Lots of links this week!
Shall we?
Some big news in the book world as Random House, the lone holdout among the six major publishers, has agreed to Apple’s terms and will be moving over to the agency model. What is the agency model? Well, this post of yore provides some background, but for readers this means that over 17,000 Random House titles will now be available through iBooks, and will also means that the price you pay for Random House books will probably be a few dollars higher (Amazon likes the $9.99 e-book price point. Publishers, who set the price with the agency model: not so much).
Mike Shatzkin and Eric from Pimp My Novel offer some more background on the publishing implications, which are many. Shatzkin notes that this is a sign that the agency model has helped cracked Amazon’s hegemony, and Eric wonders what effect this will have in iBooks sales.
One big e-reader, the iPad 2 was launched on Wednesday amid much fanfare (and much tweeting from yours truly). Among the book implications was the Random House announcement, and Apple also stated that over 100 million e-books have been sold through the iBookstore. Wow.
And speaking of lots of e-books sold, my colleague and fellow author David Carnoy had a great article this week on the rise of the 99 cent e-book and what this might mean for publishers, and Mathew Ingram at GigaOM writes that with the success Amanda Hocking and J.A. Konrath are enjoying, publishers need to “wake up and smell the disruption.” Quite a few people have been asking me lately to weigh in on self-publishing and the new 99 cent/$2.99 Kindle bestsellers, and I shall do so soonest.
But meanwhile we have more links!
HarperCollins took the controversial/ingenious (depending where one sits) step of limiting library lending of e-books at 26 lends per library e-book purchase, rather than allowing libraries to loan e-books infinitely. Presumably 26 was arrived at as comparable to the number of times a print book could be lent before it wore out. What say you as author and reader on this one?
In rather hilarious news, Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware noticed an eBay listing for a story idea that the author claims “can be compared to stories like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Matrix, Indiana Jones and other titles in those categories…” Starting bid the author set? $3 million!
In case you want a sense of just how challenging things are for chain bookstores these days, the SFGate blog Dollars & Sense noted that Borders’ liquidation sale wasn’t even beating Amazon’s prices. In related news, the NYTimes surveyed publishers attempts to move beyond the bookstore, selling print books in other brick-and-mortar outlets like clothing and sporting goods stores. In the words of Perseus Books Group CEO David Steinberger, “The national bookstore chain has peaked as a sales channel, and the growth is not going to come from there. But it doesnโt mean that all brick-and-mortar retailers are cutting back.โ
Earlier this week I posted some advice for authors getting started on Facebook, and Meghan Ward has a great interview with Miles of the Milesmaria publicity, communications and media company, about what to do with those pages. There’s some really terrific advice in there, so definitely check it out!
In writing advice news, Matthew Rush defines that plot device known as a MacGuffin, the Rejectionist cautions against adverbs and non-said dialogue tags in typically uproariously hilariously funny fashion (he extolled), Jim McCarty from the Dystel & Goderich agency is a fellow trend-unfollower, and Jim Duncan has important though controversial advice in a writerly world of “butt in chair:” sometimes it’s important to step away.
And at the Oscars were this past week The King’s Speech took home Best Picture. Author David Mitchell talked with Prospect Magazine about how the film was the first to portray his speech defect realistically.
This week in the Forums, listing your favorite words, wondering about how e-books are created exactly, whether you write with paper & pen or computer, what to do when HARRY POTTER creeps into your own writing, and how do you know if your idea is original?
Comment! of! the! Week! You know which one it is. Congrats again to Curt for his winning caption entry:
Our demands are simple. No more asparagus, bed time gets moved back to 9pm, and little Johnny here needs some gold chains for his track suit. You have 30 minutes or I push this button, and boom goes the dynamite.
And finally, via John Ochwat comes a seriously awesome time-lapse of a couple having fun organizing their bookshelf:
Have a great weekend!
Ted Fox says
I hear that author with the $3 million starting bid will also consider interesting trades for her/his idea, such as a Subway $5 footlong or a functioning hoverboard.
Bob Mayer says
I just don't get the Agency model. It's sole purpose seems to be to hold on the print sales. I have a series (Area 51) with RH and the difference in ebook sales under their model and the books I control is staggering. In print Area 51 sold over a million, far outstripping my Atlantis series. But in ebook, leading with .99 for first Atlantis book and $2.99 for following books, that series is selling 20x what Area 51 is doing under RH's control.
As Tom Hanks said in Big: I don't get it. The Big 6 are still too focused on selling to retailers rather than readers.
