Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Alchemy of Writing - The quiet man speaks
The quiet man speaks... Having writer "angst", doubting your writer-self? Have a read...
The Alchemy of Writing
The Alchemy of Writing
Just for laughs
Kathleen Ortiz posted this link on Twitter for Janet Reid. It gave me a great morning laugh... And fear of CATS!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Janet Reid, Literary Agent
The incomparable Janet Reid has the new Lawrence Block novel... Not that I'm bitter.... #@&*%!
Janet Reid, Literary Agent
Janet Reid, Literary Agent
Something about this season
For the last few days, I've posted a few things that speak to politics.... Gulp!
Momentum of Reason, Ying and Yang, even posting Rudyard Kipling's poem, "If", all were my very small way of voicing, maybe inspiring (forgive my arrogance) a second thought on problems of today.
My blog doesn't reach as many as some. Heck, my best visit numbers would be considered a bad day for Janet Reid, Nathan Bransford or Rachelle Gardner. I've been told that politics on an author's blog is not the best thing. I agree.
The Novel Road will be going back to business as usual. To those that were ticked by my participation in political expression, know that you only have to put up with it for one week, every two years... Deal with it.
I know I risk one of the things I most despise, being labeled. Agreement with anyone's views is a choice, just as expressing my views is mine. I am here in this world, like everyone else, to learn and be a better part of tomorrow. I don't doubt that my views may change as I learn and live more. It saddens me that there are those, so convinced they are all-knowing, that the cries of others don't exist.
The thing about me is, I don't scoff or belittle. I call no name, other than those parentally given. I believe and cherish the views of all. Brought in spirit to fair debate, there is no greater moment in the life of an American or anyone else in this world.
This time, this place, is not calling on us to voice what has been, for that light has gone. The days to come are ours to light. Will we, or will we take light for granted? Is the dull, pixeled hue and venom of an analyst or network going to be the base on which we grow? Can we step back, to awaken from the information gleaned easily, to realize it has been without merit?
The path of least resistance is for the physical, not mental world. We have to challenge the status quo, because our world is not static. We have chosen to unleash information in boundless streams. Standing on the river bank as knowledge flows by, will only allow our feet to sink in the mud of "Whatever".
Care, we must... Trust we may... But learn, we will, or failure is ours.
Momentum of Reason, Ying and Yang, even posting Rudyard Kipling's poem, "If", all were my very small way of voicing, maybe inspiring (forgive my arrogance) a second thought on problems of today.
My blog doesn't reach as many as some. Heck, my best visit numbers would be considered a bad day for Janet Reid, Nathan Bransford or Rachelle Gardner. I've been told that politics on an author's blog is not the best thing. I agree.
The Novel Road will be going back to business as usual. To those that were ticked by my participation in political expression, know that you only have to put up with it for one week, every two years... Deal with it.
I know I risk one of the things I most despise, being labeled. Agreement with anyone's views is a choice, just as expressing my views is mine. I am here in this world, like everyone else, to learn and be a better part of tomorrow. I don't doubt that my views may change as I learn and live more. It saddens me that there are those, so convinced they are all-knowing, that the cries of others don't exist.
The thing about me is, I don't scoff or belittle. I call no name, other than those parentally given. I believe and cherish the views of all. Brought in spirit to fair debate, there is no greater moment in the life of an American or anyone else in this world.
This time, this place, is not calling on us to voice what has been, for that light has gone. The days to come are ours to light. Will we, or will we take light for granted? Is the dull, pixeled hue and venom of an analyst or network going to be the base on which we grow? Can we step back, to awaken from the information gleaned easily, to realize it has been without merit?
The path of least resistance is for the physical, not mental world. We have to challenge the status quo, because our world is not static. We have chosen to unleash information in boundless streams. Standing on the river bank as knowledge flows by, will only allow our feet to sink in the mud of "Whatever".
Care, we must... Trust we may... But learn, we will, or failure is ours.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Author's String Theory
Einstein as Publisher? Satyendra Nath Bose as Agent? Branes as Brains? Black Holes as Slush Piles (couldn't resist the comparative)
Alternate dimensions are to Genre as Vibrational modes are to Literary trends... If this question ever appears on an SAT test, the fall of civilization can't be far behind.
The first view of the publishing world, for me, inspired questions on the nature of the written word as commerce. The farther I researched the business, it became apparent that it exists in numerous layers. Far from labyrinthine, but don't doubt the number of paths available. Many leading to no where, some to a new light of day.
Authors posit their work as being plausible. After all, if written, it is. (Descartes was a closet romantic comedy writer.) Therefore it has the potential to be noticed, liked and published. The problems that arise are surmountable... If created by man, they can be overcome by man, no? Not always.
The intangibles, the quirks of agents, editors and the vacillations of the marketplace can conspire to make an author's dreams either disappear or to be acknowledged.
I like the string theory, not for the scientific meaning. Dimensional aspects could be applied, genres the line of realities split. But that's too deep for me, so I'll just take the string and make it into a theoretical high wire act. The theory part being that gravity works, whether you call it falling or failing.
Authors live on a high wire once their works have been polished. Submitting a manuscript is the first step out onto the wire...Easy! Next step, query an agent or two or seventy. The silence around the author, breathlessly anticipating the Inbox bringing hope, not Viagra spam. Pressure mounts as each step is taken, rejection breaks your concentration, as well as the will to live. Don't look down, next step, another, then another. You're now in the middle of the wire walk now... and you freeze, right there.
This is where you wait. Unseen eyes of speculation in the darkness far below, while the wire twitches beneath your feet. By the way, there is no net... Unless you make one... with your mind. The net is your next book. Write, and the net will rise to meet you. Now step out again and finish the walk you began. Get to the other side with the knowledge that you can begin and begin. Every word you write makes you better at your craft, more confident when you take that next walk across the wire.
An author's string theory can move us, giving the observed words flavor, energy, and life. As long as you are willing to make the walk...
Alternate dimensions are to Genre as Vibrational modes are to Literary trends... If this question ever appears on an SAT test, the fall of civilization can't be far behind.
The first view of the publishing world, for me, inspired questions on the nature of the written word as commerce. The farther I researched the business, it became apparent that it exists in numerous layers. Far from labyrinthine, but don't doubt the number of paths available. Many leading to no where, some to a new light of day.
