In Publishing News this week…
Publishers Weekly reports that advocates, Library Futures, have some new language for laws about eBook licensing for libraries. With judges previously weighing in that publisher eBook contracts for libraries were unfair, this could be a popular lifeline for everyone instead of a lawsuit.
Publishing Perspectives has an interesting news item from Nielsen that print publishing was almost back to pre Covid levels in the UK. In their wide ranging report about book sales in 2022 there were other little items of interest, paperbacks are back and so is horror. They also asked everyone where they got their book recommendations from.
Everyone has heard of BookTok by now. Have you ever wondered if the influencers get paid for their viral book reviews? Not always and not by the publishers. Vox has an in-depth article on the money behind the viral videos.
You have probably seen gift books with the child’s name personalised in it. Mark Williams of The New Publishing Standard writes about a Spanish publisher who is taking it the next step further with AI.
Jane Friedman has an ask the editor feature on her popular blog. This week she has a post responding to a memoir writer who is worried about lawsuits.
This week Sandra Beckwith decided to play along with a publishing predator and details the elaborate bait and switch tactics they were trying on her. She also details red flags to watch out for.
Joanna Penn has a fascinating interview with Joseph Nassise on writing diversification, emerging technologies and multiple streams of income. Joseph is traditionally published but has lots of other writing side gigs.
This week one of my favourite writing podcasts – Wish I’d Know Then had an interview with Emilia Rose and Michael Evans. They have started a new subscription platform, Ream.Ink, for writers launching in May. In the episode they talk about how subscriptions can be used to test ideas and enhance the reader journey and the tools they have developed for writers. It is a great interview with lots of tips around managing subscriptions, emails, and content delivery, especially if you want to host your own serial writing.
If you are interested in serial writing -check out Lulu.com’s blog post about the best places to publish serials online currently.
Recently Written Word Media published and excellent article on How to make a book marketing plan. This is one for the print out and keep file.
Anne R Allen has an interesting blog post on writing for the web. Different formats apply. As I was reading it I was struck by the comment that the modern paragraph has been shortened because of the web. If you are a certain age you will remember the rules on paragraphs which feed into essays. Web content has changed the way we read and write now.
In The Craft Section,
Creating more authentic characters- Daniel Parsons- Bookmark
The importance of a great opening- Lucy V Hay- Bookmark
Two great posts from K M Weiland-Two ways to write organic themes and How to write interesting scenes-Bookmark
When your book is about too many things -Stephanie Morrill
How to read body language- Sue Coletta- Bookmark
In The Marketing Section,
How to ask for book reviews and why you should- Liz Alterman- Bookmark
What IP rights do I have- Kelley Way
6 ways to overcome interview fright- Alison Nissen
5 ways to build your writer platform- Lucy V Hay- Bookmark
Back cover copy formula- Sue Coletta
To Finish,
Cory Doctorow somehow finds time to write amazing prescient tech thrillers while writing daily longform blogs on how corporates have too much tech power over our lives. Cory has long been a campaigner for freedom from DRM. Because of various DRM issues with Audible’s contract terms he funds and produces his own audiobooks. His latest thriller is set in the world of cryptocurrency. His novels have scenarios that then tend to play out in reality. Keeping an eye on Cory’s work is a way of seeing the future which can give you a heads up in preparing for it.
Maureen
@craicer
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