This Week! The publishing! Which is on a diet this week as I have just a few links for you to peruse.
There’s lots of talk out there about how e-books are better for the environment than paper books. How much better? Well, first of all, would you believe that 125 million trees are cut down for the publishing and magazine industries EVERY YEAR? That startling fact and more in Fast Company’s assessment about whether e-books or print books are more sustainable. (via Book Bench)
Annnnnd speaking of e-readers, Sony announced one more e-reader, and this one will have 3G!! Praise the gods of wireless!! Needless to say I’m pretty excited. Sony will soon have three different e-readers at three different sizes and price points to choose from. Choice is good.
A very interesting discussion at the Guardian’s book blog, as Allison Flood took issue with an assertion that realism has gone too far in children’s literature. What do you think? Has the sex and violence in children’s literature gone too far or do we benefit from authors delving into the difficult areas of teen life?
In writing advice news, Rachelle Gardner is having a guest blog contest of her own, and this week she also tackled some of the pervasive myths about the publishing industry. Spoiler: there is not actually a fire-breathing monster underneath Random House. You can put away your pitchforks.
Jessica Faust at Bookends addressed yet another myth: rampant idea theft among writers. She doesn’t think it’s very common. I’m going to have to agree. And also steal that idea.
Almost finally, Kiersten White got some fantastic news recently about her novel PARANORMALCY, which was quite the splashy acquisition for HarperTeen, so congratulations Kiersten! She also used my brief overview of the publishing process for her own in depth (and hilarious) look at how a book gets published.
And finally finally, I always love reading about the path an author takes from unpublished to published, and Lisa Brackmann/Other Lisa has a great story.
Have a great weekend!
Kiersten says
Is it weird that I'm nearly as excited to be part of your "This Week in Publishing" as I was to get my book deal?
Thanks for the shout out : )
Natalie says
Yeah, Kiersten is pretty cool. And I can vouch that Paranormalcy is also super, super beyond awesome.
And I think that some YA material can push that edge a little, but there are books out there for every type of teen. Clean and very not clean. Choice is good.
Kristan says
Is it weird that I want to steal Kiersten's life? Except I'll keep my extra 5 inches, thanks. 😛
Ink says
I'm always a little leary of the environmental claims of e-readers… yes, there are environmental upsides. But… also some downsides. Like byproducts of electronics and plastic manufacturing, and the non-biodegradable plastic itself which will be choking fishes for the next million years. And it's not like people are out whacking wild trees for the next copy of the Lost Symbol. Their from tree farms and lumber companies, who will cut and then regrow the trees. They're not buzzing through California Redwoods. So… I'm not sure what stopping paper books will do except bankrupt those treefarms and give us more parking lots (it certainly won't be wild trees taking up that land and giving us comfy doses of oxygen anymore). So call me hesitant on the environmental charm of the Kindle until a more comprehensive analysis is done.
Yes, I'm anti-plastic. Hug a tree. If it doesn't hug back, chop it down and grow another. 🙂
(Okay, I'm conflicted)
The First Carol says
I am a Lisa Brackmann fan and can't wait to stand in line for an autographed copy of Rock Paper Tiger (where's the launch party?). She wrote a killer query, is a fun Twitter friend, and it's been really fun to share in her journey. Cut down as many trees as we need to print her book. We'll grow more.
Heather Lane says
I think that YA books should deal with the same stuff that young adults are dealing with. I was reading adult books at that age. Realism is appropriate for teens. They deal with it anyway, they should have a good place to understand and think about it, like in a good book.
Renee Collins says
Yay Kiersten!!!
Does having famous friends make me cool? 🙂
ryan field says
Good links for later. I haven't read any yet.
Bane of Anubis says
Bryan, thank you for bringing the OPOV to the discussion, though I imagine that you don't need to buy a Kindle for every book you wanna read 😉 — though plastic can be a really biznitch to dispose of (and now I fondly remember those Star Wars figures I buried a long time ago and yard far far away).
Kiersten, congrats!
Nathan, as always, thanks for the links
Lydia Sharp says
I really enjoyed Lisa's post. And I was especially impressed with how much time and effort you both devoted to her book before even having an "official" author/agent relationship. Wow.