Authors posit their work as being plausible. After all, if written, it is. (Descartes was a closet romantic comedy writer.) Therefore it has the potential to be noticed, liked and published. The problems that arise are surmountable... If created by man, they can be overcome by man, no? Not always.
The intangibles, the quirks of agents, editors and the vacillations of the marketplace can conspire to make an author's dreams either disappear or to be acknowledged.
I like the string theory, not for the scientific meaning. Dimensional aspects could be applied, genres the line of realities split. But that's too deep for me, so I'll just take the string and make it into a theoretical high wire act. The theory part being that gravity works, whether you call it falling or failing.
Authors live on a high wire once their works have been polished. Submitting a manuscript is the first step out onto the wire...Easy! Next step, query an agent or two or seventy. The silence around the author, breathlessly anticipating the Inbox bringing hope, not Viagra spam. Pressure mounts as each step is taken, rejection breaks your concentration, as well as the will to live. Don't look down, next step, another, then another. You're now in the middle of the wire walk now... and you freeze, right there.
This is where you wait. Unseen eyes of speculation in the darkness far below, while the wire twitches beneath your feet. By the way, there is no net... Unless you make one... with your mind. The net is your next book. Write, and the net will rise to meet you. Now step out again and finish the walk you began. Get to the other side with the knowledge that you can begin and begin. Every word you write makes you better at your craft, more confident when you take that next walk across the wire.
An author's string theory can move us, giving the observed words flavor, energy, and life. As long as you are willing to make the walk...
Love, Power & Fairytale Endings
Some great pics and an interesting read from New Mexico... Jeffe sounds like one of those people you'd like to meet one day...
Love, Power & Fairytale Endings
Love, Power & Fairytale Endings
Week after Week #5 - John Lennon Coin
- November 2nd will shock many. Is this the most desperate election EVER? A billion dollars in campaign spending say so...
- New John Lennon coin. Haven't seen the flipside, hope I don't find Yoko...
- Amazon is going to let people "borrow" e-book titles from friends. Already discounted from print price, authors have got to wonder if they are being "Napster-ed". Can I hear the faint chuckle of musicians?
- Livia Blackburne has to have the highest I.Q. of any author... I can't find a misspelled word anywhere on her blog... Show Off!
- Tawna Fenske is looking forward to "All-You-Can-Eat" crab night...With one eye on the door...
- Kristin has a thing for "Convoluted Plots"... Don't EVEN try it!
- One day I will post all the comments I have from my posts here... Even the un-great ones. All I have to do is find out how to get them to post...?
- I have $1.83 in unmarked bills for anyone that can bring back Firefly...
Rudyard Kipling's "If"
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
Of late, I have been thinking of Kipling. I liken my novel's main character, Devin Briar, to someone tested by, then lives, the tenents of "If".
Please visit everypoet.com for more great poets.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
Of late, I have been thinking of Kipling. I liken my novel's main character, Devin Briar, to someone tested by, then lives, the tenents of "If".
Please visit everypoet.com for more great poets.
Random Musings & Ruminations--whatever's on my mind: Random Thursday--where I try to bring "teh funnay"...
Random Musings & Ruminations--whatever's on my mind: Random Thursday--where I try to bring "teh funnay"...: "p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Random Thursday Jon Acuff has “Serious Wednesday,” Bryan Allain “Cliche Thursday,” and FlowerDust (Anne ..."
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Momentum of Reason
I don't normally write about political matters. The current energy of the Mid-Term elections has given me pause and hope.
While the major political parties appear welded to their base ideals, to paraphrase Yoda: "There is another" trend building.
REASON
At my last look-see, over ONE BILLION DOLLARS has been pledged or spent on these mid-term elections. While ground may be lost or gained by the two major parties, the center appears to have grown. Independent candidates are growing in number and popularity. Why?
For a long time, I have believed that both major parties have good intentions, at their cores. What is happening now is a growing concern that each party is an "all or nothing" choice. A voter is backed into a choice of a party, not a candidate. We are voting on, not leadership, but party ideology... All or Nothing.
The growth of the middle would seem to point out this "all or nothing" choice is not sitting well with America. People are seeing that REASON can't be limited. They aren't being bought as thoroughly as Party advertisers think they are, far from it. Tea Parties and "Yes We Cans" are going to be remembered for a lack of latitude. Anger in rhetoric is held by the far right and left, while the middle just shakes it's collective head, hoping that one day something will finally get done. The hitch here is that the middle may be ending their silence.
Here is a prediction for the coming Presidential Election season: A third party candidate will place second. It won't be a person from the far right or left. It will be a centrist.
I personally think that both our major parties have it about half right... Each. I long for the day when our country will embrace whoever is in office, giving them support, not venom in the hope of effecting the next election. We are in a constant state of campaigning. Nothing gets done. What does get proposed is so hacked up by the time it becomes a law, that we will never see progress or success. I look for a candidate who has an idea, if passed into law, stays mailable to change, to make it work and if it doesn't, be man or woman enough to admit it and move on to another way.
My views?
Health Reform --- Great idea, some super components. Won't work unless we get behind it. I see areas where it could have been better and maybe it won't work the way it was dreamed. If it doesn't, change it, don't scrap it.
Taxes --- We hate 'em, but don't deny that they are necessary. Cutting taxes when we owe this much money is absurd. The rich are going to pay more than the poor --- get over it. Your still rich.
Welfare --- When people need a hand, truly need, we as a nation should stand as one to help. That there is anyone starving in this country should be our greatest shame. BUT.... People living on welfare as a life style must change. I have no problem with working - welfare recipients. You want population control? Cut the child credit to exclude additional kids after filing. In New Mexico, welfare recipients boast about how much money they can get for additional kids.
Immigration: I have ZERO problem with anyone that wants to come here, just pay your taxes and stop sending money home.
Social Security: The funds left can't be trusted to the open market. See DJIA and NASDAQ composite for definition of unreliability. We should allow our government to invest in companies, for profit, when they are given contracts with public funds.
Based on these observations, who would I vote for? FYI- these sentiments are extremely common among moderates.
