Most literary types are shy, solitary, and isolated--traits developed through the obsessive craft of writing. However, in this world of shrinking book reviews and disappearing publicity budgets, writers are being forced to break these habits.

Today's guest on the Morning Media Menu was former publicist and debut novelist Robert Rave. Rave introduced his new novel "Spin," an insider's look at the world of high-class publicity in New York City. Meet Rave's agent, Jason Allen Ashlock at FishbowlNY's Lunch this week.

Here is Rave's advice for aspiring writers: "I met my [literary] contacts because I was a publicist out networking and socializing with people. And when I say 'networking,' I don't mean the cheesy, going out every night to hand out business cards. I mean making real contacts, having real conversations with people--not being in their faces saying, 'Hey! I've got this new book!' I think it's really important that you do go out to mixers and events. You never know when you might meet somebody down the road."