OK...

[ksmith]

I accept that this is true:

From alg's most recent post (http://alg.livejournal.com/101844.html)

Too many authors find their careers in tatters because they took that $150,000 advance thinking the publisher was going to push the book harder because they paid more money for it. That is hardly ever the way it happens.

I would like to know why? Given that this is, afaik, a pretty high advance for SF (although maybe not F), why wouldn't the publisher follow up this above-average investment with above-average push?

Comments

[technosage.livejournal.com]

It's a good question. My guess? Probably not wanting to put more money into something they think isn't going to move. Cut your losses.

I've been reading Writing the Breakout Novel again, and Maass has some powerfully important things to say about marketing, sales, and the making of careers. Namely, it doesn't matter who puts how much money into a book. The only thing that matters is the book itself.

When I put on my publishing hat, I know that's true. I won't waste my time or effort, anymore, on trying to massage a blurb for a book that just doesn't have "it". I expend my time and energy on the few that do.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

But my question is, if the book didn't have It, why did the publisher pay 6 figures for it in the first place? I'm pretty sure that an advance that large for a genre book would need to be approved by a couple of layers of management unless the editor was very senior. I could understand cutting losses if they paid $5-10K.


I have Maass's book, and mean to read it after I kick J5 out the door.

[technosage.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the book changed hands and went to an editor who didn't believe it. Perhaps the book failed to live up to the promise because the author couldn't do her revisions. Perhaps it was contracted on premise and the real thing didn't measure up.

6 figures is a lot, yes. And I think Anna may be using the big number to make the point that not only doesn't promotion make a book, but also that 6 figure advances aren't all that common. And even if you do get one, it's not a guarantee.

Did you ask her? I've found she's very good about answering questions. She likes to talk. *g*

Maass book is worth reading. I reread it every time I start a new project and I find that each book is better for it. Good luck with J5. We're eagerly awaiting her.