Politics has raised itself to a new high point of absurdity. Vote for the person, not the boxed-platform candidate. Look around you and find great potential leaders for our country. Then all you have to do is keep them away from lobbyists... Easy, Right? (insert slapping of forehead here)
While the major political parties appear welded to their base ideals, to paraphrase Yoda: "There is another" trend building.
REASON
At my last look-see, over ONE BILLION DOLLARS has been pledged or spent on these mid-term elections. While ground may be lost or gained by the two major parties, the center appears to have grown. Independent candidates are growing in number and popularity. Why?
For a long time, I have believed that both major parties have good intentions, at their cores. What is happening now is a growing concern that each party is an "all or nothing" choice. A voter is backed into a choice of a party, not a candidate. We are voting on, not leadership, but party ideology... All or Nothing.
The growth of the middle would seem to point out this "all or nothing" choice is not sitting well with America. People are seeing that REASON can't be limited. They aren't being bought as thoroughly as Party advertisers think they are, far from it. Tea Parties and "Yes We Cans" are going to be remembered for a lack of latitude. Anger in rhetoric is held by the far right and left, while the middle just shakes it's collective head, hoping that one day something will finally get done. The hitch here is that the middle may be ending their silence.
Here is a prediction for the coming Presidential Election season: A third party candidate will place second. It won't be a person from the far right or left. It will be a centrist.
I personally think that both our major parties have it about half right... Each. I long for the day when our country will embrace whoever is in office, giving them support, not venom in the hope of effecting the next election. We are in a constant state of campaigning. Nothing gets done. What does get proposed is so hacked up by the time it becomes a law, that we will never see progress or success. I look for a candidate who has an idea, if passed into law, stays mailable to change, to make it work and if it doesn't, be man or woman enough to admit it and move on to another way.
My views?
Health Reform --- Great idea, some super components. Won't work unless we get behind it. I see areas where it could have been better and maybe it won't work the way it was dreamed. If it doesn't, change it, don't scrap it.
Taxes --- We hate 'em, but don't deny that they are necessary. Cutting taxes when we owe this much money is absurd. The rich are going to pay more than the poor --- get over it. Your still rich.
Welfare --- When people need a hand, truly need, we as a nation should stand as one to help. That there is anyone starving in this country should be our greatest shame. BUT.... People living on welfare as a life style must change. I have no problem with working - welfare recipients. You want population control? Cut the child credit to exclude additional kids after filing. In New Mexico, welfare recipients boast about how much money they can get for additional kids.
Immigration: I have ZERO problem with anyone that wants to come here, just pay your taxes and stop sending money home.
Social Security: The funds left can't be trusted to the open market. See DJIA and NASDAQ composite for definition of unreliability. We should allow our government to invest in companies, for profit, when they are given contracts with public funds.
Based on these observations, who would I vote for? FYI- these sentiments are extremely common among moderates.
Politics has raised itself to a new high point of absurdity. Vote for the person, not the boxed-platform candidate. Look around you and find great potential leaders for our country. Then all you have to do is keep them away from lobbyists... Easy, Right? (insert slapping of forehead here)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Happy Rally Day! Dan Browns The Lost Symbol D.C. Locations Map
Happy Rally Day! For those of you in Washington DC today and need a break from politics, even for just a little while...
Dan Browns The Lost Symbol D.C. Locations Map
Dan Browns The Lost Symbol D.C. Locations Map
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert
I'm a huge fan of both of their shows. October 30th will be a day to remember...
Publishing's New World Order
I love books. Real books, without on-switches. Maybe we can get navitasnavisphobia (fear of energy cells, batteries...) added to the Disabilities Act? Convince Homeland Security that the Energizer Bunny is a terrorist?
Change is coming to the world of the Author, Agent and Publisher. Whether any of what I've written will come true...? Whatever happens, however complex it makes the author's world, is out of our hands now, or is it? Ideally, ever author in the world would have refused Google and Amazon the rights to their work, and life would have stayed as before.
First came the estates of authors selling rights to past catalogues and unprotected works of the literary past that are considered in the public domain. Next came deals with notable authors for their back-lists. Technology enabled Amazon and Google to see a market opening to their, you must admit, genius and innovation. Publishing tried legal and tantrum-like means to stem the incursion into their world... Oops! The solution would have been to invest in the back-lists, creating a second tier effort to market these works. The problem with this solution is that Amazon and Google have more money than most countries and publishers are rather miserly. If anyone doubted who would win that battle, you need to get out more.
E-Books are comin' round the bend and into the stretch. Their place is set as a component of future Publishing. Will they make printed books disappear... NO. Will they deny many authors a chance at print publication... Sorry to say it, but YES.
Here are some predictions of how things may look:
The scene, set by initial re-action to a heretofore unchallenged industry, will create a multi-tiered publication mechanism. Hardcover books will be little effected, though fewer in number.
Paperbacks, the current home of the mid-list author for initial release, are going to feel the heat to the greatest degree.
The overall profits for the publishing industry will actually go UP.
I think this is where I say, "You heard it here first", only I'm quite sure I am not the first to either think this or write it down.
I believe Literary Agencies will build or expand in-house marketing expertise, even merging with Marketing firms to remain competitive. Many agencies will make the mistake of contraction in this new Publishing Economy. The agencies that seek to hold on to "Big Authors", concentrating on them, will have a bleak future. These same authors will seek out larger book deals, while publishers and agents battle to see who can put together "$200 million - two book deals" to keep them.
The Mid-list will be the farm team of the publishing world. Alan Rinzler, amazing editor that he is, has already written an interesting article on the subject . Authors doing well here, will be courted to join the Big Author league... Free agency for authors?
Literary Agencies will create in house sub-publishing units, handling e-books marketing, will see this unit out perform the traditional print arms. The term - "Self-published authors", will all but disappear at the mid-list level. Some BIG authors will form their own publishing units (a few have them now) and they will form loose associations, to control the upper tier of the market place, actually recruiting mid-list authors to their "teams".
Genres will fill to bursting, which is a Good/Bad thing... Research Supply and Demand theories for more on this....
If any of this comes true, there may be some bright spots that you may want to consider.
