A: Write a different book. Then I'd find a different, perhaps bigger, niche. I'd still think in terms of The Long Tail marketing to a specific, albeit larger, audience rather than taking a scattergun approach to the entire world. In fact, I'm planning to do that with, I think, the fourth book. It'll be set in current time and have a female protagonist. Still set in the West, though, because that's what I do. What I am. A Westerner.
The audience for God's Thunderbolt, as you've mentioned, is comprised of Montanans and those interested in reading about Montana, or interested in reading historical fiction set in the West. There are people in that audience all over the world, so I depend on the Internet. Ultimately, word of mouth sells books. The best marketing method in the world is one person telling another, "I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. You gotta read this."
That happens to God's Thunderbolt, but will it happen to Gold? [Buchanan's next novel.] It's not guaranteed. As an aside, people say not to depend on friends' reactions. After God's Thunderbolt came out, my friends started buying it and reading it. I enjoyed hearing the relief in their voices when they were able to tell me they loved the book. I could just imagine them thinking, "Whew. I don't have to fib."
Q: Thank you.
A: Thank you very much for writing about God's Thunderbolt and me.
Article comments
1 - Heidi M. Thomas
God's Thunderbolt is an excellent book, well-written and thought-provoking. I'm very proud to say I know Carol and congratulate her on her prestigious award!
Heidi