Comments on: Writers and money http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money For writers, readers, and independent thinkers--book and story reviews by writers and readers, writers' motivational articles, war stories from the publishing trenches, literary trends, religious controversies, free chocolate, and more. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:34:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Matt http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-10620 Matt Sat, 01 Dec 2007 15:38:52 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-10620 Two things about school visits: 1. If you can write a book for elementary-age students, you'll NEVER have to worry about class participation. I have never had to cajole kids into asking questions—and they've never run out of questions, either. They're a much better audience than their teachers, frankly! (Grown-ups are so self-conscious.) 2. One thing you haven't pointed out about school visits, Robin: You can get PAID to do them, unlike bookstore visits. Personally, I don't have enough free time to be doing school visits for free. Two things about school visits:

1. If you can write a book for elementary-age students, you’ll NEVER have to worry about class participation. I have never had to cajole kids into asking questions—and they’ve never run out of questions, either. They’re a much better audience than their teachers, frankly! (Grown-ups are so self-conscious.)

2. One thing you haven’t pointed out about school visits, Robin: You can get PAID to do them, unlike bookstore visits. Personally, I don’t have enough free time to be doing school visits for free.

]]> By: robin http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9843 robin Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:24:38 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9843 Maria, I'll simplify it for now: it falls into the category of "one too many helpful suggestions to the publicity department." It's been hard to grasp how much they're already doing for the book. I keep thinking they want me to keep feeding them all my fabulous ideas, which maybe (it turns out) aren't so fabulous. Publishers do want their authors to be enthusiastic promoters of their own books, but there's a limit to how many "hey, what about this?" e-mails they like to get from us. Lesson learned. Maria, I’ll simplify it for now: it falls into the category of “one too many helpful suggestions to the publicity department.” It’s been hard to grasp how much they’re already doing for the book. I keep thinking they want me to keep feeding them all my fabulous ideas, which maybe (it turns out) aren’t so fabulous.

Publishers do want their authors to be enthusiastic promoters of their own books, but there’s a limit to how many “hey, what about this?” e-mails they like to get from us.

Lesson learned.

]]> By: Maria Padian http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9803 Maria Padian Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:47:43 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9803 Robin, Great discussion, and I'm HUNGRY for this type of information and advice. You and I have the same publisher, and I'm curious: what did you do that enhanced their efforts, and what step-on-the-toes mistakes should I avoid? Robin,
Great discussion, and I’m HUNGRY for this type of information and advice. You and I have the same publisher, and I’m curious: what did you do that enhanced their efforts, and what step-on-the-toes mistakes should I avoid?

]]> By: robin http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9791 robin Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:37:32 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9791 Ruth, in answer to your question, my publisher did A LOT to promote my book. They decided to make it their lead book on the summer children's list, and so it got lots and lots of extra special treatment--more advertising, more promotion, etc. But there are still things that writers can and should do to promote their own books. The trick is to do what enhances the publisher's efforts, without stepping on anyone's toes (a problem I had at least once). And again, there's this issue of how much time and money to spend promoting your own book, vs. getting on with writing the next one. I'm still trying to work out that balance. I'll keep you posted. Ruth, in answer to your question, my publisher did A LOT to promote my book. They decided to make it their lead book on the summer children’s list, and so it got lots and lots of extra special treatment–more advertising, more promotion, etc.

But there are still things that writers can and should do to promote their own books. The trick is to do what enhances the publisher’s efforts, without stepping on anyone’s toes (a problem I had at least once). And again, there’s this issue of how much time and money to spend promoting your own book, vs. getting on with writing the next one.

I’m still trying to work out that balance. I’ll keep you posted.

]]> By: Vivian http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9775 Vivian Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:13:27 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9775 Robin, You are the absolute coolest to share info like this to all of us. I love this post. Thank you. Robin,
You are the absolute coolest to share info like this to all of us. I love this post. Thank you.

]]> By: Michelle http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9768 Michelle Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:53:41 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9768 Robin, this is all very interesting, and I LOVE that you throw chocolate at people who ask questions! Robin, this is all very interesting, and I LOVE that you throw chocolate at people who ask questions!

]]> By: MotherReader http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9765 MotherReader Wed, 24 Oct 2007 03:16:17 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9765 Oh, did you see John Green's videoblog yesterday? It's started a whole evolution vs. creationism thing in the comments. You've got to check it out. Oh, did you see John Green’s videoblog yesterday? It’s started a whole evolution vs. creationism thing in the comments. You’ve got to check it out.

]]> By: MotherReader http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9763 MotherReader Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:51:23 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9763 I'm putting this post in my I'll-be-a-writer-someday file. I'd love to hear more. I’m putting this post in my I’ll-be-a-writer-someday file. I’d love to hear more.

]]> By: Ruth http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9762 Ruth Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:45:15 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9762 Yes, yes, I'd love to see more of these "conversations!" Everyone seems to have different experiences, and it's incredibly helpful to hear about them. I've been considering the same issues, my book is due out next summer, it's like you read my mind! How much did your publisher do to promote your book, and how much did you do yourself? I'd love to know what worked and what didn't. Thanks! Yes, yes, I’d love to see more of these “conversations!” Everyone seems to have different experiences, and it’s incredibly helpful to hear about them. I’ve been considering the same issues, my book is due out next summer, it’s like you read my mind!

How much did your publisher do to promote your book, and how much did you do yourself? I’d love to know what worked and what didn’t.

Thanks!

]]> By: Laura Fitzgerald http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9738 Laura Fitzgerald Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:30:22 +0000 http://robinbrande.com/writing/writers-and-money#comment-9738 Very interesting stuff, Robin. Keep it coming. Very interesting stuff, Robin. Keep it coming.

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