Forest for the Trees

Just finished the book Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner. Very interesting account of what it takes to get a book into print. It's very hard. She says that if you think your book will make you money, you are better off investing in stocks. The chances are higher with stocks.

Every year there are 150,000 books that are released in the U.S. That's about 411 books a day! That's what's released, NOT was was rejected by editors. Even if you get someone to publish your book, the chances of making it big are remote. Next, buyers representing the various brick and mortars must purchase the book for their shelves, on which space is a premium. How many they buy is limited, unless your a known author.

Sometimes it takes many years and repeated rejections before you make it into publishing. In one case it was ten years and many revisions. Then there is the design of the jacket, the road tours, book store appearances, etc.

You really have to believe that you have something to say, or are prolific, to get published.

Still, it would be great.

...dave
Every person has a book inside of them, which is where it ought to stay.