Speaking as a publisher: - If your publisher isn't doing promo, they're not doing their job. The primary advantage of HAVING a publisher in the first place is their marketing reach should exceed yours. - But that being said: One, I am not a miracle worker, and two, my GOD I love a self-starter. - ThreadSky

ironspike.bsky.social • 55 days ago

Speaking as a publisher:

- If your publisher isn't doing promo, they're not doing their job. The primary advantage of HAVING a publisher in the first place is their marketing reach should exceed yours.
- But that being said: One, I am not a miracle worker, and two, my GOD I love a self-starter.

Reposted from Holly 🗡️🏳️‍🌈🍉

Bottom line: Your publisher should be your partner, and they should tell you what you can expect from them and ask what you are comfortable contributing, not expecting you to carry your own banner.

They should give a damn about you and your project, otherwise why are they publishing it?

Comments

anyonecomics.bsky.social•54 days ago

One of the strong selling points for a new title at our shop IS the publisher.
"You like Smut Peddler. This is from the same publisher." The idea being that a publisher is a taste maker. That should come across through marketing.
Iron Circus, in our experience, has that consistency.

ironspike.bsky.social•55 days ago

Iron Circus mails ARCs, flies creators to shows, buys ads, runs crowdfunds (and I count this as marketing). But if you, as the creator, do even more on top of that? More often than not, you'll see added results.

Not *always,* but often.

ironspike.bsky.social•55 days ago

I, too, hate the fact we all need to do self-promo now to survive. It sucks. But I have creators that never mention their titles on social media, and I have creators that arrange international book tours. And, *usually,* you can tell which is which on the balance sheet.

blonicyouth.bsky.social•55 days ago

It’s silly when you see artists like “but what if I’m an introvert? What if I’m a recluse? 🥺" well then you’ll make less money. But then you see scammy publishers who just take a cut and wait for you to go viral.

blonicyouth.bsky.social•55 days ago

It’s a thing in music and games where a lot of people just think getting a label/publisher is a validation thing or just the next step they’re supposed to do. I explained to a guy once if a publisher isn’t going to give you money up front, they probably don’t care and won’t help you.

ghoulpus.bsky.social•55 days ago

by "arrange" do you mean pay for their own tour? or just handle the scheduling?

ironspike.bsky.social•55 days ago

Small-scale book tours aren't formal affairs, and 9 times out of 10 have to be arranged by the creators.

ghoulpus.bsky.social•55 days ago

Sure, I'm just trying to understand the financial hit a small creator would have to take to make a difference.

sweetlosicecream.bsky.social•55 days ago

Very nice! Thank you for the tips!

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply