No, I Don't Feel Like A Fish Seller!
A younger woman writer wailed that she felt like a fish seller when she had to pre-sell her book. Honey, in this environment we all have to help promote our work. The publishers can't afford to do the public relations. It's up to us. We need to get past that feeling of humiliation or distaste for promoting our own interests. Good writing deserves to be read, and we have to stand behind our work, and behind the work of other writers we admire.
My generation of women were taught to be quiet and not to take up space. And then Adrienne Rich was born, and Audre Lorde (may she rest in peace), and Tillie Olsen, and Gloria Steinem and Bella Abzug. Add to the list here:
It's up to us to help promote the next generation of writers and artists, and the next. But we start by being proud of our own work, and not being ashamed to say so!
Check out Squad 365 online, a group that has been supportive to writers about marketing. Todd Boss, a wonderful poet, is one of the movers and shakers. The website offers terrific suggestions. http:// Squad 365 Book Marketing
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"Eternity is in love with the productions of time."”
—William Blake
About Marilyn
Marilyn Kallet was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and grew up in New York. She is the author of 16 books, including The Love That Moves Me (poetry); Packing Light: New and Selected Poems, Black Widow Press; Circe, After Hours, poetry from BkMk Press; The...
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Causes Marilyn Kallet Supports
Southern Poverty Law Center, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, ACLU, Amnesty International, Save Darfur.
this metaphor raises . . .
. . . the unpleasant suggestion that one's work is "fish"! Not that I don't like fish, but art and fish are two different things, n'est-ce pas?
That said, I have to admit a certain sympathy for the particular complaint this woman is making. It's harder to sell a book that doesn't yet exist than to sell one you can wave around in people's faces. : ) I've had a good handful of friends in the past few years who've been asked by their publishers, basically, to prove in advance that there's a market for the book either as a condition of publication or as a means of determining the print run. There are a number of things related to the absence of a tangible "product" that make this a harder sell, not least of which is that it is often the appearance of the book that leads curators to offer you readings -- which is where a number of one's sales are made.
It can be done (and is worth doing, if one believes in one's work, as you say, Marilyn), but I know I would feel a bit more daunted by the pre-selling challenge than I have by the challenge of generating enough sales to repay my publisher's investment in the book. Just thinking aloud . . .
Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Books are angels, not fish!
You're right about that. The fish metaphor came from a wailing blog post from a first time author on "Women Write."
I just had this conversation in Oakland with my friend Brenda HIllman. She said that in this economic environment, we have to do what we have to do in order to get books out. Her lack of snobbism about pre-selling was interesting to me.
I've never had to pre-sell a book. But my younger colleagues who have books out with Finishing Line Press have been asked to do so. I'm asking myself not to be snobby toward them or the press, that does such nice books.
I have a terrible time promoting my own work. I'm trying to bluff my way into less misery. The selling needs to be done, and no one is going to do it for us.
Cheers and all good wishes to you, Marilyn
snobbism
You and Brenda are right that this -- "snobbism" -- has no place in it. I'm not even sure what that would be based on, in this case. Finishing Line and other presses that operate through pre-sales are *not* in any way vanity presses. Just as Brenda says that "we have to do what we have to do in order to get books out," likewise small presses have to do what they have to do. One of the things some have to do, apparently, is to make absolutely sure that they can recoup their money -- to ensure the ability of the press to publish the following season's books.
I'm just thinking of the difficulty factor, which remains an issue, with or without "snobbism." You say you find it difficult, as it is, to promote your own work -- imagine that magnified by the problem of getting people to buy a future publication. You know, it makes me think of the old, old system (sometimes revived by small presses today, in varied forms) of seeking "subscriptions" for books. Phillis Wheatley and others of her late-eighteenth-century era would typically seek to get a certain number of "subscribers" to pledge to buy a book, in order to gain a publisher's commitment to have it printed -- an even *harder* task, it would seem.
Red Room is about book promotion, in many ways, but you don't seem to be miserable here! May there be much joy ahead in all aspects of your writing career, Marilyn!
Peace.
Thanks and same to you!
Here's to continued success in all your creative endeavors!
My father was a salesman. He had no education and he made a living for his family and sent his daughters to college. He was an introvert but I watched him get up each day and sell.
I think of him often! His spirit gives me courage.
You're right about subscriptions, that's a good historical comparison.
One suggestion for promoting women's writing was to send a list of your hundred top books by women to your press contacts. I like that suggestion. Maybe you'll have others for promoting women's work?
Joy to you--keep up the good work!
word of mouth and "word of blog" . . .
. . . are tried and true methods by which I support the work of poets I admire, particularly those poets whose work goes un(der)attended by the national media and the literary establishment, for one reason or another. Sometimes I get the opportunity to project my virtual voice on blogs besides my own (through comments or guest-blogging spots), which is nice for reaching new audiences.
I also promote such books by teaching them! What a pleasure: to share your passion for a collection with a group of students seeking to have the many doors of the house of poetry thrown open to them! Everybody wins. : )
Your dad sounds like a real trouper!
Peace.
Promotion
Hi Marilyn--
While I sympathize with those who must generate pre-publication sales in order to get a certain number of books printed, I truly dislike the model. I agree with you completely when you say that we need to work very hard to promote our work. But that's not the same thing as assuring the publisher of a guaranteed number of sales. Presses that require this are, in effect, refusing to take a risk. I don't blame them for not wanting to take a risk, especially in today's economy. But it's unfair to ask/require the poet to guarantee sales. I have supported many friends with Finishing Line Press chapbooks, but at this point I want to start saying No. The chapbooks are lovely but also overpriced. How many are put out each year? Many of them. I am bombarded by postcards and emails from FLP poets. I feel for those poets having to do that, but I simply cannot pre-order so many books. I think I am a snob about this, guilty, but that's my view. The publisher has every right to expect authors to push for readings and to promote their books in every way possible--that's a collaborative effort--but they should not make publication dependent upon pre-publication sales. Very fine line between that and subsidy publishing.
Wom-Po alerted me to these issues.
I have endorsed some very fine chapbooks for Finishing LIne, but would not send my own work there for the very reasons you mention.
P.S. It's not subsidy publishing
They reject a large number of manuscripts. I have seen some those works that have been rejected, and in some cases they are absolutely first rate.
From the Irish perspective I
From the Irish perspective I note there was an article today in the Irish Times magazine promoting the work of Paul Durcan, Irish poet. It bothered me because it was headlined celebration and not, as I thought it should be and that would be promotion. It was obviously so with many quote well known Irish writers lauding the word and how they first encountered it. I found it to be a little unsettling. The word should stand alone. To me, it was an advertisement under the guise of a literary exercise.
That does sound a bit sticky--
Where to draw the line? And who's promoting the work of women writers?
Good point Marilyn but I
Good point Marilyn but I could not help but scrutinize the page for the word ''advertisement'' hidden in the small print somewhere........as for the women writers, well, there aren't enough of them or they are all too busy cleaning house and changing diapers.
We are busy, but there are plenty of good women writers.
We still don't get the visibility or attention.
YES YES YES!
YES YES YES!
Write to the paper about the celebration/promotion distinction.
Mary, will you let your paper know how you feel about that blurred line?
Marilyn-- I know it's not
Marilyn--
I know it's not the same as subsidy publication and that a subsidy press takes a manuscript from whomever can pay the upfront cost while a pre-publication sales press such as FLP is selective. However, it's the business model that strikes me as pretty similar. Subsidy requires the author to put up the money; the pre-pub kind of press requires the author to get friends and relatives to put up the money.
Informative Post and Comments
I think most people are somewhat uncomfortable promoting their own work. And I think this is probably a good thing. I have heard some unpleasant remarks and backlash about some authors who are too agressive and obnoxious in promoting their book. Promotion can be tasteful and still effective. I also agree with Marilyn that books are a good thing and we need to be proud to promote them--especially our own. As Marilyn and others work with her, probably the "fish seller" will come to realize this.
I really laughed at Marilyn's comment that a "generation of women were taught to be quiet and not take up space." I had not heard it put that way before, but it is somewhat apt for many women.
I was disillusioned when I learned that some university presses suggest writers contribute to them as the writer might have done to self publish in a subsidy press. I do not know anyone who agreed to do this, but it certainly took some of the universtiy press prestiege away in my eyes.