I also liked her honesty in pointing out that you weren't her first choice, but, after doing her research, she gave it another go. Excellent.
And kudos to you, Nathan, you awesome editor full of agent savvy, you.
Count me in when Rock Paper Tiger is released. I loved her query letter that you posted a while back (apparently, the wine helped), and I can't wait to read the book.
Mira says
Nathan, thanks, I like the links. I could even read them today before posting, which was fun. 🙂
I think Ink has a really good point about conservation, but I also feel mixed. I wonder if they are always as responsible with the trees as they should be.
Congrats Kierstan!
I liked Lisa Brackmann article except for the part where I got bright neon green with envy at your editing relationship with her. On the other hand, bright neon green matches what I wore today, so that's all to the good.
Also, Lisa, I'm going to disagree with you on something. We can agree to disagree, but I did want to say this. I don't think I will ever think of my book as a product. I know the business wants you to, and maybe it's good to be able to see it from their perspective, but my books are, and always will be, a part of my soul. Doesn't mean I can't accept feedback or make changes, but they come from a very profound and deep part of me, and that's important to remember. The danger in seeing it as a product is you might lose access to the source. Even in your sucess, don't let the business define you.
Ink says
Bane,
There are certainly aspects of the Kindle that are environmental positives over books. But there are other aspects, too. So whenever I see arguments based on a limited analysis I start to think "marketing" as much as I think "science". You know, the convenience of supportive analyses making their way into the media just as a company (a very large and powerful company) is pushing to build an e-reader market. Hmmmm…
Which is not to say that in the long run, all things being equal, the e-reader isn't the best environmental option. It might very well be the best. But I'd like to see a comprehensive argument before I come to that conclusion.
Ink says
Kiersten,
That was good. Question: My wife's pregnant… does that mean I can't query? Sort of symbiotic stress or something? I feel sympathy pains, she feels sympathy rejections?
Bane of Anubis says
Bryan, didn't you know, comprehensive analyses are no longer performed anymore? 😉
Kiersten says
No no, Ink, if she's already pregnant, it's fine. Watch out for sympathy weight gain though.
And thanks for the congratulations, everyone!!
Bane of Anubis says
Egads, redundant dimtwot, Bane!
Ink says
Bane,
Shit. I forgot. I know, I know, they only perform Media Spin now. Devious folk.
Like Nathan showing his e-reading screen the other day with Cormac McCarthy on it. Good by association! Very cruel. I started drooling and saying "Electric McCarthy goooood…."
J.J. Bennett says
I can't believe you stole that idea Nathan!
Shame….(Shaking head and pointing finger)
Robert McGuire says
One of my favorite Mark Twain stories is about when he was trying to push one of his books into publication. One of the hold ups was that to get all the paper necessary, a paper mill had to be contracted to manufacturer exclusively for that project for a full month, and they couldn't find one available. It was a funny reminder — Oh, yeah. These things are made of paper. And X thousand copies is a whole lot of it.
Ink says
Kiersten,
Damn sympathy weight! It is my Nemesis. Plus the things my wife snacks on while pregnant. Ruffles, how could you betray me so…
But I'm running 7km a day. Fight the power.
Other Lisa says
Whoah – hey, thanks everyone! I was busy compulsively searching the Interwebz to try and replace a cup I broke and didn't realize I'd been linked.
Mira, I knew when I used the word "product" that it sounded kind of crass, and maybe more so than I intended. I mostly meant that, for me, I needed to be able to see the book as something separate from myself in order to look at it objectively (and avoid some of that crippling embarrassment I mentioned earlier in the post).
And many congratulations to Kiersten!
Nathan Bransford says
I think the sustainability debate just comes down to whether you more highly prize forest conservation and global warming or whether you're concerned about creating more plastic.
Even if people agree that cutting down forests is mostly a sustainable practice, there's still the matter of shipping all those books around the world and the resulting emissions.
Mira says
Other Lisa – no – I didn't take it as crass at all! I took it as pragmatic and cooperative. And, it's good to see things from a distance.
