I like writers. They know how to work with words on the page. The real magic in most books isn’t what the author says, but rather, how they say it. Voice is one of those qualities that can make a book unique from others on a crowded bookstore shelf. Description of a scene can draw […]
Essays
Assorted Thoughts on Recommendations
The recommendation is ultimate currency. Sales at movie theaters, restaurants, hair salons and bookstores are all driven by one person telling another about something. The recommendation might be “Wow, doesn’t that look cool?” or “Oh my god, you have to try/see/read this?” Book publishers can help people who want to recommend their books. The best […]
The Long Arc of Successful Book Publishing
There are two very different activities involved in publishing a successful book. First, authors need to be artisans. They need to find the inspiration in the ether and manifest those ideas through words on the page. Artists listen to the world and work to express their truth and the truth of the moment. There is […]
Two Things Self-Publishing Can Teach Any Author
Two weeks ago, Craig Mod launched a campaign to publish his new book Kissa by Kissa. I think it is safe to call it a niche book. The book is about walking, pizza toast, and Japanese cafes. It cost $95. He was only selling 1000 copies. And you could only buy it through his retro-fitted […]
