Re(1): Holly Lisle Posted on 8/6/2011 at 06:38:39 AM by Jean
Dear Frank;
An interesting msg indeed. Thanks for sharing it. It does seem that mainstream publishing is undergoing some terrible grinding lurches. At s-f cons, I have heard a couple of well-established writers say their publishers have cut down their royalties, and bookstores have cut down their shelf space. Not good!
The only thing the major publishers still have is some money for promotion, which is what distinguishes them from us (small press.) We truly don't have the $$$ to buy ads in major zines (F&SF, etc.) so it is hard hard hard to get the word out to the reading public about our books.
As to your books, think about how you can promote them. That is a tough one, but if you can come up with some feasible plan, you may well be on your way.
Some years ago, a writer (whose name I have forgotten, of course) said he filled his car with copies of his book and set out on a cross country tour, stopping at every bookstore to promote and hopefully sell his book.
How did it work? If my (presently feeble) brain could come up with this guy's name, you would recognize it. Yes, it really worked for him! That took some nerve and guts, for sure, but in his case it paid off.
Food for thought, perhaps.