Lesson's Target Audience

I just finished reading a marketing article at Marketing Central, over at Amazon’s Create Space. One point made by the author of the article was the importance of identifying your book’s audience. Ironically, this was something I discussed with my daughter earlier today.

I believe Lessons appeals more to female readers in the 30-plus age bracket – and especially to those in the baby boomer generation, as the main male character was born in the mid-1940’s, and the female character in the mid-1950’s.

The story includes some adult scenes; therefore, the book is not for all readers. My mother (who is 83) loved the story. She has read it at least three times – and she is brutally honest with me, in that when I write something she doesn’t like (which I have), she will tell me. While Mom liked the book, I’m afraid it would be a bit racy for a few of her contemporaries.

It is an adult love story – and there are no vampires or zombies. Although, there is a brief encounter with a possible ghost, yet that is more in the realm of reality as opposed to fantasy.

My daughter reminded me she enjoyed the book, and she is just 29. I had her read Lessons before she designed its cover (she is a professional graphic artist.) At the time she read the book, my son-in-law asked her why anyone would want to read a romance about old people. Of course, he didn’t read the book, and the central characters were in their mid 30’s and 40’s during part of the story, and ten years older in the latter part.

The central characters from Lessons will be even older in the next book, The Senator’s Secret. Yet the love story will involve the next generation, along with murder.

Lessons , available in print – Almost

Lessons will be available in print, sooner than I originally anticipated. I am waiting to receive the proofs from the printers.

Yes printers, there are two of them. I decided to offer the book in hardback and paperback, as well as eBook format. Yet, I really don’t expect to sell any hardbacks, as the price is a little hefty, especially for a “new author.”  But, there is someone on my Christmas list who would love a hardback of the book, and I am hoping it arrives in time.

The hardback I’m doing through Lulu.com, and the paperback through Amazon’s Create Space.

The book still isn’t live on the Barnes and Noble Nook site, as I had some issues with my tax information. Hopefully, the book will be live next week. Yet, Nook readers can purchase the file at Smashwords.

On the marketing front, I recently joined Goodreads, yet am still familiarizing myself with the site.

So much to do, when all I really want to do is get working on the next book, The Senator’s Secret. It is also set in my fictional town of Coulson, and will bring back characters from Lessons.