Man, there are so many other percs that you can take advantage of now if you choose. Yes, you can get media passes to bookish and comic conventions (at least some of them). But you have the power to get free books out your ass if you want. Believe me, publicists of comics, graphic novels, SFF books, YA books, Urban Fantasy books, Paranormal Romance books, etc. will happily send you books for review. You should get organized with your admins around here and come up with some system to receive books and produce reviews. Take a look at BookSpotCentral for some ideas. Heck, you can probably get video games, movies, DVDs, and others for review if you push your case hard enough. And contests...you can run tons of contests to give out free books and other swag.
But there can be more...
Where are you located at? I know that you are in the UK somewhere, but if you are at close to London, you should take advantate of being so close to a major publishing center. Meet with the publicists and editors - you can get yourself invited to industry parties and such. You mention seeing Mieville at a huge convention - how would you like to meet him in a more intimate setting and chat with him over beer, wine, or whatever drink you prefer? It can happen if you make it - check out Werthead (of the blog The Wertzone and an admin/moderator at several genre webpages). He goes to the Gollancz party often and then goes out drinking later with authors like Joe Abercrombie.
Find out what SFF authors live near you, contact them and meet them for drinks. Many would probably be happy to. Keep an eye out for any author events near you - go, introduce yourself and your affiliation. Meet the publicist/minder. Go out for drinks. Watch the percs keep coming.
Say what you will, but Mike was not a good boss-man. He didn't take advantage of his role and the site suffered as a result. You have the chance to make things very different. You could make this one of the top sites in the SFF world with some smoozing and not an insignificant amount of effort.
How are you at writing reviews? My advice: get better and get public with them.
Find the balance between being a publicity tool and independent. Take advantage of the publishers, but don't sell out to the point that people loose respect (like BookSpotCentral has done).
Feel free to contact me behind the scenes for more specific advice. And I can probably get you some contacts in industry if you'd like.
But there can be more...
Where are you located at? I know that you are in the UK somewhere, but if you are at close to London, you should take advantate of being so close to a major publishing center. Meet with the publicists and editors - you can get yourself invited to industry parties and such. You mention seeing Mieville at a huge convention - how would you like to meet him in a more intimate setting and chat with him over beer, wine, or whatever drink you prefer? It can happen if you make it - check out Werthead (of the blog The Wertzone and an admin/moderator at several genre webpages). He goes to the Gollancz party often and then goes out drinking later with authors like Joe Abercrombie.
Find out what SFF authors live near you, contact them and meet them for drinks. Many would probably be happy to. Keep an eye out for any author events near you - go, introduce yourself and your affiliation. Meet the publicist/minder. Go out for drinks. Watch the percs keep coming.
Say what you will, but Mike was not a good boss-man. He didn't take advantage of his role and the site suffered as a result. You have the chance to make things very different. You could make this one of the top sites in the SFF world with some smoozing and not an insignificant amount of effort.
How are you at writing reviews? My advice: get better and get public with them.
Find the balance between being a publicity tool and independent. Take advantage of the publishers, but don't sell out to the point that people loose respect (like BookSpotCentral has done).
Feel free to contact me behind the scenes for more specific advice. And I can probably get you some contacts in industry if you'd like.
Need a good book to read? Visit Neth Space - a SFF review and discussion blog.
http://nethspace.blogspot.com/
http://nethspace.blogspot.com/
Let it not be said that running this site is without its perks...
- 30/08/2009 02:09:17 PM
1445 Views
Re: Let it not be said that running this site is without it's perks...
- 30/08/2009 02:12:24 PM
936 Views
Will you be popping around here afterwards?
- 30/08/2009 02:17:34 PM
873 Views
Just so we are clear,
- 30/08/2009 02:29:47 PM
966 Views
- 30/08/2009 03:42:27 PM
1030 Views
um. i just don't know about this name. i'll think about it and get back to you. *NM*
- 30/08/2009 02:58:22 PM
500 Views
you don't like it?
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:03:58 PM
453 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:03:58 PM
453 Views
it makes me think incest *NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:05:34 PM
484 Views
Erm. I think that says more about you than it does about me
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:06:54 PM
400 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:06:54 PM
400 Views
Only time will tell 
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:08:30 PM
441 Views
*NM*
- 30/08/2009 03:08:30 PM
441 Views
Yes, it does. *NM*
It sounds like ...
- 30/08/2009 08:01:20 PM
853 Views
Really, would have hoped you would know how to pronounce it
- 30/08/2009 08:27:25 PM
875 Views
- 30/08/2009 08:27:25 PM
875 Views
Is it ...
- 30/08/2009 08:54:48 PM
896 Views
- 30/08/2009 03:42:27 PM
1030 Views
Once that material is up I'll send off my interview questions to Iain Banks.
- 30/08/2009 02:58:39 PM
1068 Views
*NM*
*NM*