Mr. D says
Was I the only one who thought King's Speech was about the Civil Rights leader?
Nathan Bransford says
Facebook link is fixed.
Anna says
I too am eager to read what you have to say about 99 cent e-books. Thanks for the link the article.
Tana Adams says
I am MOST looking forward to your post on the Kindle "bestseller" phenomenon. I've noticed how it displaces the NYT bestsellers and brings precious Kindle real estate to strange and not always mouth watering books. I've long suspected that one could find a way to keep purchasing their own book at .99 and thus climb the Amazon trail rather unfairly. I CANNOT wait to read your post!! Have a great weekend, Nathan!
Diana says
The video was awesome. I never thought to organize my books by the color of the covers. No wonder the look so messy. ๐
Michael Offutt says
I find Amanda Hocking's success story to be encouraging.
Jen P says
What a perfect video to say "Happy World Book Day" this week too everyone! (In the UK and Ireland World Book Day is on Thursday 3rd March 2011.) Ad World Book Night is being celebrated tomorrow in London and across the nation, so I'm looking forward to taking part giving out 48 copies of 'Love in a Time of Cholera'.
Chuck H. says
Haven't time to check out links right now but looking forward to doing it later.
Great video! But just exactly did happen to the banana boat?
Chuck H. says
"What", there should have been a what in there.
"Just exactly what did happen to the banana boat?"
--- Jordana Frankel says
What song is playing in the video? I didn't see it listed when the credits rolled…did I miss it? Loved it!
Jenn Albin says
26 times? If we're only lending out to 3 year-olds maybe. I get most of my books from the library and have to wait for newer, in-demand titles. Right now I'm #39 for one copy of a particular new YA title. I'll let you know ๐
veela-valoom says
The 26 lends rule seems unfair. I have a feeling that most libraries get more than that out of their hardcover books.
Unless there is some study behind it…just seems like a number thrown out there. Plus how to renewals fit in?
Miles says
Thank you for the shout-out, Nathan. Read the David Mitchell piece earlier this week and loved it. Another insightful wrap up.
The Red Angel says
Wow, I didn't know an iPad 2 was in the making! I wonder how different it is from iPad 1…
Loved your Facebook For Authors guide, Nathan! I have bookmarked it for future reference. ๐
I watched the Oscars too. I wish Inception had won but Colin Firth is wonderful and I guess I
understand why The King's Speech was chosen.
~TRA
https://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
Raquel Byrnes says
I could spend all weekend on those great links! I read the eBay one and laughed at the 10 million "buy it now" offer…watch out, Rowling, I'm scraping together my change.
Thanks for the FB information. I'm going to check that out.
As for Border's 20% off not even touching Amazon's prices…wow.
Have a great weekend!
Loree Huebner says
Thanks for the author page fb info, Nathan. Have a great weekend.
Brendan says
Small correction on the Apple's ebook figures–it's over 100 million downloaded, not sold:
https://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/03/20110302-10040827–img4447.jpg
Most definitely looking forward to hearing your thoughts on ebook pricing.
Sommer Leigh says
Yesterday on Galley Cat there was a post with a YouTube video from some librarians who analyzed several books in their library and how often they'd been checked out. They showed the wear and tear on the book and how much it would have cost them. The books, especially the hard backs, were in fine shape, particularly the kids books, and had been checked out more than 26 times, one had been checked out 120 times which is the one with some damage which the librarian said could be mended. It was interesting, though a fairly limited sample.
J. T. Shea says
So, if you lend out an e-book 26 times, it gets worn out? Pity those poor little hardworking electrons…
That E-bay story idea is well worth $3 million, Nathan! I'm going to bid right away…(CHECKS POCKET)… not quite enough loose change there…(CHECKS OTHER POCKET)…maybe later.
I love MacGuffins! With cheese and fries, of course.
The Rejectionist is talking nonsense, adverbially. Anyway, she isn't even the Rejectionist anymore, just a poor writer like the rest of us. So, who's afraid of the big bad wolf now? Take that, Ex-Rejectionist! (POKES FORKED STICK THROUGH BARS OF CAGE.) You too, ex-agent Bransford! MMMWWWAAAHHHAAAHHHAAA! Oh, wait…
Ted, I haven't got a Subway $5 Footlong, but I could offer the corndog I got from Jacob Wonderbar for my old wreck of a spaceship (though it was kind of sassy). I already swapped the hoverboard for the time-traveling De Lorean.
