Author: Francine Silverman

Publisher: Infinity Publishing

ISBN: 0-7414-2431-2

The following review was contributed by:John Walsh & CLICK TO VIEW John Walsh's Reviews

Technology has greatly expanded the ability of potential writers to see their would-be masterpieces published and available for worldwide distribution. Yet that technology is often available from small companies who are unable or unwilling to promote and distribute their books properly. Indeed, the vanity publishing industry has also grown hugely, leading to a plethora of books on pretty much every subject under the sun. Francine Silverman’s comprehensive and readable new book is aimed at authors such as these who have poured their hearts into their books and then find that they are obliged to try to sell it themselves.

Based on interviews with scores of authors worldwide, Francine Silverman has gathered the advice they have offered into a series of around three dozen different thematic sections. These include speaking engagements, newsletters and pitching the media – the kinds of things which big name authors with high-powered agents are protected from having to do. As would be expected from such a large variety of interviews, some of the information provided is contradictory and depends to a great extent on what the respondents themselves found to be successful. Those who achieved success through personal networking and selling to friends and family suggest that route; those who achieved success despite not doing anything to provoke it (a small but significant section of any society) recommend the zero-promotion route. The methods are very many and authors in the target audience would be well-advised to sift through them carefully and make honest assessments of what they themselves are willing and able to achieve. Some authors find it particularly difficult to endure public speaking and going around to friends and trying to sell their books to them – others might find that the time spent trying to market books would be better spent preparing for and writing another tome stuffed with deathless prose.

It is interesting that the technology that has enabled this great burst of productivity in publishing has also enabled books such as this to be written, since email contacts have become so important in organising personal and professional networks. This is an interesting and for many people a valuable book.

John Walsh, Shinawatra International University, April 2005