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Comments on: Should Writers Run the 26.2-Mile Publishing Marathon or Join Rosie Ruiz and Take the Subway to Success? http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/ Tendentious comments and cranky critiques by Lynne W. Scanlon P.E.A. (Publisher/Editor/Author) Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:38:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0 by: The Daily Brief: Military Musings and Thoughts Less Filtered » The Advance of the POD People http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-87000 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:33:57 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-87000 [...] Standing back and taking a long look, and considering other developments though – as the release of the handy-dandy-Espresso Book Machine and perhaps this kerfuffle-du-jour is just one more of those harbingers of change in the world of books and publishing. Everything changes, nothing stays the same for long. Having been hanging out in among the book blogs and in the author discussion groups for the last two years has been enlightening. Many of the other writers in the IAG have been in and around the writing game for years . They don’t have the five-figure royalty checks – if they did, they wouldn’t be hanging around in the discussion group skulling out ways to market their books if they did. But what I picked up, over and over again was a feeling that for most writers, the way the literary industrial complex is set up… it just was not working, and not working in a big way. This guy (now on hiatus, unfortunately) was a shrewd and extremely knowledgeable insider. This blogger is another: and what they were saying was confirmed by the writers that I met in putting together the IAG; which is that it is nearly impossible for interesting, genuinely original books with niche appeal to even slip in over the transom at traditional publishers. [...] […] Standing back and taking a long look, and considering other developments though – as the release of the handy-dandy-Espresso Book Machine and perhaps this kerfuffle-du-jour is just one more of those harbingers of change in the world of books and publishing. Everything changes, nothing stays the same for long. Having been hanging out in among the book blogs and in the author discussion groups for the last two years has been enlightening. Many of the other writers in the IAG have been in and around the writing game for years . They don’t have the five-figure royalty checks – if they did, they wouldn’t be hanging around in the discussion group skulling out ways to market their books if they did. But what I picked up, over and over again was a feeling that for most writers, the way the literary industrial complex is set up… it just was not working, and not working in a big way. This guy (now on hiatus, unfortunately) was a shrewd and extremely knowledgeable insider. This blogger is another: and what they were saying was confirmed by the writers that I met in putting together the IAG; which is that it is nearly impossible for interesting, genuinely original books with niche appeal to even slip in over the transom at traditional publishers. […]

]]> by: The Daily Brief: Military Musings and Thoughts Less Filtered » At Play in the Fields of Book-Marketing http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-34120 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:04:57 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-34120 [...] After perusing a collection of blook-blogs, including this one, I am wondering if it isn’t the wave of the future, or at least a jolly great shake-up to “the way things have always been done”. Sort of like how the news and comment blogs were a shake-up to the news media complex over the past five or six years, come to think on it; which gives me cause to wonder if the literary-industrial complex isn’t on the same Titanic-vs-Iceberg track. Writers who have way more experience than I have also been wringing their hands in lamentation at sclerosis of the literary-industrial complex, and venturing all sorts of reasons. Like the torrents of manuscripts flowing upstream towards their traditional spawning grounds, at traditional publishing firms. [...] […] After perusing a collection of blook-blogs, including this one, I am wondering if it isn’t the wave of the future, or at least a jolly great shake-up to “the way things have always been done”. Sort of like how the news and comment blogs were a shake-up to the news media complex over the past five or six years, come to think on it; which gives me cause to wonder if the literary-industrial complex isn’t on the same Titanic-vs-Iceberg track. Writers who have way more experience than I have also been wringing their hands in lamentation at sclerosis of the literary-industrial complex, and venturing all sorts of reasons. Like the torrents of manuscripts flowing upstream towards their traditional spawning grounds, at traditional publishing firms. […]

