It’s Banned Books Week and some top writers have been interviewed on how they feel about having their books banned. I remember a NZ writers comment about having his children’s book banned in the US. Sales went through the roof!
A challenged book, placed on a list gets noticed. This in the hands of a
canny publicity team can ensure that these books get a huge profile. A children’s book on the banned list is usually pointing to society expectations that we protect children from
reality. Is it what the characters say that is upsetting or what the book asks
children to consider...or the setting of these books?
The NY Times interviewed Lois Lowry, author of The Giver, one of the most banned books in the
last 30 years. Tamora Pierce adds her insightful comments at the end. Katherine Paterson is also interviewed on the risks of great literature. Her books regularly turn up on banned book lists.
Take a look at Amazon’s list of banned children’s books, it is a who’s
who of famous children’s authors.
This week Nicola Morgan has been talking about copywrite education. Try to explain to kids that
downloading pirated books and movies actually benefit big corporations and not
the creators...It is a great article and should be passed around...let’s get
some education out there...
The UK children’s booksellers conference has just wrapped up and there was a digital focus as gaming companies addressed publishers about unlocking the rights and getting
together to exploit all the storytelling opportunities...
Author Platform is
getting another airing with Rachelle Gardner commenting on author collectives and platforms. Everybody shares, everybody reaps benefits...
Chris Brogan has the
essential how to do an author platform now, list of do’s...and don’t bothers...
For those flirting
with indie publishing,
Joel Friedman has a great post on mono typefaces...and
Shannon of the mega helpful Duolit girls has 3 common mistakes to avoid when indie publishing.
Does your novel have rising tension...how can you tell? Publishing Crawl has the answer...drop your
story plot points into this graph...(for those writers that love info graphics.)
If you are looking at
your finished manuscript and wondering what next, check it over for these common editing mistakes and what to do about them.
Last weekend Karaveer Writing School had their first rewriting and editing course and it was a great
success. So another popular course gets added to the portfolio. There is an
advanced course coming up in November for published novel writers, a master
class tune up which has a couple of places left.
In the craft list,
Don’t leave your characters in limbo, develop the setting...
Ten ways to barf a book...just get that first draft out there and on a simila theme Jane Friedman says Kitchen sink it!
Angela Ackerman has
gathered all her great craft resources posted on twitter together...
Martina from
Adventures in Children’s and YA publishing has the Go To post on Concept...It all begins in line one!
Seekerville has the best post on keeping reader empathy and I know my writing mentors will be
waving it at me....
How is your
productivity? Could it use a little tune up?
Dana Sita has got a productivity routine that works for her...maybe you should try it or you can
immerse yourself in Chuck Wendigs 25 ways to get your creative groove back...(warning it is Chuck!)
To finish,
and to refresh your
memory...the following video is on basic plots....and everyone of them has
shown up on the banned books list...
maureen
pic from pic from http://www.flickr.com/photos/takomabibelot/2875992647/
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