How publishing really, really works
I should note that this is mainly regarding prose book publishing. Comics and graphic novels have much more motor oil and livestock. (Hat tip: Cory Doctorow.)
Glenn Hauman
Glenn is VP of Production at ComicMix. He has written Star Trek and X-Men stories and worked for DC Comics, Simon & Schuster, Random House, arrogant/MGMS and Apple Comics. He's also what happens when a Young Turk of publishing gets old.
They forgot the part where the authors themselves have to travel to conventions to hock the books like the shills they are. Sometimes though, they get lucky, and people from Comicmix buys their book… and from that… well. nothing really. :)