Agents who find books that they love, but can't find a place for on the current publishing dance card, will be able to bring these books to light, as long as the enhanced royalty levels of e-publishing remain fairly static. Agents will make more money on these "side projects", and their social networking skills will become a financial asset far beyond what it is now.
Editors may be coming into a Gold Rush period. The quality of e-published books has to rise to remain credible. Poor quality of finished works being "posted" for sale is haunting Amazon. While it is possible that the book buying public will learn to settle for misspelling, sentence fragments and adverb lush prose (look at the alter-English in Instant Messages), I have to believe reading will slow if this shabby writing isn't fixed. All hail the Free Lance Editor! Their time will be at a premium like never before. English Literature/Composition as a major may even get a boost. HotJobs will be filled with "Editor Needed" posts.
There will be a seedy side to this possible future. More shady agents will pop up. Amazon, BN, Borders, etc... may get greedy... hard to believe but... Position of e-book publication may be based on how much royalty the author will give up for prominent placement.
I honestly hope none of this happens, though what I have written has an Orwellian cast. Some of this will probably happen. Our industry can go Scarlet O'Hara and think about it tomorrow, but I think the professionals in our industry have already considered forms of what I have written. I would rather write my Week to Week posts, but for some reason this whole subject has been bothering me. The lack of insight to plan ahead by our industry, for authors to be ready, disturbs me.
This is where I can blame Tawna Fenske . Why not? She really didn't do anything, but what are online friends for, if not to assign reasons for moments of melancholy.
Whatever happens, be ready. This is an authors time to contribute, not just to the discussion, but to participate in the innovation process as well. It's our future, let's take some control of the decisions that will set the standard of Literature for centuries to come.
Change is coming to the world of the Author, Agent and Publisher. Whether any of what I've written will come true...? Whatever happens, however complex it makes the author's world, is out of our hands now, or is it? Ideally, ever author in the world would have refused Google and Amazon the rights to their work, and life would have stayed as before.
First came the estates of authors selling rights to past catalogues and unprotected works of the literary past that are considered in the public domain. Next came deals with notable authors for their back-lists. Technology enabled Amazon and Google to see a market opening to their, you must admit, genius and innovation. Publishing tried legal and tantrum-like means to stem the incursion into their world... Oops! The solution would have been to invest in the back-lists, creating a second tier effort to market these works. The problem with this solution is that Amazon and Google have more money than most countries and publishers are rather miserly. If anyone doubted who would win that battle, you need to get out more.
E-Books are comin' round the bend and into the stretch. Their place is set as a component of future Publishing. Will they make printed books disappear... NO. Will they deny many authors a chance at print publication... Sorry to say it, but YES.
Here are some predictions of how things may look:
The scene, set by initial re-action to a heretofore unchallenged industry, will create a multi-tiered publication mechanism. Hardcover books will be little effected, though fewer in number.
Paperbacks, the current home of the mid-list author for initial release, are going to feel the heat to the greatest degree.
The overall profits for the publishing industry will actually go UP.
I think this is where I say, "You heard it here first", only I'm quite sure I am not the first to either think this or write it down.
I believe Literary Agencies will build or expand in-house marketing expertise, even merging with Marketing firms to remain competitive. Many agencies will make the mistake of contraction in this new Publishing Economy. The agencies that seek to hold on to "Big Authors", concentrating on them, will have a bleak future. These same authors will seek out larger book deals, while publishers and agents battle to see who can put together "$200 million - two book deals" to keep them.
The Mid-list will be the farm team of the publishing world. Alan Rinzler, amazing editor that he is, has already written an interesting article on the subject . Authors doing well here, will be courted to join the Big Author league... Free agency for authors?
Literary Agencies will create in house sub-publishing units, handling e-books marketing, will see this unit out perform the traditional print arms. The term - "Self-published authors", will all but disappear at the mid-list level. Some BIG authors will form their own publishing units (a few have them now) and they will form loose associations, to control the upper tier of the market place, actually recruiting mid-list authors to their "teams".
Genres will fill to bursting, which is a Good/Bad thing... Research Supply and Demand theories for more on this....
If any of this comes true, there may be some bright spots that you may want to consider.
Agents who find books that they love, but can't find a place for on the current publishing dance card, will be able to bring these books to light, as long as the enhanced royalty levels of e-publishing remain fairly static. Agents will make more money on these "side projects", and their social networking skills will become a financial asset far beyond what it is now.
Editors may be coming into a Gold Rush period. The quality of e-published books has to rise to remain credible. Poor quality of finished works being "posted" for sale is haunting Amazon. While it is possible that the book buying public will learn to settle for misspelling, sentence fragments and adverb lush prose (look at the alter-English in Instant Messages), I have to believe reading will slow if this shabby writing isn't fixed. All hail the Free Lance Editor! Their time will be at a premium like never before. English Literature/Composition as a major may even get a boost. HotJobs will be filled with "Editor Needed" posts.
There will be a seedy side to this possible future. More shady agents will pop up. Amazon, BN, Borders, etc... may get greedy... hard to believe but... Position of e-book publication may be based on how much royalty the author will give up for prominent placement.
I honestly hope none of this happens, though what I have written has an Orwellian cast. Some of this will probably happen. Our industry can go Scarlet O'Hara and think about it tomorrow, but I think the professionals in our industry have already considered forms of what I have written. I would rather write my Week to Week posts, but for some reason this whole subject has been bothering me. The lack of insight to plan ahead by our industry, for authors to be ready, disturbs me.
This is where I can blame Tawna Fenske . Why not? She really didn't do anything, but what are online friends for, if not to assign reasons for moments of melancholy.
Whatever happens, be ready. This is an authors time to contribute, not just to the discussion, but to participate in the innovation process as well. It's our future, let's take some control of the decisions that will set the standard of Literature for centuries to come.
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Number of Women vs Men in the Publishing World
An interesting article on the percentage of women vs. men in the publishing world. I'd like to know why there is such a HUGE salary disparity between the two?
Where the Boys Are Not
Where the Boys Are Not
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
How to Train Your Dragon
Ok, I need to watch more animated kid movies. I just saw "How to Train Your Dragon". What a great movie! Haven't seen it? I thought I was the only one... $493,000,000 in boxoffice...
I wonder if Hollywood would consider, "How to Train a Devin Briar"???
