What newly-published authors find out and you want to know
\nWiscon Panel #42
\nSaturday, 10 a.m.<\/p>\n
Panelists: John M. Scalzi [an excellent moderator], Barth Anderson, Kelly D. Link, Virginia “Ginny” G. McMorrow<\/p>\n
[Relatively short report – I only took only two pages of notes.]<\/p>\n
Publicity \/ Blogging:<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the topics discussed was the importance of blogging and having an internet presence as a form of networking and publicity. Somehow I think that has worked better for John Scalzi than for most of the rest of us.<\/p>\n [But then I do this for fun and to learn about writing, and networking done for fun is probably a better kind of networking.]<\/p>\n One of the best forms of publicity is keeping a blog, Link said. Someone, I missed who, said it’s important to comment intelligently on other people’s blogs. Then, other bloggers and blog-readers will follow your link back to your own blog and\/or website. That’s how commenting creates publicity for you.<\/p>\n Other Publicity:<\/strong><\/p>\n Scalzi sold his books after putting them on his website, which leads to a debate on whether giving away your writing helps.<\/p>\n Scalzi said it’s hard to do publicity in the traditional sense, because there are so many new authors, so each gets lost in the shuffle.<\/p>\n Business:<\/strong><\/p>\n One possible frustration is that new authors will get no say in things like their cover art. Scalzi says there’s a certain publisher he refuses to sell to, because their covers are embarrassing. [He wouldn’t name it. Feel free to guess.]<\/p>\n On agents: Lots of places don’t take unagented work; the agents handle the paperwork so writers can write; and there are a lot of bad agents out there, so do your research.<\/p>\n And keep writing while stuff’s in submission, of course.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What newly-published authors find out and you want to know Wiscon Panel #42 Saturday, 10 a.m. Panelists: John M. Scalzi [an excellent moderator], Barth Anderson, Kelly D. Link, Virginia “Ginny” G. McMorrow [Relatively short report – I only took only … Continue reading
\nScalzi added that getting your book mentioned on blogs with a large audience helps.
\nAnderson said the internet is great for networking. He has a blog, but said that if he has to make a choice between blogging and writing, he usually writes. [Good plan.]<\/p>\n