]]> by: Celia Hayes http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-23274 Sat, 19 May 2007 21:03:19 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-23274 I've already taken step one... the website, which a computer genius friend helped me set up. I've given a year towards getting the traditional publishing set-up, but from your post I can see the odds-against very clearly. I'm resigned to going POD with it in the fall and market it myself, since my enthusiasm for the book (and the enthusiasm of some fans who have read the manuscript) far outstrips that of the three agents who have seen it.(And turned it down) I can see doing the same with the next book, too (I do historical novels)... and marketing it to a couple of local museum bookshops. What kills me about the genre stuff that does get published is how dreadful much of it is! I couldn't read past the first chapter of a recent big-name blockbuster because I kept running into sentances that sounded like entries in the Bulwer-Lytton Bad Writing contest. OTO, there's home for me... if they could make it big with that kind of dreckage... then there is still hope for me! I’ve already taken step one… the website, which a computer genius friend helped me set up. I’ve given a year towards getting the traditional publishing set-up, but from your post I can see the odds-against very clearly. I’m resigned to going POD with it in the fall and market it myself, since my enthusiasm for the book (and the enthusiasm of some fans who have read the manuscript) far outstrips that of the three agents who have seen it.(And turned it down) I can see doing the same with the next book, too (I do historical novels)… and marketing it to a couple of local museum bookshops.

What kills me about the genre stuff that does get published is how dreadful much of it is! I couldn’t read past the first chapter of a recent big-name blockbuster because I kept running into sentances that sounded like entries in the Bulwer-Lytton Bad Writing contest.

OTO, there’s home for me… if they could make it big with that kind of dreckage… then there is still hope for me!

]]> by: Rigel Crockett http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-20987 Tue, 01 May 2007 02:24:21 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-20987 Hi Lynne, Two days ago I learned that the Picton Castle, the ship central to my narrative nonfiction adventure, Fair Wind and Plenty of It, is currently the set of a major new CBS reality show, called Pirate Master. http://www.cbs.com/innertube/player.php?cat=135999&vid=136003&format=&auto=1 How do I make the most of this opportunity when the publisher's publicity departments seem reluctant to return calls? It's an older book (2 years) but it actually still sells in niche markets. Most West Marine stores carry it, for instance. <strong><em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Rigel, your publisher needs to rejacket your book right now and include references to this show. It's only been two days so give it a week, then call again. You have to give the people in the pub house time to meet and get organized. They should contact the reality show. If Fair Wind & Plenty of It is publicizing a TV show on the book jacket, there may be some co-op advertising money to be had. (There should be!) Keep me posted. Loved your book, Matey!!!</em></strong> Hi Lynne,

Two days ago I learned that the Picton Castle, the ship central to my narrative nonfiction adventure, Fair Wind and Plenty of It, is currently the set of a major new CBS reality show, called Pirate Master.

http://www.cbs.com/innertube/player.php?cat=135999&vid=136003&format=&auto=1

How do I make the most of this opportunity when the publisher’s publicity departments seem reluctant to return calls? It’s an older book (2 years) but it actually still sells in niche markets. Most West Marine stores carry it, for instance.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Rigel, your publisher needs to rejacket your book right now and include references to this show. It’s only been two days so give it a week, then call again. You have to give the people in the pub house time to meet and get organized. They should contact the reality show. If Fair Wind & Plenty of It is publicizing a TV show on the book jacket, there may be some co-op advertising money to be had. (There should be!) Keep me posted. Loved your book, Matey!!!

]]> by: Stan Zielinski http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-20970 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:22:10 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-20970 Lynne: Having published our first book to moderate success, we highly enjoy your often controversial posts, and have subsequently nominated you a <a href="http://1stedition.net/blog/2007/04/thinking_blogger.html" rel="nofollow">Thinking Blog</a>. <strong>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Well, thanks!!! </strong> <strong /> Lynne:

Having published our first book to moderate success, we highly enjoy your often controversial posts, and have subsequently nominated you a Thinking Blog.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Well, thanks!!! 