I wonder if Hollywood would consider, "How to Train a Devin Briar"???
Literary Worlds
There is a tale, as yet untold, of to halves of the same...
Lust for hedonism drives the Comms when they write,read and live. Lits, live to be held on high, through wisdom, though oft times feral, and metaphor. Lits have the bent of information, conveyed through passion or philosophy. Comms seek respite from storms outside and within. These two are unalike... Yet, neither exists without the other.
Commercial Fiction is not just a genre générale. The name itself is unfortunate. It became a catagory, or genre, by default when the "Commercially Successful" novels gained more notice than their Literary Fiction bretheren. I wonder if Cain and Abel were authors?
Lovers of Commercial Fiction (Comms) were dubbed as having less educated "tastes" by the literary fictionists (Lits). Commercial Fiction fired back that Literary Fiction was the haunt of elitest snobs who hate detectives, spys, treasure hunting, science fiction and puppies... Ok, maybe not puppies, but it would make an effective ad-campaign, "Read smart books and puppies die"
The Lits cry out that the Comms are guilty of cultural hegemony, lack artistic merit and deny that "Being and Nothingness" makes for a great party theme.
At a recent summit meeting of the Comms and Lits, the only thing they could agree on is that neither really liked Cricket or Ice Dancing. They canceled a vote on Curling.
These two Genres miss the point. They have the same DNA. They exist because of what one has taught the other, so that books sell in large enough number to maintain the others existance in our world. Literary Fiction has given rise to the growing lists of genres and sub-genres, by inspiring people to record their dreams and fantasies for the enjoyment of others. The likes of H.G.Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Shelly gave us science fiction, though they lived in a time where Literary works ruled the day. Mark Twain took us down river, in a time of a nation's growth, inspiring those that would look further. Modern mega-novels like James Clavell's "Shogun" gave us a story of Japanese history and a vivid picture of beyond a shore.
Fiction is the great "what if", offering sustanance for our minds eye. Chose what you want, what you like, for whatever reason. Just know that both Commercial fiction and Literary Fiction are really one and the same thing... Though one of them does makes for better movies...
Lust for hedonism drives the Comms when they write,read and live. Lits, live to be held on high, through wisdom, though oft times feral, and metaphor. Lits have the bent of information, conveyed through passion or philosophy. Comms seek respite from storms outside and within. These two are unalike... Yet, neither exists without the other.
Commercial Fiction is not just a genre générale. The name itself is unfortunate. It became a catagory, or genre, by default when the "Commercially Successful" novels gained more notice than their Literary Fiction bretheren. I wonder if Cain and Abel were authors?
Lovers of Commercial Fiction (Comms) were dubbed as having less educated "tastes" by the literary fictionists (Lits). Commercial Fiction fired back that Literary Fiction was the haunt of elitest snobs who hate detectives, spys, treasure hunting, science fiction and puppies... Ok, maybe not puppies, but it would make an effective ad-campaign, "Read smart books and puppies die"
The Lits cry out that the Comms are guilty of cultural hegemony, lack artistic merit and deny that "Being and Nothingness" makes for a great party theme.
At a recent summit meeting of the Comms and Lits, the only thing they could agree on is that neither really liked Cricket or Ice Dancing. They canceled a vote on Curling.
These two Genres miss the point. They have the same DNA. They exist because of what one has taught the other, so that books sell in large enough number to maintain the others existance in our world. Literary Fiction has given rise to the growing lists of genres and sub-genres, by inspiring people to record their dreams and fantasies for the enjoyment of others. The likes of H.G.Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Shelly gave us science fiction, though they lived in a time where Literary works ruled the day. Mark Twain took us down river, in a time of a nation's growth, inspiring those that would look further. Modern mega-novels like James Clavell's "Shogun" gave us a story of Japanese history and a vivid picture of beyond a shore.
Fiction is the great "what if", offering sustanance for our minds eye. Chose what you want, what you like, for whatever reason. Just know that both Commercial fiction and Literary Fiction are really one and the same thing... Though one of them does makes for better movies...
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Week after Week #4
- Authors and self-publishers, the tools for marketing your work are growing. Is it worth the $$$$$ ? authorbuzz.com - hilsingermendelson.com - authorhive.com
- Galleycat ( mediabistro.com/galleycat/ )has an article about a "handwriting" to font software ( pilothandwriting.com ) Query letters can now be sent in your own scribble... Insert agents groaning here...
- Have a look at Janet Reid's post "You say pushy like it's a bad thing" ( http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/ ) I'm a huge fan of this agent, even though my work is outside her passion zone...
- I HAVE to make it to Bouchercon by the Bay one day...
- The number of agents not accepting queries or unsolicited manuscripts is growing. While I applaud the agents doing so to devote their time to their clients, I question those that are shrinking their portfolios instead of growing them. They have never heard : "putting all your eggs in one basket" ?????
- Check out thesaurus.com and the stupidity quiz. Great source for word substitutes
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Don't pet me, I'm writing
Tawna Fenske makes me laugh. One day she will be a star in the Romantic Comedy book world.
Don't pet me, I'm writing
Don't pet me, I'm writing
Monday, October 18, 2010
Ability and Desire
If Ability is made manifest by success, then Desire is ability's shadow.
Desire raises the heart, releases dreams and confounds expectations. The writing of dreams takes aptitude. Naturally held or scholastically acquired talent is required to transit an idea, in completion, to page. Desire's capacity can only take you so far...
This is what hangs in eternal doubt for a would be storyteller. You have a thought. It flashes on and off in your mind. Clear character profiles or minds-eye misted castles... You feel they are there... sometimes. Playing scenes in your head, some making you smile, others creating passion or anger by extension. Then you put it aside...Life comes first, right?
Still, the yearning builds to write it all down, but you don't... Not yet.
Maybe it's because you don't want to explain to someone what you are doing, avoid ridicule or doubting looks of the people around you. What if they laughed or smirked? They don't think you can do it. What if they are right? Your career in school wasn't marked by literary accolades. Remember those C- papers in English Comp 102? That English professor definitely rolled his eyes when you were reading aloud your essay on "Why the 60's Lost Me". It had nothing to do with what you thought In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida really meant, denying the mondegreen legend.
