(no subject)

[telophase]

clockwork_hands, whose Wirepop manga Hollow Fields got picked up by Seven Seas, is wondering what she can do to help with publicity and build a fanbase before it comes out. Keeping in mind that contractually she's not allowed to release any of the artwork for it. If you have any ideas, go let her know.

Comments

Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[forvrin.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Release some art from it?

Seriously, if you look at the big shots, teaser pages dominate the way most people advertise their books. That she's contractually obligated to not release art seems a really poor decision.

Some other thoughts include drawing up an omake to put up on the web, hitting the message boards (in a non-spammy) way with art and the like, and then buying ads on webcomics.

Re: Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[forvrin.livejournal.com]

art as in sketches and character sheets not in the actual book, you know, since for some reason she can't tease. :P

Re: Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[telophase.livejournal.com]

I don't know the details of her deal, so I can't say why the decision not to let her release art.

I'd say, also, becoming part of the manga blogging community - participating in discussions in the comments, and so on. Certainly shouldn't hurt her. :D

Re: Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[forvrin.livejournal.com]

Both excellent ideas.

I'm a little leary of using LJ for business, as it can be a bit insular... but I wouldn't mind using a separate website with an LJ plug in, which may be the best of both worlds (strictly LJ vs. RSS Feed to LJ)

Either way, that's good advice. And I went over and told her so, because somehow having a college degree makes my reading comprehension worse. :P

Re: Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[telophase.livejournal.com]

:D The manga/comic blogs are located all over the place, not just LJ, and they're a fairly small community as compared to the potential manga-buying audience out there, but they're better than nothing. :)

She's also got another problem - living in Tasmania. So I presume that her hitting the con circuit in the US is impossible, and the con circuit in Australia still sort of expensive. But I dunno.

(I dropped a note telling her that I posted this here; she'll see it at some point at least :)

Re: Wherein I am unhelpful, for 37 words.

[sleary.livejournal.com]

Tasmania. Wow. Maybe a virtual book tour is in order? I saw a couple of these a year or so ago, with the authors guest-blogging in four or five places when their books came out.