First up, unless you have been living under a rock (or somewhere other than the US of A), you probably know that today is the premiere of “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, which just got a terrific review in the NY Times. On the other hand, you may not know that it is based on a classic urban thriller by John Godey that is truly awesome and gripping and a great look at 1970s NYC and whose tie-in rights may have been sold by a certain agent whose blog you happen to be reading. Please buy the book or e-book!
Meanwhile, a busy link week in the publishing industry.
Jeff Abbott pointed me to a really cool site that shows writers in the spaces where they write. I’m always fascinated by the writing process, and this is a cool inside look.
Ever wondered why new books (and DVDs and music) come out on Tuesdays? Me too. The Millions investigates. (via Book Bench)
Former Random House CEO Peter Olson is back with an essay about e-book pricing and, among many points, he argues that demand should drive the price point for e-books (not any relation to print prices) and also argues that publishers are not sharing enough e-book revenue with authors. To which authors and agents say: THANK YOU. (Via Pub Lunch [subscription])
HarperStudio recently spotlighted a cool interactive map of New York’s literary landmarks, which did not at all make me nostalgic for living in NYC. Nope. Not. At. All.
The millionth English word was invented!! Do you know what it was? “Web 2.0“. Which is, um, two words. Or, if you want to be specific, a word and two numbers and a punctuation mark. That were already invented. Way to go, people who decided what the millionth word was. (via Neil Vogler)
In agent advice news, if you’ve written more than one novel but none are published, is the fifth one you’re written still “your first novel” for the purposes of the query? Janet Reid says yes, and I agree.
Meanwhile, Jessica Faust tackles a tough topic. Surely in a free country everyone who wants to write should write. But should everyone seek publication?
And some funny stuff this week: first, what can books learn from the movies? Among other things: more suspenseful music, that’s what. (via Christopher Ryan).
And finally, thanks to Nikki Duncan for passing along a hilarious comic about life as an acquisitions editor (or, really, agent).
Have a great weekend!
Bane of Anubis says
Thanks! – Did you get to attend the red carpet premiere of TOP123? Assuming you've seen it, how does it compare to the book & original movie?
Have a great weekend, everyone. Go Lake Show (D-Fish is now officially out of the dog house ๐
Nathan Bransford says
BofA-
Rub it in why dontcha. (sadly, no).
Vegas Linda Lou says
Hmmm. I see Jeff Abbott has no photos of people writing in their office cubicles, pretending to toil over stuff that's work-related. I should give him my number.
Mira says
Friday is movie night; I'm going to see Pelham 123 today. Yea!. Denziel Washington and John Travolta. I'm going out on a limb here and predicting good box office, and good follow-up book sales. Congrats, Nathan.
The comic is really funny, and the 'what books can learn from movies is even funnier. I wish I'd written that. Sigh. Writer's envy. It's hilarious.
I need to think about Jessica's article. That's a really interesting subject. I'm going to ponder it, and return.
Thanks for all the links, Nathan.
Scott says
Lots to feast on here, Nathan. Thanks.
A couple of observations:
First, hasn't ToP123 been set in the present? How does that compare to the 70's themes of the book?
On the map, they give an example from Gatsby in which Tom says something "impatiently". Tsk, adverbs. Don't you think agents should issue some kind of worldwide warning to new authors about borrowing from the classics? Times change, and we need to be made aware that some stuff just doesn't fly like it used to. Also, I thought these were going to be actual writer landmarks, not silly fictional ones. Boo. ๐
Nice to know about the "first novel" rules. I'm always confused about that, because as a new writer, you don't want to be lumped into that kooky category of people who think they got it on one try 'cause their mother liked it.
And I agree, not everyone should seek to be published. Amazon is getting crowded with crap. If only there were some kind of filtering system in which certain books were set apart as fit for consumption. Hmm…
A Paperback Writer says
About a newbie author having various novel manuscripts stuck in a box somewhere and publishing what amounts to the fifth one actually written, isn't that why we have the term "debut novel"? Presumably, one's debut novel need not be the first thing one has ever written (and probably shouldn't be, in most cases).
Kristi says
Congrats on Pelham 123 – sadly, getting out to the movies is a once a year event for us, unless it involves talking animals and we can take the kids. As I saw no sign of talking animals in the commercials for the movie, I'll try to grab the book.
The "Kickass Lessons" link was hilarious – I learned I need to add a few explosions into my wip. Happy Friday to all! ๐
Don says
Let's not forget that Pearls Before Swine did a week of comic strips on mean rejections.
A Paperback Writer says
Oh, and I was comforted to see how many of the authors pictured on "where I write" seem to prefer spaces filled with books and papers and piles of stuff. (I'd fit right in.)
Raethe says
I'd actually heard that the one millionth word to be added to the dictionary was "noob"…
Joel Q says
…premiere of "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta, which just got a terrific review in the NY Times…
Sorry, but the review I saw gave it a D-.
Dawn Maria says
Loved the Where I Write link. I'm so jealous of all those floor to ceiling bookshelves. What an amazing environment for creativity.
Margaret Yang says
re: Janet Reid's link.
How does one phrase this in a query letter?
