There are a variety of books, Web sites, and blogs that provide much material and advice for those who are aspiring to be published writers. I have added to the information in a number of ways, including with the publication of The Author’s Guide to Planning Book Events, and while there is more than one way to make the journey, there is also many ways to come up against those roadblocks, which are numerous, to be sure. But why should any author add to them? Besides being a writer, I am a publishing consultant, which oftentimes includes doing publicity for other authors. About twenty percent of these writers do not need their hand held and have hired me to complement what they are doing, but the other eighty percent have little idea what they should be doing, or should have been doing long before contacting me. The initial conversation I have with these writers is very enlightening for me and lets me know almost immediately the success rate I’m going to have in getting attention for their book. Unfortunately, it is these writers who are expecting the world without even scratching the surface with their own efforts. When I ask if they have a Web site, often the response is, “Why would I need that?” I then have to explain how very important the Internet is and that it’s foolish to forfeit what it can do for their writing career. After several more questions, I usually know that the effort I will expend on this type of author is less than I would on an author who is aggressively making or trying to make tracks. Doesn’t seem fair, does it? Well, I cannot help but equate it with any competitive sport: It’s the one who is most committed, the one who goes that extra mile, the one who is determined who comes close, if not passes, that finish line, leaving the others in the dust. So it is with the author who sits and waits for his or her career to take off. They have just taken themselves out of the competition where the finish line was a self-imposed roadblock.