Comments on: Promotion; it’s more than just an idea

By: Pelotard

Pelotard — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:41:16 +0000

One question, though: if I ever manage to attract the attention of an agent, isn’t promotion one of the aspects where I’d expect the agent to help out? I see that as division of labour: I write, the agent books me at various promotion happenings that (s)he thinks are relevant to the book, I go there and smile at people and try to convince them I’ve written something interesting.

Of course, I write for a fairly general audience, so there’s no particular niche to target, and – well – a bit wot Aloria said, really: I realize I don’t have the skills in logistics and contacts in publishing and bookselling, but surely, the publisher would know [i]something[/i] about marketing books to the general public?

By: NinjaFingers

NinjaFingers — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:07:22 +0000

For my part, I didn’t realize just how many independent bookstores are within striking distance of me until I looked. I’m hoping I can talk some of them into hosting signings or readings when the time comes. And being an F&SF writer I have the advantage of the con circuit. There’s a great con an hour from me, every year, that attracts a lot of writers. And I want an excuse to go . And an excuse to go to DragonCon. And…

Oddly, I get terrible stage fright. But…I think I can handle it.

By: levimontgomery

levimontgomery — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:23:44 +0000

*mops industriously*

By: Aloria

Aloria — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:12:25 +0000

Lol.
You’d better get a mop for that sarcasm, Levi. it’s a slipping hazard. ^_~

By: levimontgomery

levimontgomery — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:09:39 +0000

Aloria, I’ve told you this over and over. you just don’t get it, do you.

Repeat after me: self-publishing is BAD BAD BAD!

Repeat until believed.

By: Aloria

Aloria — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:04:01 +0000

I know I’m opening a can of worms asking this, but I really would like to know:
If authors have to promote themselves and sell their books themselves without any help from the printers or editors or anyone else involved in the process, what’s the difference between going POD and going with a publisher?

Now, I’m sure you’re going to harp at me about how self publishing is BAD BAD BAD! But doesn’t it teach the same skills needed for going with a publisher?
IE: finding an audience, promoting the book to that audience, and selling them books.

By: lynnpricewrites

lynnpricewrites — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:36:06 +0000

Yes, um, sorry, the are, indeed, on backorder – you can order directly from us if you like (it’s cheaper!).

We switched distributors, and this threw off our November release date of TB since they had to get all our stock from our old distributor. I have it on good authority that the books will start shipping out in about a week.

In the meantime, you can order directly from us if you like. It’s cheaper! Just email me; lynn@behlerpublications.com

By: Voidwalker

Voidwalker — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:29:38 +0000

Yeah, I actually hit up the Border’s Book Store today on my lunch break. I tried to find it, but they said it was backlogged in the warehouse and they’d have to backorder it. **or some shenannagins like that** Soooo, I sadly walked away, finished my lunch in my car and went back to work. I’ll have to order it online.

By: lynnpricewrites

lynnpricewrites — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:36:15 +0000

Well, ah, ahem...I hear The Writer's Essential Tackle Box is very good...

By: Voidwalker

Voidwalker — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:08:41 +0000

Quite eye opening info here. I love hearing it from your perspective. I would like to ask what, if any, book or blog article, would help me as a new-to-the-industry-writer get a good grip on platform/promotioning proposals?