Okay, I think I see what you were saying. You want to feel less…. vulnerable. That makes sense.
I just see alot of authors who get so 'bitten' by the business side of things, they start trying to 'produce' instead of 'create.' I think it's good to keep touch with both the practical and the heart of the thing.
Now, granted, I've never grappled with this myself, so I'm sort of making this all up. It also may not remotely relate to you. So, throw it out if it doesn't fit. 🙂
Either way, what a problem to be dealing with! I hope your success increases and you have to deal with it even more. 🙂
Bane of Anubis says
RE: sustainability… more seriously,
It's a catch 22 in some ways… we can do all we want to reduce that damn carbon footprint, but as long as population growth continues, this war cannot be won w/o a significant paradigm shift — we have to reduce consumerism — become a global culture more of necessity than desire… of course, this causes so many other problems (e.g., economic downfall) and would lead, potentially, to other apocalyptic events.
limabean says
I don't know, I think YA is getting insane these days. There's something to be said for realism, to be sure, and those issues should definitely be touched on–but really. Why are half of the books so graphic? You'd think the writers would harness their creativity and create some suspense and feeling without all the swear words and sex scenes.
Hannah says
Wee sleekit timorous lurkie pokes head out . . .
I'm kind of against overly gritty/sexy/violent YA books, but then, I was a really wimpy YA and am a pretty conservative person. And, Natalie, as to "there are books out there for every type of teen," I respect your opinion and understand what you mean about the choice part, but seriously, you have no idea what I went through in the YA section of the library trying to find something I could read w/o seriously regretting it. I failed. A lot. I read many things that made my life more difficult instead of less. I am a wimp, OK? 🙂
Question though: how precisely does one distinguish between young adult books and regular books besides the marketing? Is having teenage protagonists the one ultimately defining factor or are there other significant differences? Sounds basic, but I would like to hear a definition. Thoughts?
Keren David says
The Guardian book blog totally misunderstands Anne Fine, because the original report which the blog comments on reported her out of context. She was speaking to a group of social workers in Scotland and asking them about the effect that gritty YA literature has on the vulnerable children in their care. She wasn't deploring gritty realism, nor calling for more happy endings. It's sparked an interesting debate in the UK, but one based on twisted words. You can read my blog for more!
Ink says
Nathan,
I'm with Hannah in being curious about YA and marketing. I've been wondering, since YA seems so "hot" now, if agents and editors are taking manuscripts that have young protagonists but are basically adult books with adult themes and slotting them in the YA market because that's what's selling? I mean, I know the category definitions are soft to start with, so there's always wiggle room, but I was wondering if that might be part of the equation in the increasingly graphic YA market (though I'm by no means an expert in that area). And if so, how much do you think it's changing the genre and its definition?
Hey, that might make a good post someday…
Ink says
And as for the environment thing… I guess it comes down to Choose Your Own Apocalypse. And whichever one doesn't have cannibals is the one I'm choosing.
Rachel says
I read Anne Fine's article and can find nothing to argue with. The excerpts from the book are disturbingly unreadable (I started skimming part way through, so the words wouldn't etch themselves permanently in my brain).
Ms. Fine argues that if someone wants to publish this book, it should be as an adult read. This would give kids and parents the wise direction to investigate the book before opening its pages.
I don't think this is worth publishing, but to each his own. I second the comment of Ms. Fine: "Serial murderers do unspeakable things and even adult publishing houses face honourable resignations when they decide to publish graphic accounts."
nkrell says
I can never get enough of hearing how writers become published authors. It does happen and I enjoyed reading about Lisa's experiences. I know I've said it before, but Congratulations!
clindsay says
Oh, and Sony Reader now has software available for Mac! WHEEEEE!
(Yes, I'm overly excited about this.)
Marilyn Peake says
Thanks for the links, Nathan.
Congratulations to both Kiersten and Lisa! I enjoyed reading Lisa’s blog post when I discovered it through an announcement on Twitter. It was great reading about your writing journey, Lisa. It gave me hope.
