Caught Playing Basketball in the Street
I’ve admired Peter Shankman for a long time and sharing the quote here is slightly out of context, but I had to share anyhow.
I think too many people go out there and try to [...] build a blog as a way to a book deal and that doesn’t work. It’s like playing basketball in the street and hoping to get picked up by the NBA.
BlogcastFM Peter Shankman Interview ~12:20 mark
In October I was struggling, trying to figure out what I was going to do, whether or not I was even going to keep the site going. I thought it was a scam at first and I know the book won’t be a best seller. I have very realistic sales expectations; it’ll be friends, family, their friends and family, and a few other, wonderful people. The big deal is the ride and I love it; I’m enjoying every minute.
Well, the minutes I’m not scared to death.
Hey. You know what? You never know. The first move comes from the publisher, to figure out who they will and will not offer a contract. If they didn’t think you had it they would not have offered it. Think of Tom Clancy, whose “Hunt for Red October” was a total gamble. Just give it your best shot and then the ball is in your publishers’ court.
I am going to promote it to everyone I know – I’m sure I’ll get a few sold for you
Alice is right — the publisher wouldn’t have approached you if they didn’t think they could sell it. You will be fine.
And get that narcissism tag offa there — you SO do not come across that way! Don’t make me hafta smack you.