So, why am I giving away my novel, The Divine Comedian ?

I love to write, and I worked hard on this piece of literature.  But unfortunately in the publishing industry hard work doesn't always pay off.  Even hard work with talent doesn't always pay off.

I a word, it is far more work to try to get a publisher to publish your novel than it is, for example, to wash a school bus with a tooth brush.  A muddy school bus.  Inside and out.  Just because someone has a talent for crafting a story doesn't mean they are necessarily a good salesman.  And don't tell me "to get an agent"?  Have you tried?  

It is far more work to "get an agent" who will take on your book and get it published for you that it is to, for example, was a 747 with a tooth brush.  A muddy 747.  Inside and out.

For my part, after several years of talking with editor at all of the big publishing houses (that would be Random House) and numerous agents, after writing many letters, and so on, I gave up. 

Now, don't tell me I shouldn't give up.

I believe in my novel.  I believe it is a great literary work. I believe it is something that is well worth reading.  (I believe I shall have another drink.)  But can I convince a publisher that they can make money off it?  That's what you have to be able to do: to sell someone the Brooklyn Bridge (or a muddy school bus, or 747), if you want to get a publisher to take on your novel.  I'm no salesman.  I abhor salesmen.  I don't want to be a salesman.  Salesmen are evil, and I'm not evil.  So, I do believe in my novel, it isn't that.  I believe it is an entertaining story. 

But I'm different.  I don't want to tell the same old story.  I have my own unique twist on life, and that flows into my writing.  A unique story isn't what publishers want these days.  I can't even count the times I've heard an editor from some major publisher tell me: we want something unique and different, just like N N N (and they go on to name some book that is selling well on the NYTimes Bestsellers list.) And I want to slap them and say: Wake Up!  If it is already out there on the NYTimes Bestsellers list then it isn't something new!  Publishers don't want something new.  They want something exactly like what is selling on the NYTimes Bestsellers list. You ever wonder why movies come out in pairs, trios?  Armageddon the same time as Independence Day?  It's because marketing people know that if Brand X is selling it, then Brand Y can sell it too.

But, I am unique.  There is no Brand Y when it comes to my novels.  I have a unique twist in the things I have to say, and because of that, I'm not sure where my niche market is hiding.  I'm not sure how to find them, so I'm hoping they will find me.  No, it's not that I don't believe in my novel, it's that I don't want to be a salesman.

I do not believe in salesmen.  I don't listen to them.  I ignore them.  I will buy what I want to buy when I want to buy it.  I will find out everything I want to know on my own.  Maybe you are a salesman.  Maybe I'll even ask you a question.  But that doesn't mean I like you.  That doesn't mean I've softened up.  And please, only answer the question that I ask you.

But I digress.  If you are a salesman, please feel free to enjoy my novel.  I try not to let my prejudices flow into my writing. Or if I do let them appear there briefly, it is intentional: in order that I can poke fun at them, humiliate them.

So, why is it then that I'm letting the whole world (or whoever in it that wants to) read The Divine Comedian for free?  And what does that have to do with salesmen?

After "giving up" on finding a traditional publisher for my first two novels, Nikki , and The Divine Comedian , I decided to self-publish them through XLibris.  This makes them available to the whole world, however, this does not generate any sales for them.  POD publishing's biggest fault, unfortunately, is the failure of the POD companies to help the author as he/she tries to market his/her book.  Marketing of books is a specialty.  It isn't just flooding the ozone layer with advertisements.  The book has to be marketed the exact number of months before it is available in print, or you've pretty much lost your opportunity.  There is little or nothing you can do, for example, to get reviewers to review your book, or to get bookstores to order and display your book, if it isn't done a certain number of months before the book comes out.

Of course there are rare exceptions to this.  I have received emails from people claiming they would review my book.  I've sent out free copies.  But I've never gotten more than a hand full of people to actually follow through on that.

So here is your chance. I believe I have a great novel, and I believe it so much, I'm going to let you read it for free!   I believe I have a story that is compelling, gripping, and through provoking.  It may make you mad in parts, it may make you cry, it may make you laugh.  But most importantly, I believe it will make you think, and make you wonder: the two most important things about any novel. 

 And if you enjoy it, or are enjoying it so much that you want to hold it in your hands as you read it, then stop by one of the many on-line bookstores that sells it.  And pick a copy up for your friends while you are at it.   And say a word or two as a book reviewer at Amazon.com or some other on-line store.

 Cheers!

~ Gus