Yes, this week in publishing on a Thursday. This afternoon I’m headed to the Pike’s Peak Writers Conference, and I’m looking forward to meeting some of you there!
Also, a plea for my e-mail subscribers: I really want to hear from you (I do) but please please please don’t e-mail me your responses to blog topics. That’s what the blog is for. Those e-mails go to my work e-mail account, and I really need to keep my Inbox clear for work. If you’d like to weigh in and join the conversation, please click the title of the post in the e-mail, which will take you directly to my blog.
If you scroll down to the very bottom of the page that opens up when you click the blog title, you’ll see a link that says “Post a Comment.” Click that.
Then enter your comment in the window and sign in to your Google (or other) account or click the Anonymous bubble to leave a comment as anonymous. Don’t forget to enter the word verification (in this case “beerpas” — which is kind of awesome), and then click Publish Your Comment:
If you have trouble: please consult the nearest teenager. Everyone who has already e-mailed comments officially gets amnesty, but from here on out I might have to unsubscribe repeat offenders.
Is is okay to e-mail me questions about publishing or your project provided that you first check the FAQs to see if your answer is there. I regret that I’m not able to answer every question.
Cool? Cool.
Now then! Onto the week in publishing.
First up: who wants a free printer? I see a lot of hands. My good friend Holly Burns is currently giving away a free HP Photosmart printer on her blog. You just have to leave a comment about why you want it. It’s that easy. (US residents only. Sorry furranners!)
Allison Brennan was extremely kind to include her query in the Be An Agent for a Day challenge, and this week she blogged about the experience and the odd (and not so odd) reasons why some agents for a day rejected her query.
Dan Brown’s new novel is dropping in September with a ridonkulously huge 5 million copy first printing.
Lynn Viehl was awesome enough to post her most recent royalty statement online, meaning you too can attempt to make sense of a document so confusing it may as well be written in Sanskrit. Luckily, agent translators are standing by. (I kid, Penguin. Your statements aren’t too bad. Your contracts, on the other hand, should be sent with a free magnifying glass).
Innovating editor Jon Karp of Twelve recently wrote a PW article with twelve (of course) recommendations for the publishing industry, including ending Kabuki publishing and putting out much fewer books. Dan Menaker posted a hilarious response with his own suggestions (sample: 2. No more landscape- or seascape-only cover images.) , and G.B.H. Hornswoggler (aka Andrew Wheeler) weighed in a bit more seriously. He’s less sanguine than Jon about the public’s supposed disdain for books like other books, and worries about the effects of massive downsizing on reader selection. (via Other Lisa’s Twitter feed, via lots of other @people)
Speaking of innovation, bestselling author David Hewson posted a seriously awesome article about the hypothetical possibility of an author self-publishing collective loosely based on the old actor-led movie studio United Artists. David knows there are some details still to be worked out, but folks, this is likely what at least part of the future will look like. (And yes, he notes that agents will still be important, although in a slightly different role). Via MJ Rose.
Ever wondered about the difference between galleys (bound and early designed) and ARCs? Ms. Sally Spitfire is here to help.
And finally, friend of the blog Conduit/Stuart Neville just released an awesome trailer for his novel THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST/THE TWELVE:
Have a good weekend! Colorado, here I come!
RW says
Love the idea of a self-publishing collective.
Becky says
Whoa… Dan Brown finally finished the Templars story? I’m shocked. I’m curious to see how closely he follows his formula for his other books. On the one hand, don’t mess with success. On the other, I usually have a hard time distinguishing one from the rest.
I do think in general, as technology becomes more accessible, the wiki-fication of many entrenched industries is unavoidable and probably a good thing. Assuming we don’t send ourselves the way of the dinosaurs as a species first, of course.
Anne Dayton says
I’m sure all your links are awesome, but what I’m really interested in is those red arrows. How did you make those awesome arrows on the wee pictures of your screen? I want arrows.
Eiko says
Love that you made a demo of how to post a comment (and, that you had to). Amazing.
