Comments on: Publishing myths uncovered

By: Nicolas

Nicolas — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:10:18 +0000

Stacey: good post. I think it's fair game not to expect tons of promotion from a publisher. They have many books and little resources. But on the other hand, isn't going for a known publisher the one reason to choose that over self publishing? Perhaps the value is in the brand of the publisher and that only. I'd love to hear your perspective on this.

By: Kelly Wittmann

Kelly Wittmann — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:27:48 +0000

Thank you for the link; very interesting.

By: L. Diane Wolfe

L. Diane Wolfe — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:45:03 +0000

The list is good, although I disagree with #3. The best advice I ever received was from an author who suggested pursuing small to mid-range publishers first, gaining success, and then landing an agent. (She'd done just that.) Yes, acquiring an agent is the holy grail, but there's so many more publishers who accept direct submissions than there are agents. Why limit one's chances of success?

By: Mary Witzl

Mary Witzl — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:22:57 +0000

Happily, none of this is news to me, but I have a colleague who is convinced that he can't get published because his work is too good for the masses. I've gently tried to tell him this, but he's also convinced that I can't get published because I lack talent -- and shamelessly pander to the lowest common denominator. Denial is more than a river.

I don't want to quit my day job! I just wish they'd let me teach in pajamas.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:45:17 +0000

Oh how true how true how true!!!! It's amazing how many people buy into these myths, especially about quitting your day job! Arghhh!

And #4 – boingo. You must work at it – very hard. Pay-off will eventually follow, but get out there and sell your book yourself!

By: M Clement Hall

M Clement Hall — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:29:03 +0000

Can you give "ball park" figures for the services of a publicist?
I also draw attention to the cover of the current New Yorker, with the author sitting in isolation at a book signing where he isn't signing! Sad!!