But – - it is interesting to note the quote that blogs not a great place to look for new writers. Where is that place? Most publishing houses depend on agents, who in turn tend to filter out books that publishers have no track record on, so it can become a vicious cycle of similar authors and similar titles.

The best ways to break the cycle seem to be having an inside track in the industry, or to be famous. If the publishing industry is truly looking for new writers, what could be more convenient that spending a little time dipping in and out of blogs? Who knows what you’ll find?

I enjoy your site keeping me updated on thinking in the publishing world. A shameless but intriguing plug follows.

Regards, James Aach

In my own case, I have a science-based novel with the backing of both a Pulitzer Prize Winner and a National Medal of Science winner. But it doesn’t fit into a narrow category, so agents have turned it down. I’ve since put it on my blog for free, and I’ve gotten great reviews from a wide variety of readers. (See the homepage comments.) Readers also keep asking – why isn’t this published? I can’t answer that, but I’ve taken my best guess at http://www.lablit.com/article/83).

“Rad Decision” is a novel about a nuclear plant accident, written by a longtime nuclear worker. “I’d like to see Rad Decision widely read.” – Stewart Brand, founder of The Whole Earth Catalog.

http://RadDecision.blogspot.com