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! says
I can’t believe people don’t know how to comment on a blog… I couldn’t tell if your “demo” was serious or sarcastic.
so, why don’t you set up a seperate e-mail account for your “fans” to email you with questions about your blog and anything related to publishing?
Nathan Bransford says
Anne-
It’s all about the power point.
Others-
It’s not sarcasm – I get lots of e-mails and lots of requests for trouble-shooting. Now I’m sending this link.
Margaret Yang says
I’ll see you at the conference. First round is on me.
Nathan Bransford says
DIMA-
It’s kind of complicated. Blog comments go to my personal e-mail account, which is separate from work. I don’t want that to be the reply address on the e-mail subscriptions because I’d like to keep my personal e-mail address personal. But then, I don’t want it to be a fake address either (I don’t want to check a third account), so I use my work account, which is public.
There you have it.
Bane of Anubis says
Not so sure about the trailer – but I really like Neville’s title.
Marybeth says
Have a great time at the conference! Wish I could go…sigh…
SOON…very soon….
Ian says
I think I should self-publish with United Artists, win a Pulitzer and an Academy Award to boot. Let’s cut straight to the chase.
Sorry, not trying to hog the limelight: I know everybody else who posts here feels the same way.
I’ll get my hat.
PS Elko, you have a VERY cute face.
Eric says
Condiut,
Make that, GOAL!
Scott says
Hewson’s article is intriguing as a publishing model that is more direct, but as he points out, his pitfalls are not only many, but enormous. Most notable, the need for established imprint filters to keep a United Artists style collective from becoming just another self-pub outfit. There may be a solution that could also address the editor problem.
Firms that contract their services for editing could be accessed by all, and for a range of pricing, shape and lend their imprint to books that are deemed generally marketable. Yes, that sounds like the current model, but competitive firms would open the doors a bit wider, and qualified agents could even be salaried to keep them open.
In other words, I could research a new “collective imprint” that “represents” my material. In fact, I could do several. For a fee, my MS is evaluated. Once that happens, I’m accepted, or given “workshop” pricing, or denied acceptance. Almost like a university.
If you “graduate”, you carry that imprint’s “diploma” on your cover, separating you from self-pub filler. It sure beats paying money for contests where there can be only one winner.
csmith says
Hi Nathan,
First off, awesome arrows. And enjoy the writer’s conference.
Secondly, came across this today online:
https://www.spacemart.com/reports/Web-only_newspapers_Dont_junk_the_presses_just_yet_999.html (hoping it links itself)
It seems quite interesting re. pulling actual hardcopy before the target market is ready (even though this particular article applies to newspapers). And reasonably well researched too. Food for thought?
All the best,
Chris
Kristi says
Welcome to Denver – at least you weren’t here last weekend when we had a foot of snow. It’s 77 degrees today, so this weekend should be great.
I’m bummed because I’m a member of PPW, live 30 minutes away, and this would have been my first writers conference. Instead, I’ll be at my annual girls getaway in the mountains. I even considered not going on my trip, thus forgoing large quantities of wine to attend the conference, but had already put my money down. Oh well, it’s already in my calendar for next year (April 22-25, 2010 for those who are interested).
I won’t get to tell you in person how fabulous you are Nathan, so maybe next time. Have a great time here in CO and go to Garden of the Gods if you get a chance – it’s beautiful! 🙂
Yat-Yee says
Welcome to Colorado and see you there!
csmith says
@ Scott
I like it – sound business model. Don’t know about your corner of the internet, but would suggest (from experience) that blind reading may be of use in the final assessment, too many cliques and imagined slights in the online world. But I like it, I’d fork out money for that. Almost like peer reviewed articles?
Chris
Neil says
Nathan, how good of you to tiptoe around the issue and pretend you don’t care and stuff, but let’s face it: the REAL news in publishing this week was that right here on this blog, not two days ago, somebody called you a “cultural icon”. Now, you can act is if you’re not bothered, but we all know that your business cards are going to read “NATHAN BRANSFORD — CULTURAL ICON (oh and superagent)” from now on. I have it on good authority that T-shirts with your face on are being printed right now. And you love it! If this popularity persists you can write your own celebrity book and rep it yourself. Imagine the advance you’d negotiate for yourself!
