Thursday, October 16, 2025

Hunting Down Information

 


 

In Publishing News this week,


Frankfurt Bookfair is on. This Bookfair, the largest in the western hemisphere, dominates the publishing calendar. Publishing Perspectives has a run down on the issues talked about on day one of the fair. 

 

Publishers Weekly reports that libraries are hunting for partners to fill the distribution gap left by the collapse of Baker and Taylor. Ingram Content group are ramping up to offer services, but Amazon is ahead of them having quietly designed an eco system just for libraries. The library dollar is still relevant and with limited funds libraries are going to be looking for as many extras as they can get.

 

Dan Holloway of the Alliance of Independent Authors has a post on the Spotify and Chat GPT integration and the how this might play out for authors. He also explores the dangers of the new AI video app, Sora which is threatening the content creators on YouTube.  

Dan Blank uses the Sora controversy to wonder if we should all ditch social media. He explains that social media is only worth it if you are intentional with its use. How are you showing your human side?

 

Publishers Weekly has an up beat post on comic books. They are having a moment, where new readers are discovering them and sales are going up. I wonder if this is a follow on from all those graphic novels that were being launched at young readers in the last decade. 

 

The Guardian reports on a new venture – a certified organic and AI free stamp for literature, to help readers identify books created by real authors. The team behind this has plans to expand beyond the UK. They have a following amongst independent publishers.

 

Sandra Beckwith has an interview with Tal Kilim, who has launched Booksnout an innovative approach to storytelling using crowd sourcing. Does this approach sound familiar? Hopefully they have learned from the Unbound debacle earlier in the year.

 

Manda Comisari writes on Jane Friedman’s blog about the divide between art and business. Good Intentions Aren’t Enough in Publishing Deals: How Creators Can Protect Themselves. 

 

James Scott Bell always writes an entertaining article on the writing business. This week he looks at advice he would give if you are hunting a traditional publishing deal. He references Nathan Bransford’s publishing submission bill of rights, one clause is the timely response to submissions. Many writers are left in limbo over never hearing about a submission. It leaves a sour and discouraging taste about the industry.

 

Kathleen Schmidt is wondering where the big fall book is? Twice a year- Northern hemisphere Spring and Autumn, the publishing industry releases their big books. These are the ones with the marketing dollars behind them. This year the Fall books are very quiet. Why?

 

Penny Sansevieri reports that some authors are getting locked out of their Amazon Central pages. She has some tips to help you get back in and why you should be using these pages in your marketing.

 

Katie Weiland has a collection of great writing craft books. She has been updating them this year and has now updated her popular workbook on Structuring Your Novel. She is launching her second edition with a nifty giveaway.

 

In The Craft Section,

How to edit someone’s work- Sarah Hamer- Bookmark


Morning pages- tips- Gabriela Pereira


Writing using good speech guidelines-Barbara Probst- Bookmark


Creativity in Brevity- Jim Dempsey- Bookmark


The secret weapon behind character arcs- Janice Hardy- Bookmark

 

In The Marketing Section,

Selling books direct- Kindlepreneur


Standing out in a crowded market – Podcast with Joanna Penn and Steve Brock


Pinterest for authors- Bookbub- Bookmark


The best social media channels for different types of books – Rachel Thompson- Bookmark


How to build an email list before the book launch- Thomas Umstaddt- Bookmark

 

To Finish

Recently, I had a phone conversation with a family member and we started talking about dicey parts of the world and what was happening. Then I thought about what if our phone conversation was being monitored so I stopped and addressed whoever might be listening that this was an innocent phone call. Sue Coletta this week addressed the same problem that thriller writers have. Do FBI profilers mistake writers for serial killers. 

It can be tricky out there in writer search history land. I’m glad I write children’s science fiction. 

 


Maureen

@craicer

 

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Thursday, October 9, 2025

Shopping for Knowledge

 


In Publishing News this week.


In a surprise move, as everyone thought the Baker and Taylor Distributors had a buyer, B and T shut the door and fired everyone. Publishers Weekly reports that this leaves B and T workers, small publishers and libraries completely in the cold with no sign of redress.

 

Fox Entertainment and HarperCollins have decided to work together. They have signed a first look deal. Fox gets to develop Avon romances and HarperCollins gets to write books on Fox studio properties. If you can’t beat Netflix – Do what Netflix does… all the way to the bank.

