For those of you who have published a few books already, you might want to skip to the next article. If you are working on your first or second book, you’ll want to read on. Whether you are planning to sell thousands of copies or none, the basics are the same.

Average bookstore shelf life these days is just four months, unless you publicize your book avidly. So this month, in no particular order, a list of 19 ways to publicize your book… Create a holiday around the book’s theme or title, Create a contest that ties in to the book.

Producers at top TV and radio shows may receive hundreds of requests from authors to appear on their programs every day. The cover letter you send with your press kit must attract their attention quickly and make you stand out — in a positive way — from the other potential guests. This is more likely to occur if you utilize seven proven techniques for creating an effective one-page summary, each tip starting with the letter C. Your pitch letter can be more effective if it follows the “Seven Cs” of good communication strategy. It should be…

As each month goes by, there is more and more evidence that proves the internet has taken the publishing industry and pulled the dusty rug from beneath it. The Web 2.0 Quake as shaken many of the industry giants right down to their ink and paper foundations. And, bit-by-bit, the hallowed halls of the untouchables are crumbling around them.

As a publisher, I often feel camaraderie with the ancient prophet Jeremiah, from whose name we have derived the word jeremiad. A jeremiad is a harangue, one that is often ignored, about the dire consequences that can follow from flouting a law or a set of standards.

The road to publishing success is not paved in gold. No one can guarantee a smooth ride. In fact, there are often obstacles and detours along the way. When you become serious about finally producing the book of your dreams, you envision hordes of people flocking to major bookstores and purchasing copies for everyone they know. You start practicing your acceptance speeches for the many awards your book will receive. And you picture yourself traveling from place to place throughout the world signing books for thousands of adoring fans.