I definitely think that realism has gone too far in children’s literature, as children often turn to books to learn about life and find role models. Also, teens are not young adults, and that ought to be kept in mind. The young adult world is, or at least should be, quite different from the adult world. When adults write for teenagers, I think they become mentors and take on a degree of moral responsibility. Teenagers who are ready to read more complex books have, in the past, read adult books; but that’s not the same as adults specifically marketing adult themes to teenagers.
As far as the Kindle and computers go, I’m all for saving trees, but horrified at how we’re illegally shipping electronic waste to third world countries where even children handle extremely toxic materials. The industrialized world’s current approach seems to be: out of sight, out of mind – meaning, if you take advantage of impoverished people but don’t see their suffering, then it’s OK. Here’s an article about it: Trash Talk – Why I Won’t Buy a Kindle Anytime Soon. I saw the first video, the CBS Sixty Minutes show, THE ELECTRONIC WASTELAND, when it was on TV. It’s eye-opening and well worth watching. My own personal view is that we should use computers, Kindles and all the rest of our electronic products that save paper, BUT we need to conscientiously find ways to safely recycle them.
Have a good weekend!
Marilyn Peake says
Oooops. Typo. When I said, "The young adult world is, or at least should be, quite different from the adult world.", I meant to say: "The world of teenagers is, or at least should be, quite different from the adult world."
Other Lisa says
Clickable link much nicer…
Speaking of plastic, read the latest on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch if you want to get apocalyptic…
Natalie says
Hannah, I was a totally whimpy YA too. And I still avoid many books on the shelves because I am sensitive. What I usually do is look up reviews to see if I can handle a book. Or I go off friend recommendations.
But there is clean stuff out there, and it seems like people are wanting more of that now. So let's hope a balance will be found:)
Julie says
I have had the YA book debate with my nice (but sheltered and naive) christian mother many times.
She thinks my characters should set good moral examples but what's interesting about that? Perfect teens who always do the right thing.
I won't describe a sex scene just to make the book edgy but sometimes you have to give some detail.
Teens have sex
they lie to nearly everyone
they're dramatic and irrational most of the time.
They go to parties and consume alcohol and possibly drugs
they do most of this far more than adults and are a lot more reckless in the process.
You have to write about these things or it's not true to teenage nature.
JES says
From the Fast Company article about trees-vs-Kindle:
All paper books are responsible for some of the 125 million trees harvested by the book and magazine industries in 2007, but shipped books are still twice as carbon efficient as books bought in the mall or the local bookstore.
Thought that final clause was very interesting — about shipped-to-customer books vs. shipped-to-retailer. I wonder if that's because, despite volume discounts and such, the brick-and-mortar shipping costs include a LOT more returns than the virtual ones?
I also like the way the first statistic mentions magazine as well as book publishers. If our mail is any indication, about 40% of the paper used by the magazine pubs is in the form of subscription offers, blow-in cards, and co-marketing (and re-co-marketing) with the likes of Publishers Clearinghouse.
Kristi says
Congrats Kiersten – that's awesome! I also loved reading Lisa's road to publication.
As far as the YA thing, I've worked with hundreds of incarcerated teens, and they may be involved with gangs, drugs, and assorted other "non-clean" activities, but they've taught me almost as much as I've taught them. Their stories may not be classified as "wholesome" but they are some of the most amazing kids I've had the privilege of working with – great things don't always come in pretty wrappers.
~Sia McKye~ says
Nathan, I haven't yet invested in a e-reader. Maybe someday. I do read a lot on my computer through pdf files. Downside, you can't lug the computer everywhere to read it.
Enjoyed the links, Nathan, thanks.
Like Kiersten, I appreciate being part of your blog and the shout out for Lisa's article on my blog. I will be reading her book, which really goes without saying. She's a wonderful writer. 🙂
Natalie says
Julie, I agree that some teens do that. But there are also some who don't. I think it's unfair to imply that a writer isn't writing authentically if they choose not to feature those aspects of teen life.
Young adults are so individual, and we can't assume they are all one way or another. There should be books for every kid out there. "Prudes" included.
