Why hasn't anyone written a Kobe Bryant biography?

Truth.

I'm on the fiction side of things. Two novels, both well-received if not exactly buying me a place in the Hamptons. I despise bookstore signings. It's you and your book people may or may not know about against the thousands of books behind you. Terrible odds. I've never been skunked, but I've generally had plenty of time to ponder my navel. Bookstore signings, at best, are a necessary evil for the unknown/little known author.

I've done far better, and had much more fun, putting together programs for library groups and being available to book clubs. Those sales also come at a 55 percent royalty (on books bought wholesale from the publisher), which is the best rate I'm ever going to see.

 

I differ on the bookstore stuff.

A lot of book store sales depends on the store, yourself your publisher. I have done great in some B&Ns and others I sell maybe a handful. Same things goes with small, local stores. One of my publishers is great to work with and still promotes older books. Another apparently had a hamster running the p.r. department. Also, I have no problem trying to get people over to my table to look at books. Yes, you do get the occasional screwball who talks your ear off for an hour about the book they want to write about their memaw's childhood in nebraska and scare off real buyers. However, you also get people who come over and say "you know what my dad loves gay western porn" who never would have stopped.

That being said...my non-sports books sell much better than the sports ones. It kind of bums me out because I researched the heck out of my sports books.

 

If I'm going to read about an asshole I would prefer it be an evil genius sort, not a dolt like Kobe Bryant.

 

Ditto. It's frustrating that well-researched sports books don't get the respect or the attention they deserve.

 

Double J, but at least you can holler at people "he, she's a dyke" in the store and get a response with your book!

 

Some do... But if you're last name isn't Halberstam or Maraniss, no one will care.

 

Did Buster Olney's latest book sell much? I'm thinking it probably didn't.

I sometimes think that their are so many great stories in sports and that telling some of the lesser known ones would translate better into books, but I'm not sure sales figures would back me up.

 

It may be a good way to go. However, publishers write checks for advances.

 

As much as I liked Moneyball, I was stunned it became as popular as it did...

I remember someone telling me that the Bosworth autobiography outsold Season on the Brink.

 

Olney's book released in November 2010. It has sold between 20,000-30,000 copies.

 

OK, dumb question, but what would be considered a success?

Obviously that's not a huge number, but how did it do vs. expectations?

 

I know guys who have written regional sports books and some of them have sold between 5,000-10,000 so I'm guessing Olney's numbers would be considered pretty low.