Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

If you want your books noticed in the bookstore or the library, have a last name close to that of a famous author. Another way is of course to write a great book.

I was sitting in the public library this past week. While waiting for someone, I was looking at the books on the shelves from my spot at a table. I guess I was sitting in the fiction section as there was a shelf full of books by Louis L’Amour the author of old west tales. On either side of L’Amour’s books were others in the same genre.

Then it hit me – if I were looking for a particular book by L’Amour that wasn’t on the shelf, the next books I would peruse would be written by authors whose last name is next to “L’Amour” alphabetically. Duh! The libraries shelve a lot of books alphabetically by author. Most of the book stores do the same – in order by author’s last name alphabetically.

If you want your books noticed, have a last name close to that of a famous author.

For examples:

“L’Amous” if you write novels of the old west

“Asimow” if you write science fiction

“Steell” if you write romance novels

I haven’t tried this, but I only came upon the idea this week.

Of course, another way to have your book noticed is to write a great book.