Chuck H. says
Collective? Wasn’t that what the Borg called themselves? Anyway, enjoy Colorado. You know, you could just come on over to Mo and say “Hey”. You’d already be half way here.
word ver: explaye. That’d be me.
Kristi says
Sorry – I just saw some of the other comments and had to write in defense of those who don’t know how to post a comment on a blog. I am admitting to being one of “those people” who emailed Nathan my reponses because I have his blog set up to come to my email and didn’t realize I was doing it incorrectly. Then I couldn’t figure out how to post as anything other than Anonymous (I even started a blog because that was the only way I could figure out how to post as my name). And I have a doctorate degree (obviously not in computer technology, but still). So, some of older folks might take a little longer to catch on (Honestly, I still have no idea what Twitter is or how it works).
I just wanted to throw that out there – I’m sure many appreciated Nathan’s tutorial but aren’t wanting to openly admit not knowing how to do it. Thanks Nathan!
sex scenes at starbucks says
Aww man, I don’t get to come to Pike’s Peak this year and I’m so bummed!
Try your best to have fun without me.
Nathan Bransford says
neil-
Wow. I must have missed that one. I always thought cultural icons got special drivers licenses and mine hasn’t come in the mail so…..
Neil says
Nathan — I’m sure it’s in the post (along with all those T-shirts you’ve ordered)…
Wendy says
I’m still laughing at the first part of your post! Have a good trip. I’m grateful for your blog.
~ Wendy
Nathan Bransford says
Neil-
Well, in that case I’d better double my order.
Laura D says
Enjoy Colorado…lmfao at the opening of this blog. Mistakes happen!
Ann Victor says
I’m beginning to think self-publishing really is going to be a large part of the future of publishing.
Thanks for links – a good way to get back into things!
Anonymous says
your suggestion is noted. however, sometimes, I’ve had a question or suggestion for a future blog post and, though I’ve posted it in the comments section, it’s been glossed over. and that’s fine – maybe it wasn’t relevant or you missed it or who knows. I do check past posts before asking, btw. maybe a separate email for non-post related comments and future blog topic suggestions? your answers seem confined to the posts – which makes sense – but being a free associative type, often the topic will provoke an unrelated question … and we do all like the answers dispensed by the Nathan Oracle. 🙂
Jenny says
There’s nothing hypothetical about self-publishing author collaboratives. I can think of two of them just off the top of my head. One got into stores. One is selling a lot of books on Fictionwise.
People who do this successfully tend to keep quiet about the self-published aspect because one secret of successful self-publishing is to make your book indistinguishable from those of mainstream publishers.
MzMannerz says
“If you have trouble: please consult the nearest teenager.”
LOLOLOL
Worth the price of admission, that.
PurpleClover says
Nathan –
The “contact the nearest teenager” and “ridonkulously” comments were hilarious! That has to be one of my new favorite words. But I always forget to use it! Thanks for reminding me!
I’ve coined the term bedunkin’ donuts by the way in case you wanna borrow it. That is for someone with a bit more of a bedunkadunk. 😀
AS for Dan Brown, am I really the only person looking forward to this book? It received bad reviews on Janet Reid’s blog (something about a bet, a chicken suit, and american idol).
Also, I loved the video. It totally blew mine out of the water. But it could have something to do with him actually being published and spending the extra money to make it look fantastic! 😉
Thanks again as usual for the wonderful links!
Mira says
Good links this week – interesting. Thank you, Nathan.
What caught my eye first were the articles making recommendations for improvements in the industry.
Before reading those articles, my current opinion of publishers was that they are dodo heads.
After reading the article, I continue to believe that publishers are a bunch of dodo heads, but I am expanding that category to include innovative editor John Karp.
It’s like my own mini-version of the Pulitzers.
Colorado. Awesome. Writer’s conferences sound so fun – I hope Nathan and all of you lucky people have a great time there!
