Part two of Publishing news and industry blogs: The Industry Blogs half. This post covers industry blogs from 6/5-7/9, and I am going try to keep it no longer than a usual news/blogs post, because you need at least a little time left for writing, right?
Victoria Strauss, on Writer Beware, warns writers how to recognize and avoid awards profiteers (awards that pretty much exist as surreptitious cash-cows for the sponsors). She also warns writers away from Almond Press competition, whose prize is "exposure" (100 GBP for the grand prize) and it gets an anthology-full of material for the cost, paying nobody else but retaining the right to print their work. She also weighs in on Amazon's "No personal connection" rules for reviews.
Strauss also notes that class certification has been denied in the lawsuit against Author Solutions, meaning it won't be a class action suit unless the certification is granted in appeals.
Agent Kristin Nelson weighs in on e-book subscription services, deciding that she considers overall good for authors. She also explains why 99.9% of agents will pass on a manuscript that begins with the protagonist waking up. And why those few that do work, work.
Meanwhile, author Kristine Kathryn Rusch implores writers to be willing to say No to bad contracts and giving away your work for free--say no and walk away. You have many paths open to you. Don't harm your business by accepting a bad deal because someone else wants you to, even if that person or company seems big and important.
Agent Jessica Faust shares the best places she and other industry professionals recommend to find agents. She also talks about the restructuring going on at Penguin Random House, and what authors can do if they worry that the consolidations will affect them. And what to do as an author if your contract isn't renewed.
On the Editor's Blog, why you need a good beta reader who isn't your close friend.
Agent Janet Reid gives advice and answers questions. Where do you mention that an editor has your manuscript in a query to an agent? (The last paragraph.) Is it actually okay for an agent to recommend an editor, or is it a conflict of interest? (It's okay, as long as the agent gets no kickbacks.)
Reid is asked what you need if you're basing a book off someone else's life. (Their permission and a legal contract stating that you have this permission. And, uh, actual legal advice, because it's complicated as heck.) And when a reader tells you your book isn't in a store? (Ask them if they asked for it to be ordered.)
And Reid explains why she would not touch a book being queried by a translator who is not the author of the book. Also, including someone else's song lyrics is a very touchy subject and not easy or cheaply resolved even when permission is obtained.
How about indicating an accent by dropping gs? (Reid says with the right diction, you won't need to.) What if you want to include a map, should you mention it? (Wait until after the query.) If an agent appears to only be making digital sales according to their Publishers Marketplace listing, is it a cause for concern? (No; for one thing, not all deals are listed on Publishers Marketplace.)
If you've used details from your own life, should you mention it? (Reid backs away slowly from the "story of my own life" because most lives make poor novels. Also, keep it low-key if you must mention it.) She also explains what exactly a series is, as compared to a stand-alone.
And that's it for this past month! Yes, I skipped a few good posts, but I do plan to sleep tonight, so it was inevitable. See anything recently that needs to be shared?
Victoria Strauss, on Writer Beware, warns writers how to recognize and avoid awards profiteers (awards that pretty much exist as surreptitious cash-cows for the sponsors). She also warns writers away from Almond Press competition, whose prize is "exposure" (100 GBP for the grand prize) and it gets an anthology-full of material for the cost, paying nobody else but retaining the right to print their work. She also weighs in on Amazon's "No personal connection" rules for reviews.
Strauss also notes that class certification has been denied in the lawsuit against Author Solutions, meaning it won't be a class action suit unless the certification is granted in appeals.
 | |
| We'll blame any important missed links on jet lag and post-vacation laundry. |
Agent Kristin Nelson weighs in on e-book subscription services, deciding that she considers overall good for authors. She also explains why 99.9% of agents will pass on a manuscript that begins with the protagonist waking up. And why those few that do work, work.
Meanwhile, author Kristine Kathryn Rusch implores writers to be willing to say No to bad contracts and giving away your work for free--say no and walk away. You have many paths open to you. Don't harm your business by accepting a bad deal because someone else wants you to, even if that person or company seems big and important.
Agent Jessica Faust shares the best places she and other industry professionals recommend to find agents. She also talks about the restructuring going on at Penguin Random House, and what authors can do if they worry that the consolidations will affect them. And what to do as an author if your contract isn't renewed.
On the Editor's Blog, why you need a good beta reader who isn't your close friend.
Agent Janet Reid gives advice and answers questions. Where do you mention that an editor has your manuscript in a query to an agent? (The last paragraph.) Is it actually okay for an agent to recommend an editor, or is it a conflict of interest? (It's okay, as long as the agent gets no kickbacks.)
Reid is asked what you need if you're basing a book off someone else's life. (Their permission and a legal contract stating that you have this permission. And, uh, actual legal advice, because it's complicated as heck.) And when a reader tells you your book isn't in a store? (Ask them if they asked for it to be ordered.)
And Reid explains why she would not touch a book being queried by a translator who is not the author of the book. Also, including someone else's song lyrics is a very touchy subject and not easy or cheaply resolved even when permission is obtained.
How about indicating an accent by dropping gs? (Reid says with the right diction, you won't need to.) What if you want to include a map, should you mention it? (Wait until after the query.) If an agent appears to only be making digital sales according to their Publishers Marketplace listing, is it a cause for concern? (No; for one thing, not all deals are listed on Publishers Marketplace.)
If you've used details from your own life, should you mention it? (Reid backs away slowly from the "story of my own life" because most lives make poor novels. Also, keep it low-key if you must mention it.) She also explains what exactly a series is, as compared to a stand-alone.
And that's it for this past month! Yes, I skipped a few good posts, but I do plan to sleep tonight, so it was inevitable. See anything recently that needs to be shared?
No comments:
Post a Comment