A writer's notebook

Happy with the results of my website makeover, I ventured into a new realm of the writing industry - bookstores. I had always thought of them as warm and cozy places far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Wrong. They are engaged in competition just as vigorously as any other business, and as you might have guessed, it is the writer who pays.

My interest was in advertising the fact that I had a new book coming out, and what better way to call attention to my eighteen months of research and hard labor than holding a reading/book signing at local bookstores - two major chain stores, and one independent. I learned that the latter apparently was engaged in a pitched battle with the former. The upshot was that there
"ain't no free lunch," and there was scant possibility of selling enough copies of my book to cover the expenses involved. Writer beware: Independent bookstores don't come cheap. Investigate the indy thoroughly before cutting a deal, and have plenty of the long green stuff in your pocket before making a commitment.

And what about the majors? I don't know yet. They're next on my research agenda, and I'll certainly let you know the results. But first, have you ever wondered about the proliferation of publishing houses catering to the self-published writer? As a self-published author myself, I think I can answer that question next time around on this blog. Stay tuned.