How to Make a Book a Bestseller...Will it Work for Shawn Klomparens?

Many of you have already heard the buzz about Catherine McKenzie's Facebook page I bet we can make this book a bestseller! If you haven't, get ready for grassroots social networking at its best. She is calling it The Author Effect, and began the group because she felt there were books out there that deserved more attention than they were getting.

Being a big fan of Shawn Klomparens, she decided to start this effort to see if she could make a difference. Catherine is a lawyer and the author of the novel Spin, and both Catherine and Shawn were gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.

PT: Catherine, when did you start the Author Effect, and what are your results so far?

I started the project around May 15th and the results so far have been pretty good, I think. Over 600 people in the group, lots of people telling me they are buying the books and Shawn has had some pretty high rankings on Amazon.ca and Amazon.com. I've also noticed that his books have sold out there a few times. I've also been contacted by a few booksellers who have said they have ordered his books. Project has started to get some local attention where I am in Montreal - local news programs, radio etc. Of course, I'm hoping this is just the beginning.

PT: What is your goal with this group?

My goal with this group is to create a focused online book club for books that I feel passionate about. As an author, you spend so much time talking about your own book and not much about other people's (at least that's been my experience). I don't know about you, but I personally don't like talking about myself that much, but I do like talking about other people's books that have affected me. To take but one example, and I'm not saying he owes me anything, but when I read A Million Little Pieces I talked about that book to everyone I knew for months because I loved it so much. I'm just amplifying the volume a little here to see what effect social media really has.

PT: Can you address the suspicious naysayers? There are those who don't believe that someone as busy as you, a lawyer and published author, would spend the considerable amount of time it takes to do this, and that you must be on someone's payroll, either Amazon's or Shawn's. What do you have to say to the critics?

I have to say I laughed out loud the first time someone suggested this to me. As if Amazon would be paying me to pump a book - my book is not even out in the States! The idea of Shawn paying me to do this is equally odd to me. Wouldn't it make more sense for him to pay a professional online marketer - and there are many. No, the truth is Shawn didn't even know I was doing this until after I set up the group and there are a few things I would do differently if I started over (like ask him first, for one!). As for the time question, I'm actually taking the summer off from law so I have some time on my hands. I needed a little project to keep myself busy and this is what I chose to do.

PT: I would imagine you are getting bombarded with requests from authors to feature their book next. Will you do this again with another book, and if so, how will you make your selection?

Yes, I have received many requests. My current intention is to do it again depending on the results of this go around. I am not sure yet how I will select the next book - it has to be a book that speaks to me but is not getting enough attention so it might be a little hard to choose. Maybe I'll pass the mantle to Shawn :)


PT: So Shawn, how does it feel to have a Fairy Godmother? How did you hear about Catherine’s undertaking, and what has it done for your writing career so far?

I'm extraordinarily grateful that Catherine chose my books for the project. I learned about it on Twitter, and have to say I was pretty stunned when I clicked over to check it out. As for writing, this has served to remind me that books are great things, and the greatest reward in writing them is knowing that people are reading and enjoying them.

PT: Has Random House had any reaction to this yet? How about your agent?

I haven't heard anything from my publisher, but I can only assume they'd be okay with it. My agent seemed pleased the books were getting some attention.

PT: What’s next for you? Are you working on another novel?

In fits and starts, yes, I've been writing another book.

PT: Tell me about the bread baking.
(If you follow Shawn on Twitter you will find he frequently posts pictures of his delicious looking creations!)

You need three things for good homemade bread: an unglazed ceramic pizza stone, high-protein flour and a sponge starter fermented overnight in the fridge.

Final note from Michele: I started reading Two Years, No Rain two days and am loving it! Amazing dialog, terrific characters, and I especially like how Shawn is gradually revealing the layers of his main character...it's keeping me turning the pages and staying up way too late! I will have to add Jessica Z. to my reading list.