Pixel Hall Press Is Testing the Waters in How Pre-Publication Discounts Can Boost a New Book's Amazon (and Other Website) Ratings with the Help of INscribe Distributor
(PRWEB) August 12, 2014 -- Pixel Hall Press, a small boutique publisher, noticed that some books – particularly the top titles from big publishers – seem to automatically achieve high rankings on Amazon and other bookstore sites, before they’re even available for sale. But those rankings are based on sales; in other words, on how many people have actually ordered that particular book on that website. How do they do it? By offering the book for pre-order weeks or even months before its publication date.
“We have two books coming out this autumn that are so intriguing and beautifully crafted that they deserved every chance we can give them,” explained Cynthia Dadson, Director of Marketing for Pixel Hall Press. “So, I set out to see how we could use a pre-publication discount to give ‘Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories’ by Nancy Christie and ‘The Winter Boy’ by Sally Wiener Grotta a boost right out of the gate.”
The problem is that small publishers don’t have the relationship with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple or the other book websites that larger houses do. “It’s like a closed shop,” Dadson said. “You need to have a larger footprint, a bigger inventory of books, before those sites will even talk to you. And we have no intention of ever becoming large.”
Then, Pixel Hall Press signed with INscribe, a major eBook distributor, which has a similar relationship with online book sellers as the big publishers. Now, both books – at least the eBook editions – are available on discounted pre-order. On their publication dates, the prices will go back up to retail, the pre-ordered eBooks will be automatically delivered to customers’ eReaders or tablets, and all those sales will be applied to the books’ ranking that first day.
“It’s an experiment for us. And we'll report on the results to help other small publishers,” Cynthia Dadson explained. “Now, our task is to get the word out, so Christie’s and Grotta’s fans can save money, support two great authors, and have the opportunity to read two wonderful works of fiction.”
About “Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories” by Nancy Christie
“These 18 stories… are complex, varying, and thoroughly imaginative, introducing a fresh voice to fiction that is both ironic as well as gorgeously gloomy… heart wrenching, and familiar." ~ Mary Sellers, “What Is That Book About”
The characters in “Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories” are unable or unwilling to seize control over their lives, relying instead on coping methods that range from passive to aggressive, humorous to hopeful. But the outcomes may not be what they anticipated or desired. Will they have time to correct their course or will they crash?
“Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories” will be published in paperback and eBook (all formats) on September 9th. Until then, it's available as a discounted pre-order on Amazon, Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other websites.
About “The Winter Boy” by Sally Wiener Grotta
Reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Mary Doria Russell and Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Winter Boy” explores important political and social issues within a dynamic, character-driven otherworld, wrapped up in masterful storytelling.
In "The Winter Boy," a cloistered society of widows has forged a centuries-long peace by using storytelling, reason and sex to train young men destined to be leaders. But a new widow's first season with a "problem" boy erupts into conflict, anger and danger, when she uncovers a web of conspiracies that threaten his life and could destroy their entire society.
“The Winter Boy” will be published in print and eBook (all formats) on November 6th. Until then, it's available as a discounted pre-order on Amazon, Apple iBookstore,Barnes & Noble, Kobo and other websites.
About Pixel Hall Press
Pixel Hall Press is a relatively new, old-fashioned small publishing house whose focus is on discovering literary gems and great stories that might otherwise be overlooked. Our mission is to publish books that energize the imagination and intrigue the mind, and to be a conduit between readers and provocative, stimulating, talented authors.
In this era of digital technology, Wall Street involvement and merger mania, many mainstream publishers seem to have lost sight of core principles and the purpose of publishing. At the other end of the spectrum is the veritable avalanche of self-published books that are notoriously uneven in quality. Small boutique imprints like Pixel Hall Press are reclaiming the heart and soul of publishing by reviving the idea that a publisher's "raison d'être" is finding and nurturing great writers, and to provide readers with beautiful, meaningful, truly enjoyable books.
Cynthia Dadson, Pixel Hall Press, http://www.pixelhallpress.com, +1 (570) 676-5500, [email protected]
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