This week, publishing!
First off, writer and Star Wars novelist Aaron Allston recently had to undergo some major heart surgery, and the Fandom Association of Central Texas will be hosting a charity auction on July 19th to help him with his medical bills. Please check that out, and see Colleen Lindsay’s blog for more info.
It’s beach time of year and I know many of you are looking for a great book that can withstand some sand and sun. You don’t have to look any further: Friend of the blog Jeff Abbott’s awesome new thriller TRUST ME is coming out in just a few days, so now’s the time to pre-order or look for it next week at your friendly neighborhood bookseller. Jeff is counting down on his blog with an inside look at how he went about writing it.
Guest blogger week guest blogger Eric’s new blog is dropping a massive heap of awesomeness on the Internet, and if you aren’t reading and subscribing to his new blog Pimp My Novel, well, you’re just beyond hope aren’t you?
I’m a big fan of the New Yorker’s book blog The Book Bench, and this week they had an interesting summary of an essay by indie publisher Eric Obenauf about the rise of indie publishers and what could cause the downfall of the major publishers. I don’t agree with all of Obenauf’s claims (I think it may be the first time in recorded history that publishers have ever been accused of embracing e-books too heartily), but his perspective is definitely an interesting one.
Also via the Book Bench I saw this post by agent Anne Hawkins about some of the reasons agents pass on good books. It’s an insightful read.
Also in agent news: what Janet said.
Alan Rinzler recently posted a really terrific rundown on what you should look for if you’re considering hiring a freelance editor.
In writing and publishing advice news, Margaret Yang pointed me to the incredible writing workshops Lynn Viehl (aka Paperback Writer) has been hosting his week.
And finally, in yet another example of my strange interests……. behold. The past and future of plate tectonics and continental drift!! (via KK Lifestream)
Have a great weekend!
Elise Logan says
Okay, I'm a geek. I thought the plate tectonics thing was awesome.
E
brian_ohio says
But will the publishing biz still be thriving in 250 million years?Will I need an agent? What about submission guidelines? Will you take attachments then?
Nice summation, as always. Oh… and I loved 'Panic'. I took it with me on vacation a few years ago.
Alice Luther says
Gotta love Janett Reid.
Way to say it like it is.
Wonder if she gets many love missives . . .
I think I'll go ask . . .
RW says
Nathan, I assume several people have suggested this and that I'm adding a voice in favor rather than a new recommendation — the guest blogging was cool and you should consider maybe something like a once-per-week guest post. On topics still relevant to the core purpose of your blog of course. Hope to see more of those in the future.
Marilyn Peake says
Elise,
I'm also a geek. Loved the plate tectonics thing, and have found many other similarly cool things on the Internet. Did you know that you can follow real astronauts on Twitter? Their tweets from space are fascinating!
Nathan Bransford says
RW-
Thanks, and I agree that the guest blogs really added a great deal. There will be another such opportunity in the coming weeks.
Deb says
This is off subject, but in my small city of Yuma, Arizona, we're having our own "stimulus package" day being promoted by our local newspaper and a few other businesses. The idea is to spend twenty dollars on the twentieth and give our local economy a boost. Simple enough. A half-dozen people were interviewed by the paper and asked if and what they plan on spending their twenty on. Among other things, three out of six of those grown adults are going to buy books at a local bookseller. That gives me hope to keep writing.
Melanie Avila says
That's a cool video. My husband loves all things science, so today he's a fan of your blog as well. 🙂
MeganRebekah says
Plate tectonics bring me back to my teaching days – a group of 6th graders huddled around as I used what ever props I could to show the continents pulling apart.
Thanks for the little flashback!
Mira says
Well, I liked the guest posts, but I prefer yours, Nathan.
These are great links, thank you. I'm working my way through them. The writing workshops look wonderful (!) The Anne Hawkins article was really illuminating. There were alot of reasons that agents might turn down a query that hadn't occured to me. That was really helpful.
Of course, then I promptly went over there and commented about how agents as a profession are being unethical with this whole 'passionate' thing, and I'm blaming you for that, Nathan. In the future, I would appreciate it if you could only post things that are completely non-controversial, since I obviously have no self-control or sense of self-preservation. Some people would say that's not your problem or concern. However, those people are seriously under-estimating my determination to pass the responsiblity for my actions onto someone else. So, if you'd help me out here, I'd appreciate it.
Anonymous says
Great links, Nathan. Thank you.
Bane of Anubis says
Speaking of PT, I'm still waiting for California to fall into the ocean (or break away from the continent – one of those two) — in the late 80s early 90s, wasn't that the trendy pick for California's future (and, if memory serves me well, it was supposed to already have happened)?
Rick Chesler says
Thanks for yet another interesting TWIP, Nathan!
Rick
Anonymous says
Great video.
Rie says
Wow, I like the plate tectonics. We'll all be even more connected!
Anonymous says
Hawkins passed on me, about eight years ago, with a very kind letter. So thanks for the link!
Anonymous says
Bane of Anubis said:
"I'm still waiting for California to fall into the ocean."
lol
Wonder if Boxer and Pelosi can swim?
Kristi says
Love the plate tectonics video – that gives us 250 million years to figure out how to get along before we become one big, happy continent. Happy Friday! 🙂
Marilyn Peake says
Just now finished reading Alan Rinzler's blog. I always find his articles very informative, and enjoyed reading this one about choosing a freelance editor.
Bane of Anubis says
Also want to give a shout out to my fellow Owl alum – good luck w/ the new book, Jeff.
Steph Damore says
Wow, it's Friday already? I gotta spend less time editing… thanks for the rundown.
Anonymous says
I tried and tried to find the workshop but couldn't. Any help?
