Drawings, in terms of books, can mean two completely different things:
1. Illustrations
2. Giveaways
Let’s look at why you would want or need either.
“Pitchers”
Most people consider “drawings” something for a children’s book or a graphic novel. In fact, there are a number of books which benefit greatly from drawings. Consider the broader term, which includes tables, decorations and maps.
When you were first learning to read, the first book with no pictures got slumped shoulders, hang dog look and possibly crocodile-sized tears. Why? Illustrations give us a break and enhance our visual imagination.
For centuries illuminated books were the most sought after because the chapter plates were pieces of art in their own right. Especially in books of poetry, an illustration goes a long way toward setting mood.
Does your story line travel a path? Even a map in the prologue or epilogue will give the direction-challenged a better handle on your story.
One of the more novel ideas is to have a illustration announce or warn of a character whose pivotal nature may not be revealed early in the story. Associating characters with illustrations of their professions is an easy way to accomplish this.
Are you guilty of this?
*****
Consider a piece of scrollwork to take the word processor feel out of your piece by giving your reader’s eyes a gentle break.
The Hat
The other type of drawing is the giveaway. Some authors will not give away a book for all the acclaim in the world. Others pass them out like breath mints at a garlic sampling party.
Giveaways generate good karma in a number of ways. They also yield a list of readers who are interested in your book… and possibly subsequent books, provided you deliver a quality product.
Feels Good: Do you like to win? So does most everyone else you have ever met. Your book may be the only thing someone ever wins.
Gathers Interest: Someone who sees your giveaway may not be all that interested in your book. On the other hand, it may be directly up the alley of that person’s BFF. Referrals are great and can lead to reviews.
Creates Buzz: “Have you entered yet?” is the question on people’s lips and fingertips.
Increases Followers: When you are willing to give away your work, readers perceive you in a more approachable light. Those who do not win are willing to see what else you have going on (blog, website, other works) while they read the copy they bought.
Generates Demand: Giveaways which generate many entries show how popular your book is. If 1,500 people entered to win, it should be worth $3.50 as an ebook.
Creates Buyer Base: The entrants have some interest. The non-winning list is a good place to market when you put the book on sale or put out your next title.
The Line
Inevitably, someone is going to go too far. A 92,471 word book is not a good candidate for 137 illustrations… not even small ones. Using drawings to make your book longer increases production costs without delivering a good deal of value, regardless of how good the drawings are.
In fact, overdoing it with artwork is a way to price yourself out of the market. Good illustrations can cost you anywhere from $50 (tiny one) to upwards of $500 for a photograph or a detailed custom-designed piece of page-sized, camera ready art.
Same goes for the other type of drawing. Running giveaways too close together will not stimulate sales. In fact, it deters sales. After a drawing, customers will contemplate purchasing the book. If they find out you are giving away another copy before they decide to bite the bullet, even for 99 cents, they will bide their time and play the odds.
Think that’s wrong? How many people play the lottery? There you have it.
Frequent giveaways can devalue your book. Customers think you have to give it away to generate interest, ergo the book must not be all that interesting on its own. Unless you can show customers the value of your book, they will wait for a free copy.
Balance
Consider illustrations where they are appropriate. When in doubt, take a survey from your beta team.
Give away copies for big events:
- 1,000 books sold
- Anniversary
- After large media campaign, public interview or book signing
All things in moderation.
Do you have/want illustrations in your book? Have you held a drawing for a free book or ebook? Do you sell or give away autographed copies?
Hashtags: #AtoZChallenge #marketing #books
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Gail Thornton
/ April 4, 2013I have professional illustrations related to my cover art by the same artist from Redmund Productions in my poetry book. They are present at the beginning of each chapter. My editor helped me with the decision to use them, The illustrations are all flowers, which relates to the title, The Regret of a Flower. I think they synthesize the varied chapters in a way I couldn’t have done without. I haven’t had a giveaway yet. But I have and do sell autographed copies at no extra cost. The inscriptions are either personal, if I know them, or something they wish to have in the book. Thank you for this post, Red!
Gail Thornton recently posted..Energized
Red
/ April 5, 2013I am glad you accepted the drawings into yours. I really felt they were representative of the chapters. A nod to a storied tradition of illumination was a plus. xxx
BuddhaKat
/ April 4, 2013Excellent topic> I especially like your point that adding illustrations to an already wordy book can increase cost that may not be commensurate with retail value.
Having been an all art book author, I acknowledge that they are more expensive to produce, and yet well worth it if the product is high quality, which mine absolutely is!!
