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Our Followup Interviews with Bobby Nash (Part 1)

Bobby Nash

An award-winning author, Bobby Nash writes novels, comic books, short stories, novellas, graphic novels, and the occasional screenplay for a variety of publishers. He is a member of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and International Thriller Writers. On occasion, Bobby appears in movies and TV shows. For more information on Bobby Nash please visit him at www.bobbynash.com 

The first of our two followup interviews with Bobby Nash:

Jim: Please tell us about your family connections within the military community.

Bobby: While I have not served myself, several members of my family have served in the military. My Dad, grandfather, aunts, uncles, and friends have served. I have the utmost respect for those who serve and I have researched and written military characters on multiple occasions.

Jim: Do you identify as an Indie author? If so, what are the best venues for a new Indie author?

Bobby: Generally, I call myself a writer or author. I don’t like attaching labels like indie author, New Pulp writer, sci-fi author, etc. to myself because I am more than just one thing. That said, if I’m talking to or being interviewed by an indie author group or publication, then I’m an indie author. Same with pulp, comics, etc. The labels don’t bother me. I just don’t apply them to myself. I do refer to myself as “award-winning author Bobby Nash” in press releases and promotion. I’ve found it helpful in reaching some readers.

Jim: What barriers to success does an author face day to day?

Bobby:

The biggest obstacle in my way daily is me. It’s time to write so I… clean the office, fall down the internet/social media rabbit hole, see what’s on TV, do laundry, fix a sandwich, take a walk… you know, anything but write. The hardest part of my day is making myself sit down and get started. Then, once you’re finally working, the outside distractions start, the phone rings, someone stops by, your parents need an errand run, emails come in, things like that. A writer has to learn how to juggle.

Once your work is ready to go out into the wild, there are hurtles that small press, indie, and self-published authors face. Distribution is how authors make money. Authors are paid in royalties. We get a small percentage of the price the publisher sells the book to the distribution chain, which is usually 40 – 50% below the cover price. A simple example: A $10 book is sold to Barnes & Noble for $5. If the author is paid a 10% royalty (to keep the math simple), then the author makes $.50 per book sold. Again, this is an example to keep the math simple. I’m a writer, not a mathematician.

The more books sell, the more the author makes. If they get an advance, that advance is against royalties/sales. In small press, indie, and self-publishing, there usually are not advances against royalties. If you have distribution in B&N, WalMart, Target, Publix, at the airport bookstores, Amazon, etc., the odds of your book being picked up increases. If your only avenue is Amazon and through them, B&N’s website, your odds of your novel being discovered by accident decreases and you sell fewer copies. Fewer copies = lower royalties. We have to find ways to get out work in front of potential buyers. This takes time and effort to do, which is fine, but you’re probably not writing while trying to sell your book. This is a barrier I am constantly working to find a way to overcome.

Jim: How do you best connect with your fans ?

Bobby: Either through social media or at conventions and appearances. I am on social media daily. That’s probably the easiest way to find me. It helps me stay connected. I do several cons and appearances a year and love getting out and meeting people face to face.

Jim: Do you enjoy doing book signings ? Are they successful ?

Bobby:

I love them. As I mentioned above, writing is a very solitary job so it’s nice to talk to people every once in a while. As for successful, that depends on what you’re looking to get out of a signing (or con, or event). For me, if I can expose new potential readers to my work, I consider an event a success. I give out business cards with my website, Amazon Author Page, and social media links on it. The hope is that they will look my books up from the comfort of their home in case they didn’t buy anything from me at the event. It’s all part of my promotion efforts.

In terms of promotion, I think they are successful. I share photos from the event, promote it before and during the event on social media, and do a write up on my website after. Doing this not only promotes my work, but the other authors in attendance and the venue hosting the event.

If you’re talking about money/sales, I’m not sure I would call them successful most of the time. I don’t make a lot of sales/money at these events. As an indie creator (I guess I did call myself that, huh?), I usually bring my own books to signings, usually at the store’s request. I bought those books, usually at a 40 – 50% discount plus shipping costs. In most cases, the store hosting the event then takes a cut of the sell (as it is in their store and they should get something out of the event), usually 40% (although it varies from store to store and some don’t take a cut). Doing that simple math again, $10 dollar book costs me $5.50 (a lowball shipping estimate per book). Store takes $4. That leaves a whole $.50 for me (and that’s without factoring in gas to the event, water and soda I brought with me, pens I purchased to sign with, business cards and postcards I bought, etc).

Jim: I purchased your Bobby’s Big Box of Books. Are you planning to offer a second box of autographed books ?

Bobby: Absolutely. I have some plans in place for other Bobby’s Big Box O’ Books releases. I’m looking into a Domino Lady themed box. That one might be limited as there’s not much stock left of those at the publisher. I’m also thinking about doing a crimefighters box featuring The Ruby Files and some other private eyes and crime fighters. That one is still in the early stages of planning.

