Tuesday 3 June 2008

Ultimate Book Publicity

Tell Me a Story - comment.

We all want to make the most of our precious books and novels. We desire attention, we search for publicity. Some go a step further than the rest. One particular Indonesia author has taken the ultimate step in attracting attention.

Cash everywhere.

Publicity seeking, Tung Desem Waringin, circled his plane over a soccer field in the city of Serang, about 40 miles west of Jakarta, and emptied several bags of cash.

Apparently the businessman is reknowned for publicity stunts. This time he deposited about $10,700, from an aircraft to promote his new book.

Pandemonium.

Below, there was pandemonium. Grown men snatched bills from youngsters. Excited children ran around, holding up the notes they picked up, trying to hang onto them.

One man clung onto a hat he'd stuffed with money. Another sat in a corner of the field, massaging his feet after a dash for cash.

It's all very well, but I thought we were in this to make a penny not give thousands away!

Ideas blown apart.

If I had spare cash to throw away like that, I probably wouldn't write in the first place. Most of us are merely struggling hacks, churning away for scraps. Sometimes, I when I look at book sales, I wonder if it's worthwhile .... then along comes Tung Desem Waringin, and everyone's ideas are blown apart!

I don't know whether to wish him luck or not. I hope the idea doesn't catch on!


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