Denise's last post reminds me of the call we get ALL the time:

"Will you do all the marketing work for my book for me and I'll pay you a commission on sales? My book is really great, so there should be lots of sales. I won't need to pay you for your time because we're going to make so much money that a commission should compensate you well."

Really? Seriously? Would you sit in your doctor's office and say "ok, let's try the surgery, and although you've spent half your life in school learning about this trade and you'll spent countless hours preparing and performing the surgery, I'll give you a check when I come out of it ok in a few years time." Grab a brain people!

My partners and I have worked for YEARS learning about, and experiencing, all of the ups and downs of the publishing world. Some of us have even published bestselling books. We have learned what works, but every book is a business on its own. You are starting a business here, from scratch. Your marketing plan starts now, from scratch. You want me to start up as your VP Marketing, work my butt off and collect commissions from you months down the road when the book takes off? Please.