This week's publishing news and industry blogs post covers 9/4-9/25/15.
Publishing News
The Authors Guild conducts a members survey an discovers that writers are apparently earning far less now than they did six years ago, on average (using the median, not the mean). This and the Fair Contract Initiative are apparently part of the AG's new approach to more actively represent and support its members.
Another class action suit against Author Solutions has been dismissed.
E-book subscription service Oyster is shutting down. Google has hired some of their staff.
Apple and the Big Five could be facing another price-fixing lawsuit, this time from retailers whose startups were unable to thrive without the bundles and discounts they'd been relying on, after judge Cote decides the case could proceed. On the other hand, Judge Cote also warns the plaintiffs their claim will hard to prove.
Meanwhile, Apple considers appealing Cote's verdict to the Supreme Court. If they don't, consumers could be seeing the payment soon of the $400 million in refunds, as per the liability judgement.
Copyright holders will have to consider fair use before filing DMCAs, according to the US Court of Appeals.
A number of well-known authors advocate for freedom of expression in China.
Goodreads will soon be available in UK via Kindle Readers and tablets. And Amazon is also expanding Kindle Scout internationally.
Industry Blogs
On QueryTracker, 7 things your query must have. Also, how to edit your synopsis.
Agent Jessica Faust advises writers create career plans and revisit them at least yearly. Also, go update your Amazon Author Page.
Agent Janet Reid answers questions and gives advice. If an agent read a full but rejected kindly, is it still a no-go to mention the rejection at the conference? (Depends.) Which awards are worth mentioning in queries? (Ones with independent judging and that don't have more winners than entry slots.) If you've self-published a novel, how do you mention this in a query? (Simply. Also, be sure you self-published for the right reasons.) And how NOT to ask for a review.
More from Reid: If you won't take a deal unless it offers big-mega money to prove they're serious, and are worried about giving away your manuscript to those who won't market it sufficiently or maybe even not publish it at all, should you mention that in your query? (Yes. That way the agent knows to skip you and doesn't waste her time or yours.) And what does "previously published" mean, and does it really hurt your publishing chances? (Agents can negotiated "previously published" clauses; also, 50 Shades. But probably best not to publicly post your novel.) And how to do you vet an agency? (Research--look at what they've actually published.) Also, how to evaluate a small publisher.
Got extra clauses in your sentences and not sure how to handle them? On the Editor's Blog, "Interruptions," from parenthetical phrases to parentheses to em dashes. And learn about Either, Neither, and their correct Verbs. Also, details that make your setting seem like it's written from a native's POV--important little things that make your story seem more real.
Agent Kristen Nelson shares a story of an out-of-print book that sold film rights and became a success... because that's the world we live in, where digital means out-of-print never really has to happen. And another piece of advice on choosing an agent: go with one who is financially stable doing her (or his) agenting job, because if the agent needs the paycheck, you might wind up with a less than stellar deal. Also, some hints on how to tell, because don't think agents are going to go around announcing their bank balances to the world.
On Publishers Weekly, 10 Tech Tools for Writers.
The AP Stylebook is now available as an e-book.
Pew Research Center finds that library attendance has dropped in the past year. America Library Association counters that libraries are a lifeline and most communities feel their loss would have a major impact on the community.
What other major publishing news have you encountered in the past two weeks?
Publishing News
The Authors Guild conducts a members survey an discovers that writers are apparently earning far less now than they did six years ago, on average (using the median, not the mean). This and the Fair Contract Initiative are apparently part of the AG's new approach to more actively represent and support its members.Another class action suit against Author Solutions has been dismissed.
E-book subscription service Oyster is shutting down. Google has hired some of their staff.
Apple and the Big Five could be facing another price-fixing lawsuit, this time from retailers whose startups were unable to thrive without the bundles and discounts they'd been relying on, after judge Cote decides the case could proceed. On the other hand, Judge Cote also warns the plaintiffs their claim will hard to prove.
Meanwhile, Apple considers appealing Cote's verdict to the Supreme Court. If they don't, consumers could be seeing the payment soon of the $400 million in refunds, as per the liability judgement.
Copyright holders will have to consider fair use before filing DMCAs, according to the US Court of Appeals.
A number of well-known authors advocate for freedom of expression in China.
Goodreads will soon be available in UK via Kindle Readers and tablets. And Amazon is also expanding Kindle Scout internationally.
Industry Blogs
On QueryTracker, 7 things your query must have. Also, how to edit your synopsis.
Agent Jessica Faust advises writers create career plans and revisit them at least yearly. Also, go update your Amazon Author Page.
Agent Janet Reid answers questions and gives advice. If an agent read a full but rejected kindly, is it still a no-go to mention the rejection at the conference? (Depends.) Which awards are worth mentioning in queries? (Ones with independent judging and that don't have more winners than entry slots.) If you've self-published a novel, how do you mention this in a query? (Simply. Also, be sure you self-published for the right reasons.) And how NOT to ask for a review.
More from Reid: If you won't take a deal unless it offers big-mega money to prove they're serious, and are worried about giving away your manuscript to those who won't market it sufficiently or maybe even not publish it at all, should you mention that in your query? (Yes. That way the agent knows to skip you and doesn't waste her time or yours.) And what does "previously published" mean, and does it really hurt your publishing chances? (Agents can negotiated "previously published" clauses; also, 50 Shades. But probably best not to publicly post your novel.) And how to do you vet an agency? (Research--look at what they've actually published.) Also, how to evaluate a small publisher.
Got extra clauses in your sentences and not sure how to handle them? On the Editor's Blog, "Interruptions," from parenthetical phrases to parentheses to em dashes. And learn about Either, Neither, and their correct Verbs. Also, details that make your setting seem like it's written from a native's POV--important little things that make your story seem more real.
Agent Kristen Nelson shares a story of an out-of-print book that sold film rights and became a success... because that's the world we live in, where digital means out-of-print never really has to happen. And another piece of advice on choosing an agent: go with one who is financially stable doing her (or his) agenting job, because if the agent needs the paycheck, you might wind up with a less than stellar deal. Also, some hints on how to tell, because don't think agents are going to go around announcing their bank balances to the world.
On Publishers Weekly, 10 Tech Tools for Writers.
The AP Stylebook is now available as an e-book.
Pew Research Center finds that library attendance has dropped in the past year. America Library Association counters that libraries are a lifeline and most communities feel their loss would have a major impact on the community.
What other major publishing news have you encountered in the past two weeks?
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