"This isn't the first novel I've written, but it is the first of publishable quality. And yes, I know the difference (at least I do now)."
Is there a code word for that?
Nathan Bransford says
joel q-
You must go around telling kids there isn't a Santa Claus.
Nathan Bransford says
Margaret-
You just say "this is my first novel." We assume there are more in the drawer.
Anonymous says
Who cares what critics say?
People will go for Denzel.
Author Guy says
Loved the comic. It reminded me of a Monty Python routine, called 'Novel Writing from Dorset' or some such.
"(Voice of Dennis) Well, this is true to form, no surprises there. Heโs started five of his eleven novels to date with the definite article. Weโve had two of them with "it", thereโs been one "but", two "ats", one "and" and a "Dolores"(?). Oh, that , of course, was never published."
That was an interesting thread on whether writers should seek publication, as well.
Other Lisa says
"Pelham" got a very nice review in the LA Times.
Author Guy says
"Presumably, one's debut novel need not be the first thing one has ever written (and probably shouldn't be, in most cases)."
In my case it was, but the second revision. The first died in a crash and is not mourned. Since then I have contracted the first version of every novel/story I've ever written.
Tina says
With Travolta and Washington it'll be a success!!
Joel Q says
Nathan,
I like Santa… it was a Bradon Fibbs article in the Colo Springs newspaper… I hope that doesn't stop you from coming back to the Pikes Peak Writers Conf.
He did say DWashington gave good performance.
Thermocline says
Hallmark is is already half way toward the Books Providing Soundtracks idea with their greeting cards that play music. Trendsetters?
Marilyn Peake says
Congratulations on The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3! I've noticed that bookstores usually showcase books with movie tie-ins while the movies are in theaters, so hopefully you'll see a huge spike in book sales this weekend. ๐
Love the writers' spaces … especially those with piles of books and papers 'cause that's what my office looks like when I'm writing.
I'm relieved to discover that a web monitoring firm, not a Dictionary company, decided "Web 2.0" was a word. The web is the Wild West.
I saw the comic about the job of an acquisitions editor when an acquisitions editor posted a link to it on Twitter. Thought it was hilarious!
Should everyone seek publication? I think it's too late to effect any changes in that regard, so the question is somewhat moot. Self-publishing companies make a boatload of money, so much so that the quickly growing Amazon jumped on that bandwagon a long time ago. I think a better question is: how do readers and writers navigate the waters of the modern publishing world?
Have a great weekend!
Vacuum Queen says
re: Jessica Faust. Interesting. I think that if you enjoy writing or have lots of ideas milling in your head, you get them down on paper. That satisfied me for 20 years. It has only recently changed for me that I have a couple of ideas that I want to share with people…and therefore I started querying agents. I'm assuming there are others like me, meaning that not everyone IS seeking publication. For awhile at least.
I will say that my being a regular person makes me feel like I'm a big zero when I'm querying. "Hello, you don't even know my corner of the world, but I'd love to part of YOUR world."
Kristin Laughtin says
Ahh, I wondered when I saw TOP 123 show up in your sidebar!
I love that "spaces they write in" site.
I'll admit that "Web 2.0" being the millionth word angered my linguist side. I'm usually all for arguing about the constantly evolving nature of language, but taking two words (or more, if you want to quibble on the 2.0 part) and sticking them together to make a new term whose meaning really isn't all that different…makes me a little angry. (It would mean the same thing if we viewed it as a phrase instead of one word!)
Yat-Yee says
Congrats on Pelham!
And hooray for the recognition that music is powerful, so powerful it renders a deadly-scary monster into a lost soul! (I miss standing on the highest platform, playing my copper beauties, and spying on my orchestra mates are doing…)
Laura Martone says
Congrats, Nathan, on "Pelham 123" – I was wondering about that book when I saw it in your sidebar (as one of your represented titles). No offense, but you didn't seem old enough to have rep'd it in the 70s. NOW, I get it!
I must admit I probably won't catch this flick in the theater – I LOVE Denzel (and only thought he misstepped once – in "Training Day"), but sometimes Tony Scott's look grates on my nerves ('cause, seriously, all his movies look the same… "Deja Vu" anyone?). And don't get me started on Travolta as an over-the-top bad guy. Besides, why must Hollywood continue to remake classic flicks? I love the first "Pelham 123" – I mean, how does it get better than Matthau and Shaw?
Okay, enough ranting. I'm going to see "The Hangover" instead… I need a good laugh or two.
In the meantime, thanks as always, Nathan, for your terrific links. I especially enjoyed the cartoon – and have to agree with Jessica's assessment, even if it does make me even more nervous about my own publishing efforts. ๐
Rick Chesler says
Thanks for yet another TWIP, Nathan!
Rick
Karen says
Nathan, I went to see the Taking of Pelham 123 today pretty much ONLY because I remembered seeing your name attached to the novel somewhere…
I really enjoyed it. Now I'm definitely going to have to go buy the book!
Anonymous says
thanks as always Nathan.
