tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post113466403173991965..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: The Truth About PublishersJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1135028873617083822005-12-19T15:47:00.000-06:002005-12-19T15:47:00.000-06:00Thanks Susan for the tips!Thanks Susan for the tips!HawkOwlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08506953701159624542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134869535745683832005-12-17T19:32:00.000-06:002005-12-17T19:32:00.000-06:00Getting out there and having brand recognition is ...Getting out there and having brand recognition is important. <BR/><BR/>I know that I probably wouldn't have purchased <I>Whiskey Sour</I> if I hadn't stumbled onto your blog.<BR/><BR/>Your humor here and on your site sold the book. I enjoyed <I>WS</I> enough that I'll soon buy <I>Bloody Mary</I>.emeraldcitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11495241111424476230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134853962162984392005-12-17T15:12:00.000-06:002005-12-17T15:12:00.000-06:00Something you missed (if I may):Help your publishe...Something you missed (if I may):<BR/><BR/>Help your publisher by helping other writers in their stable. They really appreciate that.<BR/><BR/>That said, you can pick up Beneath A Panamanian Moon (mine), JD Rhoades' Devil's Right Hand, and The Wheel Man by Duane Swierczynski, all three from St. Martin's Minotaur.David Terrenoirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482864941636273068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134846364032949512005-12-17T13:06:00.000-06:002005-12-17T13:06:00.000-06:00As a writer who has just started getting his first...As a writer who has just started getting his first bookstore, library, and school events, this post was extraordinarily helpful.<BR/><BR/>My rational for self-publishing was, like your early work Joe, I have about seven novels that publishers have passed on, and I can learn how to get radio and TV interviews (I sent press releases to every NPR station in the American West), learn how major chainstores as well as independent local stores work, learn how library systems work, and also how schools receive writers, how postcard mailings work, how conventions work, how to introduce yourself at all the booksellers' table at conventions, how to make sales calls, etc.<BR/><BR/>With a book, even a self-published book, you can learn all this stuff.<BR/><BR/>I can't wait until I get to the point where I actually have a publisher backing me up.<BR/><BR/>Once again, great post, Joe! Keep up the great work!<BR/><BR/>Your #1 Fan,<BR/><BR/>Stacey Cochran<BR/>www.staceycochran.comStacey Cochranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14128613653591282474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134781084374406362005-12-16T18:58:00.000-06:002005-12-16T18:58:00.000-06:00I've been lurking here quite a bit, Joe, but haven...I've been lurking here quite a bit, Joe, but haven't posted a comment before this. As a newbie to the biz myself, I'm tremendously grateful for all the good info and thoughtful commentary you've shared herein. <BR/><BR/>I came back today to reread your recent post concerning all the myriad beyond-Amazon-ranking writerly timesuck goodies available online. Since I have no moral fiber and am already a slave to the statcounter for my fledgling website (picture a crackhead lab rat hitting the "More Rock for Algernon" lever), I confess I cursed you for having supplied MORE devil's-candy links.<BR/><BR/>I bless you, though, for turning me on to a whole slew of Amazon features for authors I'd never heard of. I clicked through to check them out upon reading your post the first time, but couldn't do much as my book wasn't yet listed. Today, however, Google churned up a German book-maven URL with a link to my own tiny campsite on Planet Bezos. <BR/><BR/>I just wanted to thank you for the great dirt on those promo opportunities before hustling back over to get my tent pitched while there's still some light. Once the campfire's going strong, the first beer out of the cooler will be raised in a toast to you.Cornelia Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16690027252725967075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134723105503294962005-12-16T02:51:00.000-06:002005-12-16T02:51:00.000-06:00Dude, great blog. I have a question for you. Books...Dude, great blog. I have a question for you. Books cost money. ARCs don't. So how do I tap into the ARC lode and start getting free books - AND someone who wants to hear what I think of them?<BR/><BR/>(Hey, my word verification is vnvjvg. That's unusual!)HawkOwlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08506953701159624542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134700088745969872005-12-15T20:28:00.000-06:002005-12-15T20:28:00.000-06:00Great post, J.A.Have you ever thought about gettin...Great post, J.A.<BR/><BR/>Have you ever thought about getting together with the folks in Lynchburg, TN for some promotion? It seems like your books might sell them some liquor, and their liquor might sell you some books.<BR/><BR/>Just a thought.Jude Hardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09994813046526310594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134676954069828932005-12-15T14:02:00.000-06:002005-12-15T14:02:00.000-06:00So the whole 'toss a few boxes of books in the tru...So the whole 'toss a few boxes of books in the trunk and go across the country signing and selling them" thing WON'T get me Grisham's numbers?<BR/><BR/>So much for asking for gas cards for Christmas.<BR/><BR/>Oh wait, am I allowed to put Christmas on your blog Joe? I'll just add a bit.<BR/><BR/>Merry Happy ChrismaKwanzHanaFestimaszakahus y'all! Or just lay chilly on the 25th. <BR/>Whatever gets you gifts.Alphabeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12914679523208829232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134674621232998592005-12-15T13:23:00.000-06:002005-12-15T13:23:00.000-06:00You have a wonderful publisher, Joe.You have a wonderful publisher, Joe.Bob Farleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12511976142310659750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134673414331278592005-12-15T13:03:00.000-06:002005-12-15T13:03:00.000-06:00I think too many writers expect someone else to do...I think too many writers expect someone else to do the work. I remember having an online 'discussion' with another aspiring writer, who said that spelling and punctuation didn't matter in their manuscript, because "the editor will sort that out".<BR/><BR/>Another post full of great advice, Joe. Thanks. And yes, since I've been reading your weblog, I've ordered your books. Proof if proof were needed.Author-Geraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07413814636704961731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134672273752954602005-12-15T12:44:00.000-06:002005-12-15T12:44:00.000-06:00I'd like to add two other things publishers do. T...I'd like to add two other things publishers do. They design a professional cover and interior. They print the actual books.Stephen D. Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12356287007864614439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134671604447622172005-12-15T12:33:00.000-06:002005-12-15T12:33:00.000-06:00As always, you give us straight-up reality unspoil...As always, you give us straight-up reality unspoiled by attitude. Thanks Joe!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1134671330824551792005-12-15T12:28:00.000-06:002005-12-15T12:28:00.000-06:00Joe--I made my living generating positive press fo...Joe--<BR/><BR/>I made my living generating positive press for politicians for 10 years, and now generate positive press for a non-profit, so let me say...<BR/><BR/>Every single one of the ideas you throw out there about self-promotion is right on the money.<BR/><BR/>Every one of those things builds word of mouth, which is key to name recognition and brand recognition, which, as an author, mean one and the same thing.<BR/><BR/>None of those things will necessarily lead to a sale, except the obvious, "Hi, I'm J.A. Konrath and this is my book..."<BR/><BR/>But you have that part mastered.<BR/><BR/>And the word of mouth itself, which you do so well, WILL lead to sales. The key is to do all of it, and be relentless about it.<BR/><BR/>Good word of mouth begets more good word of mouth, which begets sales.<BR/><BR/>AdamAdam Hurtubisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193951132941597473noreply@blogger.com