Sunday, March 12, 2006

Your Turn

Got a question for you guys: What information about the publishing industry (book sales, contract deals, the pro life, etc.) would you like to have but the various author/editor/agent blogs out there aren't covering?
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17 comments:

  1. Maura Anderson1:14 AM

    I think I'd like to hear more about what happens after you get The Call. What goes on after that? Yes, I'm a terrible newbie but the stages the book in process goes through, what you can do as an author to help it happen and be as painless as possible, etc.

    Hopefully that makes sense....

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  2. Anonymous2:59 AM

    I'd like to see more on how to KEEP selling, or how to organize my time. However, I do think this is an individual thing, so even if the articles are out there, they might not help me. LOL

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  3. Alphabeter8:00 AM

    For the poor writer whose $2k advance (hey, lets dream big) is barely going to cover the postage and ink to print and send it out to all the wonderful agents and/or publishers that rejected the tome, what can be done about marketing?

    Can the writer do anything to avoid looking like a newbie dork (about marketing)?

    Obviously the advance is probably what the pr department will spend on ARCs and other means, but how does the little guy get some attention without attracting trouble?

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  4. K.A.S.9:06 AM

    I'd like to hear real sales numbers. (If this is available outside of subscription services, I'd love a link.) How many books really did sell last week? How many copies of each book on the best sellers lists (and the midlist as well)?

    Thanks, as always, for asking!

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  5. charleneteglia10:33 AM

    Oh, Sasha, for organization you just have to learn to live in the past, present and future simultaneously. : D

    That's my question, too, though, once you start selling the plan is to keep selling and have a nice long career. Pointers?

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  6. Sofie Kelly11:46 AM

    I'm with Alphabeter--How does the little guy get some attention? If one more person tells me it's impossible to earn a living as a writer so I should be out doing readings at $250 a pop I'll going to run naked and screaming into the street--which now that I think of it would probably get me some attention.

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  7. Anonymous2:36 PM

    Maura: PBW I'm sure has her take on this question. If you want to see someone else's as well, try Congratulations! It's a baby novel! by Elizabeth Bear.

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  8. Anonymous6:06 PM

    Anonymous wrote: PBW I'm sure has her take on this question. If you want to see someone else's as well, try Congratulations! It's a baby novel! by Elizabeth Bear.

    Funny how unsolicited anonymous links to Elizabeth Bear's stuff keep popping up here. Am I being used as cheap advertising for this chick?

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  9. Pixel Faerie6:34 PM

    I'd like to know what novels publishers are wanting now and the best way to keep up with the markets. In other words, what makes a writer go, "I think I'll write this romantic suspense novel now." I know you usually come up with the idea first and then check the markets as part of figuring out if you want to write it. How can someone check their idea with what is coming out on PW or the other publishing trades? What is the science behind it?

    Okay, that's a lot of questions. I'd like to see more examples on how to go through this process.

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  10. Anonymous8:16 PM

    I'm with an earlier poster - I'd love to hear the raw numbers. How many books, and which venues are selling (online vs main stores vs independents).

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  11. PJ9:51 PM

    Oh, gosh! Someone read my mind. What happens after the Call? I mean, many will tell you that you have to work on edits, and that you shelf-date can be several months to a year, blah blah blah - but that's like saying "In order to change the spark plugs, pull off the wires, remove the old ones and put in the new ones." AUGH!

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  12. Anonymous10:43 PM

    Funny how unsolicited anonymous links to Elizabeth Bear's stuff keep popping up here. Am I being used as cheap advertising for this chick?

    I posted the link because it seemed relevant and I'd found it helpful. I don't know her, and no advertising was intended. Sorry.

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  13. Anonymous11:47 PM

    No stake in the answer, curious is all.
    What exactly consitutes Bad/Poor treatment from a publisher? I'm not talking about when an author has poor sales, thin to no marketing, or any of those other things that seem to be the norm rather then usual business. I'm wondering about things that are out there and make other authors cringe and tell the one it is happening to, "Call your agent. Now.".
    Thanks.

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  14. Anonymous2:03 AM

    I wish if I knew if I were doing the right thing, rewriting my 300K novel into a trilogy, because the ambient wisdom is a first-timer can't sell a 300K book.

    Oh, well. I'm already halfway through the editing, mas o menos.

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  15. Anonymous9:39 AM

    What do you do when you actually hear from an agent/editor who wants to represent/publish you? What kinds of documents are you going to be required to complete, what knowledge do you need, is it inappropriate to fly out just to hug the person, what are pitfalls that will make sure your book never sees daylight...what happens when you get past the hard part? (I know, I know - the really hard part)

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  16. Anonymous10:16 AM

    Just to let you all know -- I'm going to post about your comments on Tuesday 3/14. I have a little research and idea-shuffling to do right now. :)

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  17. Anonymous12:34 PM

    Are agents and publishers scared of first time authors over the age of 50?

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