I just feel like sharing that I believe I write in one of the most unusual places. I live in NYC and frequently write in the women's bathroom on the fourth floor of a landmark department store. (can't name it because I don't want anyone taking my spot.) In a city where real estate is hard (and expensive) to find, this store still has ample stalls and a lounge fully equipped with a couch and chairs … and most importantly, and outlet for my laptop.
People come in and out of the space which is essential for me not to feel deprived of human interaction, and there is even piped in decent music. Best of all, I don't need to buy coffee, which is good because by the time I land on the fourth floor, I've already written for an hour in a local starbucks and had two double lattes.
Anonymous says
Another great site that showcases where writers write:
https://desk-space.blogspot.com/
And thank you Nathan for all these wonderful links!
Scott says
Are you a woman? Would be kinda cool either way.
nkrell says
Congrats! As far as the movie goes, anything with Denzel (yes, I like to think we're on a first name basis) is bound to be box office gold.
Thanks for all of the useful and often humorous links!
nkrell says
Did anyone else notice something about all of those pictures? I don't think any of them have small children at home. I wonder what that's like…writing a complete paragraph without being interrupted twenty times?
Nikki Duncan says
I'd never thought about the number of books if you hadn't sold any. Interesting.
I want to see Pelham123 really bad! Denzel and Travolta have got to be awesome.
That comic still cracks me up, though I did tell my editor not to get any ideas when she was reading my new stuff. LOL
Jen C says
Looking at the writer's workspaces is fascinating. I couldn't write in most of them, though! I need a completely clean and uncluttered space, or else I can't keep my thoughts straight.
Very pleased to see a pic of my hero, Piers Anthony in there, though! So, that's where he created some of my most treasured literary experiences ๐
Vegas Linda Lou,
hahahahahahhaa! That's me as well! I have it down to a fine art though, so that I can always see the Word window that I'm writing on, but to anyone walking past it looks as though I'm doing actual work. It took me weeks of studying the angles to get it down, lol!
Nikki Duncan says
Nathan, I think they should have let you go to the premier. ๐
Mira says
Okay, I saw Pelham 123. Fun!
I haven't seen the original, so I can't compare, but I thought this was exciting. I liked both leads, Denziel especially. Travolta had some funny lines, and he was scary.
The audience clapped at the end. I think this will make people want to read the book – you don't want the movie to end.
Anonymous says
Great links. Thank you Nathan.
Yamile says
Thanks for the links Nathan. They're awesome, like every Friday. I was all week at my first ever Writers' Conference, and I'm serious when I tell you I couldn't wait to come home to check on your blog.
Have a great weekend!
Matilda McCloud says
Pelham 123 sounds like a great summer flick…esp since I'll probably see it in a theater with the NYC subway rumbling underneath it!
I get nostalgic sometimes for NYC the way it was in the 70s, so maybe I'll pick up the book as well…
Avis HG says
New Girl reading. A font of wonderful advice and information. Bless you Nathan Bransford.
Becky says
I laughed out loud at Robert Brockway's "Five Kickass Lessons Books Could Learn from the Movies." Funny stuff!
A Paperback Writer says
Author Guy,
I wasn't talking about revision. I meant that most folks begin at the bottom — even if they're very young when the begin. And, presumably, most people get better with practice. That's all I meant.
Most people also need to revise. If you don't, well, that's great. I heard Alexander McCall Smith (at a reading) indicate that he almost never revises, and he most certainly has good sales (although he's known for loose, wandering plots). I've also read that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never revised, either, and he also had great sales. I suppose you're in good company.
Thomas Burchfield says
Thew Original Pelham is a great movie; I'll be seeing the new one though I'm skeptical; Tony Scott, the man with the constantly jiggling camera and jump cuts.
As for music in books, I have only two words: Ennio Morricone.
Central Content Publisher says
Apparently the 1,000,001st word was "GLM can kiss my ass".
In my opinion, my captcha is a better word candidate that "Web 2.0".
captcha: "gorous"
– adjective
1. having the quality of shed blood or violence.
PurpleClover says
Thanks for the links Nathan. I'll be going through them today. Pelham 1 2 3 looks fantastic. I have about three other movies I'm dying to see in addition so I'm not sure what month I'll get to see it. lol.
Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
PurpleClover says
Nathan wrote: "may have been sold by a certain agent whose blog you happen to be reading. Please buy the book or e-book!"
Lol. After reading the link about what you don't blog about, I must say I like how you turned that into a promo. ๐ hehe. Nicely done.
richfigel says
Hey, Nathan –
If you sold the tie-in rights to the Godey book before the original movie came out in 1974, how old were you at the time? Your photo doesn't look like you were old enough to be an agent back then!
Or did I misread your post? BTW, the original movie had great supporting characters which made it a fun and interesting flick. Were they in the book version too?
Aloha,
Rich
Stuart Neville says
The Taking of Pelham 123 was one of my favourite movies as a kid – I remember a furious row in my house because I needed (and I mean NEEDED) to stay up late on a school night to watch it on TV. I hope the remake does it justice.
Anyway, I also have a fondness for 70s thriller novels (Marathon Man is one of my favourites of all time), so I think I'm going to have to get a hold of the book – despite a TBR pile that is taking over my living room.