I may have mentioned here before how we have the Best Readers in the World. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s true. For instance, folks often write to us and ask how they can help promote the Liaden Universe® and/or a favorite/the newest novel in the series.
As it happens, one of the things that helps a new book along is something called “buzz.” That’s when people talk about the book in their blogs, to their friends, to the barista, to co-workers — you get the picture. “Buzz” not only tells readers who may like the new book, but who have no way of knowing it exists, about the book, it also reminds readers who have been following all things Liaden that the book is due out realsoonnow.
All righty, then. If you’re one of the few, the proud, the Incredibly Lucky who scored a signed copy of Ghost Ship weeks ahead of the release date, or if you’ve read the eArc from Baen, there are a couple things that you can do to help Theo and Bechimo along the way.
1. You can post a reader’s review (no spoilers, please) at Barnes and Noble, which is accepting reviews now, even though it’s not shipping the book yet.
2. You can talk about the book in your own blog, if you have one. You may of course, use David Mattingly’s gorgeous cover in your discussion — I’ll paste it into the bottom of this entry for you.
3. You can request that your favorite review site review the book (we have some copies of the book that we might be able to send on — write to me at rolanniATkorvalDOTcom)
4. You can go over to Spoilerville and talk about Ghost Ship or to the Liaden Universe Spoiler Discussion on LJ
5. You can inquire of your local library if they intend to acquire Ghost Ship.
6. If you’re a member of a book club or reader’s group, you might consider bringing Ghost Ship to the group. Tomorrow! There will be a reader’s guide posted on Baen Books’ front page to help you get started.
7. If you have a favorite interview site, Sharon and Steve (together or separately) are pleased to do interviews, so don’t hesitate to recommend us. If you have a favorite local SF convention, don’t be afraid to suggest us as Guests of Honor, we have experience. We’ll also talk to libraries, college classes, and do live online interviews. Suggest! The worst that can happen is that the person you’re suggesting to says “no.”
General things to remember: Ghost Ship did not happen in a vacuum; it’s immediate predecessor, Saltation, sold out its first hardcover print run and went to a second printing, hit the Wall Street Journal bestselling science fiction list and placed in the Top Twenty Best Science Fiction Novels of 2010 in the Locus Magazine Poll.
Also — I know I don’t have to say this to you guys, but — be polite. If someone does say “no”? That’s cool. We’re not everybody’s cup of tea, and neither is our work — that’s life. Similarly, if someone says they don’t do space opera, or the book doesn’t sound like Their Thing — also cool. Insisting never actually convinced anybody to like something, and we all have our crotchets.
Thank you very kindly for your continued goodwill and support.
I’m pleased to report that my library has seven copies on order and 27 requests. The only reason I’m not one of them is that my copy is on order.
Although it’s relatively short notice, Hennepin County Library, St. Paul Public Library, or Ramsey County Library might be interested in hosting talks while you’re here to sign at Uncle Hugo’s. My first exposure to your books (Local Custom) was when I picked up a copy at a St. Paul library in 2004. I’m going to pick up my holds shortly and will ask the librarian for info.
Oops — thought I’d answered this.
Have you made contact with the various librarians (and so know that they’re interested) or is this a suggestion of people to call?
In either case, if you have contact names, phone numbers and/or emails, that would help immensely. You can drop me a note at rolanniATkorvalDOTcom
Thanks!
I got an early copy via Uncle Hugo’s. I plan to donate it to my public library, if I can ever pry it out of my father’s hands.
First and foremost, I adored GhostShip. The pacing, the characterization, Bechimo, everything. You can bet your last war-bot I’ve been talking it up to every reader I know, with a blog post under way (hopefully for this week).
My dad and I both read your books with devotion and eagerly look forward to new arrivals. That being said, the instant we read a new one, we hotly debate everything involved. After reading GhostShip, we’ve come up with only one disappointing deficiency.
The book invariably comes to an end, and we have to wait for the next one. 🙂
Thank you both for an excellent book!