Prior to the Internet, book marketing was a whole different landscape. One would write a particularly thrilling (or particularly dull) novel or piece of research non-fiction. After sending out hundreds of not thousands of manuscripts and letters, they would collect a pile of rejection notices as fuel to continue on. JK Rowling, author of the famous Harry Potter series, was reportedly rejected over a hundred times until she caught a publisher. A few rejections were from competing major publishers.
After some time, they will find a standing with a publisher that fits. They then sign their soul over and the publisher will market their book. Aside from maybe a brief conversation about cover design and font type, the book is on its way to the world. A publishing contract will pop up, and a writer is tied for a 4-5 book deal with loopholes that get the publisher out of the contract immediately if the books begin to under perform.
Famed author Stephen King wrote briefly on his history with publishers in the horror dissertation Dance Macabre and the much later released On Writing. Both have greater ideas outside publishing, but they touch on the subject enough to justify a read. He recommends a book publicist to find an audience in this industry. Without one, you are apt to swim in a field of the unknown.
In the end, publishing has changed. Now, book publicity does not require an author to relinquish all control. As a matter of fact, authors can retain almost full control of their work. This is the pride and joy of an author, and only since the last few years has writing been as prevalent and rewarding for authors of such a wide range. From young kids writing books and releasing them for free on their blog, to veteran authors finding new ways to meet distribution, the game is changing. Stephen king himself releases some of his books exclusive in ebook form- and for free! There has not been a more fascinating time in literature than today. The only competition could be the F Scott Fitzgerald era of the 20’s where literature was first being commercialized and classics seem to have been written every other day.
It is a thrilling time, and Book Marketing does not necessitate you to lose all control of the forward momentum of your book.
