tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post114450809186236699..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Am I Evil? Yes I Am.JA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144849377462869432006-04-12T08:42:00.000-05:002006-04-12T08:42:00.000-05:00Well, if you're not the anti-christ, why the heck ...Well, if you're not the anti-christ, why the heck did I bother building that alter in my bedroom? What a waste of good goat meat!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04914329013690756540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144725719418799762006-04-10T22:21:00.000-05:002006-04-10T22:21:00.000-05:00So you're the Anti-Christ now?Heh heh... welcome t...So you're the Anti-Christ now?<BR/><BR/>Heh heh... welcome to my world, Joe!<BR/><BR/>Keep fighting the good fight, brother.Brian Keenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02807034685075642749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144712095502386812006-04-10T18:34:00.000-05:002006-04-10T18:34:00.000-05:00So you're not the Anti-Christ?So what do I tell al...So you're not the Anti-Christ?<BR/><BR/><BR/>So what do I tell all these sacrificial virgins who turned up at the JA's bar for the BYOB * promotional BBQ?<BR/><BR/><BR/>*bring your own blurbLegacy Userhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12964426007973340421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144679419924207032006-04-10T09:30:00.000-05:002006-04-10T09:30:00.000-05:00You're not a Cancer, Joe.I am.There is such a thin...You're not a Cancer, Joe.<BR/><BR/>I am.<BR/><BR/>There is such a thing as bad publicity, by the way (this discussion and that guy's blog post isn't it, though).<BR/><BR/>Those studies showing that people remember names? They might not remember specific facts about those names, but they'll remember the context.<BR/><BR/>AdamAdam Hurtubisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17193951132941597473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144663318148234622006-04-10T05:01:00.000-05:002006-04-10T05:01:00.000-05:00Sorry JA. You fell short of the mark there.There'...Sorry JA. You fell short of the mark there.<BR/><BR/>There's always Bouchercon if you really want to try pissing all over me. Not that that's an invitation.<BR/><BR/>If you're going for paintball, I want to be on the opposing team though.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144636374116904092006-04-09T21:32:00.000-05:002006-04-09T21:32:00.000-05:00There are some people who've established themselve...<I>There are some people who've established themselves as such **** in my mind that I'll never touch their books or visit their blogs if they have them.</I><BR/><BR/>But wasn't I one of those people? :)JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144631813265309662006-04-09T20:16:00.000-05:002006-04-09T20:16:00.000-05:00Mark, etc.This is why I blabber all the time about...Mark, etc.<BR/><BR/>This is why I blabber all the time about my writing gods and the people who've been great to me.<BR/><BR/>I know some are embarrassed I gush so much, but I'd much prefer to promote wonderful people than assholes.<BR/><BR/>And in general, I get the "no such thing as bad publicity" concept, but there is such a thing for me. There are some people who've established themselves as such **** in my mind that I'll never touch their books or visit their blogs if they have them.<BR/><BR/>Very few, I might add. But when there are so many fantastic authors out there and so many of them are also great people, I'm not reaching out to buy a book from someone who's pissed all over me.<BR/><BR/>And I am anal about buying my books. A week doesn't seem right if I haven't shelled out cold hard cash for new books.Sandra Ruttanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109584805469336742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144616271346167652006-04-09T15:57:00.000-05:002006-04-09T15:57:00.000-05:00You are evil.Gimme gimme gimme.Who said evil was a...You are evil.<BR/><BR/>Gimme gimme gimme.<BR/><BR/>Who said evil was a bad thing?s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144614689524316352006-04-09T15:31:00.000-05:002006-04-09T15:31:00.000-05:00What I found most fascinating was a point made on ...What I found most fascinating was a point made on Lee's blog about the lessening of the divide between traditional publishing and vanity (or self) publishing. Self-publishing has always been looked at differently than traditional publishing. Unfortunately, some have looked down on it.<BR/><BR/>Most of the self-published authors I know are very savvy individuals who are doing very well. Some have positioned themselves with major publishers, while others are, by choice, remaining self-published. Some are interested in building their own publishing lines/imprints.<BR/><BR/>I have a friend who's a whiz at promotion. She's considering self-publishing at the end of her current contract. This won't be because her numbers aren't good; her book hasn't been out a year yet and it's in its fourth printing. She just thinks it's a business position worth considering seriously.<BR/><BR/>Times are changing. I can remember a time when publishers didn't want authors to promote themselves. Why? They wanted to decide whose book to push and self-promoting authors interferred with their pecking order. A few authors were able to move up the list this way, and I guess, after publishers got over authors having the nerve to take control of their own careers, they figured it was a winning deal around.<BR/><BR/>Anybody else remember this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144614032460397822006-04-09T15:20:00.000-05:002006-04-09T15:20:00.000-05:00It only makes sense that if publishers spent the a...It only makes sense that if publishers spent the amount of money that writers <EM>believed</EM> they should on each and every book, the publishers would have to severely cut back on the number of new titles they published each year. <BR/>As a reader, I don’t want that.