Anonymous says
NON TOPIC comment: bra, having just "watched" disk one/season 3 of "The Hills", I'm about to go back and check out all your Speidi posts.
I'm really hoping you're not as into him as I (vaguely) remember you being. That would be a major slam to your all around credibility. Tho, honestly, why you devoted any blog space to him in the first place just makes me want to run to a restaurant, order some food and go to the bathroom so I can barf, as many of the women on the show, apparently, seem to do (who know "Um, excuse me?" could be weighted with so much, um, weightlessness?)
I grew up here and – honestly, these people are the absolute worse (worst?) of L.A. I'm filled with shame and horror that people actually might think this show bears any relationship to reality or at least the one photographed, like my backyard, throughout.
First, the girls don't live in West Hollywood: that complex is far from the base of the "hills" (Hollywood, presumably), across the street from a mall and down the street from a K-Mart. Although this has been extensively covered by other sites, for some reason it really riled me. WeHo residential fraudulence … what's next?!? And, the complex they seem to live is, tellingly, within smell distance of the La Brea Tar Pits. It stinks, on all counts.
Two, I personally don't know anyone who goes to Les Deux, 40 Duece, Area or any of the bars often featured in the show – those are places an even marginally hip Angeleno would avoid like the plague … because skanks like Lauren & Co. in their ridiculous baby doll dresses and oversized totes show up, en masse, like lipstick covered cockroaches.
Three, the amount of alcohol consumed on the show is ridiculous. It should be repackaged as a Just Say No educational video. The Heidis and Laurens and girl with bleached white wabbit teeth – they're all coke ho's/wives in training … not exactly ground breaking professions but c'mon, their acts of transgression are nauseatingly unimaginative.
Four, is JustinBobby wearing a wig?
Five, Brent Bolthouse, late of "SBE" entertainment, is a crook, a liar and a thief. The amount of face time given to someone who embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from his former partners is, simply, astonishing.
Okay, rant over.
Bane of Anubis says
The Author’s Publishing House or UA studios or whatever would definitely have to be backed/founded by heavy hitters – ala Dreamworks SKG… It seems like a good idea, but I imagine this top-notch self-publishing imprint would eventually morph into a typical publishing house (whatever that may be).
Lara says
The Allison Brennan comments really drove home the point to me that writers have gotten drilled in “how to write queries” from the point of view of certain well-known agents. Which is great if you’re trying not to make mistakes that agents have to look past to pull out the story. But it gives us a different perspective when critiquing queries.
It’s actually nice to hear that agents look past imperfect query letters. I think we found out a lot of nice things about agents during that whole “Thing.”
Stuart Neville says
Thanks for the plug, Nathan! You’re a diamond geezer! (geezer doesn’t mean old guy over here, by the way)
I’ll hopefully be visiting Denver some time in late October – can’t wait.
@ PurpleCover – didn’t cost a penny. 🙂
PurpleClover says
Stuart –
Which site did you use? Or was it a program you have on your computer??
I’m jealous. 😛
Stuart Neville says
Oh, and if the vid looks a little off centre, it’s ‘cos the dimensions aren’t quite right. Embedding YouTube can be a little hit and miss.
Matthew says
Ah Powerpoint, how I love thee … let me count the ways.
But seriously, Nathan you do us a great service by posting blog entries like this. Here’s to upping your cultural icon status to new heights!
Oh, and I agree with some of the comments saying that a collective could be a good idea.
@Chuck H. Hey not all Borg were totally evil. I know Voyager’s a bad example but Seven of Nine did some good as a crew member there after being off collective. 🙂
Ian says
“Nathan Bransford said…Ann – It’s all about the power point.”
So, Nathan, that means it’s all about you.
When I first came across this blog,l must admit I was fascinated by this easy access to someone with the power to make or break a writer.
After a couple of days experiencing the sycophancy this generates, I am more appalled than fascinated.
This is one of the most tragic sites I have come across in my journey through the wlogosphere. Perhaps,if you are lucky, one day I will write about it.
Nathan Bransford says
ian-
Well, Anne and I are really good friends in real life so I hope you can forgive us for liking each other.
