…on the other hand, many of these fair-weather opportunists are but vultures, using your circumstances as a means by which to get your face, name or story on a product; just another product to be tossed into their pipeline of other products and services. Not necessarily a “scam,” but a ”practice” and “routine” for sure. And still, that doesn’t necessarily mean the author would be so privileged as to get into the major book stores (whats left of them), or into the vehicles that most of these “big boys” have bought into. But its more of a sure thing than not. since they’re investing time and money. You’d better believe they wanna see their investment mature. “1st Movers” in the book game are those authors or publishers who gained access and a monopoly on book shelf space (and our systems of trust and credibility) so many years ago. And because they’re 1st movers, they’ve earned or purchased relationships that allow them to impose upon the buyer’s attention, pushing their brands to the forefront, oft times blinding consumers from the other realities in the store; in other words, other books. How many times have you gone into a bookstore where you see the same book promoted or placed in numerous places? The store window, the cash register, on the end of book shelves where there is the most visibility. Because of the limited space inside bookstores (stores are seen as “brick & mortars”) these spaces I’ve noted are high profile spots that you’ll find products “positioned” so that they are all up in the consumer’s face. YOU, the independent author doesn’t stand a chance, (and never did stand a chance) and least of all the privilege, isolation and attention that these highly financed products have earned. Whether or not they are considered “good books” is not the issue from their perspective. In a sense, the growing community of readers were slipped a Mickey in the past few decades, as these “first movers” Grandfathered their way into these book stores and set up monopolies before the idea of monopolies was even popular or considered unfair. But is this unfair, or merely bold & competitive? Well, in the world of talent of course it is. But who is in control of what a business practices within its own doors? Not the FCC, SEC or the FTC. There is no government agency that will step in and yell “FOUL!” Meanwhile, if your book debuted last week, and if in all of its newness to the planet Earth it does not reach the market its directed towards, the author and publisher are (by default) the big losers in the world of relevance; and maybe even the reader loses, assuming there is vital, timely information in the book.
Bottom line is, you never get a 2nd chance for that birthing process. So if its not promoted right; if the right marketing & publicity is not in place to support the launch to the masses, then you’ve bombed! No excuses! And no doubt, debut authors are bombing everyday; at least by popular standards. Everyday debut authors are being clobbered by the realities of disenfranchisement. Its something like getting in the cheese lines of the 70’s, versus getting some fast food, or (if you’re lucky) going to a restaurant to be served. You would think that at least a person deserves is something to eat. But everyday, we’re kept out of the mix, disenfranchised from the real race, for life’s substantial achievements. No national morning television/radio shows to promote your book. No major magazines or newspapers to jump on your story. Zilch!
IT WON’T HAPPEN. And this is not a thing about discouragement or a scare tactic. There’s no rationalizing being kept out of the surplus of resources the world has to offer you. There is enough to go around; enough for everyone to eat.
But here this; this the reality…
- There are but 24 hours in a day, and
- There’s so much competition from everyone trying to write, publish and sell books that the mass market efforts are over-crowded. And furthermore,
- The real estate of book shelves, inside book stores, is getting slimmer as book stores continue to crumble; as the existing stores push books to the rear… Add to that;
- Book stores can’t pay creditors because books are less relevant & make little profit[thanks to other forms of media that now grab for our attention[thousands of lay-offs and store closings, this is not getting pretty. In fact, this is more like the chickens coming home to roost. Companies abusing and milking the people, printing anything possible to earn a dollar/as apposed to bringing value to market.
At one time, publishing companies paid handsomely, rolling the dice on new content, knowing that they only needed to present the work to get it sold. Today, however, with every form of media attacking the consumer consciousness, books are at the very end of the race, but also right at the center of the battle for content.
Today, one of the only ways to get leverage in the book business (unless you have a phenomenal testimonial or tragic or controversial subject) is to…
COMING SOON, I DID IT, YOU CAN TOO (2nd Edition) Ebook & Traditional print coming your way. Stay tuned!
