Of Faith, Books, and “Marketing Platforms”
Did you know that most of the books you see when you walk into a bookstore are put out by several multimedia conglomerates, despite their variety of “imprints” that seem to indicate a myriad of publishers out there?
And if you have any thoughts about writing – in the sense of ever getting published – do you know what a “marketing platform” is? If not, you’re not getting published…
You may want to look in on my Tuesday Sept. 29th interview with Mary Jo Campbell at Writers Inspired and add your questions or comments. Mary Jo's questions inspire me to “tell all” – about where I’m at today on writing and faith and what I've learned on the topics of trade publishing and self publishing.
Pure Process – Weds. the 30th
On Wednesday Sept. 30th I’ll interview with Kathryn Vercillo at Diary of a Smart Chick, where we will focus squarely on the writing process. For example, Kathryn asks,
“You incorporate wonderful poems at the start of each chapter. How do you feel this adds to the book (or what do you hope readers will take away from these)? And at what point in the writing stage did you add these in?”
Here's a sample poem, excerpted from the start of Original Faith's Chapter Seven, “Nature’s Work of Transformation” on nature’s potential impact on our spiritual lives:
Being Still
Round earth
Round sky
Bird’s eye
Catches in its compass all; all stones, trees
That gyrate, twirling in a head-spin.
He senses feathers, parted by the wind,
Straining taut and upcurled on a silken skin;
Precisely feels, with swift release of body heat,
A delicate, staccato chill from wing to wing…
Book giveaways at both guest posts!
And if you have any thoughts about writing – in the sense of ever getting published – do you know what a “marketing platform” is? If not, you’re not getting published…
You may want to look in on my Tuesday Sept. 29th interview with Mary Jo Campbell at Writers Inspired and add your questions or comments. Mary Jo's questions inspire me to “tell all” – about where I’m at today on writing and faith and what I've learned on the topics of trade publishing and self publishing.
Pure Process – Weds. the 30th
On Wednesday Sept. 30th I’ll interview with Kathryn Vercillo at Diary of a Smart Chick, where we will focus squarely on the writing process. For example, Kathryn asks,
“You incorporate wonderful poems at the start of each chapter. How do you feel this adds to the book (or what do you hope readers will take away from these)? And at what point in the writing stage did you add these in?”
Here's a sample poem, excerpted from the start of Original Faith's Chapter Seven, “Nature’s Work of Transformation” on nature’s potential impact on our spiritual lives:
Being Still
Round earth
Round sky
Bird’s eye
Catches in its compass all; all stones, trees
That gyrate, twirling in a head-spin.
He senses feathers, parted by the wind,
Straining taut and upcurled on a silken skin;
Precisely feels, with swift release of body heat,
A delicate, staccato chill from wing to wing…
Book giveaways at both guest posts!
Posted by Paul at 5:03 PM Permalink
6 Comments:
About the big chain stores...I was shocked to discover that the books that appear prominently on end caps or on tables are often in those prominent places because publishers purchase that space. The bookstore doesn't always choose to put them there just because they like them. Space (even shelf) space is lobbied for and often a "political" decision. Just one of the reasons why it is so tough for small and independent pubs to find their way into the chains. Self-published authors are much better off trying to work with independent bookstores in their own state (and region) though independents are closing like crazy. I just learned that in the greater Detroit, Mi area (a huge city with major suburbs), there is only 1 independent bookstore left. Sad!
This is why I, for one, am continuing to build a marketing platform on the internet. Even though I have self-published 3 books and have a significant publisher for my most recent one, times are tough for authors and the internet may be our best bet...
But you know that. Just preaching to the choir. :-) Or sharing a bit of info with someone who might desire some insight into the publishing world.
Oh, yes, not to put a damper on things, but book sales are down nationwide 38%. Important for authors to band together and support one another through networking...at least my take on it. That's why it's so helpful if we can feature one another on our blogs and spread the good news. Every little bit helps in a recessive economy...
Good luck to you and I do hope your wonderful book continues to find its way into people's hearts. xo
so that must translate into higher costs for the products.
i'll be visiting Writers Inspired and Dairy of a Smart Chick on those dates. looking forward.
Thanks for these good comments - I think I’ll mostly hold off with replying until my interview tomorrow, Tuesday, with Mary Jo at Writers Inspired.
Mary Jo’s blog is specifically about writing, so the overview of my experiences in writing and publishing that I’ll provide there should help create more of an exchange between people with various experiences and questions in the areas of publishing and writing than if I try to go into it here.
I’d anticipate that the points you’re raising here will be addressed there; if not, I’ll come back to them here after Tuesday.
But one thing I can’t resist adding right now… re. Vincent’s comment… I’d bet that most writers very much share his view that they shouldn’t have to be concerned with marketing, which, in terms of aptitudes, inclinations and skills, is such a different animal from the process of writing. While some people who write also happen to have real enthusiasm and aptitude for marketing, many others don’t.
Anyway – obviously feel free to leave further comments on this thread, but if you get a chance, please do visit Writers Inspired once the interview goes up on Tuesday, where I think we may find it easier to get a fuller perspective.
I'll check out your interview.
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