More (not) fun facts: * past triumphs do not mean your next book gets that same treatment * starred reviews and awards do not give you the boost you'd hope they would * unless the first book in the series WILDLY exceeds expectations, the sequel(s) will probably get very little support (or none) 7/

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This year, I have heard of MANY book events with BIG authors and... no one in the audience. Or 6 people. It's mind-boggling. Authors who used to pull 100 people now get 25 or 10 or 2. People say I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE IN MY TOWN! when it's all over mine and the bookstore's accts. Frustrating! 6/

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Most authors you see 'touring' right now are paying their own way. Unless you're a juicy debut or can fill a theater, most publishers don't think book events sell enough to pay back the travel. People don't come out to events like they did 5-10 years ago. Social media doesn't spread the word. 5/

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The author can't make a book go viral, can't get the book positioned in front of the right people. All we can do is write the best book we can and support it with as much energy and $$ as we can afford, which is NOT enough to move the needle nationally. There is no obvious lever for success. 4/

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Traditionally published authors know MONTHS in advance that their book is not getting special treatment. No sprayed edges, no Target buy, no Book Box, no book club, no B&N front table. We know, and there is literally nothing we can do to change it. So we have to hope that lightning will strike. 3/

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