tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post3657172652074359057..comments2024-02-17T18:51:24.318+00:00Comments on Havering On: Publishing - A Funny Ol' GameRichard Havershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15309594787689405779noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-61556789746064393852007-11-02T15:02:00.000+00:002007-11-02T15:02:00.000+00:00Thanks Jim.I think the conveyer belt process just ...Thanks Jim.<BR/><BR/>I think the conveyer belt process just overwhelms everyone involved in the whole affair. While its always been the case that publishing has operated somewhat like this, today the sheer volume of media clutter mitigates against books breaking through.<BR/><BR/>With the reducing sales of newspapers, even the old send out review copies is less effective.Richard Havershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309594787689405779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-23605074036016365692007-11-02T14:43:00.000+00:002007-11-02T14:43:00.000+00:00What amuses me is the fact that there's an ad for ...What amuses me is the fact that there's an ad for <I>Frampton Come Alive</I> on your website and yet you talk about writers having "two weeks in the sun" which is the case. What is it about books that give them such a perceived short self-life? Perhaps it's the sheer weight of new books queuing up to take their spaces on the shelves. It's all so X-Factor.<BR/><BR/>Enjoyed the article.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-73170897366951598472007-10-31T17:32:00.000+00:002007-10-31T17:32:00.000+00:00Ian, thanks for the link, a really interesting pos...Ian, thanks for the link, a really interesting post from Chris Bradley.<BR/><BR/>I think the one size fits all approach to much of what publishers deem to be marketing is at play in all this. I certainly don't think the internet is a panacea either. And I take Chris' point that the problems of a writer doing his own marketing is a clash of skills. However, the reality is that more and more publishers are going to do less and less for any but their top top authors and writers. It's a debate that needs to be aired more often and solutions will begin to surface.Richard Havershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309594787689405779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-65235977766831896682007-10-31T17:01:00.000+00:002007-10-31T17:01:00.000+00:00Richard, that's a really interesting take. Did y...Richard, that's a really interesting take. Did you happen across Chris Bradley's thoughts on the same subject? He takes <A HREF="http://deeplyblasphemous.blogspot.com/2007/10/observations-on-internet-publishing-and.html" REL="nofollow">a rather different view</A>, suggesting that what makes a good artist doesn't necessarily make a good marketer.Ian Applebyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13955225322451386825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-17963600629874106192007-10-31T11:16:00.000+00:002007-10-31T11:16:00.000+00:00Danuta, totally agree on the "it's not up to books...Danuta, totally agree on the "it's not up to booksellers" point. The problem with publishers is the fact that they've kind of abrogated their responsibilities for marketing and tried to pass the buck (book??)Richard Havershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309594787689405779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-49672397854563387512007-10-31T11:07:00.000+00:002007-10-31T11:07:00.000+00:00Thanks for the plug Richard. Coincidentally, I hav...Thanks for the plug Richard. Coincidentally, I have just filed a big article to The Author on this very subject. It will be in the winter issue, out soon. If you can't get hold of that, I will place it on the site later this year.<BR/>I focus on branding. Most publishers haven't a clue when it comes to marketing. Nor for that matter do booksellers (well the chain and supermarket ones). But, I would argue, it isn't up to booksellers. They are interested in sales of stock, whatever it is, they just want to turn over a lot of cash per sq foot. <BR/>Publishers should be interested in profits. It is a subtle difference: one is about stock turn, the other about maximising profit from content, however that is supplied.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21660941.post-27090373203961862272007-10-31T03:02:00.000+00:002007-10-31T03:02:00.000+00:00Brilliant post, Richard.As a writer, I can relate ...Brilliant post, Richard.<BR/>As a writer, I can relate to most of what you discuss.<BR/><BR/>I really like the idea of the publisher supplying marketing support in the form of mailling lists, etc. That would be a huge help.<BR/><BR/>Also, I've noticed that some online booksellers do a stellar job of cross-promoting books in similar genres. This has helped my own book immeasurably. Today, it was #1 on Amazon in aviation, even though on other booksellers, it is a good ways down the list. Why is this? Because of the cross-promotion.<BR/><BR/>Most writers just plod along because deep down, I think most of us do it because we HAVE to--it's in our blood and it makes us feel good. I do enjoy getting the royalty check, however.r morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12147514874434254047noreply@blogger.com