One way to become informed about the publishing industry and to keep up on industry news, the best promotional activities, resources for authors and so forth is to subscribe to and READ/STUDY some of the many industry newsletters. Here are those that I recommend for authors.
Publishing/Marketing News and Views
Patricia Fry
Free
http://www.patriciafry.com
Publishing Basics—for the Self-Publisher
Free
http://www.publishingbasics.com
Book Marketing Matters
Brian Jud
Free
http://www.bookmarketing.com
The Book Marketing Expert Newsletter
Penny Sansevieri
Free
Book Promotion Newsletter
Fran Silverman
Small fee
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
SPAWNews
The newsletter for SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network)
Sandy Murphy, editor
Free
http://www.spawn.org
SPAWN Market Update
Membership in SPAWN required
Join SPAWN at: http://www.spawn.org
Publishers Weekly Daily
Free
http://www.publishersweekly.com