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This was a great week in the world of publishing blogging, and I’m sure I caught but a few of the highlights.
But first, congratulations go out to the winners of the Edgar Awards! Among the winners, John Hart and DOWN RIVER took home the prize for Best Novel.
Over at the indispensable Writer Beware blog, Victoria Strauss has a really fantastic and did I mention indispensable post on things small press writers should look for as they’re handling agreements and weighing offers. Know what you sign, people!! Be careful!
Moonrat also has a really interesting post on authors who are syndicating their novels online, and some of the things writers should consider when doing so. Know what you e-publish, people!! Be careful!
Meanwhile, in an article that would make Sean Lindsay weep, the New York Times has discovered that there are a crapload of people writing books out there. 400,000 books published last year, up from 300,000 in 2006! All of them fantastic!!! In the minds of the authors who wrote them!!! Exclamation points!!!!
And finally, reader Caitlin Podiak may just have written the most compelling essay on The Hills you will ever have the pleasure of reading. I won’t spoil it for you, but do yourself a favor and see which Shakespearean character Spencer most (and eerily) resembles.
Have a great weekend!
I’m not even willing to approach a publishing house on my own. I wouldn’t even know how to begin. Would much rather have an agent do it for me. I wouldn’t even understand the wording of a contract if I tried. Not that I’ve had the pleasure of having one placed in front of me yet.
Yay! Edgar winners. Will be a good year for them.
More books for me to browse through!!! No e-books please, I don’t want them. Headed to chapters today (Canada’s biggest bookstore franchise). It’s time for another bookspree!
I can guess who Spencer resembles!It’s gotta be from THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Isn’t it. Win! I’m there straight away.
Wow! Thanks so much for the mention! Your comment made my day yesterday – I am so glad that you enjoyed my musings.
Yes, right, 400,000 books published, but how many titles? “Book” does not equal “title”. At least not in my mind.
Thanks for the link to the small press writers link, Nathan.
Adaora:
As a former agent and published author, I’m here to tell you that contracts aren’t all that hard. And even with a great agent (like Nathan seems to be) you still need to know the basics.
Also (and I know this isn’t what you’re trying to say) there is a pernicious attitude out there that understanding the business somehow taints the work. Ignorance of Commerce does not make you a better Artist.
Good luck!
@denis – You’re right. I guess it would be a bit of a strech to call myself completely ignorant. What I mean is there is a certain something that agents know which writers don’t. I read all the agent and editors blogs so I know what I’ve heard and what I’ve read, but sometimes I can’t help but think that hearing and seeing is one thing, but doing is another. I think agents have a way of doing that stands out. Do you know what I mean? But for sure being ignorant doesn’t mean your work has a better level of purity then more ‘informed’ arists.
I love THIS WEEK IN PUBLISHING. And who knew such a thoughtful and intelligent essay could be written about THE HILLS? Ah, the power of words.
1. Someone else was going to win the Edgar Award for best mystery, but he was found dead in a locked room at Autumnbottom Hall by his butler.
2. Biggest threat with small presses, that they go under before your check clears.
3. Some folks are actually having better sales for things that they gave away for free. Shows to go ya.
4. All other books are crap, except for mine. My humility is why I’m such a great writer. 😉
5. Let me guess, The Fool from King Lear?
@adoara. I knew you knew more than you were letting on. No more playing dumb, smarty!
And yes: agents are good.
Cheers.
I love ‘This Week in Publishing.’
1st time novelist should stick with an agent – if they can find one – and leave everything to them. IMHO
It’s a good thing people are going with trying to find agents instead of small publishers. Good for me, that is.
You guys just stay brainwashed with the concept that an agent is needed. That way, you’ll never get published. Too bad. I’ll bet you wrote a great book, never to be seen outside your family and friends.
I give agents a limited amount of time before I send to small presses. There ARE many legitimate small presses. If you think you’ve got a blockbuster, think again.
From everything Nathan has said, the likelihood of getting an agent is about .01%. I wouldn’t go with those odds on a penny slot machine.
Caitlin’s piece on the Hills is brilliant. Thanks for leading me to it. It was an amazingly refreshing moment during an otherwise Grey, meeting-filled afternoon.
Careful with your title! 😉
My mind switched the letters, and I was like…What?! Nathan, swearing on his blog?!
ManiacScribbler =^..^=
@dennis – Cheers!
Nothing wrong with a small, but fast-acting pub.