Books in the Time of Plague
Publishers publish books. If you have a sales record in the hundred thousands they are out there with you publicizing, promoting, selling, and distributing books. If you are most of the rest of us authors, publishers publish books–the rest is up to you. Most of us, perhaps more than 90% of us, have to write the book and then celebrate, nurture, and get that child of your brain, your sweat, and your soul out into the world.
The process is not that terrible. Less-known authors do it all the time. I have gone out there and done readings, book signings, and lectures to promote my paginated children. I’ve sat in booths at craft fairs and music festivals to get my books in front of the public. I’ve sat in bookstores waiting for anywhere from two to fifty people to show up.
The public…..but suddenly there is no public. Readings, signings, lectures, fairs, festivals, and even family gatherings have dwindled or entirely ceased to exist. What continues to exist is YOU….you and the Internet. So now you are part of the process. In fact, you are a major component in the artistic pipeline. How does that work? Well, if you are looking at this page and you find it interesting, PASS IT ON. Send the website link to your friends and family. If you read the books by this author or any author who is not already a “best seller” write a short review and post it on Amazon, or Barnes and Noble, or even on your community’s newsletter.
Pitch in and lend a hand….don’t let the pandemic’s silence reign!
IMPORTANT ADDENDA: AMAZON HAS A LARGE MONOPOLY ON THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BOOKS. YOUR REVIEWS OF BOOKS–PARTICULARLY THOSE OF LESSER-KNOWN AUTHORS–ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN AMAZON’S LISTING AND THEREFORE SELLING ALGORITHM. HOWEVER, THESE REVIEWS ARE NOT FREE. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO EXERCISE YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS TO REVIEW A BOOK ON AMAZON IF YOU DON’T FIT INTO ONE OF THESE FINANCIAL CATEGORIES:
1. You must have spent $50 at Amazon in the past 12 months
or
2. You must be an Amazon Prime member, which currently costs $119/year Will YOU write to Amazon protesting this discriminatory policy??
