Courageous Communication

Lots of great conversations in the blogosphere and beyond:


There’s a common thread in all of these stories: the old publishing model experiencing a seismic shift before our eyes.

Poets and writers need to be responsive and reactive to the changes this new economy throws at us in a way we've never been called upon to do before. Yes, traditional book publishing is moving to fill online space. Yes, publishers want authors to do the work of promotion for them. But we have this great advantage of having courageous, authentic communications with our audience through blogs, Twitter, YouTube, Goodreads, Facebook, and dozens more new technologies we haven't heard of yet. This is a new competency for writers: deepening the intimacy and immediacy with the reader. The ones who can make real connections will reach audiences beyond the traditional readership—they are the ones guaranteed to have a longer shelf life.

Comments

Collin Kelley said…
Oh, weird. I just read that essay by Steve Almond and tweeted it.

Authors and poets have to realize the publishing industry that existed 20 years ago -- hell, five years ago -- is disappearing. The conversation about self-publishing needs to turn from "not good enough" to how to make it better.
Jessie Carty said…
i love your positive take on this. while marketing and promotion can become tiring, there is something satisfying about setting up your own reading at a small store where a handful of people show up who don't know your work. building your own readership does have its advantages :)

although i am reading a self-pub book right that..well..um...it even had an editor and yet...

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