[stylist] Clarence's publishing question

[Donna Hill]

Hi Clarence,
I think your expertise as a sociology professor will give you an edge in 
selling yourself as an author. Your background will also give you  ways 
of promoting the book, regardless of whether you find a publisher or  go 
the self-publishing root. Writers nowadays are expected to do their own 
marketing and, obviously, you can do specific promotions to attract 
those interested in the blues, disability issues, blindness and so on 
within the academic world as well as to general audiences.

I would suggest reading as much as you can about the publishing 
industry. There are a lot of free and accessible resources, including  
NLS, Bookshare, RFB&D  and the internet. The industry is changing 
dramatically, and opinions vary about how to approach the issues. It's 
wise to know what the pros and cons are. In the end, your decisions, no 
matter how well informed, will probably still feel a bit like a leap of 
faith.

If you're looking for a publisher, you need to target those interested 
in your subject. You may want to consider getting a literary agent that 
does nonfiction, but do your homework, so you don't get ripped off or 
stuck with an agent that is honest but incompetent.

Best of luck, and please come join us, if you want to bat things around 
a little.
Donna Hill

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On 10/23/2010 4:37 PM, Robert Leslie Newman wrote:
> Dear STYLIST members
>
>
>
> I received the following request; let us help this guy!
>
>
>
> ...
>
>
>
> Hey!
>
>
>
> What I am really interested in is advice. I am a long time NFB member and
> soon to retire Sociologist. I have been  employed the last 28 years at Adams
> state College in Southern Colorado.
>
>
>
> I have completed a semi-autobiographical novel which I describe it as sort
> of a David Copperfield who runs into things. I am wondering about my next
> step.
>
>
>
> What seems to be on deck is to read Literary Marketplace and do what it
> says. I was just wondering if the content of a young legally blind man
> coming of age set in the context of learning about the blues would qualify
> me for any other route in search of publication.
>
>
>
> Please let me know what you think the good next step for me would be.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Clarence Parks
>
>
>
>
>
> Robert Leslie Newman
>
> President- NFB Writers' Division
>
> Division Website
>
>   <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org>  http://www.nfb-writers-division.org
>
> Personal Website-
>
>   <http://www.thoughtprovoker.info>  http://www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
> _______________________________________________
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