Diane is correct that this pre-publication model is not wholesome--not even for the publishers, I suspect.
If no one promotes the book publishing will end
Greetings. Finishing line press does not require authors to ever pay for book publishing. We are not a vanity press. If an author does not meet our goal of 50 presales we just do a smaller press run. We work because we ask our authors to help us promote the book...not with money but with social media. They are never required to pay anything. We only accept about 5% of the manuscripts submitted to us, and we make sure to nominate our authors for awards. We will even post their good news on our social media accounts if they publish a book with another publisher. If we did not ask the authors to promote their work, books would not sell and we would not "be". I know, we tried it the other way and it nearly ended.
Good to have that clarification here!
As you know, I've endorsed the books by at least half dozen of your fine authors, many of whom are former students of mine. The books are for most part very handsome, and carefully done.
Thank you for giving so many young authors their first chance to be published!
Marilyn
Yes, I know, and I'm so
Yes, I know, and I'm so thankful to you for doing so. I only felt the need to add my say.
Blessings,
Leah
My respect for you and your work--
Leah, you've accomplished so much--I'm in awe! Let me know how I can help you promote the books, the press, in the future.
For poetry month, our library is going to do a special display of Finishing Line Press books--I suggested this, and they liked the idea. I'll get pictures for you! Those ribbons will be trailing beautifully, elegantly, side by side.
Women editors are the hope of women writers! 80 per cent of those ribboned volumes are by women poets whose work I greatly admire.
Thank you! Marilyn
Thank You!!!
Oh, how very wonderful!!! Yes, please let me know all about it, and if there is anything online, please give me the link so I can announce it on facebook and our website, etc...
Thank you so very much.
Blessings,
Leah
Absolutely!
The display is going to be done by the library for April, Poetry Month. I'm looking forward and will keep you posted.
Rock on! Marilyn
Chapbook Acceptance
Marilyn, Leah, and all,
I just learned my chapbook, The Glass Sponge, was accepted by Finishing Line Press as part of their 2013 releases. This is my first chapbook and second submittance so I'm pleased. (I had many questions but thanks to this thread, they've dwindled.)
What is important to me is illuminating poverty, abuse and neglect through The Glass Sponge. It's hard to do that without readers. Also, I want to donate a portion of my proceeds to CASA of Southwest Missouri. I don't know if Red Room can sell my chapbook or not (more questions) but either way, it's hard to donate money to abused and neglected children without promoting and selling my chapbook.
Take care,
Jules
Mazel Tov!
Congrats on this new forthcoming book! Wonderful news! And your contribution to children who are in need is all the more laudible.
Here's to success--warm good wishes,
Marilyn
Better Late...
Marilyn,
I took a fifteen year break from writing and am playing catch up. Although I've had dozens of poems, stories and articles published collectively, I consider this chapbook publication a springboard for other book publications. Thanks for your clarification on Finishing Line Press; I vowed I won't self-publish.
And thanks for your words of encouragement.
Jules
Congratulation, Jules!
With all you have gone through the last year or so, this is such wonderful news. I am thrilled for you. I did not send flowers when you were injured, but I certainly will buy your book.
Thank you, Marilyn, for all you to do promote women writers and give them space in the literary world.
I liked learning the historical perspective that Evie gave us about Phyllis Wheatley. Interesting that history repeats itself.
Right back at you, Sue!
Your encouragement of women writers is unfailing and very much appreciated!
Sisterhood is still powerful--
First
Sue,
I haven't officially signed a contract or made an announcement and The Glass Sponge won't be available until 2013 but I already have a sale. (And there will be a donation to CASA by me for every sale.)
I'll take your sale over get well cards and flowers any day.
You're wonderful.
Jules
Selling/Marketing Your Own Books
I can definitely identify with many of the comments, as well as the woman in the blog! I self publish my work and I am very conscious of promoting it and marketing it. I never want to come across as pushy, but of course I want people to know about it and that I would love to hear their thoughts and feedback as well. There is a fine line between promotions and pushy, and while I'm sure I've probably crossed it a few lines (although I hope not!) I know it is up to me to promote my work, no one else and I am becoming more confident in what I feel comfortable with, as well as stepping out of those comfort zones to promote my books. It's nice to see that others have similar feelings/experiences!