found drama

Via B^2: “…how books make (or don’t) money…”

At the meetings, people shake their heads and sigh, but you are an obnoxious editor who loves your book. You bother people enough until your publisher gives you a full page 4/c (four color — aka full color) ad in Romantic Times BookClub Magazine, and puts four other small books in the ad, so the price gets split. You bug more people, and you get 4/c bound galleys and a mailing to a couple of independent bookstores and a bookmark for the author to hand out.

The publisher tells you to get some in house reads, because she isn’t sure this is a wise use of resources — without blurbs, you’re going to have a hard time. Plus, you’re on your second cover — the art department just can’t get it right. You spent $4,500 hiring an artist. Now the art director is working on the cover himself, using stock art. You still have to pay for stock art — it costs $1,400.

Basically the same blurb that B^2 grabbed out. But fuck it, that’s the one that grabbed me. It’s a long read but worth it for the industry knowledge. (I don’t “work” books, remember – – just fantasize about making ends meet with the pen.)

It makes me want to do my own cover art.

currently playing: Underworld “Banstyle/Sappy’s Curry”

About Rob Friesel