Whether weeks, months or years... Time goes on and by. Then something happens: Job dis-satisfaction, divorce, boredom... or maybe you just have a catharsis/epiphany. Fewer people notice the times you aren't around or the lock on your home office gets fixed. It's a Saturday and the air is unusually crisp or stars align. You open a word file and...
You idiot! You hit the desire switch. QUICK! Gather your abilities. It's a race against time, for the love of God. Keep the smile balanced with that furrowed brow. When you take a break to refill that coffee cup, keep the knowing smile to a minimum. Don't kiss the dog and throw the ball for your spouse... Be cool...
Faster than normal steps mark the approach to your computer. Has that desk light always been this bright?
Then it grows. Pages turn into chapters. You read writing blogs and see that there are things like genre, query letters, social networking and your story is now a m-a-n-u-s-c-r-i-p-t. Head down, you grow the MS into a living entity. Living, because it is filled now with emotion, despair, humor and it throws tantrums, not allowing you to add to it till it's ready...bitch.
Taking the day off, you look back over the fertile fields that are now your lengthy tomb. Internally proud that you have 387,057 words... Isn't Word Count great? Wait till your friends see how thick your book is! Really, really thick. So you learn the "E" word and take lessons in intellectual wrestling. You sculpt your MS into anovel trilogy, write the ultimate query letter inspired by a Shark, and tussle over which of two agents you should sign with: the one that likes Orange or the one that likes Orange Soda... You flip a coin, then sign with someone else.
Where did it all come from? Hint: You always had it in you.
Ability
It took desire to bring it out, but your aptitude was aways there. Desire is the shadow of ability. Desire to write can't be taught. It had to be there, in a sustained coma after LIFE hit you in the head. The light of hidden ability brought it out again. The silhouette of the desire to write, now stands next to your ability competently convey.
Whether you know it or not, at this point in all of this, is the real epiphany.
Desire raises the heart, releases dreams and confounds expectations. The writing of dreams takes aptitude. Naturally held or scholastically acquired talent is required to transit an idea, in completion, to page. Desire's capacity can only take you so far...
This is what hangs in eternal doubt for a would be storyteller. You have a thought. It flashes on and off in your mind. Clear character profiles or minds-eye misted castles... You feel they are there... sometimes. Playing scenes in your head, some making you smile, others creating passion or anger by extension. Then you put it aside...Life comes first, right?
Still, the yearning builds to write it all down, but you don't... Not yet.
Maybe it's because you don't want to explain to someone what you are doing, avoid ridicule or doubting looks of the people around you. What if they laughed or smirked? They don't think you can do it. What if they are right? Your career in school wasn't marked by literary accolades. Remember those C- papers in English Comp 102? That English professor definitely rolled his eyes when you were reading aloud your essay on "Why the 60's Lost Me". It had nothing to do with what you thought In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida really meant, denying the mondegreen legend.
Whether weeks, months or years... Time goes on and by. Then something happens: Job dis-satisfaction, divorce, boredom... or maybe you just have a catharsis/epiphany. Fewer people notice the times you aren't around or the lock on your home office gets fixed. It's a Saturday and the air is unusually crisp or stars align. You open a word file and...
You idiot! You hit the desire switch. QUICK! Gather your abilities. It's a race against time, for the love of God. Keep the smile balanced with that furrowed brow. When you take a break to refill that coffee cup, keep the knowing smile to a minimum. Don't kiss the dog and throw the ball for your spouse... Be cool...
Faster than normal steps mark the approach to your computer. Has that desk light always been this bright?
Then it grows. Pages turn into chapters. You read writing blogs and see that there are things like genre, query letters, social networking and your story is now a m-a-n-u-s-c-r-i-p-t. Head down, you grow the MS into a living entity. Living, because it is filled now with emotion, despair, humor and it throws tantrums, not allowing you to add to it till it's ready...bitch.
Taking the day off, you look back over the fertile fields that are now your lengthy tomb. Internally proud that you have 387,057 words... Isn't Word Count great? Wait till your friends see how thick your book is! Really, really thick. So you learn the "E" word and take lessons in intellectual wrestling. You sculpt your MS into a
Where did it all come from? Hint: You always had it in you.
Ability
It took desire to bring it out, but your aptitude was aways there. Desire is the shadow of ability. Desire to write can't be taught. It had to be there, in a sustained coma after LIFE hit you in the head. The light of hidden ability brought it out again. The silhouette of the desire to write, now stands next to your ability competently convey.
Whether you know it or not, at this point in all of this, is the real epiphany.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Yin and Yang
Balance between light and dark, enough and not, right and left, up and down....
I've found, lately anyway, that Yin and Yang are denying the existence of each other. Life with just Yin? Or is Yang the way to go?
Know the real meaning of "Yin Yang" ? It's not about opposites, like good and evil, so much as the relationship between them. The interaction point between them is a balance point. Shift to far one way or the other, life sort of wobbles out of control.
America has interaction points and it doesn't take much thought to identify them. Personal- wobble! Business -wobble,wobble! Politics- wobble, wobble to teeth shattering, loss of control!! Anyone who doesn't feel it after seeing the news has lost their soul.
The source of the imbalance? Blame it on.... If that was your first thought, you have secured your status as THE SOURCE. Blame solves nothing, but does encourage : WOBBLE!
What a great word, wobble. Child like visuals are conjured, literally. For me, I flashed on a child's first steps on their own. Hands in the air, a look of happiness and minor terror flashing on their face....
Our current wobble is, unfortunately, more like how it feels in an earthquake. Ever seen someone in an earthquake? Hands in the air, a look of confusion and major terror on their face.... Feel it?
Cure for the wobbles? Don't contribute to it by leaning on Yin and forgeting that Yang exists. Look for a point of balance by acknowledging that we all exist and hold different needs as well as views. Both Yin and Yang have to not just work together, but be a singular presence so we can see and solve problems before us. Damn if I don't fee a little...... ZEN!
I've found, lately anyway, that Yin and Yang are denying the existence of each other. Life with just Yin? Or is Yang the way to go?
Know the real meaning of "Yin Yang" ? It's not about opposites, like good and evil, so much as the relationship between them. The interaction point between them is a balance point. Shift to far one way or the other, life sort of wobbles out of control.
