[From the Archives] Excuses
This is from Mid-June 2009…
______________
I’m late on my self-imposed “posting day” deadline. I apologize. Though all kinds of stuff, I managed to come up with something to say on Wednesdays for the past several months. This week, it’s Thursday – and late at that. Curses…
Now, I could come up with some litany of excuses which could seem valid, but they would not be nearly as creative as the only I came up with for the YardDog Press Lame-Ass Excuse Party at SoonerCon last weekend. I may have to post it just as soon as my website is back up to speed. Yes, that’s the real reason everything is late this week – I’ve switched webhosters, and the WordPress transfer which should probably be so simple a monkey could do it (if it was from Planet of the Apes AND on steroids), is beyond my techno-ken like by a factor of MOLE (look it up – it’s either really big or really tiny, but still beyond me). If you want the creative excuse I’ll post it on my website as soon as it’s back to full functioning force.
So some may be wondering, wait. Lame-ass excuse contest? Yes. I participated in a Lame-Ass Excuse contest for YardDog Press’s party at SoonerCon. Why? Well, it’s fun and my publisher asked – and for the cheesy prize (which if I’m not careful, next year might actually BE cheese). And herein lies the purpose of this week’s ramble.
The Things We Do For Our Publishers
Once upon a time in the distant past of publishing it used to be enough to write a good story, send it to a publisher, make a living, and even become somewhat famous. That’s not true anymore. Now there’s the “Make a Fool of Oneself” factor. And I mean that in the good, professional way, not the “Get on YouTube the Paris Hilton Way” way. What I’m talking about is the “extra mile” stuff.
Extra Mile Stuff not in the Contract
1. Work the table/booth/crowd – When you’re not “officially” busy, be where your books are being sold and talk to people. DO NOT push your book and your book only (hard sell never works). Ask the potential customer what they like. Don’t be afraid to recommend another person’s book with your publisher. Because…odds are, that person will buy the book you recommend AND your book if you don’t scare off the customer.
2. Perform, Monkey, Perform – Dude, it’s so an American Idol/MTV world. It’s not enough to write a brilliant story. Now you have to be able to put on a show, too. Public speaking, panels, readings, interpretive dance… YardDog Press does this thing called the Traveling Road Show, and yes, I “interpretive dance” behind readings. We also do skits, sing, etc. etc. I also appear in an upcoming promotional YouTube video as a Yumbie. I filmed at 9 a.m. on a Saturday Morning in 4 inch heels. All for the good of the press.
3. Get the word out – these new-fangled social media sites and technologies like Hulu and YouTube and Podcasts are awesome, and if you DO have technology skills above those of a garden variety housecat – these are inexpensive and creative ways of spreading the word.
Why do you do this? Why put yourself out there? If you’re old enough to remember the 80s you’ll remember Vidal Sassoon: “If you don’t look good. We don’t look good.” The more books you sell, the more effort you’re willing to put into the business end of the writing AFTER the brilliant story, the more likely that publisher (at ANY LEVEL) is going to be to give you another contract.
Do the math. Writer A and Writer B both submit equally brilliant manuscripts. There’s only one slot in the calendar. Writer A and Writer B have comparable internet/technology exposure. Writer A goes out to all the conventions/events/gatherings possible, talks, performs, does good monkey work to hand sell not only her book but the whole press’s books – and walks the line between enthusiasm and scary. Writer B goes to a handful of conventions, does panels, spends little or no time around the publisher, hangs out with a core group or in their room. Which author do you think is getting the contract? Do the math.
No matter the size of the press, it comes down to making the money. Art has very little to do with it any more. If you can’t sell your own book, it’s not getting sold. To anyone. Publishers have no time or money to do it. They have to look at bottom lines. Those who move the books get more opportunities. Fact. Does it hurt to be brilliant? Oh, no, never, but this is a commercial world and it’s not changing any time soon.