The Secret of Publishing Success

As a publisher, I have had discussions with writers who claim to know the way to publish and market books.

Such conversations usually include discussions of book tours and amazon “spikes” and book reviews.

Such conversations do not include discussions of who will pay for a book tour and how amazon might only be part of a larger marketing strategy (and there is certainly no discussion of how amazon might NOT be part of a queer publishing strategy) or whether or not book reviews really sell books.

But hey, it’s easy to spend other people’s time and money.

But since there is an earnest desire to know how to be a publishing success, here is the most important secret publishers don’t want you to know:

If there was, indeed, one method for achieving publishing success, we would all use it. The existence of multiple methods, strategies and snake-oil salesfolks passing themselves off as experts means NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING.

We’re all making it up as we go along. We try. We fail. Then we bullshit as a way to cover up our vulnerabilities and failings.

While initially very frighting, hopefully this reality will free us to actually begin marketing our books to people. But if you like the feeling of sunshine up your raise, don’t let me stand in  your way.

The secret, if there is one, is to treat your readers like honored guests. I can say that Homofactus Press readers are fantastic. They are responsive and funny and very engaged with the world. I believe they are this way because we provide something of value to them. Our books make them laugh or help through a hard time or maybe because our books make them feel less alone.

The thing about this secret to publishing success is that it is very old-fashioned and simple but the hardest thing to achieve: create content that brings value to people, finding a small group of people who love that content, then love them to death.

Love sells books. Everything else is a mystery evolving in an unfolding future.