<BR/>As a writer, I definitely don't want that.<BR/>It also only makes sense for the publishers to allocate more money for promotion to the authors that have proven to make money. We live in a capitalistic country. This is a good thing. Otherwise, we'd all be reading exactly what the person at the top wanted us to read and <EM>nothing</EM> more.Meleta McHarlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05563227612235558425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144609161311188112006-04-09T13:59:00.000-05:002006-04-09T13:59:00.000-05:00I wish that it was as easy as writing what you lov...I wish that it was as easy as writing what you love, writing it well, then sending it off knowing that someone else (your publisher)will care as much as you do about it. So you can relax and just concentrate on writing the next one.<BR/><BR/>But it's not that simple. Was it, ever? I don't know; we all have this mythical idea of what publishing was like in the 20's and 30's and the world was full of professionals like Max Perkins. But letters show, of course, that Fitzgerald was just as devastated by his sales figures as any contemporary writer, so I'm not sure it ever was that easy. But the one thing that Joe says that every author has to believe is this - nobody cares as much about your book as you do. He's right - if your book doesn't perform, your publisher just shrugs and looks to the next pile of books it has ready to hit the shelves. It's a disappointment, of course, but there's always going to be another book for them, somewhere. But not, in all probability, for you. For you, the author, this is it; your one chance. You're the one who can suffer career-ending damage if your book doesn't sell. Not your publisher.<BR/><BR/>So why would anyond just sit back and wait to see what happens? Unless truly, you've only dreamed of seeing this one book in print, you have got to work your butt off making sure you get another chance. <BR/><BR/>(And in the spirit of full disclosure, I just did my taxes and so I have the documentation to prove I spent every penny of my advance on publicity and marketing, in some way or another. Was it worth it? Did it make a difference? I don't know for sure yet. But I do know that if I hadn't have done that, and I never got another book contract, I would regret it forever. And I don't like to live my life that way.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144608170676702202006-04-09T13:42:00.000-05:002006-04-09T13:42:00.000-05:00For what it's worth, I appreciate and am amused by...For what it's worth, I appreciate and am amused by the advice and common sense you dish out, Mr Konrath. And if that means I'm listening to the Anti-Christ or risking cancer, I'm down with that.Naomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18388312817437378315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144605896684144332006-04-09T13:04:00.000-05:002006-04-09T13:04:00.000-05:00M.G,Joe is a good-humored guy and I felt sure he w...M.G,<BR/><BR/>Joe is a good-humored guy and I felt sure he wouldn't be offended by the email or my blog post about it. If we were talking about a different author, with a different temperment, I might not have posted the email at all or have written about it. But we're talking about Joe, an out-spoken man with a great sense of humor. I knew the post wouldn't hurt our friendship, or his feelings, and instead would spark a lively, interesting, and ultimately helpful debate on both his blog and mine.<BR/><BR/>LeeLee Goldberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13442268370192897461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144605513510116552006-04-09T12:58:00.000-05:002006-04-09T12:58:00.000-05:00getting bad advertising as unreliable fraud is not...<I>getting bad advertising as unreliable fraud is not going to be a positive thing.</I><BR/><BR/>Studies have shown that people remember names, but not necessarily the connotations associated with the names, good or bad.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144599874264921272006-04-09T11:24:00.000-05:002006-04-09T11:24:00.000-05:00b. Talks about it to others, which in fact actuall...<I>b. Talks about it to others, which in fact actually promotes you more.</I><BR/><BR/>There's no such thing as bad publicity.<BR/><BR/>I made a drunken ass of myself at a conference last year, and my blog attendance went up 200%. <BR/><BR/>As Oscar Wilde said, 'The only thign worse than being talked about is not being talked about."JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144598122043795772006-04-09T10:55:00.000-05:002006-04-09T10:55:00.000-05:00If this author thinks your blog and advice are so ...If this author thinks your blog and advice are so poisonous, it is interesting that he:<BR/>a. Reads your blog<BR/>b. Talks about it to others, which in fact actually promotes you more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144596156173534932006-04-09T10:22:00.000-05:002006-04-09T10:22:00.000-05:00If writers who haven't published yet can learn one...If writers who haven't published yet can learn one thing about the business, it's that selling your first book is not like buying a winning lottery ticket. Your guarantee to fame and fortune. <BR/><BR/>I have two books out with a newer, small company. I'm fortunate that my publisher does a lot of advertising and marketing for their releases -- far more than I, as a debut author, would have received from a bigger house. I put all of my advances, and then some, into pushing my books and, hopefully, building name recognition and readership. Website, additional print ads, conferences, booksignings, stock signings, promo items, online chats, blog -- they not only cost money, they cost time and energy.<BR/><BR/>However, I think the efforts yield short and long term benefits.