People Think I'm Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs -- Why I Promote Other Authors' Books

Watch as I unbox Art of Atari by Tim Lapetino. Click HERE for a full-screen view.

Since I write books about video games, some people think I'm crazy for helping promote other authors' books about related subject matter. I do this for several reasons.

First: I probably am a little crazy. :)

Second: My full-time job is writing articles for an assortment of magazines, newspapers, and websites. The books are fun and look good on my bio, and it's gratifying filling gaps in the publishing industry by covering such relatively obscure consoles as the Neo Geo and TurboGrafx-16, but articles are what pay the bills. If I miss a sale or two here and there because someone buys another author's book instead of mine because I've promoted said book, I'll survive.

Third: To quote JFK, I believe a rising tide lifts all boats. In other words, as the video game book publishing industry establishes itself as a relevant genre, publishers are more likely to take a serious look at future book ideas I may have in mind.

Fourth: Even with the recent onslaught of gaming books, there are very few video game books on the market compared to such entertainments as movies, music, and sports. Countless aspects of the industry have yet to be covered, and I like to point gamers to books that matter, such as the recently released Coleco: The Official Book and Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games.

Fifth: Some of these writers are my friends, such as Pat Contri, Earl Green, and Leonard Herman, and I like to help spread the word on their good work when I can. Plus, sometimes they return the favor (I'm look at you, Earl).

Sixth: I'm following a long tradition of authors who review other authors' books. This goes back at least as far as Edgar Allan Poe.

Seventh: I think literacy is important for a society. Games are great fun (and can be important in and of themselves), but reading, as they say, is fundamental. Long live the printed word!