The changes are sweeping indeed: they have swept virtually everything out the way–bookstores, agents, publishing companies; you n ame it, and they have done it. Ipersonally, I am a tstaunch advocate of media; while it is obvious, even to the blind, that the book publishing and marketing industry is currently undergoing a titanic revolution, print and creative advertising and marketing will never die. These uncreate elements of human ingenuity are ageless and timeless. there are numerous ways by which which writers can market therir books sucessfully. The old bookstore model has never been a profitable model for writers, unless they were at the top of their game. Regardless of the jarring changes that have turned the book publishing and marketing world upside-down; writers who are creative and hard-working wii always come out on the other side smelling like a rose. I am a writer and poet: I love writing and write long poetic novels. Although I have not published my first book as yet, I have a completely different take on book publishing and marketing from most writers. Don’t get me wrong: I am not saying that writers should not avail themselves to the all the novel media through whcih books are being published and marketed today–I would use all media that are at my disposal to get my books published and sold out; however, I I recognized that much more is going to have to be done by writers to sell their books than to just merely rely on these new, trendy gadgets that are out there. The idea that the print industry will inevitably become fossillized is just rank folly. Print is being challenged now by the new electronic wave, but that, too, will burn off and print will survive. There will always be people who will prefer the safety and comforts of a physical book in their hands–I am one of them, and I am not about to be bamoozled by the powerful electronic machine out there trying to convince the world that reading across a glasscase is the new savior of mankind: That is a flat out lie. Writers must give their writing all that they have and use all the channels that are available to them out there. My name is Mouton Mayers. My website is http://www.crashingstreamsofchange.com. It is the title of my first poetic novel. I warmly extend an opportunity to you to visit my website and leave a comment. Sorry for being so prolix and scribacious–I simply get carried away in the ebullient stream of thoughts about this particular topic. I do have a market plan for my books, and it does not include any of the new technological marketing gadgets as its centerpiece. I do plan to sell a large number of my books, even if I have stand on my own head to get that done. I will not stand on my own head, but I will my books because I firmly believe in what I write–issues with which all people are grappling in the dark cave of this world. Check out my website and issue thoughts about mine. That woudl be immensely appreciated. my email address is mltnmyrs@yahoo.com

Yes, maybe offer more activities to draw in new visitors. I worked at a museum and sometimes you have to reach out and offer more than what you’re known for.

I do, too, but like everyone else, they need to up their game and evolve to accommodate the changing paradigm. Here’s hoping’!

LOL. Not a bad idea. Yeah, I think B&N is in the final days, too. Thanks for the comment!

I used to be an avid reader, but now I’m an avid blog reader. Sometimes I wish these good blog sites had a donation box via paypal, because the content is that good, and I would love to donate a quarter here and there. After all, I hear thats about what you make for each book you sell via amazon…lol