Ruth says
"(I kid, Penguin. Your statements aren't too bad. Your contracts, on the other hand, should be sent with a free magnifying glass)."
Hmm, that reminds me of ABNA, which I thought was a little dodgy when I read the rules for it a little while ago (I didn't enter, but was curious about it).
The grand prize for the Amazon Break-through Novel Award is a contract with Penguin — and the winner is obligated to sign the contract "as is". That made all the hairs on my neck stand up in warning.
While this is obviously a great chance for an unpublished writer to get published, specifying that they have to take an "as is" contract says to me that there's something wrong with that contract. Do you know anything about the ABNA contract? (It's posted online.) Is there anything really wrong with said contract, or is it just an insurance policy to stop said break-through novel from slipping through their fingers?
Bane of Anubis says
How can you not be friends w/ someone standing in front of a giant bow-laden artichoke?
Stuart Neville says
@PurpleCover – It was made in Adobe Flash, which is usually used for web animations and so on. It’s an easy way to make a pseudo-video, so long as you use a bit of imagination in working within its limits. I think a lot the pro trailer makers use proper video software.
While we’re on the topic, Cindy Pon put a really good book trailer online at her blog.
Mira says
Ian,
Yes, I agree – I think there is some sycophancy here. You find it on all agent’s blogs, as well as in the industry in general.
I’m not immune from it myself. The situation is very seductive.
When I first got here, I went on all these rants about the industry in general. I ranted about how it undervalues writers. I ranted about how writers buy into it, etc. etc. I still rant sometimes, but I got most of it out of my system.
However, participating in this blog over time, I discovered that much of the good feeling toward Nathan is genuine.
You haven’t been around long enough to realize that alot of the praise he gets, he’s earned.
Jen P says
Any amazing London Book Fair secrets to share?
csmith says
@ Stuart Neville: Brilliant trailer, especially in flash. I hate to be a giant pain in the arse because it is such a good trailer (and it only comes to mind because of my job) but have you checked if the flashy images are okay for people who suffer from epilepsy? Sorry, really not trying to be a pain.
@ Mira. *throws fistfuls of breakfast cereal, Nathan Bransford memorabilia, and a spear.* (figure you may need the spear later)
Random aside. I wonder if any people who frequent this blog are called Nathan and have changed their moniker so as not to confuse?
Mine is a relatively obvious pseudonym, but that is because I don’t much appreciate sounding like the bastard lovechild of the courts of Europe. I also appreciate a name that people can SPELL and that can fit on one line.
(And no, my real name is not Nathan or any derivative thereof)
PurpleClover says
Thanks Stuart!
I’ll check into. After searching my vast brain I pulled up a memory of a program that I purchased ages ago. I believe it was Sony? Not sure.
I’ll have to check into it but I vaguely remember making a video to music with my children and their friends. It gives me hope!
Ian – you’re just jealous. 😛
lol. Okay but seriously Nathan is such a likeable person in general…and he actually READS our comments. Gotta love that. It’s easy to indulge in butt-kissery. I fight the urge daily. 🙂
Plus, if you know anything about marketing you know something about networking.
PurpleClover says
P.S. I’m pretty sure that memory was attached to a grammar brain cell or two. 🙂
Mira says
csmith – am I throwing the spear, or are you throwing it at me?
Either way, I’d like my Nathan’s memorablia spear to be constructed from the breakfast cereal. You know, a spear made out of breakfast cereal. And I’d like the breakfast cereal to be Rice Krispies, so I can intimidate my enemy by making popping sounds while I’m holding it.
Then I’d like the rice krispies to artisically spell Nathan’s name on the spear. No, never mind. I’d like it to be in the form of Nathan’s picture. So that when you look at my rice krispies spear, you’ll see Nathan’s smiling face. Then people will feel terror at the horrible rice krispy popping sound, but feel oddly reassured by Nathan’s friendly face. They will be so confused, so bamboozled, they will immediately surrender, and I will victory over my enemies.
Can you get right on that, please.
Thanks, Csmith – you’re the best!