Anonymous says
Have you read Amanda Hocking's books, Nathan? She breaks every rule you've ever talked about on your Blog. The grammar and spelling in her books are atrocious (and I mean LOTS of spelling errors, not a typo or two), the stories plod along, and her first book in a series starts with a character waking up. I thought TWILIGHT was bad; but, as I started reading Amanda Hocking's book, I thought how much better TWILIGHT was written. Everyone in the writing world seems to be talking about Amanda Hocking these days AND a top literary agent signed her. This all leaves me very sad and confused. All the old rules about writing seem to have been thrown out the window.
Marilyn Peake says
I'm thinking about trying the 99 cents publishing program at Amazon, beginning with short stories. I'm thinking about hiring an artist to design covers or designing my own covers with photographs I've taken. My short stories have won quite a few awards and some have been published online, including on Sarah LaPolla's Blog, and I'd like to see if I can sell some short stories through the 99 cents model. If that works, I may try selling the novels I'm currently writing that way.
Samantha G says
I have absolutely nothing to add on a post full of great links! (Although it would be nice if you could post something showing something more positive going on in the writing world."
In reply to:
Anon 12.54,
There are some really badly written books out there (I know Nathan will be frowning and/or shaking his fist at the screen depending on the largeness of his anger issues – if any do/don't exist.) But the thing is, sometimes it's not all about the writing. I know that sounds insanely stupid, but as a teenage girl, I have read the twilight series and I know that they aren't at all "well written" (depending on what your defenition of well written is.) I never read them however, for the quality of the writing- I read for the quality of the idea, for the hook of the first book that meant I would keep on reading despite the fact the writing wasn't up to a world class standard. Whilst I have never head of Amanda Hopkins, I am sure that is what people are liking so much about her books- the ability of the plot to draw the reader in and keep them enthralled no matter how good/bad the writing is. We can all agree that Charles Dickens is an amazing writer, but personally I have never been able to finish a single one of his books (I tried reading Great Expectations and after figuring out absolutely nothing would go right for the poor boy I gave up before I got too overtly depressed.)
So, I hope I stopped you from getting too worried about the fact that there are some authors out there whose grammer e.t.c. may be appalling, because, at the end of the day, they must have done something right to be doing so well.
And as to your final point: "All the old rules about writing seem to have been thrown out the window," at the end of the day, in the downright evil world that is the writing business, the only REAL rule is writing something that sells.
Sorry to have been so long winded. =)
emmiefisher says
HarperCollins makes me sad. It just means most libraries won't pick up their e-books now. Cause as someone who works in a library… I can't think of many books that have fallen apart after only 26 checkouts… The ones that fall apart at those low numbers are pop-up books or books that have flaps, or pockets with items.
And with Overdrive, unlike paper copies, you can't renew the books so if you can't finish the book in the time you have you'll end up wasting several of the "loans" that the library is now allowed to have. ๐
The more and more I read about these kind of things and what publishers are doing, the more and more I think about self-publishing my own writing. They say they are helping out their authors… but if they really wanted to, they'd increase the royalties their authors received from e-books.
Other Lisa says
I haven't read Amanda Hocking, but regardless of what you think of her and the whole ePub and the 99 cent ePub in particular, she's written a post about it all that I think is pretty worthwhile, and very even-handed. Check it out!
Meghan Ward says
Thanks for the mention, Nathan! I'm dying to see The King's Speech, and I'm anxious to hear your take on the .99c e-books, too. It's about time Random House caved because, despite 100 million books sold, I've had to purchase most of mine through Amazon even though I read them on my iPad. Happy weekend!
Kristin Laughtin says
I wonder how readers will react to the slightly more expensive e-books. Will they stop buying them? Will they wait for sales? Is it possible the publishers will end up lowering their prices back down in order to get people to purchase their titles?
The idea behind the HarperCollins 26-use clause is that with two-week loan periods in many titles, a typical book would circulate 26 times in one year. However, as a library worker myself, I can tell you that many books circulate more than this before they need to be replaced (thus being lendable for more than a year), and libraries will buy multiple copies of popular titles in order to meet demand. I understand authors are worried about their royalties being hurt if a library can purchase one copy and circulate it indefinitely, but libraries also cannot afford to buy the same books over and over. I think a compromise could be reached. HarperCollins could lease the books for a certain amount of time (several years), or better, could increase the number of uses before requiring the library to repurchase. Most popular books are only in heavy demand for about two years, so perhaps HarperCollins could offer 45-50 uses before requiring a new purchase. Then perhaps, the libraries could buy another copy of the popular titles they predict will continue to circulate, while letting the less popular titles run their course and only repurchasing if a patron requests it. Even better, it'd be ideal if the second purchase carried perpetual rights, but that's probably asking for too much. (I saw similar proposals being voiced in the comments at HarperCollins' blog as well, with no response from the blog maintainers, and know there will be ongoing discussions about this at ALA, which I'm unfortunately not going to be able to attend this year.)
