I’m curious. Through my association with Absolute Write’s forums and elsewhere, I have plenty of friends who are writers. And the greatest support one can give is to, of course, buy the book or written material. I’ve done that in a number of occasions.
However, it’s always awkward to want to promote a friend but not want to buy the material because … well, I don’t read that genre. And the Erotic Steampunk Romance book will just look awkward on my bookshelf (or in my Kindle).
So, in our interconnected, blogged, Facebooked, Twittered world, I’d like you to tell me how I can help you monetize your efforts and what gets people to ‘add to cart’ your work? I think, as Rob Kroese points out (and outlines with a fantastic accounting of the history of digital publishing), the barrel has gone off the waterfall and is descending into the digital medium. As this period becomes more a “Wild West” for publishers, book sellers, writers and creatives, so to it becomes an opportunity to explore new money streams and reach out in terms of marketing and branding.
I have some ideas, but I’d like you to share them with me here. I’ll use them. I swear.
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I am the co-host and creator of "The Science Fiction Show" podcast with my good friends Keith Houin and Michael Wistock. Join us each Friday for a look at all things Sci-Fi in the world of pop culture, TV, film and more. How? Easy! 
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I could give you a long list of what does NOT work. First among these is finding an agent or publisher unless you have already been published. Having sold many magazine articles and written hundreds of technical manuals don’t count. That’s the “Catch 22″ of writing. You can’t get an agent unless you don’t need one.
Self-publishing is mostly a scam feeding on the ego-gratification of writers eager to see a book with their name on it. I suspect most of those are in boxes waiting to be given out as presents to everyone the writer has ever met.
Sorry for the depressing post, but that’s been my experience, not expectations.
It’s a great post. Thanks for sharing the opinion.
I digitally published my book in October and since then I have sold 20. I think 19 copies were bought by friends. I guess I just need to get more friends.
I keep trying to blog about my book using pictures (www.mylifeaccordingtobarbie.blogspot.com) and I’m trying to get interviewed on Hoda and Kathie Lee, but all these efforts are sucking time away from writing.
Will keep looking for ways to get the book out to the reading public. Still looking for that free, magical marketing scheme.