Writing a science fiction novel is like launching a startup
morlockpublishing.com
morlockpublishing.com
I don't think that it's exactly like a software startup. You don't have to deal with bug reports or upgrades, for instance. But the same instincts and habits work well, especially if you are self-publishing.
Good luck!
Seriously - trying to come up with a creative way to promote writing and reintroduce the "serial", and it seems like I must have missed the boat somewhere?
As for promotion, what I'm planning to do with my novel and short stories (http://frederickjross.com/) is to frequent scifi and comic cons, handing out samples from the works with information to find the rest, and spend some time on science fiction forums. Unfortunately for commercial success, I'd rather be writing my second novel.
Publishing, online or in-print, is a business; writers have be trained and developed like employees at any other business. Yeah, maybe you'll be lucky enough to find the one amazing writer that will make your project a success, but it's far more likely that you'll do better business by finding six decent writers and putting them together with one or two great editors.
That's supposed to be why writers work for tips - a publisher offers them a chance to create a professional portfolio with the help of an editor. Otherwise, you've got nothing of value to pull decent writers away from paying gigs or self-publishing.
How does that lulu.com? On their site I see they offer to publish for free, but how they do it so it's profitable?