Do you want to call the tune instead of paying the fiddler? Then you'd better be prepared to monitor the progress of your projects. While diligent follow through increases your odds for success in all aspects of publishing, it's especially crucial in promotion and sales. Many sound marketing plans flounder for lack of follow up.

Let's start at the beginning. Many publishers solicit advance comments for cover blurbs by sending copies of the manuscript to notables in the field. These are busy people. If you got their permission to send the manuscript in the first place, however, a gentle inquiry about "how are you coming on the book?" usually shakes loose the desired quote.

Of course, you've sent galleys to all the right places. But did you know you could call Library Journal, for instance, about three weeks later to inquire about your book's status? The person to check with is Bebe Thompson, their traffic manager.

What about re-contacting serial/excerpt rights buyers? Be prepared to offer them something new, such as specific reasons why their readers would enjoy a certain section of the book. And be sensitive to items in the news that give you a logical reason to get back in touch with the book clubs to whom you submitted early copies of the book.

Many wholesalers and distributors will place advance orders if you alert them to new titles. (And other times they seem inordinately stubborn about stocking a book at all.) But don't give up. Keep in front of them with clips of reviews, articles about the author and subject, plus copies of large purchase orders that come directly to you.

Speaking of reviews, be sure to follow up on magazines, newsletters, and newspaper editors who reach your target audience. A review here can mean hundreds