]]> by: Lyn LeJeune http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19692 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:44:19 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19692 In the past 6 months I've had rejects from agents, most say: "I love this book, but don't think if can sell it." My intention was to donate all royalities to help in the rebuilding the public libraries of New Orleans. The book is the first in The New Orleans Trilogy - The Beatitudes -Traditional publishing will take too long. What do you think about my going with IUniverse and making sure all royalities (20%) go directly to the library system (www.nutrias.org for photos of the destruction) and I can be assured of distribution and availability on many book selling sites like amazon, etc. I will go on tour, and I already have support from many great authors on my blog -www.beatitudesinneworleans.blogspot.com. I grew up in New Orleans and my area (not far from Fats' house) is now gone - it was near the levee. Thanks Lyn LeJeune <strong><em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Hi, Lyn. Just because proceeds from a book are going to charitable organizations doesn't mean anyone will buy the book. Why exactly do the literary agents and editors whom you've approached feel they cannot sell the book, even though they loved it. That's the kind of comment you need to address BEFORE you approach another literary agent or editor and hear the same thing. </em></strong> In the past 6 months I’ve had rejects from agents, most say: “I love this book, but don’t think if can sell it.” My intention was to donate all royalities to help in the rebuilding the public libraries of New Orleans. The book is the first in The New Orleans Trilogy - The Beatitudes -Traditional publishing will take too long. What do you think about my going with IUniverse and making sure all royalities (20%) go directly to the library system (www.nutrias.org for photos of the destruction) and I can be assured of distribution and availability on many book selling sites like amazon, etc. I will go on tour, and I already have support from many great authors on my blog -www.beatitudesinneworleans.blogspot.com. I grew up in New Orleans and my area (not far from Fats’ house) is now gone - it was near the levee. Thanks
Lyn LeJeune

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Lyn. Just because proceeds from a book are going to charitable organizations doesn’t mean anyone will buy the book. Why exactly do the literary agents and editors whom you’ve approached feel they cannot sell the book, even though they loved it. That’s the kind of comment you need to address BEFORE you approach another literary agent or editor and hear the same thing.

]]> by: Tim Bete http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19156 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 15:49:16 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19156 My first book was traditionally published. Billy the Butcher MacDougall's Guide to Pirate Parenting: Why you should raise your kids as pirates and 101 ways how to do it, is my second book.<img style="width: 88px; height: 113px" src="http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/wp-includes/images/TimFace.jpg" align="right" /> <strong>I wrote a book proposal for Guide to Pirate Parenting, and think I could have sold it to a traditional publisher. I was getting good feedback on the proposal. The problem was I wanted to launch Guide to Pirate Parenting before the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, came out on May 25, 2007.</strong> I realized that wouldn't be possible using a traditional publisher. The publishing process was going to take way too long. <strong>So I wrote the manuscript and had printed copies of the book in less than three months, using Cold Tree Press, a POD company. I did most of the publicity for my first book and figured I'd have to do the same with my second, regardless of whether it was traditionally or self-published. And my royalty rate is a lot higher, too. <img style="width: 101px; height: 167px" height="167" src="http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/wp-includes/images/PirateCover.jpg" width="101" align="left" /></strong> I have nothing against getting a good traditional publishing contract, if you can, but don't believe it's going to happen for most authors. Tim   <strong><em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Tim's parenting advice has been published in dozens of newspapers, magazines and Web sites, including the Christian Science Monitor, Atlanta Parent, Big Apple Northwest Family, FathersWorld.com and ParentingHumor.com. His first book, </em>In the Beginning...There Were No Diapers<em>, was a 2006 Foreword Best Book of the Year finalist. Tim is also the director of the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop. Tim's "Anatomy of a First Book": </em></strong><a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.timbete.com/FirstBook.htmli" target="_blank">http://www.timbete.com/FirstBook.html<strong><em>. </em></strong></a>. My first book was traditionally published. Billy the Butcher MacDougall’s Guide to Pirate Parenting: Why you should raise your kids as pirates and 101 ways how to do it, is my second book.