I think I see a short ebook (or more) being born right before my eyes, here *wink, wink*.
🙂
BuddhaKat recently posted..D is for… Dance Galactica
MJ Logan
/ April 4, 2013A to Z book publishing? I was thinking the same thing.
MJ Logan recently posted..D is for Dimwit
Red
/ April 5, 2013Considering how much I have which did not make it because of limit suggestions… Although, to be thoroughly honest, if A to Z participation does not pick up any more than it has, I will go back to M3 length posts for all of them. Meh. Do you or Janet (or anyone else reading this comment) have suggestions beyond what I have listed on the A to Z page? Comment them here or there.
Red
/ April 5, 2013I think there are a number of people who would love to see this as an ebook, not only for the references I would put in it, but also for the parts I let hit the editing room floor. There were a plethora of topics I had which did not make the final cut.
Bo Lumpkin
/ April 4, 2013D is for delighted, which I have been with your A to Z post. I am thoroughly enjoying them. Wh knows, I might even learn something.
Bo Lumpkin recently posted..Things Change
Red
/ April 5, 2013Judging from your participation, I believe you already are. Thank you for being supportive.
Laurie
/ April 4, 2013The first two are illustration free, the next one won’t be….some points require them.
Laurie recently posted..D is for Death
Red
/ April 5, 2013I think that is an excellent choice, especially if you are talking about the book I believe you are.
Laurie
/ April 5, 2013I’m sure I am, it is what my spare time would be dedicated to this week.
Laurie recently posted..E is for Exhaustion, Elimination and Energy
Red
/ April 5, 2013Oh, good. I could do with some non-fiction. That one is going to definitely beta more. I will be second beta for it.
MJ Logan
/ April 4, 2013D is for drawing water out of the well. If I keep up this aa to zz thing, I’ll be zzzing unless I get something to drink besides water.
MJ Logan recently posted..D is for Dimwit
Red
/ April 5, 2013I saw you were doubling up, when I started pinning your posts to the RedmundPro Pinterest board for A to Z. I have to backtrack and catch up. It so does not pay to take a day off to work.
Binky
/ April 4, 2013I always thought illustrations such as maps or for things that are difficult to accurately describe would be a bonus to many books. Traditionally, other than maybe in the frontispiece, it seems to be frowned upon though.
Binky recently posted..Honest Fashion
Red
/ April 5, 2013The school who frowns is going bankrupt. Engaging images in books have always been more endearing than those with no signature beyond the cover, which (as you pointed out) leaves a far shorter lasting impression than many authors (and artists) would like.
John McDevitt
/ April 4, 2013Moderation is the key. When I ‘did’ the second edition of my grandmother’s cookbook I wanted to enhance the book and give a glimpse into the life of my grandmother. I choose an old photograph to place on the first page of each chapter. Clutter never works.
John McDevitt recently posted..Happy Birthday Julia
Red
/ April 5, 2013I agree wholeheartedly with illumination, whether drawings or pertinent photographs. We agree entirely on the KISS method. Glad to see you today, John.
Tess Kann
/ April 4, 2013I haven’t had experience yet. I am not fully developed–yet.
Love your A – Z’s. Most instructional.
Tess Kann recently posted..Flash in the Pan – Diner
Red
/ April 5, 2013Yet being the operative word. 🙂
Prenin
/ April 5, 2013I doubt if I’d need illustrations in my books, but I’ve seen a few that had them when I was a child and the younger the target audience the more illustrations there were.
Favorite illustrated books?
Beatrix Potter’s creations! 🙂
God Bless!
Prenin.
Prenin recently posted..Thursday – Shopping day.
Red
/ April 5, 2013That thinking is dying off, for which I am thankful. I do not believe in the segregation of adults and illustrations. Only in the 20th century did it become taboo. I am glad it is over.
Sue Dreamwalker
/ April 6, 2013No never given away a book as Ive never written one 😉 But I have given away Lots of my paintings, I sent one to Australia an angel picture as his mum said how much he loved it… And he was in need of an angel at the time! His Mum wrote me back to say it was safely on his bedroom wall…….. Shame shortly after that they disappeared from the blogging world on Live Spaces days.. I often wonder if that angel is still hanging about somewhere? ..
Great post
Sue Dreamwalker recently posted..My Creative Art~Trees
Red
/ April 8, 2013Likely, it is, Sue. Art has a tendency to live on, even when passed from one to another. I have art in my home from the early 1920s, ’40s and ’80s. A print in my bath is 90 years old this year. I am certain she will hang in another house long after I am gone. xxx