That eBay auction has been my favorite joke all week!
Anonymous says
Samantha G., I totally understand why poorly written YA books are selling, the same way I understand why people are obsessed with Charlie Sheen and Snooki. What disheartens me is that the literary/publishing world is enthralled with most of the same things and embraces and talks about them practically at the exclusion of all things literary. It's one thing for teenage girls to want to buy something. It's quite different for the literary establishment to embrace and talk endlessly about everything a teenager recommends. Just sayin'.
Sheila Cull says
oy. indeed, it happens so fast.
Elaine AM Smith says
John's video was superb – did anyone else spend most of their time watching his clock? ๐
Happy World Book Day or Night, depending on where you live. I have to go, I have a lot of reading to do: I've missed 22 of the best 25 books.
J. T. Shea says
I've been unfollowing trends all my life. Even though I'm writing a YA Steampunk Trilogy. But there was no such thing as a YA Steampunk Trilogy when I started writing it.
Doug says
Not mentioned: Apple is kicking the other e-book sellers apps off of the iOS App Store on July 1. It would seem that they want to force iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch readers to buy their e-books at the iBookstore.
That's probably the impetus for Random House's move to Agency Model.
Other Lisa says
Oooh, and I love that book video! Would someone like to come and do that at my house? I have a ton o' books.
Kathryn Magendie says
I'm feeling a little breathless! Now I'll get to clickin' . . .
Anonymous says
I hope Random House understands that people who read e-books aren't going to submit to their pricing. Readers will either fight back by pirating the e-books, or they will go to amazon and buy used copies.
These large publishers better realize people who read e-books are voracious, but they have limits and they aren't stupid.
Matthew Rush says
This has got to stop. What started as the rambling thoughts of a twisted and ignorant new writer has been lent far too much legitimacy by mentions on your blog.
Interesting that you picked the Macguffin one too, because personally I thought the day-oos eks makeena post was better. Subjective business we've got here, isn't it?
Anyway, self deprecating silliness aside, this sounds mostly like good news to me. I don't have an iPad YET, but I'm a long time Apple and Macintosh fan and I know how much you tout them, so when I can, I will.
The one really terrible thing here, IMHO, is that item about the Borders Fire Sale. I'm from Seattle, and used to be able to see Amazon HQ from my window, so I do have love for them, but it's pretty sad what they did to the brick and mortar bookstore industry.
And I have to ask Bob Mayer: You have an e-book that sold a million copies? My god man, I've never heard of such a thing, but CONGRATULATIONS!
Anonymous says
There are a couple of things that trouble me about some of those links. Amanda Hocking does many things in her writing for which a number of agents felt it was absolutely fine to mock other writers in their blogs and tweets just a few short months ago. Even though they kept the writers' names confidential, it was pretty hurtful for writers who found their writing quoted and mocked. But, as soon as someone sells a million books with even worse writing flaws, a top agent signs them and agents start blogging about her like she's Cormac McCarthy. Second link is to an article by The Rejectionist (who is actually an Anon on the Internet!) in which she rather harshly criticizes teachers for giving her students a creative writing challenge. The students are elementary school students, not professional writers, for goodness sakes, and they are learning how to develop basic writing skills. Why, I bet that teacher even makes her students write in complete sentences in order to learn basic grammar. I bet she doesn't let them use phrases as if they were complete sentences, like grown-up writers do in real novels, so that the students can learn correct grammar structure. Gasp! Annnnnd, then, commenters on The Rejectionist's Blog proceed to mock the teacher in the same way that agents mocked writers with Amanda Hocking type writing flaws just a few short months ago. Now, I bet if some writer sells a million books using all kinds of non-said tags, non-said tags will be the new craze in the publishing industry and it will be time to mock those writers who use said tags. I think mocking allows people to feel better about themselves and to establish themselves as being "in the know". Is that really the best we can do to deal with our own anxieties about our chances of succeeding within the publishing world?
Anonymous says
It turns out that the writer selling their idea on eBay has a bid of $32.99 already. This is for an IDEA, not a script. If they jotted down thousands of ideas and put them all up on eBay … well, they could make a lot of money.
