Wendy: I think Hugh’s rant holds true for all publishers, but it’s even WORSE for those that publish non-fiction.

I say that as a writer of nf: Unlike novels, nf books come with a built-in “hook” and a niche. It’s easier for publishers to use the web to promote/market/sell them — so my question is: why don’t they do so?

Answer: publishing houses are, for the most part, unwilling to join the brave, new e-world.

It took me awhile to figure out how to use it to my advantage (I’m 55, so I’m a digital pioneer, not a native, so I sort of have an excuse) — but my publisher? No. And it’s a respected house.

No one there seems to get it — which is one reason (although definitely not the only reason or even the main reason why the house is hurtling toward destruction). (And I am truly fond of my crew there. This is not meant as a personal attack on them.)

Twitter, for example, is a powerful tool for promotion. Any writer who is NOT using it is a fool. But many editors/publishers seem oblivious.

End of my rant!

Thanks for the comment. The type of publisher changes things somewhat, but as for web presence, I would ask any business two questions:

1. Do you want people who are interested in the things you sell to easily find the things you sell, and find out how to buy them?

2. When you are looking for some information about something you are interested in, what do you usually do?

My answer for #2 is: “I search for the information on the web,” which implies that I should answer #1 by making sure that all pertinent information about my products are on the web, easy to find, and friendly to Google.