In Publishing News this week…
In the continuing war against books… a Texas county has lost their court case to ban books from their library, in consequence they are considering closing the library. (Fill in appropriate words here $#@#$@&*)
The value of books and open access to knowledge is under threat. Don’t be complacent because it is happening over there… It might happen on your doorstep next week.
Mark Williams has two related stories in The New Publishing Standard on subscription models for readers this week. Kobo plus is expanding into more countries including the UK and the US and Bookbeat had a bumper quarter after getting rid of the all you can eat subscription model, which other digital reading services use. There will a lot of eyes on this result. Is this the new model for the future of digital subscription?
This week an article on Medium by Ash Roberts caught my eye. Why web3should be part of the publishing strategy for authors. It is a meaty article on the evolution of technological advances. When these advances impact on publishing, authors should be embracing them rather than running the other way. What do you think?
Around the publishing water cooler Children’s Authors are commenting on this story of a double standard. Maggie Tokuda Hall has a lovely picture book about her grandparents who met in an internment camp published by Candlewick – Scholastic wanted it for its educational division which would apply rocket fuel to sales- however they wanted the author to make changes that in all conscience she couldn’t make. Maggie explains the Faustian bargain on offer.
Publishers Weekly spoke to a panel of children’s book editors about the longevity of the Rick Riorden effect on mid-grade books.
Kris Rusch has a post on how writers fail… they get too successful. This is an interesting look at the way success can screw up your writing goals. Are you prepared?
Kathleen McCleary posting on Writer Unboxed asks how long does it really take to write a novel? Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in six weeks… why can’t the rest of us do that?
Anne R Allen has a great guest post from Becca Puglisi on Theme and Symbolism and
Kay Di Bianca explains how to plot with post it notes. Find a handy wall…
In The Craft Section,
Understanding 3rd person point of view- Tim Grahl- Bookmark
How do you move beyond the 3 act structure- Tiffany Yates Martin- Bookmark
Have you chosen the right POV for your story- K M Weiland- Bookmark
Does your story need conflict- Angela Ackerman- Bookmark
The benefits of writing longhand- Elizabeth Craig
In The Marketing Section,
BookDesign Templates are having a sale until 17th April (midnight) Use coupon code summer23 for 30% off – (I use these interior design templates and they are great.)
Booklinker have a comprehensive post on marketing- Bookmark
Mastering amazon ads one tweak at a time- Sandra Beckwith- Bookmark
2 interesting posts for Di Ann Mills -What is a one sheet and why do you need it? and
Enlisting your readers for blog ideas.
To Finish,
Sometimes writing and publishing can feel like a slog uphill while dodging falling boulders. Writing should be fun or at least energy giving. Heather Wood has five writing habits that you should incorporate into your writing routine to shake yourself up and Colleen Story has a fun alphabet of helpful tips for writers.
Go forth and conquer that story.
Maureen
@craicer
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Pic:
Photo by British Library on Unsplash
