I'm celebrating the upcoming release of my domestic suspense novel House of Lies which has just gone on preorder for the bargain price of 99p/99 cents. But there's a good reason why some of my readers shouldn't buy it.
House of Lies is a rerelease of a backlist novel that originally had the title Lies Behind the Ruin, published in 2019 by a different publisher. The ebook was rebranded in 2023. I would hate for anyone to download a novel they've already read. But if you haven't read it and you enjoy slow burn domestic thrillers set in London and France, please grab it now at this link.
UK Readers - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H94VMGHK
US and other Readers - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8Z5K134
What is this thing called backlist, and why do publishers decide to rerelease previously published novels?
Here's what I've learned.
Why would an author want their novel rereleased?
An author's backlist is an asset. It's like cash in the attic or a nest egg for a rainy day. But if it's been languishing with the original publisher for years, chances are that publisher is too busy focussing on new books and not promoting or advertising older titles. Unless you are one of that publisher's top authors, your novel will slip down the rankings. Soon it will become undiscoverable as it's increasingly invisible to the algorithm. But a previously published novel isn't an 'old' novel to a reader. It's just a book you haven't yet read.When publishers sign an author's book, they take the rights to publish that book for a set number of years - two or five or seven. Some contracts might not have an end date but there will usually be a clause that says if royalties drop below a certain level over a set time period, the author can request the rights back.
Why do publishers rerelease backlist novels?
Many reasons. Sometimes a publisher might decide to close, perhaps for economic reasons. When this happens, another publisher might see it as a commercial opportunity to sign up some talented authors and relaunch their books. I have benefited from this when one of my previous publishers closed and Bloodhound Books republished three novels from my backlist. Another reason could be to capitalise on the success of a book that's selling well. While readers are waiting for a new book by that author, the publisher might decide to reissue a backlist novel to keep up interest. I'm happy to say that my February release I I Were You (a brand new domestic thriller) has been selling really well in English, French and German editions so I'm hoping that's why my publisher DP Books made an offer to republish House of Lies.
Why do publishers change the title when they rerelease a novel? Isn't this confusing for the reader?
I thought the same. The last thing I want is to confuse readers into buying a book they've already read. If it's the same book with a new title, that's a risk. The other thing that bothers me about changing the title is that I will lose the 1.2k fabulous reviews with a good average rating of 4.2 stars. If the book's title changes, those reviews are lost. It turns out the reason is the dreaded algorithm. Rereleases aren't treated the same as a brand new release and there's a risk it could get less attention from the algorithm. Who knew? I have to trust my publisher to do the best for my book.
So, why should you read House of Lies?
This is a story for readers who like a slow burn plot on a human scale with relatable challenges that many people face. One reader review described it as "Characters whose problems are so real they feel like your own struggles." Gradually readers figure out that all is not as it seems. There are dual points of view and not everyone is telling the truth. In fact I have intentionally used a device that lets the reader know more than the characters so readers understand what is really going on before a main character does. While some readers might think this is a wasted twist, for others, it ratchets up the empathy they will feel for certain other characters. As the stakes grow ever higher, it's hard to know who to trust.
What's House of Lies about?
Here's the blurb.
A fatal workplace accident. A double life. And questions that nobody can answer.
After years of hardship, Emma's chance of happiness is tinged with heartbreak. Together with her husband Paul and their daughter, Mollie, she takes a chance and moves to France, where an old ruin is set to become their new home, far away from their problems in England. But she's forced to leave her son behind.
Yet renovating an old building takes a greater toll on the family than expected and they are soon burdened with financial worries, conflicts and the challenges of life in a foreign country. At the same time, strange incidents begin to happen which make Emma increasingly nervous.
What began as a fresh start turns into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Distrust poisons their marriage, old lies come to light, and the situation spirals out of control.
In the midst of the idyllic Limousin countryside and a new community, Emma fights for her family – and she needs to figure out who she can still trust. And the dream of a new beginning turns into a struggle for trust, truth and safety. Because some people don't give up. And some secrets don't stay buried.
UK Readers - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H94VMGHK
US and other Readers - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H8Z5K134
I'm signing off with some sad news.
This might be my last blog on my website helenmatthewswriter.com which has been running for almost nine years. Sadly, the hosting company is no longer supporting the legacy editor. This means I will no longer be able to produce new content or edit old posts. I simply can't afford to pay the huge amounts that businesses can spend on their website. Over the years, I've had brilliant feedback about my website and blog. I will be looking for a new home - perhaps on Substack. In the meantime, I thank all my readers for their wonderful support and especially for buying my books.