America has interaction points and it doesn't take much thought to identify them. Personal- wobble! Business -wobble,wobble! Politics- wobble, wobble to teeth shattering, loss of control!! Anyone who doesn't feel it after seeing the news has lost their soul.
The source of the imbalance? Blame it on.... If that was your first thought, you have secured your status as THE SOURCE. Blame solves nothing, but does encourage : WOBBLE!
What a great word, wobble. Child like visuals are conjured, literally. For me, I flashed on a child's first steps on their own. Hands in the air, a look of happiness and minor terror flashing on their face....
Our current wobble is, unfortunately, more like how it feels in an earthquake. Ever seen someone in an earthquake? Hands in the air, a look of confusion and major terror on their face.... Feel it?
Cure for the wobbles? Don't contribute to it by leaning on Yin and forgeting that Yang exists. Look for a point of balance by acknowledging that we all exist and hold different needs as well as views. Both Yin and Yang have to not just work together, but be a singular presence so we can see and solve problems before us. Damn if I don't fee a little...... ZEN!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Bob Mayer's Blog | WRITE IT FORWARD
An interesting, experience based, take on some of the perils of E-Publishing.
Bob Mayer's Blog WRITE IT FORWARD
Bob Mayer's Blog WRITE IT FORWARD
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Week after Week #3
- If President Obama, Cheney, Palin and former Presidents Bush are related, is it fair to say Justin Bieber is related to Hobbits... Stupid question, he IS a Hobbit.
- When I think about changes in publishing, I'm reminded of Markov. "The property of the next state, depends only on the current state..."
- Why aren't editors called Tautologists...? The act of editing a Tautoectomy...?
- Liesl of writerropes.blogspot.com dares me to bad... I accept the challenge!!!!
- Master Editor Alan Rinzler ( alanrinzler.com ) talks about the "I" narrative. Leave it to Alan to explain that there are two I-s... I wear glasses, so a four I-d narrative would be hard to follow?
- This is a page from a wordless novel by Lynd Ward. Each page carved in wood... And we complain about editing?
- Here's to "The Finkler Question" by Howard Jacobson, winner of the 2010 Man Booker award. The first Comedic book to win in 42 years. Read more at: confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com
The Bookshelf Muse: Inside the Metaphor
The Bookshelf Muse: Inside the Metaphor: "Metaphors. Most of us know we should use them, that they're a good way to describe, but not everyone has a solid understanding of what they ..."
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
A.M. Schilling
I don't write YA novels, but if I did, A.M. Schilling's list of five things to remember would be on my list of things to keep in mind. Please visit her BRAND NEW BLOG!
A.M. Schilling
A.M. Schilling
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Harlon Coban and the Mean Street
You know you have a great novelist when he inspires a fan's thoughts on infrastructure.....
Monday, October 11, 2010
Read What You Love
Recently, I became embroiled in a rather heated comment debate with a few "self branded" intellectuals that have decided authors such as Dan Brown, J.K. Rowling, Stephanie Meyers, King, Evanovich, Coban (They had a long list, but you get the trend here) were beneath them. They spouted, what they perceived as, flawed writing, thin plots...
My view: These people live to deny a good book. Anything outside their little world of self-indulged, pseudo-I.Q., prosaic opinions... unless it is written by them... doesn't deserve to see the light of day.
How can anyone set themselves up as the omniscient judge of all things written? What made them forget, that the greatest achievement of any book is involvement of the reader. Message, metaphor, even plot are nothing without a golden turn of phrase. I've read Voltaire...slowly. I gained insight from the great works of our past, but chose to do so for edification, not entertainment. I honor Ibsen, Zola, Ferber, as all who love the written word should. That there are those that would honor no others, makes me think they should re-read the greats from throughout the ages. They wrote to enlightened the heart as well as the mind.
The authors these people had a problem with, are for our hearts. They write adventures for our minds eye, that we may see beyond our immediate horizon. That they do not climb the esoteric ladder is neither here nor there.
I've always had a problem with those that can't seem to wish others well. Who live to express pessimism, in a vein attempt to be perceived as all-knowing. Their internal devices show such limit. The path they walk in life, so very narrow.
The authors they so revile, I celebrate and cherish. They give me such a broad, expansive view, that to deny, is to deny the written simple smile or warm embrace as having value to humanity. These authors provide moments that are beyond value to all that seek storys to travel with us as we live. When they write about the simple smile, I see it. The warm embrace is felt. A mountain climbed can leave me breathlessly anticipating the vista ahead.
Yet these would be author-judges will endure. I leave them to their denials of the many that are great. The absolute blessing of freedom of choice will always keep them at bay, their voices a whisper. I can't help having the earnest hope, that they will one day write a novel, get it published and become famous, so the peers left behind can have at them... What goes around comes around? If that isn't literary justice...
My view: These people live to deny a good book. Anything outside their little world of self-indulged, pseudo-I.Q., prosaic opinions... unless it is written by them... doesn't deserve to see the light of day.
How can anyone set themselves up as the omniscient judge of all things written? What made them forget, that the greatest achievement of any book is involvement of the reader. Message, metaphor, even plot are nothing without a golden turn of phrase. I've read Voltaire...slowly. I gained insight from the great works of our past, but chose to do so for edification, not entertainment. I honor Ibsen, Zola, Ferber, as all who love the written word should. That there are those that would honor no others, makes me think they should re-read the greats from throughout the ages. They wrote to enlightened the heart as well as the mind.
The authors these people had a problem with, are for our hearts. They write adventures for our minds eye, that we may see beyond our immediate horizon. That they do not climb the esoteric ladder is neither here nor there.
I've always had a problem with those that can't seem to wish others well. Who live to express pessimism, in a vein attempt to be perceived as all-knowing. Their internal devices show such limit. The path they walk in life, so very narrow.
The authors they so revile, I celebrate and cherish. They give me such a broad, expansive view, that to deny, is to deny the written simple smile or warm embrace as having value to humanity. These authors provide moments that are beyond value to all that seek storys to travel with us as we live. When they write about the simple smile, I see it. The warm embrace is felt. A mountain climbed can leave me breathlessly anticipating the vista ahead.