Arik Durfee says
I'm trying to be a YA writer and I also teach 8th grade English, and I do worry about the realism in YA fiction.
Yes, it's true that many teens have sex and do drugs and lie and swear. But I wonder how much of that you actually have to depict in your writing. One of my favorite YA novels is SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson. It deals with rape in a powerful way without depicting anything terribly graphic.
I was thinking the other day about writer ethics–about the dual responsibility an author has: our writing should depict reality accurately, but our writing also has the power to shape reality. By graphically depicting something, is it possible we're also encouraging it by making it seem normal?
Julie says
Yes, I agree we need books for the less rebellious teens but either way you're going to have to describe a contrasting character.
"The girl who sleeps around" joins the "prude girl's" study group
or the "goody, goody" main character will describe a boy smokes in the bathroom or set the principals car on fire or something and maybe they have to make a decision about whether they will rat them out or not.
The issues will have to be there in some form. But like you described, I like my characters to have redeeming qualities but there has to be conflict?
Morgan Dempsey says
Has the sex and violence in children's literature gone too far or do we benefit from authors delving into the difficult areas of teen life?
Anyone who thinks we're being too rough with kids and their delicate sensibilities has probably only seen the Disney fairytales.
Maybe I'm a cynic. The world is tough, and stories are a safe, controlled environment in which we can help them learn how to navigate a world that isn't as lovely as we'd like it to be.
That said, sex/violence that are simply put in for the shock factor are no good. They, like all pieces of a story, must be put in for a good reason.
KayKayBe says
Nathan, thanks for the great links. I appreciated Jessica Faust's take on plagiarism. I haven't worried about plagiarism since I started editing and realized how hard it is to polish a novel. I'd almost be happy to see someone take my idea and make it shine (not really, but it could be flattering, in a certain light) I slay newbie fears in a fun post on my blog- https://kaykaybe.blogspot.com/2009/08/im-waiting-for-my-check.html
Hannah says
My bad: What is the difference between YA and adult? (essentially my question) is in the FAQs. https://nbrans.wpengine.com/2007/02/dude-looks-like-ya.html
And Natalie, seeing your other posts today I think we pretty much agree. It is just that the YA section at the local library, which my sheltered self traveled without the lovely guidance you refer to having, kinda scarred me and so this is a sensitive issue for me. Cheers!
I do think that currently the balance is too much in favor of the grittier stuff.
Laurie Touin says
I am all for saving trees and the environment but there's just something about holding a book in my hands and feeling the pages slip beneath my fingers…and then there's always the day when I go back to reread a book and come across a page stained with….what is it? coffee or chocolate? and remember where I was in my life when I last read the book!
Sophie W. says
The question people aren't asking re: Kindle vs. book sustainability is, how much electricity does it take to power a kindle? I'm willing to bet that most of that electricity is gained by burning fossil fuels, since that's the leading source of electricity in America atm… and the burning of fossil fuels emits CO2 and CO2-like emissions just as much as shipping a plane of books.
You'd also have to take into consideration the recycling programs available, where the component parts of each (kindle and book) are being manufactured and the manufacturing guidelines imposed by those countries (where do they dump their waste?), the materials used in each (PVCs? Heavy metals?) and the biodegradability of the materials. Among other things that I can't think of right now but could probably list if given enough time.
So saying, "The Kindle is better because there's less shipping involved" is really a superficial statement.
/envi sci nerd
About YA vs. adult fic: A good rule of thumb is, "If coming-of-age is an/the important plot point, it's YA." But there are exceptions. It's a real pain.
Sophie W. says
OH! And also, probably, at the end of all of that research, you'd end up with something like the paper vs. cloth diaper conundrum: both are bad for the environment. Just choose the one that makes you feel better and wait for a better option to present itself.
hannah says
Mark David Chapman shot John Lennon after listening to the song "Helter Skelter" over and over again.
Blaming edgy YA writers for children who emulate book characters is like blaming The Beatles for getting John Lennon shot.
Art is messy and dirty and sometimes has consequences. But we can't censor it because it gives people bad ideas.
And YA and children's books are just NOT the same thing, and they need to stop being treated as one entity.