Does anyone else feel a suspicious feeling when authors do loads of talk panels, interviews, press tours, basically turning themselves into a media darling? I can't put my finger on it but it probably has something to do with my strong belief in "the work should speak for itself."
>>25309144No because while the work does speak for itself you need people to read it in the first place
>>25309152Maybe that leads me to my next main question, how much press touring is too much? I don't think one book warrants dozens of appearances unless you have sold millions upon millions and are a bestseller in like 40 countries, but maybe I'm retarded.
>>25309144Your instinct is absolutely correct. Presented with two items of allegedly equal value, but with one having better marketing, you should choose the one with worse marketing. Taleb has a whole article about this on his old Medium.
>>25309144DFW talked about it around 1:02:30https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGLzWdT7vGc>The whole going around and reading in bookstores thing, it’s turning writers into kind of penny-ante or cheap versions of celebrities. People aren’t usually coming out to hear you read, they’re coming out to sort of see what you look like . . . none of it's important, and it's icky.
>>25309157You're missing the point, which is that they go on those tours in order to sell copies, not necessarily because they've sold copies. I'm not saying that makes it a good thing, though.
>>25309421I already know that, that's not what I'm trying to get at
>>25309157>how much marketing is too much?Marketing under capitalism is the deciding factor of success including in writing.
The story of the utter failure of Melville's Moby Dick to sell during his lifetime is a fascinating story. It was 70 years later that the so-called "Melville Revival" began as book critics started to proclaim it The Great American novel. -- Maybe if Melville had agreed to appear on Oprah's show he wouldn't have died broke.
Showing up in a bookshop and reading from the book you wrote is probably the most human and honest way of marketing I can think of for any kind of medium. What is the alternative? Throwing it onto amazon and hoping the algorythm throws catches up on it? Paying indians to leave fake reviews?Simply no ads or marketing whatsoever? Like what do you think a book release should look like and why would an in person meet be viewed with suspicion?
>>25309144marketing is unfortunately unavoidable but yes i also feel that way, it feels forced and for want of a better word, cringe>>25309176>People aren’t usually coming out to hear you read, they’re coming out to sort of see what you look likevery true
>>25309144Everything I hear from authors is that they have to do a lot of the press for the books themselves, even with trad publication 100% for indie authorsSo yes, talks, lots of book signings, etc
>>25309144YesSome agents these days even write "let us know what you would do to help promote your book." Maybe it's just to make sure they don't miss an opportunity to get a deal for crap written by famous people who will advertise it for them. But it's pretty sad and just the way the world works.
>>25309670none of this has anything to do with the questions or premises of the thread but thanks i guess, hope you felt smart and interesting posting this
If you were famous im pretty sure you wouldnt sleep on the opportunity to sleep with one of your fans too, simple as
>>25310325i mean fair enough but a lot of these people are married with children