Yet these would be author-judges will endure. I leave them to their denials of the many that are great. The absolute blessing of freedom of choice will always keep them at bay, their voices a whisper. I can't help having the earnest hope, that they will one day write a novel, get it published and become famous, so the peers left behind can have at them... What goes around comes around? If that isn't literary justice...
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Op-Ed Contributor - Found in Translation - NYTimes.com
Janet Reid always finds great articles, and this one by Michael Cunningham is absolutely one of the best I've ever read. I won't spoil it, but if you tell me you didn't pause at the phrase containing the word "fire", you have truly lost your way.......
Op-Ed Contributor - Found in Translation - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Contributor - Found in Translation - NYTimes.com
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Janet the Great
An Youtube interview with one of my favorite authors... Janet Evanovich
On my list of authors I would love to meet...
On my list of authors I would love to meet...
The complication of Carl Sagan
I get "Quote of the day" on my home page. A few days ago, a quote by Carl Sagan - "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe..." made me chuckle a bit. I mean who doesn't laugh at Astrophysical humor...
It did get me thinking about how writing can be MADE more complex than it has to be. I read a number of blog and web posts everyday, and I find the sense of a building, never ending, trend to find complexity where none exists. It can't exist without each of us making it so.
Consider Sagan's quote for a second, then apply the apple pie to your manuscript's plot or characters. Are you layering on complexity, complication or setting in an attempt build a universe when a planet would suffice?
Why do I suddenly want to say, "billions and billions" in a slow deep voice?
The act of over-building or monumentalizing a plot or character will only complicate your writing efforts. Worse still, it will make editing so incredibly painful when you have to hit "delete" on your intricately woven prose. Editors look for clarity and transition. That the freckles of the gunman's hand remind you of your dog Spot, just before he pulls the trigger, won't survive the first editorial pass.
Realize that the word "definition" has something to do with DEFINING, not elaborating. Complexity may stimulate your cerebral cortex, but remember, one man's intellectual stimulation, is another man's reason to reach for the Tylenol.
Write for everyone...
It did get me thinking about how writing can be MADE more complex than it has to be. I read a number of blog and web posts everyday, and I find the sense of a building, never ending, trend to find complexity where none exists. It can't exist without each of us making it so.
Consider Sagan's quote for a second, then apply the apple pie to your manuscript's plot or characters. Are you layering on complexity, complication or setting in an attempt build a universe when a planet would suffice?
Why do I suddenly want to say, "billions and billions" in a slow deep voice?
The act of over-building or monumentalizing a plot or character will only complicate your writing efforts. Worse still, it will make editing so incredibly painful when you have to hit "delete" on your intricately woven prose. Editors look for clarity and transition. That the freckles of the gunman's hand remind you of your dog Spot, just before he pulls the trigger, won't survive the first editorial pass.
Realize that the word "definition" has something to do with DEFINING, not elaborating. Complexity may stimulate your cerebral cortex, but remember, one man's intellectual stimulation, is another man's reason to reach for the Tylenol.
Write for everyone...
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The interactive Dan Brown plot generator. - By Chris Wilson - Slate Magazine
To all the literary snobs out there, know I happen to be a Dan Brown fan. He is an author to be admired for creating truly enjoyable novels.
Which doesn't mean I can't have a bit of fun when I found the plot generator...
The interactive Dan Brown plot generator. - By Chris Wilson - Slate Magazine
Which doesn't mean I can't have a bit of fun when I found the plot generator...
The interactive Dan Brown plot generator. - By Chris Wilson - Slate Magazine
Week after Week October 2010 #2
- E-Publishing has a new hurdle: navitasnavisphobia (fear of energy cells, batteries...)
- Can't wait to see the star of the Home Intruder ( see it on Youtube, make sure you see the TV news interview first) and now available for download through I-Tunes) song performed live at the Grammys... All those jokes about Coldplay's talent aren't sounding all that funny now, are they? Ok, the jokes are still funny...In an online interview with CBS News, the neighborhood crooner said he has AGENTS calling him...
- Query Shark is now fielding general questions... I can hardly wait for tax season! Let's see the IRS argue with a Shark that gives accounting advice
- Snoo... No! Who cares if she has a book deal. Not only will she not write it, she won't read it either ( Please God, don't let it be a picture book or YA)
- Disturbing trend building in boutique publisher financials
- Have a look at Patrick Neylan's post "Pulping fiction: Franzen's London Nightmare", in the guest blogging contest in forums at http://forums.nathanbransford.com/
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Week after Week
- Trends in social networking is a oxymoron
- Any book about the planet Uranus that mentions Bifidus Regularis as one of it's moons may have been researched exclusively in Wikipedia.
- Rachel Gardner's rendition of "The Call" http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/ creates a "stare at the phone" catatonic condition after authors send their queries.
- Sarah gives reasons to envy her life and times http://sarahderengowski.blogspot.com/ Scuba diving for a living in the South Pacific... How does she muddle through?
- Just really like how this lady writes: http://tawnafenske.blogspot.com/ Read her take on the two sentence pitch to librarians... Shhhh!
- The Stochastic process is gaining popularity as the base reasoning behind partial requests and responses.
- If you are not a do-er or be-er, you're a WAS... (The slogan of the Passive Sentence cult)
- When speaking to a author friend about her genre, she said it would never die... Yes, she writes about Vampires and no she doesn't like Stake.
- Is Stephen King's new book about vampires the biggest gamble in his career? ( I put $10 on Meyer giving the book a RAVE review...Oops!)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Followers button
The Followers button has been restored... somehow it had something to do with a widget I placed on the page. I hope all those that tried to follow this blog and sent me e-mails about the malfunction will try again.
Ask the editor: Do publishers have rules about POV?
This link and the three that follow are by Alan Rinzler, one of the premier editors in the publishing world. I know you will find them informative.
Ask the editor: Do publishers have rules about POV?
Ask the editor: Do publishers have rules about POV?
Friday, October 1, 2010
Neverending Page Turner: Query Stats vs Query Blast
Neverending Page Turner: Query Stats vs Query Blast: "This is a two-in-one post. Part One: My Personal Query Update As in previous posts, here are some current query numbers (note this is for ..."