The Economics Section - Page A4
January 10, 1997 Novice Writer Makes It Big
by Laurie Kobliska, Syndicated Columnist
On The Internet WebRead First Chapter:
PALO ALTO - The book, Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon was reviewed in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. Thta't because it is the best seller after it appeared in stores Dec. 30th. This is the biggest fiction blockbuster in January.
What is also surprising is that the novel's publisher, Bertelsmann AG's Delacorte, said it's been racing to add to its initial print run of 155,000 copies. It has returned to print three times already, for a total print run of 225,000.
This is book number four Gabaldon. The story is part of a continuing series. It recounts the adventures of Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser, a passionate British nurse who inadvertently travels through time to the 18th century Highlands. There she remarries, and, in the latest installment, travels to Charleston, S.C.
Delacorte published 'Drums of Autumn' with only two print advertisements. But Gabaldon helped beat her own drums with self-marketing on her Internet Web site.
The 45-year-old writer had been posting portions of the novel-in-progress for two years on the Diana Gabaldon Web page where she also answers a stream of questions from fans and offers a helpful map of Scottish clans. The web page also offers autographed copies of her books for sale, and free inscribed bookplate stickers.