Jim: Your Abe Snow thrillers are my favorite. When is the fourth book in the series coming out?

Bobby: Thanks. I love these characters. The fourth book, SNOW TRAPPED will be out in July.

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Author Interview – Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash

Bobby Nash is a prolific writer of pulp fiction, mysteries, thrillers, comic books, and much more. You might have heard of these novels: Evil Ways, Snow Drive, 85 North, Domino Lady: Money Shot. He’s got quite the following and makes frequent appearances at writing and comic conventions. You can find out almost everything you need about the author and his work at his website.

Nevertheless, I had a few questions for Bobby, and he obliged with some answers:

Bill: You’re a writer who produces products in many different media, including pulp novels and comic books. How successful do you feel you are you at marketing your work?

Bobby: I’ve learned a lot of marketing skills in the years I’ve been doing this so I’m better now than I was when I started, but I feel there is always room to improve. My books do not sell as well as I would like so anything I can do to get the books in front of potential readers helps. I am taking an on-line marketing class soon to learn some new skills. Most of my marketing skills are self-taught or bits and pieces I picked up along the way. I’ve had no formal marketing training. Also, each medium has its unique ways to market. Comic books and novels do not always have the same audience so I have to tailor my marketing to reach that audience.

Bill: You attend a fair amount of comic and writing conventions. How would you characterize your success at these fan-oriented events? Do they energize you and bring in new ideas?

Bobby: I love doing the conventions and conventions. Not only is it a great place for me to show off my books, but I meet interesting people, catch up with friends, and am surrounded by creative people. That is definitely a great energizer that helps reinvigorate my creative muse.

As for success, that depends on what you’re looking to get out of the cons. Money and sales is not my #1 goal, although it is probably my #2 goal because I am footing my own bill to and from cons and they are becoming more and more expensive. As I see it, I am there to showcase the books. If someone doesn’t buy a book, that’s okay. I make sure they go home with a card. They may purchase a copy off of Amazon when they get their next paycheck. With that in mind, cons are part of my marketing plans.

Bill: How do you handle working in a team such as when you write for a comic book series?

Bobby: I love working with artists. The finished comic is always better than I imagined and when a writer and artist really gel, there’s a kind of magic that happens. I love it. I don’t always know who the artist will be when scripts are written. In that instance, I tend to write heavier, more panel description, maybe a bit more dialogue. If I know the artist or know what the artist is capable of beforehand, I can parse that down and play to the artist’s strengths.

The key is collaboration. We are a team so I like to have open dialogue with the artist(s) when working. If the artists think a panel works better if we make a change, I am open to talking about it. The majority of the time, I agree and we make the change, which makes the book better.

Bill: What advice would you give a new author about marketing their work?

Bobby: Don’t let anyone tell you what type of marketing to do. Oh, sure, listen to advice, but at the end of the day, you know your product and your target audience. Using that, target your marketing plans to reach your audience. If you write a book about dogs, then market toward animal lovers, do a signing at a rescue shelter (rescue a pup, get a discount, that sort of thing). The trick is getting the word out and doing it in a way that is not annoying or turns potential readers off from your book.

Bill: What do you believe is your best approach to marketing on the web?

Bobby: I do a lot of pre-marketing. I talk about my books while I am working on them. That way, my posts about writing are seen by many, but they are not being hammered to buy anything. Later, when the book comes out, they are aware of it and some will buy it because they have been following the book’s progress on-line. I also mix in photos from cons, travel, etc. amongst the writing posts.

Bill: I read Evil Ways and it’s a gripping and engaging novel, and the characters are drawn in broad strokes, very larger-than-life. Is pulp fiction a growing genre?

Bobby: Thanks. Evil Ways was my first published novel and I am extremely proud of it. I learned a lot of lessons while writing it because I found out I broke a lot of “rules” because I didn’t really know what I was doing. Evil Ways is probably the most “me” of any of the stories I’ve written.

Pulp and New Pulp are great fun to write and there are multiple genres that can and do fall under the pulp umbrella. There is a fanbase, but it is a small one. Like any other medium or genre, it has growth spurts from time to time. There are some really good pulp stories being written these days.

Bill: Thanks for your time and consideration!

Bobby: My pleasure. This was fun.

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A Pleasant Spring Morning with Cross Creek Cats

Clouds

Clouds
The dew is still on the windowpane, the hot vapor of your coffee warms you, the first few sips begin to wake you more. You look out at the world, not yet engaged with the activities of the day, mind clear of strife and worry.

If only the whole day could be like this, you mutter. Perhaps you’ll open a book and read a bit, just to prolong the moment. There are authors that will give you a view through another window, a look into their life and experiences. Sit a while, let the cat curl up in your lap. It’s a quiet time to read.

We’ll bring you some people to read in future posts, in reviews and interviews.

Welcome to Cross Creek Cats.