This weeks Publishing News and industry blogs post covers 4/11-4/24/15.
Publishing News
The official Penguin Random House website has gone live, now officially merging the publisher's (formerly publishers') online presence(s).
HarperCollins and Amazon reach an agreement over sales terms. Details are still vague but seem to be similar to other publisher agreements with the retailer.
Apple's court-appointed monitor is reporting that while Apple has made some progress in its
anti-trust program, it has experienced 'significant setbacks.'
Industry Blogs
On Writer Beware, Victoria Strauss explains the recent paper submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark office concerning the need for a database that tracks the authors of works and helps find rightsholders. Current problems with modern systems (such as the lack of sufficient inclusion of self-pubbed authors and a lack of information about authors, instead listing publishers) mean the groups submitting the paper feel a better system is needed. She also reports on Amazon cracking down on fake review websites via lawsuits (those sorts of places where people can buy fake good reviews for their books), and explains why fake reviews hurt businesses and consumers both. Part of the lawsuit is for the companies to hand over their list of clients--bad news for anyone who thought buying fake reviews was a good idea. And if you have heard of Raider Publishing International, run, run, run away as fast as you can--seriously, they managed to get an F with the BBB. They and the other publishers owned by the same person were on hiatus for a while, but apparently Raiders is trying to make a comeback.
Agent Janet Reid offers advice and answers questions. If you meet an agent socially, is it a good time to pitch your novel? (NO.) Short on cash; is self-publishing a MS Word doc of short stories going to count as being published? (Yes; also, it's a terrible idea that won't make you money.) You find out you queried an agent with a book that probably won't quite fit her tastes, but you have another book she'd like better; is it okay to withdraw the first query and send a different one? (Yes, and it's a pretty smart business move if you do it right.) How do you find an independent editor who won't suck the soul out of a manuscript? (Read books they've edited. Also know what you need.)
On QueryTracker, Rochelle Deans explains that 'networking,' a dreaded part of the business, is really just another way of saying 'making friends.' Ash Krafton explains how to write a good author bio.
Agent Kristin Nelson explains why most agents dislike prologues.
Author Kristine Kathryn Rusch posts Part Two (How to Survive Lean Months) and Part Three (Worst Case Scenario: When You Just Don't Get Paid) on how to make a living as a freelance writer. (Also: Part One if you've forgotten it.)
Agent Nephele Tempest posts a set of links. Of particular recommendation is the link to Publication Opportunities for Writers for May and June.
A new software tool aims to help authors and publishers enhance published ebooks with extra online content, even e-books already out in print.
Ever read a book with so many characters you have trouble keeping them all straight? One online app aims to help with that, letting you create book-specific "dictionaries" for your books without exposing you to spoilers, using community wikis.
Publishing News
The official Penguin Random House website has gone live, now officially merging the publisher's (formerly publishers') online presence(s).
HarperCollins and Amazon reach an agreement over sales terms. Details are still vague but seem to be similar to other publisher agreements with the retailer.
Apple's court-appointed monitor is reporting that while Apple has made some progress in its
Industry Blogs
On Writer Beware, Victoria Strauss explains the recent paper submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark office concerning the need for a database that tracks the authors of works and helps find rightsholders. Current problems with modern systems (such as the lack of sufficient inclusion of self-pubbed authors and a lack of information about authors, instead listing publishers) mean the groups submitting the paper feel a better system is needed. She also reports on Amazon cracking down on fake review websites via lawsuits (those sorts of places where people can buy fake good reviews for their books), and explains why fake reviews hurt businesses and consumers both. Part of the lawsuit is for the companies to hand over their list of clients--bad news for anyone who thought buying fake reviews was a good idea. And if you have heard of Raider Publishing International, run, run, run away as fast as you can--seriously, they managed to get an F with the BBB. They and the other publishers owned by the same person were on hiatus for a while, but apparently Raiders is trying to make a comeback.
Agent Janet Reid offers advice and answers questions. If you meet an agent socially, is it a good time to pitch your novel? (NO.) Short on cash; is self-publishing a MS Word doc of short stories going to count as being published? (Yes; also, it's a terrible idea that won't make you money.) You find out you queried an agent with a book that probably won't quite fit her tastes, but you have another book she'd like better; is it okay to withdraw the first query and send a different one? (Yes, and it's a pretty smart business move if you do it right.) How do you find an independent editor who won't suck the soul out of a manuscript? (Read books they've edited. Also know what you need.)
On QueryTracker, Rochelle Deans explains that 'networking,' a dreaded part of the business, is really just another way of saying 'making friends.' Ash Krafton explains how to write a good author bio.
Agent Kristin Nelson explains why most agents dislike prologues.
Author Kristine Kathryn Rusch posts Part Two (How to Survive Lean Months) and Part Three (Worst Case Scenario: When You Just Don't Get Paid) on how to make a living as a freelance writer. (Also: Part One if you've forgotten it.)
Agent Nephele Tempest posts a set of links. Of particular recommendation is the link to Publication Opportunities for Writers for May and June.
A new software tool aims to help authors and publishers enhance published ebooks with extra online content, even e-books already out in print.
Ever read a book with so many characters you have trouble keeping them all straight? One online app aims to help with that, letting you create book-specific "dictionaries" for your books without exposing you to spoilers, using community wikis.
Thanks for posting. I sent out some tweets on this article and tagged it #amwriting .
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Glad you find it helpful. Love that hashtag--great support from fellow writers.
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