Building a best-selling author - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T10:39:59Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/building-a-bestselling-author?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A189551&feed=yes&xn_auth=noI agree that most true writer…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1901302009-03-26T22:50:04.665ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
I agree that most true writers don't necessarily want to be rich ... but they would take the money.<br />
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The people who want to be rich are those readers--and sometimes just TV and movie viewers--who wake up one day and say, "I can write a story as good as ... whatever. I'll just write it and make my millions." And when the the publishers don't call or send checks, they say the market isn't fair, they don't want my story because I don't have a name, and those best-seller guy don't know how to…
I agree that most true writers don't necessarily want to be rich ... but they would take the money.<br />
<br />
The people who want to be rich are those readers--and sometimes just TV and movie viewers--who wake up one day and say, "I can write a story as good as ... whatever. I'll just write it and make my millions." And when the the publishers don't call or send checks, they say the market isn't fair, they don't want my story because I don't have a name, and those best-seller guy don't know how to write.<br />
<br />
I remember when I first started to publish, I had a person who barely knew me come up and say: I've got great ideas, all of them best sellers, you write the story and we'll split the money. I would be surprised if most who write on a regular basis don't have a comparable story. You may be right B.R. but I w…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1901122009-03-26T17:56:37.105ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
You may be right B.R. but I wish that would make me feel better when I open royalty statements.<br />
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Also: You don't get no respect. :)
You may be right B.R. but I wish that would make me feel better when I open royalty statements.<br />
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Also: You don't get no respect. :) I.J.---You said you were a mi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900982009-03-26T16:10:31.091ZB.R.Statehamhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
I.J.---You said you were a mid-list author. That's good, in my opinion. It's in the mid-listings where you see more variety in styles and techniques. I think the big-time best sellers follow a formula, and that formual kinda dries up creativity.
I.J.---You said you were a mid-list author. That's good, in my opinion. It's in the mid-listings where you see more variety in styles and techniques. I think the big-time best sellers follow a formula, and that formual kinda dries up creativity. Yes, luck is in this also.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900902009-03-26T15:01:12.787ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Yes, luck is in this also.
Yes, luck is in this also. You know, this give-away theo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900862009-03-26T15:00:09.127ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
You know, this give-away theory is interesting. Usually you only count on your publicist sending ARCs to the top print reviewers and the trade publications. But I also recall the Bouchercon giveaways. They hooked me with only one of their books (Number One Ladies' Detective Agency). I shall now always wonder if it was the book-giveaway that made the author a best-selling name.
You know, this give-away theory is interesting. Usually you only count on your publicist sending ARCs to the top print reviewers and the trade publications. But I also recall the Bouchercon giveaways. They hooked me with only one of their books (Number One Ladies' Detective Agency). I shall now always wonder if it was the book-giveaway that made the author a best-selling name. Oh, Jesus! Jack, about buying…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900822009-03-26T14:53:59.521ZB.R.Statehamhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
Oh, Jesus! Jack, about buying lotto tickets to be rich--you're absolutely right! But I really don't think most writers want to be rich. Really, I do! I think most want to make a living at it--enough to pay the bills and be able to work on the craft full time. And that wouldn't take too much money. Or at least, not for me.
Oh, Jesus! Jack, about buying lotto tickets to be rich--you're absolutely right! But I really don't think most writers want to be rich. Really, I do! I think most want to make a living at it--enough to pay the bills and be able to work on the craft full time. And that wouldn't take too much money. Or at least, not for me. Oh, wow! Thank you, Thomas.…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900802009-03-26T14:53:40.656ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Oh, wow! Thank you, Thomas.<br />
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I do read the NYT bestseller list sometimes. Yes, it's frequently disappointing, but now and then it contains a good book. Keep in mind that it tells you a lot about the public and who is being promoted heavily.
Oh, wow! Thank you, Thomas.<br />
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I do read the NYT bestseller list sometimes. Yes, it's frequently disappointing, but now and then it contains a good book. Keep in mind that it tells you a lot about the public and who is being promoted heavily. Luck is the outgrowth of Pers…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900602009-03-26T10:32:58.387ZJackBludishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JackBludis
Luck is the outgrowth of Persistence. Have you noticed how many of the jumbo lottery winners--or even the state million-dollar lottery winners have bought a hell of a lot of tickets? How often have you seen that plant or office that bought tickets for a 30, 40, or more to share are winners? You have to stick with it.<br />
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And the fickle market, she--or is it he--does change.<br />
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(In truth, if you want to be rich, don't be a writer, it is cheaper and less time consuming to buy lottery tickets. And you…
Luck is the outgrowth of Persistence. Have you noticed how many of the jumbo lottery winners--or even the state million-dollar lottery winners have bought a hell of a lot of tickets? How often have you seen that plant or office that bought tickets for a 30, 40, or more to share are winners? You have to stick with it.<br />
<br />
And the fickle market, she--or is it he--does change.<br />
<br />
(In truth, if you want to be rich, don't be a writer, it is cheaper and less time consuming to buy lottery tickets. And you may even have a better chance.) I.J. I'll buy you something m…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900502009-03-26T05:35:46.627ZB.R.Statehamhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BRStateham
I.J. I'll buy you something made with Rum and I'll drink the Coke.<br />
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But seriously, Jack has hit on something that strikes home. The aspect of just simple, plain dumb luck comes into play and makes a huge difference on who gets picked for publication and who isn't. Of course there has to be a certain level of talent. . . that's a given. But sheer stupid luck plays big time,<br />
<br />
Or persistance. Blind faith in your abilities and the thick-headedness to believe you can overcome your bad luck by being…
I.J. I'll buy you something made with Rum and I'll drink the Coke.<br />
<br />
But seriously, Jack has hit on something that strikes home. The aspect of just simple, plain dumb luck comes into play and makes a huge difference on who gets picked for publication and who isn't. Of course there has to be a certain level of talent. . . that's a given. But sheer stupid luck plays big time,<br />
<br />
Or persistance. Blind faith in your abilities and the thick-headedness to believe you can overcome your bad luck by being doggedly persistant. That's the only way I know in combating luck. Thank God for hacks. Without…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-03-26:537324:Comment:1900472009-03-26T05:12:13.663ZTom Cookehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/TomCooke
Thank God for hacks. Without them we wouldn't have a genre, or stolen hours of youthful pleasure hidden under the sheets with a flashlight and a book that Mama thought was too adult for tender eyes. Without the penny a word guys we'd have missed out on a lot.
Thank God for hacks. Without them we wouldn't have a genre, or stolen hours of youthful pleasure hidden under the sheets with a flashlight and a book that Mama thought was too adult for tender eyes. Without the penny a word guys we'd have missed out on a lot.