Book Work
| posted by Fast Company staffA well-meaning friend gave me a copy of Gabrielo Zaid's "So Many Books" to read while on the promotion tour of my own book.
"The reading of books is growing arithmetically; the writing of books is growing exponentially" Zaid's book begins; "a new book is published every 30 seconds".
After twenty days on the road, I don't much need reminding of this. Several of my stops have been at large bookstores where the vanity of expecting one's book to be noticed, let alone read, amid acres of new titles, would be sad if it were not also laughable. But Zaid counsels writers to think about the purpose of their of their work not as commanding the attention of millions, but as starting conversations that will end...who knows where. At one point he argues that commerce, too, is best thought of as conversation - thereby persuading me that this curious but exhilarating book tour is indeed a form of work.
Comment
Recent Comments | 3 Total
May 23, 2005 at 12:12pm
Thom SingerWhile writing a book seems to be there dream of so many, few still actually complete their book. Yet I do agree that there seems to be more and more books coming out daily. But if the author really has a book inside him, wants to see it through to completion, then he should not let the vast number of books squash his dream. My wife co-authored a cookbook, "Mad at Martha" and has sold thousands www.madatmartha.com. The experience was amazing for her. My own business book "Some Assembly Required: How to Make, Grow and Keep Your Business Relationships" has taken over 18 months to complete, but will be released in July 2005. While it will be one of the many business books released this year, I hope that for those that do discover it....it will give them reasons to think and help them find ways to expand their business through contacts with key people.... a network can be a powerful business tool. Regardless of how many copies I sell, I had a strong desire to complete the project. I think more people should find ways to accomplish their dreams. If a book is inside you, find a way to get it out. Who knows where it will take you?
www.thomsinger.com
Thom Singer, author
May 23, 2005 at 3:06pm
Kim DushinskiBeing in the business of book promotion has taught us that everyone who wants to write a book should absolutely write it. Then each author needs to decide whether or not publishing it and marketing it is a sound decision.
Because writing the book is truly the easy part - marketing it is where the real work begins. But it can be done well and successfully.
May 24, 2005 at 4:04pm
Steve O'KeefeZaid's book is really terrific. He is a poet hailing from Mexico City. The book is a translation, and the language has a richness and depth that is out of fashion in contemporary Anglo book publishing. Journalism is the literary art of our era, and book publishing today looks like slow journalism to me.
At one point Zaid says (I'm paraphrasing -- I don't have the text handy): "If your read one book a day, you are neglecting to read the 4000 other books published the same day." Ouch! Why is it so important to so many people to write a book?
STEVE O'KEEFE