Nathan Bransford says
anon@8:52-
So….. you're criticizing the Rejectionist for being anonymous… anonymously?
Anonymous says
So I have a Kindle, and the pricing still makes no sense to me for most books.
I went to amazon to grab a copy of The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. This book came out a long time ago, so I expected an eBook price of a couple of dollars. But thanks to the brilliant publisher, the eBook sells for more than the print copy. Really, how much was editing back in the day?
I'm sticking to the free classics until I see some reasonable pricing. It still makes more sense for me to buy used paperbacks than eBooks.
Jonathan Stephens says
Dilemma: My students want to read my un-pubbed novels, but I still totally want to pursue traditional pub route.
Is it okay for me to Kindle them so my students can read them?
Will agents not like this? Could this possible shoot myself in the foot?
_____
As to that 26 rule for eBooks…can we Gorilla Glue the binding or packing tape the cover so we can read it another 10 more?
Anonymous says
Nathan, I wasn't criticizing The Rejectionist for being anonymous. I was criticizing her for mocking people while hiding behind an Anonymous label. It struck me as funny that she's an Anon, no better than any other Anon on the Internet.
– Anon @8:52 PM
Anonymous says
By the way, I'm saying that it might be nice if people like The Rejectionist stopped mocking people, perhaps in order to make themselves feel better. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being anonymous. If a person's going to start mocking teachers, they probably ought to at least have some relevant credentials – maybe a Masters degree in Education, something like that. Not sure how The Rejectionist would feel if people started making fun of her.
– Anon @8:52 PM
Marion says
Nathan, thanks for putting up the link to the anti-butt-in-chair piece. Hooray!
Mira says
Anon who is upset about mocking –
Anon, I agree with you about the publishing industry mocking writers – there are few things that make me angrier, so I think it's cool that you're speaking up when you see mocking on the web.
I'm afraid, however, that I disagree with you about the Rejectionist post – I went there after reading your comments and I think you may be mistaking the tone of the blog and comments for mocking. That blog tends to have a sharp, witty, almost caustic, New Yorky type of humor, which can look like mocking, and may even cross the line at times, but I don't think it did here….
The question on the blog was: what do I do if my teacher is teaching my child writing habits I don't agree with? It's a legit question and I thought the tone of the questioner was more worried and frustrated than mocking.
I thought the Rejectionist handled it carefully and there was a defense of that particular teacher's method as well as of teachers in general in the comments section. I thought the discussion was interesting and pretty funny, but was not mocking teachers at all – I seriously doubt this particular group of Rejectionist commenters would mock teachers. Everyone knows teachers are underpaid and underappreciated.
Okay, so that's my opinion, for what it's worth – and it's also okay with me if we disagree.
Nathan, I want to thank you for the incredible plethora of links = thank you!!! – but I probably won't be back to comment. It's finals week, and my evil and maniacal teachers – I mean my underpaid and underappreciated teachers – have loaded me with so much work I may not come up for air again until June.
Okay, off to work. Hope everyone is having a nice weekend!
D.G. Hudson says
The audacity of some writers continues to amaze me. BUT – there may be someone who has that kind of $$$ to throw her way. These types of stunts are counter-productive to the industry but they may give her a few minutes of fame.
We writers have to be cautious these days as well, as Victoria (on Writer Beware) has a post today regarding a lawsuit about THE HELP.
Thanks for the links. Will check out the forum this weekend.
D.G. Hudson says
Correction to 1st comment – referencing the $3 million dollar bid for the story idea – forgot to engage finger editor first.
Also wanted to agree with the 'Anon' who commented about put-downs. Everyone deserves basic respect, not smart ass backtalk and certainly not public ridicule. Wasn't that one of the main points that Anon was making?
Josin L. McQuein says
Amanda Hocking actually had some interesting things to say about the "wake up" style comments directed at publishers.
From her blog:
Here's another thing I don't understand: The way people keep throwing my name around and saying publishers are "terrified" of me and that I really showed them.
First of all, no publisher is afraid of me. That's just silly. I'm one girl who wrote a couple books that are selling well. That doesn't scare them – they just want to be a part of it, the same way they want to be a part of any best seller.
https://amandahocking.blogspot.com/2011/03/some-things-that-need-to-be-said.html
Anonymous says
D.G. Hudson said, "Also wanted to agree with the 'Anon' who commented about put-downs. Everyone deserves basic respect, not smart ass backtalk and certainly not public ridicule. Wasn't that one of the main points that Anon was making?"
Thank you, thank you, thank you! That was the main point I was trying to make. I think you said it better than I did.