MG
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
A lifelong fan of sci-fi books, I worked in publishing for 40 years. Yet it was only in 2021 when I stumbled upon THE CURSE OF CHALION with its compelling, complex, and shrewd characters and a world with a sophisticated and believable theological/magical system. Since then I have read almost all your works (a few volumes of Miles still to go). So why are your books not better known? How did this injustice happen?
Lois McMaster Bujold
Good question.
I'm better at writing than at marketing...?
Actually, I have pretty much relied from the beginning on word-of-mouth to sell my books. While the internet has speeded up this old slow-and-steady-wins-the-race approach, it's also clogged the system with a lot more competition. I am not a very noisy writer, nor do I wish to become one, so I don't know of any solution I can, or wish to, apply there. Meanwhile, word-of-mouth will have to continue to serve.
Commenters below would be welcome to tell how they first found my books, and what barriers they had to overcome to decide to try them.
Ta, L.
Good question.
I'm better at writing than at marketing...?
Actually, I have pretty much relied from the beginning on word-of-mouth to sell my books. While the internet has speeded up this old slow-and-steady-wins-the-race approach, it's also clogged the system with a lot more competition. I am not a very noisy writer, nor do I wish to become one, so I don't know of any solution I can, or wish to, apply there. Meanwhile, word-of-mouth will have to continue to serve.
Commenters below would be welcome to tell how they first found my books, and what barriers they had to overcome to decide to try them.
Ta, L.
More Answered Questions
P. R. Bunke
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
Hi there! I wish I could rant on about how much I love your work, but space is limited, so you'll have to trust me on that. I find myself enjoying your romances more than those in most fiction I read--definitely in part for the high-quality witty banter, but also because you write characters who really seem to complement each other. Is this based on your experience of romance? Some idealized version of love? Both?
Brzk
asked
Lois McMaster Bujold:
When you have first started writing about Miles, did you have a clear idea of how his character would turn out? To what extent have you based him on the traits of real person/s - or is Miles entirely a product of your imagination? Was it your intention that he starts as a complete outsider and thus his physical appearance? I guess it says a lot about your optimism that he survived and never turned against Barrayar...
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