Steph Damore says
Mira interesting perspective over at THE KILL ZONE. I commented back to you over there.
Helen Hanson says
Kind of you to use your bully blog to assist in the fundraiser . . . Great links, as usual. Thanks for the tectonic tip. Now I know where to invest in beachfront property.
Margaret Yang says
@anon 5:04,
Lynn Viehl's "left behind and loving it" virtual workshops are on her blog. https://pbackwriter.blogspot.com
Hope this helps. Lynn's workshops are great and she provides tons of good links.
Marilyn Peake says
Hmmmmm, speaking of eBooks, Amazon has erased some eBooks right off people's Kindles:
Some E-Books Are More Equal Than Others. I love the last three paragraphs in the article:
"You want to know the best part? The juicy, plump, dripping irony?
"The author who was the victim of this Big Brotherish plot was none other than George Orwell. And the books were '1984' and 'Animal Farm.'
"Scary."
Susan Sandmore says
It's nice to know I'll finally get back to Europe.
Dave F. says
From Boing Boing:
People who bought Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm for their Kindle were surprised to discover that it had disappeared from their devices overnight. It turns out the publisher changed its mind about offering an electronic version, and Amazon caved into their demand to sneak into people's electronic libraries and take back the book at the publisher's request.
Anonymous says
Love Fridays. Thank you.
Mira says
Steph – I saw. Cool. Debate. 🙂
That video is awesome. Australia, sad to say, but looks like you're the first to go.
Donna says
Oh that was just too much pity pool to post. After reading what I wrote I deleted it and decided on:
Thanks Nathan for your thoughtful links. And, the next time I seriously contemplate giving up my day job for this fickle hobby called writing, I'll take my money to the casino and let those odds decide my $20 bucks worth of fate.
And Anon: California is NOT dropping off into the ocean. Only the souther half – from say San Francisco and south.
Oh, my bad! Don't you live in SF Nathan? I don't; I'll have beach front property at the next decent earth quake!!
Donna says
Sorry: that was Bane that suggested Calif was dropping off into the ocean someday in the near evolutionary future.
Anonymous says
brian_ohio, lol.
Lydia Sharp says
"Wow" to Janet's link. Just one more reason why I'm glad I'm not an agent. No offense.
Jen C says
That video was made out of pure win.
Marsha Sigman says
Great links this week. I was already following Lynn Viehl's workshops and popping in on Pimp My Novel (is that guy incredibly smart or what?).
I enjoyed Guest Blogger Week (more so because I was freaking out that there would be no new posts while you were away…imagine my surprise.) but I wouldn't want that every week.
You could just add another link on Friday's. Instead of Guest Blogger it could be Guest Blogger Link. Is that stupid? It sounded better in my head.
Anonymous says
Thanks Margaret!
Veronica Schultz says
Great information, especially in some of the links. I'm so glad I found this blog, and really appreciate that you take the time to share all of this with us. The tectonic plate thing was really cool too!
ryan field says
I enjoyed Jeff Abbott's post.
nkrell says
Good to know. If we wait long enough, we can walk to Europe instead of flying.
Anonymous says
Nice links, Mr. Bransford. Many thanks.
Writer's Demon says
That Kindle thing is scary, we become permanent renters of the media we buy instead of owners. I'd hate to imagine what would happen if this practice became common place.
Anonymous says
Please don't encourage Janet Reid. She gets way too much sycophantic love already considering her continual ranty nastiness. She has her fans, all suffering Stockholm Syndrome, I presume.
We all have parts of our jobs we don't like. She seems to think she's the only one who must suffer fools.
Reid could transform her rants into something acceptable if she ever diplayed an ounce of humor, a scintilla of kindness or an iota of grace. Seriously, she needs to dwell on her successes a little bit or take a happy pill. We can all learn from failure, but she needs to find another setting besides mocking and pissed off. Jesus!
Somebody said her rants made him feel glad he wasn't an agent himself. Reid's blog makes me awfully glad she's not my agent.
Anonymous for Obvious Reasons
a la Writer Rejected
Anonymous says
@anon 5:21,
If Janet Reid repped my genre, I'd fire my agent in a hot second and beg her to be mine. She loves her job, loves her writers, and is continually honest about the shitty parts of the business. What's not to like?
Thermocline says
Anne Hawkin's piece reminded me of a point Nathan was trying to make a while back. Being rejected doesn't necessarily mean the writing/story/idea/etc. was bad. It just didn't connect with that agent. It's reassuring to be reminded of that it's not personal.
I can see how you could read Janet's postings as personal but I'd disagree. Her bluntness is great. You never wonder where she stands on an issue.
Mira says
Well, I feel alittle weird talking about another agent here; it feels like talking behind someone's back – although knowing she'll read this.
….so, I will say two things.
One, yes I think Janet gets grumpy, and I've mentioned that to her – directly.
But two, she is also tremendously loyal, genuinely capable of admiring other people (a quality you really want in an agent!) and works extremely hard for her clients. She has a good heart, and a sincere dedication to the business – you can see it through her site.
No one is perfect, and I think it's unfair to dismiss someone based on only one aspect of their personality.
Why, even Nathan has made mistakes occasionally. Yet he continues to be the fair-minded, kind and admirable person that he is.
Other Lisa says
Yeah, Anon. The first Anon, I mean. I've seen Janet post with great passion and humor about writing, books and her clients. She wrote a post about the writers who had the guts to get up in front of hundreds of people and live-pitch that made me teary-eyed. It was really sweet and sincere.
Maybe you missed those?
susiej says
Lots of useful links today, Nathan. Just wanted to say thanks.
Dara says
LOL, I loved that plate tetonics thing too!
How do you find these things? 😛
Anonymous says
Good stuff here.