re about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slo

I believe in focusing on the needs authors have as they publish and market their books. But more than that – as a publisher, I believe that spending a good deal of time and energy on communication with and personal service to authors helps publishers keep the ones they have and attract new ones. The tips that follow are based on my experiences and theirs.

Email to authors is not just for announcing the latest marketing tip

Email is the most reliable way to reach most authors on a publisher’s roster. While I spend a lot of time nudging our whole group of authors forward with emails about co-operative marketing opportunities and new ways for them to try punching up their sales, I spend nearly as much time just chatting with them when they seem to need that. Sometimes, it is good to just say, “Hello, how are you doing?” or “Did you have a good weekend?” or “I was thinking about you today, and thought I’d say hello.” If you make your approach friendly and personal, if you’re truly interested in the author’s life and willing to share bits of your own, your thoughtfulness will be repaid.

I answer emails from authors right away or, if that’s impossible, within a couple of hours. I do this partly because it is easier than trying to remember to respond later but also because it shows I care about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slow

n my experiences and theirs.

Email to authors is not just for announcing the latest marketing tip

Email is the most reliable way to reach most authors on a publisher’s roster. While I spend a lot of time nudging our whole group of authors forward with emails about co-operative marketing opportunities and new ways for them to try punching up their sales, I spend nearly as much time just chatting with them when they seem to need that. Sometimes, it is good to just say, “Hello, how are you doing?” or “Did you have a good weekend?” or “I was thinking about you today, and thought I’d say hello.” If you make your approach friendly and personal, if you’re truly interested in the author’s life and willing to share bits of your own, your thoughtfulness will be repaid.

I answer emails from authors right away or, if that’s impossible, within a couple of hours. I do this partly because it is easier than trying to remember to respond later but also because it shows I care about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slo

r them to try punching up their sales, I spend nearly as much time just chatting with them when they seem to need that. Sometimes, it is good to just say, “Hello, how are you doing?” or “Did you have a good weekend?” or “I was thinking about you today, and thought I’d say hello.” If you make your approach friendly and personal, if you’re truly interested in the author’s life and willing to share bits of your own, your thoughtfulness will be repaid.

I answer emails from authors right away or, if that’s impossible, within a couple of hours. I do this partly because it is easier than trying to remember to respond later but also because it shows I care about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slo

if you’re truly interested in the author’s life and willing to share bits of your own, your thoughtfulness will be repaid.

I answer emails from authors right away or, if that’s impossible, within a couple of hours. I do this partly because it is easier than trying to remember to respond later but also because it shows I care about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slo

re about whatever purpose an author had in writing.

Avoid using all caps and multiple exclamation points in emails to authors, even if they use those things, since they make it sound as though you are shouting. And if you must convey something less than pleasant -- such as news having to do with money, corrections, or slow sales – be factual and give reasoned explanations. Remember, everything you write in an email can be held against you later, but communicating the tougher news is much easier when you have a solid email relationship going.

Send a card now and then – old-fashioned but tried and true

I enclose a handwritten note card with every snail mail piece I send to authors, (except for invoices), with just a few words geared to each author (no fair writing the same thing over and over). I also enclose a hand-written card with new contracts, with CD ROMs of digital proofs, with galleys, with reviews, with royalty payments and sometimes I send one just to say thank you for being one of our authors.

Now that this very old marketing/PR technique has faded into oblivion in the digital world, it actually makes a difference. It says that you are a real human being and that you think the author is too. A card can pave the way to open communications with an author who has not been as responsive as you had hoped. It is hard to ignore a personal hand-written card sitting right there in your hand.

Don’t rush on the phone

I answer my own phone – using caller ID to say “Hi, Bill, how are you?” instead of something formal whenever I recognize the caller’s name -- and I make it a point to return