I wrote a book proposal for Guide to Pirate Parenting, and think I could have sold it to a traditional publisher. I was getting good feedback on the proposal. The problem was I wanted to launch Guide to Pirate Parenting before the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, came out on May 25, 2007. I realized that wouldn’t be possible using a traditional publisher. The publishing process was going to take way too long.

So I wrote the manuscript and had printed copies of the book in less than three months, using Cold Tree Press, a POD company. I did most of the publicity for my first book and figured I’d have to do the same with my second, regardless of whether it was traditionally or self-published. And my royalty rate is a lot higher, too.

I have nothing against getting a good traditional publishing contract, if you can, but don’t believe it’s going to happen for most authors.

Tim

 

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Tim’s parenting advice has been published in dozens of newspapers, magazines and Web sites, including the Christian Science Monitor, Atlanta Parent, Big Apple Northwest Family, FathersWorld.com and ParentingHumor.com. His first book, In the Beginning…There Were No Diapers, was a 2006 Foreword Best Book of the Year finalist. Tim is also the director of the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop. Tim’s “Anatomy of a First Book”: http://www.timbete.com/FirstBook.html. .

]]> by: Maralyn Rittenour http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19115 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:35:09 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19115 I liked the Marathon analogy and the Verazzano Bridge start photo - blow-up to 200,000 authors with laptops? Too many voices crying in the wilderness, but the consensus seems to be that those who are heard will be the strong, self-marketers and the already established blockbuster writers - add Jeffrey Archer to the list, proving that potboilers can be page-turners. And yet, you and I and everyone knows that occasionally a quiet, small, serendipitous voice rises like cream to the surface, e.g. Lady Ranfurly's memoirs! Keep up the good work. I liked the Marathon analogy and the Verazzano Bridge start photo - blow-up to 200,000 authors with laptops?

Too many voices crying in the wilderness, but the consensus seems to be that those who are heard will be the strong, self-marketers and the already established blockbuster writers - add Jeffrey Archer to the list, proving that potboilers can be page-turners. And yet, you and I and everyone knows that occasionally a quiet, small, serendipitous voice rises like cream to the surface, e.g. Lady Ranfurly’s memoirs!

Keep up the good work.

]]> by: Peter L. Winkler http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19114 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 01:24:50 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19114 Lynne: BTW, Rose Ruiz's "success" was very short lived. Ultimately, it was a spectacular failure. She's certainly not a good example of a clever, valid shortcut. Lynne:

BTW, Rose Ruiz’s “success” was very short lived. Ultimately, it was a spectacular failure. She’s certainly not a good example of a clever, valid shortcut.

]]> by: Andy O'Hara http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19000 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 17:40:21 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2007/04/15/should-writers-run-the-262-mile-publishing-marathon-or-join-rosie-ruiz-and-take-the-subway-to-success/#comment-19000 But no visitors from Omaha? <strong><em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Hi, Andy. Since you asked! According to Google Analytics, 46-states, including Alaska and Hawaii, are represented in the traffic. Nebraska? Yes, Omaha, Fullerton and Lincoln! And I just discovered part of the source of the traffic---a link from <a href="http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/Pickover/pc/realitycarnival.html">RealityCarnival.com</a>, "News that shatters the ice of our unconsciousness!" to The Publishing Contrarian. Wow, what a different and terrific Web site. </em></strong> But no visitors from Omaha?

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing ™: Hi, Andy. Since you asked! According to Google Analytics, 46-states, including Alaska and Hawaii, are represented in the traffic. Nebraska? Yes, Omaha, Fullerton and Lincoln! And I just discovered part of the source of the traffic—a link from RealityCarnival.com, “News that shatters the ice of our unconsciousness!” to The Publishing Contrarian. Wow, what a different and terrific Web site.

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