SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION

Good advice from Crawford Killian today. Not too many words on this except for the fact that we writers don't do enough of it and it's perplexing because who else in what other profession would spend this much time, money, and effort at perfecting something only to leave it in the hands of someone else to earn a profit. I say we must all strive for that balance and not be seduced into the romantics of writing 'cos their ain't nothing romantic about being a broke artist. A very good writer friend of mine thought I was crazy for reading the Publisher's Weekly as much as I do but how come girlfriend called me up to ask for info on Random House, McGraw Hill and others when she completed her non-fiction project? Nuff said.

So a long time ago I decided to do one thing, every day to ensure my financial success. Creating databases of bookclubs, small indie bookstores that might be interested in having me to read, libraries, etc etc etc.

--A.