By the Numbers Moscow-Pullman Daily NewsSaturday, September 30, 2006 By Murf Raquet “MaryJane’s Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook — For the Farmgirl in All of Us,” by Moscow resident MaryJane Butters, is scheduled for its third printing. The Nov. 3 printing will be 10,000 copies, which will bring the total number of printed copies to 59,000. The book “focuses on the themes of a simplified and hopeful lifestyle, including keeping a home, raising a family, socializing with friends, and contributing to community,” according to a prepared statement from Butters. The 416-page hardcover book has more than 600 photographs and illustrations. It retails for $35. I was curious about how well the book was doing compared to similar publications. I also was interested in the buying demographic. I contacted the book’s publisher, Random House, and was asked to pose any questions via e-mail. I received the following reply from Lauren Shakley, senior vice president and publisher of Clarkson Potter, a subsidiary of Random House: “We are extremely pleased with the sell-thru of MaryJane’s first book and that it has established a steady rate of movement across many channels nationwide. Book publishing is not a science, so it is impossible to target her exact demographic. Based on the ongoing and active response to MaryJane’s Web site and our own grassroots campaign leading up to the book’s publication, we know that the core fan base are women who want to be part of a community. It is obvious that her fans like to connect with MaryJane and with one another. From what we can tell, there is strong interest from the Midwest. We are excited to be publishing her next book, “MaryJane’s Stitching Room” and have an announced first printing of 75,000.” The second book is slated for release in April. This book will be 144 pages and will offer more stories from Butters as well as more than 30 handicraft projects. |
