Publishers=Stupid?

icythaco · 12-18-2004, 06:27 PM

Personally, I don't understand why none of the mainstream publishers will publish NA...especially with some of the other crap they've published, crap that was alot worse than NA...

Your thoughts/ganders?

ChaosMage · 12-18-2004, 08:50 PM

Simple. Crap that fits into the generic list of mainstream literature will be bought by someone. However, taking a risk is a no-no, even if its already sold better than most of that crap.

adamark · 12-18-2004, 09:59 PM

Because publishers are a business that set out to make money. If they don't think something will sell very many copies, why would they publish it?

How do they determine what will sell a lot of copies? by personal preference, probably. just because you are in this niche market and you understand it doesnt mean everyone else does or will, and certainly not publishers.

icythaco · 12-18-2004, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adamark

just because you are in this niche market and you understand it doesnt mean everyone else does or will, and certainly not publishers.

In most cases, that would be true, but I am one of those rare few who actually read nuklear age before ever viewing a single episode of 8-bit theater...I was hooked by the writing, not by any previous loyalty I felt to 8-bit theater ('cause I had never seen it before).

So either my tastes are screwed up or the publishers' tastes are, because I personally think brian is sitting on top of a gold mine that no one (with any corporate power) has insofar been smart enough to invest in...

Artman317 · 12-19-2004, 10:28 AM

Ive gotten 2 other people to read my copy of the book.
It's not a bad book in the least.

If you as a reader want more people to read the book, rave about it to your friends in person, go to comic book stores and talk about it, Online journals, chats, Aim, blahblahblahblah. you get my point.

Read the short funny parts to them in person. Such as the time satan prank called Nuke. Or when he was pulled over by the Civil Defender.

Hell my little brother wants to read the book. And the biggest book he's read was "Hoot"

Kurosen · 12-19-2004, 01:58 PM

Yup. Guerilla tactics will get the word out there. The literary agent contacted me because they'd heard my book was selling so well. After reading it they said they didn't think a publisher would think it would sell. If we can prove them wrong by spreading the word, creating a buzz, and getting more people to buy it, then they'll finally figure out they should've been publishing it all along.

Deathosaurus Wrecks · 12-19-2004, 02:16 PM

well, getting things published is a remarkably hard buisness, any writer will tell you that. Brian's experience with a publisher telling him that his book won't sell is one of a thousand that i've heard of. things are especialy hard for "unknowns" to get thier first piece of work published, no matter how good it is.

by the way Brian, how many publishers did you have to take it to before it got accepted?

12-19-2004, 04:30 PM

Don't forget the specific genre.
Things with superheros (Even popular superheros) don't always sell well.
Just look at all the comic book projects that have failed for DC and Marvel.
And publishing houses rarely risk with comedies, few people actually read comedies and those that do, often read only known authors.

adamark · 12-19-2004, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icythaco

So either my tastes are screwed up or the publishers' tastes are, because I personally think brian is sitting on top of a gold mine that no one (with any corporate power) has insofar been smart enough to invest in...

If you feel that this is a gold mine, find a way to invest your life's savings into it. If it is truly a gold mine, you will reap great return.

Take note that corporations are notorious for maintaining the status quo. I don't know why that is but I'm sure we'd all understand if we ourselves owned corporations.

Also, I don't think anyone's tastes are screwed up, per se. Just conditioned.

Warlock · 12-19-2004, 07:47 PM

Publisher's aren't stupid, just conservative. Unless the publisher knows for sure they're going to be able to sell it, chances are it won't get picked up. There are exceptions, of course, but it is the same as with the music industry. People need to get a name for themselves on the underground circuit before record companies take notice.

12-18-2004, 06:27 PM	#1
icythaco Funcraft II: "Let's all get along!" Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: I erased my exact whereabouts from googleEarth Posts: 665	Publishers=Stupid? Personally, I don't understand why none of the mainstream publishers will publish NA...especially with some of the other crap they've published, crap that was alot worse than NA... Your thoughts/ganders? __________________ Due to several pending lawsuits, Blizzard's long anticipated next installment in the famed Starcraft series, Starcraft II, has been renamed "Funcraft II". In addition, according to a Blizzard spokesman, the game will no longer focus on interstellar battle but will instead be centered around the idea of nonviolent conflict resolution, with the game's ultimate goal being to bring about interstellar harmony.

12-19-2004, 02:16 PM	#7
Deathosaurus Wrecks Underachiever Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,996	well, getting things published is a remarkably hard buisness, any writer will tell you that. Brian's experience with a publisher telling him that his book won't sell is one of a thousand that i've heard of. things are especialy hard for "unknowns" to get thier first piece of work published, no matter how good it is. by the way Brian, how many publishers did you have to take it to before it got accepted? __________________ "There was another, who came before you he was a hero and your brother and my son he fought the darkenss, the darkness won" -The Protomen "Unrest in the House of Light"

12-18-2004, 08:50 PM	#2
ChaosMage Evil Makes Me Smile Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Where Spyware Comes to Die Posts: 904	Simple. Crap that fits into the generic list of mainstream literature will be bought by someone. However, taking a risk is a no-no, even if its already sold better than most of that crap.

12-19-2004, 10:28 AM	#5
Artman317 Goomba Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 18	Ive gotten 2 other people to read my copy of the book. It's not a bad book in the least. If you as a reader want more people to read the book, rave about it to your friends in person, go to comic book stores and talk about it, Online journals, chats, Aim, blahblahblahblah. you get my point. Read the short funny parts to them in person. Such as the time satan prank called Nuke. Or when he was pulled over by the Civil Defender. Hell my little brother wants to read the book. And the biggest book he's read was "Hoot"

12-19-2004, 01:58 PM	#6
Kurosen Hmph, what a waste of words. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,071	Yup. Guerilla tactics will get the word out there. The literary agent contacted me because they'd heard my book was selling so well. After reading it they said they didn't think a publisher would think it would sell. If we can prove them wrong by spreading the word, creating a buzz, and getting more people to buy it, then they'll finally figure out they should've been publishing it all along.

12-19-2004, 04:30 PM	#8
Continuum Guest Posts: n/a	Don't forget the specific genre. Things with superheros (Even popular superheros) don't always sell well. Just look at all the comic book projects that have failed for DC and Marvel. And publishing houses rarely risk with comedies, few people actually read comedies and those that do, often read only known authors.