I know you may have seen this Luke Bateman drama on social media and were likely among the many writers annoyed AF.
Honestly, none of this surprises me—his contract or the backlash. I will say, I liked his response. He probably didn’t even realize this kind of issue would even be a thing. (It seems clear he’s spent very little time in the writing world—not totally sure, just based on his said surprise.)
Why I bring all this up and what I want you to take away from it: Publishing is a business. Books are art, but publishing is business. If a publisher can have an easier time getting a book to an audience (Bateman has a large social presence) they’re going to take that over a writer who has no audience. They’re going to fill that month’s release slot with almost guaranteed sales—even if he hasn’t written anything and will likely get a lot of help to see this through (sorry not sorry)—rather than someone they’re taking a chance on. This has always been common practice. It’ll only get more common as publishing houses struggle with recessions, employees who are no longer willing to work for unlivable wages in NYC, and the continued rise of self-publishing. This event should shock no one in this business.
So what can you do about any of this? Read more indie authors. Support publishers that don’t play this game. Work on building up your audience long before you release your book, whichever path you take.
Most writers treat audience-building like an afterthought. They tell themselves they’ll “figure it out later,” which usually means never. That’s not a strategy (remember this is a business, and businesses have plans).
Start with this:
Pick one platform and make yourself useful. Don’t try to be everywhere. Don’t worry about being clever. Just get known for saying something worth reading.
Start an email list. Yes, today. It’s the only thing you own. Put the link in your bios. Offer something short that’s good—the best poem you ever wrote, a short story that takes place in your novels world, an essay that connects to themes in your memoir. (Kit has a free newsletter option, so no excuses).
If you don’t know what to say yet, or you’re stuck thinking you need a finished book before you can talk about it, I break down exactly how to build your audience before the book’s done inside Book Release Boot Camp. You can get in here (the video and sound quality might not be Hollywood, but the info is sound):
Before you let these frustrated vibes fester—go out and build your own big, beautiful audience. You never know who could be watching (it could be Luke Bateman and he could get you in contact with his publisher).
Happy writing!
