our books. A book with strong pre-orders garners buzz in the industry - the numbers are passed around to book stores and publishing news outlets. Like any other product, just hearing an item is popular makes people more likely to check it out. (Doubt that? Look at the lines out the door at Apple stores the day a new iWhatever comes out.)

Good pre-order numbers tell bookstores they might want to order a few more copies, just in case. The publisher is going to consider upping the initial print run to keep up with demand. If a book is in the running to get on the New York Times bestseller list, every pre-order counts as part of the first week's sales. Since making the list depends on the number of books sold in a single week, you can see how important pre-orders are. (I'm pretty sure it was pre-orders that lifted me over the bar the first time I made the NYT list.)

Pre-orders help authors that aren't competing for a bestseller slot, too. Ever wish you could call a publishing company and say, "Hey! I love this person's books! Keep them coming!" Well, a pre-order does exactly that. And when its time for your favorite author to negotiate a new contract, you can bet everyone involved will be looking at those pre-order numbers to see how devoted her or his readers are. 

So I hope you'll consider pre-ordering THE KEY LIME CRIME

and PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA (it's 24% off at B&N!)

and HID FROM OUR EYES.

But please, don't stop with the Reds. Whenever you have an author you're passionate about, think about pre-ordering. It really, truly helps, and believe me when I say, we're grateful.