 

If you are a subscriber to the Substack version of the blog you will have already seen the breaking news about the new searchable database for the Anthropic settlement last week. Darcy Pattison has a great article on what all the important dates around filing for the $3000 per book payout means. This is a must read. You can be sure that the other AI companies are looking at this judgement and will be taking notes. Anthropic saved themselves a $75 Billion fine by settling out of court and if you look at the numbers they come out of it pretty well. The kick in the teeth for some writers is discovering their publishers in America didn’t file a copyright claim within 5 years of publication which leaves them out in the cold.

 

On Writer Beware Victoria Strauss writes about the return of the Nigerian Prince scam and includes the new book club feature scam. With AI doing all the research work the email scams can be pretty convincing.  

 

Penguin Random House has sent its banned books wagon to Washington DC for Banned Books Week. Insert your own pithy comment on the juxtaposition of these two entities meeting in the seat of American government. The banned books on this year’s list, that they are handing out, will make you weep. 

 

Last week I mentioned an article - Publishing has a Gambling Problem and the responses from many people in publishing to its truths.

This week to add to the discourse, Karen Gillespie writes about The Case of the Disappearing Author and Why You Don’t Want a 6 or 7 Figure Deal.

 

 Agent Richard Curtis turns the spotlight onto Moral Clauses this week. He argues that the moral clause is immoral. Publishers are seeing the moral clause as a potential weapon to disassociate themselves from a high risk client. High risk? That could be a writer who disagrees with the latest edict from a political leader. Have you read your contracts morals clause?

 

Next month you can join Novel November. This is the replacement for NaNoWriMo. The list of sponsors for this free event is gathering momentum. If you want to test yourself and write a novel in November check out the site and sign up for free. There are lots of goodies on offer, including a charity donation from Pro Writing aid for every writer who succeeds in writing 50,000 words in November. This could be the month to try dictation and smash those words out.

 

Dan Blank has an interesting article on cycles of learning. What stops you from doing or learning about book marketing and connecting with readers. It can be as easy as committing to a short daily challenge. 

 

Susan Watts has one of those articles that you file away and think I must do that. It’s all about body position and health. If you have felt the strain of sitting at your keyboard Susan has some ideas for you to fix your workspace. (Stretch your body now!)

 

The Dream Team of Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are celebrating 10 years of their website One Stop for Authors. This is their comprehensive website with articles and planners and all good things. They have some great deals to say thank you.

 

The Art Of Keeping Your Readers Hooked is what every writer wants. Elizabeth Craig has boiled it down to five important things to nail to keep your readers nailed to the page.

 

In The Craft Section,

Writer Igniter Story prompts- DIYMFA- Bookmark


How long should a series go- James Scott Bell


First draft words of wisdom- Dale Ivan Smith-Bookmark


10 dialogue tips – C S Lakin- Bookmark


What is a compelling voice-Tiffany Yates Martin

 

In The Marketing Section,

Booktok for Book Marketing- Sandra Beckwith - Bookmark


Social media strategies for authors- Rachel Thompson- Bookmark


Creating Buzz- Terry Odell- Bookmark


When your imaginary world becomes real- R J Redden


10 proven strategies to own the Amazon Algorithm- Penny Sansevieri- Bookmark

 

To Finish,

October was usually called NaNoWriMo prep month. Now with Novel November prep month continues, with lots of resources around for writers to access. Kevin Anderson has put together a collection of writing craft eBooks for Storybundle with great bonus books if you buy the whole set. It’s a win win win, writers get money, you get great books for not much, and a charity gets a dollop of cash. 


To make the most of writing resources you should read Gabriela Pereira’s article on Double Take learning. It is especially interesting if you are thinking about stretching yourself into new writing directions in November.


Don’t forget to sign up for The Alliance of Independent Authors free online 24 hour conference. This year’s theme is New Trends and the agenda is up. 

Go out there and soak up the knowledge.

 

Maureen

@craicer

 

It’s nearly time for my monthly newsletter of the best of my bookmarked links. 

You can subscribe here to join our happy band.

If you want the weekly blog in your inbox subscribe to the free Substack version.

If you like the blog and want to buy me a coffee, I appreciate the virtual coffee love. Thanks.

 

 

pic Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

 

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