How to write a novel in three days (This week in books)

This week! Books!

Summer is upon us, and I’ll be taking a blog break next week, returning on Wednesday July 7. I’ll be checking email though, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me for editing!

In the meantime, summer tends to be a very slow time for publishing news, but I found some good links for you this week.

Is it really possible to write a novel in three days? Lincoln Michel delves into Michael Moorcock’s possibly-insane/possibly-genius approach to cranking out a novel in just three days.

What happened to famed journalist, Civil War veteran, and weird short story author Ambrose Bierce, who disappeared without a trace in 1913? Dan Sheehan looks at five theories.

First came the advice “kill your darlings,” then came the pushback “save your darlings.” I like Austin Kleon’s entry into this age old debate: relocate your darlings.

Is “enterprise self-publishing” poised to disrupt book publishing? Industry sage Mike Shatzkin discusses the rise of self-publishing by entities like firms and companies, political campaigns, religious organizations, and more, who will find value in publishing books as a brand builder without a traditional profit motive. In aggregate, these books could cut into the traditional publishing industry’s already-declining hegemony.

Remember NFTs? Consider author and intellectual property lawyer Brad Frazer a skeptic of their value, not least of which because United States copyright law does not recognize the provenance of NFTs.

This week in bestsellers

Here are the top five NY Times bestsellers in a few key categories. (All links are affiliate links):

Adult print and e-book fiction:

1. The President’s Daughter by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
2. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
3. The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
4. Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5. Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

Adult print and e-book nonfiction:

1. Killing the Mob by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard
2. Live Your Life by Amanda Kloots with Anna Kloots
3. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
4. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
5. The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

Young adult hardcover:

1. One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
2. Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
3. The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
4. Cosmic Queries by Neil DeGrasse Tyson with James Trefil
5. Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

Middle grade hardcover:

1. Refugee by Alan Gratz
2. The Islanders by Mary Alice Monroe with Angela May
3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
4. Stamped (For Kids) by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi and Sonja Cherry-Paul
5. The Ickabog by J.K. Rowling

This week on the blog

In case you missed them, here are this week’s posts:

• Summer writing jumpstart
• The flavor is in the details (query critique)

Don’t forget that you can nominate your first page and query for a free critique on the blog:

• Nominate Your First Page for a Critique on the Blog
• Nominate Your Query for a Critique on the Blog

And keep up with the discussion in all the places!

• Follow me on Twitter
• Follow my page on Facebook
• Join the Facebook Group
• Check out the Bransforums

And finally, I’m a lifelong lover of trains, and I thoroughly enjoyed Adam Gopnik’s dive into the unhinged late-1800’s race to complete a southern branch of the transcontinental railroad, which combined colorful barons, gonzo capitalism, dubious public utility, and the rise of a dusty Southern California town called Los Angeles.

Have a great weekend!

Need help with your book? I’m available for manuscript edits, query critiques, and coaching!

For my best advice, check out my online classes, my guide to writing a novel and my guide to publishing a book.

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