The Future of Books
I subscribe to a sort of enewsletter by a man named Seth Godin. It is very provocative; he basically writes about how the publishing (and creative expression world--music, etc.) is changing due to digital means. Here's his latest
http://www.thedominoproject.com/2012/07/confusing-media-with-messages.html
As the writer of ebooks, and regular books, I have learned that writing is now 50% or more marketing--something I don't have time for and something that has nothing to do with the quality of my writing. Not only do I not have time for it, I do not have a heart for it. I think my writing is as good as anyone's (well, anyone mainstream--it's not Cormac McCarthy). But self-promotion is hard. I am facing a difficult time in life due to a family member's grave illness and the fact that I am in a doctoral program, on top of having a job. Spending ten to twenty hours a week or more trying to get people to buy my books is just not a priority.
Any ideas for those like me? One is to enlist friends who put your name and books on discussion boards.
http://www.thedominoproject.com/2012/07/confusing-media-with-messages.html
As the writer of ebooks, and regular books, I have learned that writing is now 50% or more marketing--something I don't have time for and something that has nothing to do with the quality of my writing. Not only do I not have time for it, I do not have a heart for it. I think my writing is as good as anyone's (well, anyone mainstream--it's not Cormac McCarthy). But self-promotion is hard. I am facing a difficult time in life due to a family member's grave illness and the fact that I am in a doctoral program, on top of having a job. Spending ten to twenty hours a week or more trying to get people to buy my books is just not a priority.
Any ideas for those like me? One is to enlist friends who put your name and books on discussion boards.
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