2003 News Archive

Author William Rawlings to join Pat Conroy at Authors' Luncheon

ATLANTA - Dr. William Rawlings Jr., author of The Lazard Legacy, will join Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides, Beach Music), Robert Patterson Jr. (Dereliction of Duty) and a number of other top-selling authors at Mercer University's annual Authors Luncheon Nov. 22
in Atlanta.

Dr. Rawlings will talk about his new novel, published by Augusta-based Harbor House, which has garnered rave reviews and is selling well nationally as well as across the South. He will also address the many issues confronting new authors, including ways to attract publishers, marketing books and how to work with publicists and bookstore buyers.

"Writing the book is usually the easy part," explained Rawlings, a fourth-generation native of Sandersville, Ga., who practices medicine, raises pine trees and restores old buildings when he's not writing. "The challenging part comes after the book comes
out-all those signings and media events."

He pointed out that many would-be successful authors often slip through the cracks because they aren't prepared for the arduous tasks ahead.

"An author has to work hard with his publisher to make his book a success," Dr. Rawlings noted. "Publishers are looking for authors who understand the value of marketing and promotion."

He added, "Gone are the days when an author could just hunker down on some remote mountain top cranking out novels for his far-off Manhatten publisher without ever having to get involved. Publishers expect-demand-that authors get involved,
take an active role in the marketing and promotion of his book."