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144559328895387392006-04-09T00:08:00.000-05:002006-04-09T00:08:00.000-05:00I agree too. At tax time, I ended up with a loss o...I agree too. At tax time, I ended up with a loss on income for my first book but, hell, I earned out. I just wish I had more $$$ to spend on marketing and travel (and be as gutsy as you, Joe). At this early point in my career my advances are small, but I did everything my editor and publicist suggested - and a lot of extra things, too. My publisher put out more advertising for the second book and I, again, spent essentially all of my advance money on promotion. I'm getting good word of mouth now, and getting invited to speak... so the ball is rolling a bit on its own.<BR/><BR/>Earning out is vital, imho, and nothing will sink a career faster than a publisher taking a big loss. But, as the “take the money and run” folks often say, you can always change your name and do it again. Thanks anyway, but I’d rather build upward.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144558019756660192006-04-08T23:46:00.000-05:002006-04-08T23:46:00.000-05:00I totally agree with you J.A. I think a lot of aut...I totally agree with you J.A. I think a lot of authors get into the publishing game with unrealistic expectations of what their publishers will do for them as first time authors. It prevents many good authors from being as successful as they should be. In the 21st century, it is about selling a brand, not a book.Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04148328296045932851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144540710310820402006-04-08T18:58:00.000-05:002006-04-08T18:58:00.000-05:00Joe, if being the Anti-Christ means being obsessiv...Joe, if being the Anti-Christ means being obsessively intense about book promotion, then we are living on a truly peaceful and beautiful planet.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, being Evil usually means KILLING PEOPLE. Lots of them.<BR/><BR/>Does this mean that the Second Coming of Christ will allow writers to live off their advance? I think not; unless He sends two-thirds of the population off to Somewhere Else.<BR/><BR/>By the way, when I say 'obsessive' and 'intense', I mean good things. You're my kind of people, Joe: a wide-eyed loon daring to stare back at the Gates Of Oblivion.Daniel Hatadihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00453583064175651509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144540136898720772006-04-08T18:48:00.000-05:002006-04-08T18:48:00.000-05:00I really appreciate your thoughts on the business ...I really appreciate your thoughts on the business side of writing. It can only be helpful to those who wouldn’t otherwise consider the importance of owning one’s own product, and taking the initiative in one’s own career and goals. <BR/><BR/>And dude, you are NOT the anti-Christ. :)Jade L Blackwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15321787298101881675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144536961879618592006-04-08T17:56:00.000-05:002006-04-08T17:56:00.000-05:00Nicely put, Joe.As you've said again and again, wr...Nicely put, Joe.<BR/><BR/>As you've said again and again, writing is a business. If you had say an appliance store, you wouldn't just open the doors and hope that customers would magically know that you were open and come by to see what fantastic wares you have to offer. You would have to promote, advertise, do whatever it takes to get them in the door or else you would be closing those doors when the startup money trickled off.James Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08807865320537867045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144535152543319522006-04-08T17:25:00.000-05:002006-04-08T17:25:00.000-05:00You gotta, GOTTA sow those seeds. You, writer, are...You gotta, GOTTA sow those seeds. You, writer, are a farmer. You write a book... cute little book, aw, isn't he sweet. You WANT to grow a career, and this little book is the first seed in your garden. <BR/><BR/>Does the farmer just drop the seed in the ground and say "Grow, dammit!" Nope. of course not; there's fertilizer (which we writers are great at, yes?) and watering and nuturing. <BR/><BR/>You aren't just selling your book, you are selling YOU. <BR/><BR/>Today, I had a book signing. It was pouring rain, and people in the city stay home when it's pouring rain. Didn't sell a single book. BUT I did talk to people, handed out cards and bookmarks. If they order when they get home, great. If not, well.. maybe I planted some more seeds, at least.When the next book comes out, I'll probably go back to that store - they were nice people in there with an appreciation for an author who brings them cookies. <BR/><BR/>In other words, I totally agree with you. And I see you've got Pat Mullan's blog listed on your site list. Nice guy, tell him I said hi.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13809850928628103065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144524992461936912006-04-08T14:36:00.000-05:002006-04-08T14:36:00.000-05:00I'm a Leo!btw, "what a weenie boy you are."...ohh,...I'm a Leo!<BR/><BR/>btw, <I>"what a weenie boy you are."</I>...ohh, Joe...LOL...you're too funny! Totally right about the whole subject...but just too funny! LOL!Bonnie S. Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11769607640246518804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-1144524267306505202006-04-08T14:24:00.000-05:002006-04-08T14:24:00.000-05:00Benford's Law also comes into play, I think.There ...<I>Benford's Law also comes into play, I think.</I><BR/><BR/>There goes the Safeway Select brand Diet Vanilla Coke all over the laptop monitor.<BR/><BR/>I'd send an invoice, but I hate diet vanilla coke, anyway.Mindy Tarquinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970872751327021013noreply@blogger.com