But all that aside, it’s clear that establishing a wide range of contacts within the broader publishing industry can provide a better feel for what’s required these days, as well as a shoulder to cry and complain on. (It’s helped me on both fronts.) And unless one is willing to do something else newsworthy enough to make the front page of the New York Times (which seems to guarantee a book deal), trying to follow Lynne’s ongoing advice seems like the best path toward making it on the shelves.
]]>Turns out his brother was a big-time entertainment lawyer in NY. I called the guy on his brother’s recommendation, though I was sure nothing would come of it. The lawyer-brother gave me several names of good agents and told me to use his name. And it worked. Or helped, anyway.
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Excellent! I’ve got a pocket full of business cards with me at all times.
]]>All the same, the right attitude helps. And you have that in spades. Hm, there’s a lesson to be learned here.
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hard work is right, Bill. Sometimes, if I am having an efficient week, I actually create a mini-marketing plan so that I don’t have to think about what my plan of action will be, day to day. Of course, other days I just go to the beach! Any news from Macmillan re A Half-Life of One? I like your book!
]]>
Puget Sound–The Banana Belt, because it’s in the Olympic Mountains’ “rain shadow,” thus much less rainy than the rest of soggy Western Washington. Temperatures, however, are decidedly un-tropical. It’s cool.
Here’s a map, via Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Juan_de_Fuca
Oh, all right, I’ll print up some cards and get out there. Fortunately I’ve missed this year’s Pacific Northwest Writing, Begging, and Canned Shrimp Fest down by the airport.
And, you might be interested in the fact that Gloria Steinem’s been spending the summer writing at our local woman-writers’ retreat on Whidbey Island. Seattle Times: http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=brodeur06m&date=20060806&query=steinem
]]>Thanks for your kind words about me and my book, “Dark Noon.” Sorry I missed out on the leopard-skin bikini.
Looking forward to seeing you Saturday at “Novel Night,” the huge fundraiser for the East Hampton Library, featuring oodles of writers, editors, and agents.
Tom Clavin
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Yes, that bikini is a show-stopper, particularly when I am trying to get out of the ocean at Georgica Beach! Thanks for arranging for me to attend this event! I’ll try and tune into “The East End Show” on LTV tonight at 6PM to catch you live when you are talking about Dark Noon. (Networking pays off!)
]]>
writers’ conferences! I was actually weakening on that account until they moved our region’s annual July desperate-writers’ conclave from its idyllic venue on the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Airport Marriott. No editor interview is worth that.
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: The Strait of Juan De Fuca (somewhere off the state of Washington?) is supposed to have near-tropical weather. No wonder you toyed with the idea of going. Alas, a Marriott at the airport is a Marriott at the airport. Still there’s ordering up a shrimp cocktail delivered to the room upon arrival. (Don’t tell Kenneth Fadner, former President of AdWeek and now Chairman of Mediapost.com! That’s what I used to do on my treks to their various offices to check on my ad sales team. Another Marriott, another shrimp cocktail!) Go to the conference. Find out who the attendees are in advance, if you can, so you can target people of particular interest to you living or working in your area. If there are any exhibitors, visit all their booths and chat, chat, chat. Have your pockets stuffed with your business cards. Exchange cards with others like crazy. Write the date and conference on their cards. Keep in touch when you have something of interest or value to tell them—perhaps a comment on a blog or in a trade publication that they might have missed, for example. PS I do own a power-washer. Look out!
]]>Indies may not have the muscle of the big guys, but one thing that we can bring to the table is that indies create word-of-mouth buzz far more effectively than the chains. If you don’t believe me, just ask author Sara Gruen, whose wonderful novel “Water for Elephants” is now on the New York Times list, thanks at least in part to the fact that every independent bookseller that read it pre-pub immediately got hot with Handselling Fever. I doubt it registered a blip on the big guys’ radar, but it was the talk of BEA.
Frazer
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Frazer. I was hoping you would check in. Good insight and good advice, as usual!
]]>
I’ll make some calls.
Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Rigel! Great to hear from you. Your comment made me laugh out loud! You and Tom Clavin should chat. Your books are of the same genre! Network. Do it!
]]>Duly chastised, I will take my lazy self to the independent bookstore in town.
This posting is definitely a reality check for writers. Even though I cringe at the time involved with networking, I know it is just as important as slaving over the manuscript.
Thanks for the push!
]]>