At the beginning of
the year no one was thinking about the merger of any of the big six...
or the
move by any more of the big 5 to acquire ‘boutique author publishing services’
after the debacle that was Harlequins acquiring of a ‘boutique author
publishing service’ where they thoughtfully (after their authors screamed at
them) changed the name and the aims of the service...imprint...press...tho they
carefully kept the fees to publish with them.
So why, after seeing
the map of the last few years, is Simon and Schuster partnering with Author Solutions to
have an ‘imprint,’ Archway, where you can access their services at truly
eyewatering prices to publish your book? (Children’s writers you will be
slightly better off... only up to $8K.)
Victoria Strauss from Writer Beware...lays out the numbers and asks WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS??? (Share
this around people and let newbies know...)
Victoria also
highlights a disturbing little sentence found in Publishers Weekly coverage of
the launch of Archway.
"S&S will refer authors who
submit unsolicited manuscripts to the Archway program."
Laura Hazard Owen of PaidContent also takes a magnifying glass to this latest move. As authors and
commentators scratch their heads over this latest move by a big 5-er (or soon
to be 4)... think about this little side journey...Penguin own Author
Solutions...
Mike Shatzkin makes some compelling arguments for the benefits of merging Random Penguin style...think 50% of the bestsellers out there...now think of your local big
box store...now put the two together...
The great blogger Passive Guy has taken a look at new moves in the journey to get their case heard by Harlequin authors bringing a class action against the publisher. He
outlines the stops on the way and how the destination will change the landscape
for all authors out there.
While Amazon (behemoth
and outside the big 6,5,4...) has been squabbling about paying tax in Europe...coz their office is in tax haven Luxembourg, they have also been expanding
their publishing company. They are moving into Europe and will be expanding
publishing operations in France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK... however
their head office will be in...(go on, pick the country.) PaidContent has the low down on what it all means.
Rachelle Gardner asks
if you have imposter syndrome...and I must say I often do...I’m also guilty of
going back to the beginning syndrome in my writing journey.
Krissy looks at traits of highly sucessful writers...they could have a map!
Tali Rowland looks at
ways to break through and write when you really don’t want to....
L M Preston has the
must read unique paths to publication plan of attack.
If you hate writing a character what do you do... Roz Morris gives advice
Writer Unboxed has an
interview with two new children’s lit agents.
Long time readers of
this blog will know I am interested in the power of author collectives as a force for good...and so it was with great interest that I read, While Publishers Play Safe Authors Create The Brands Of The Future from Roz Morris. Go on, shout
Hurrah!
Imagine going on a road
trip with your best buddies...this is what an author collective could be.
In the craft section, this
week plenty to interest you...
When Muse and Plan collaborate. This is a great post from a guest on Larry Brooks Storyfix
website.
Adapting story structure for any project...this looks at using Save The Cat in all sorts of
ways.
Writing Tense Action Scenes...from a Thriller Editor.
Ava Jae on writing REAL characters
In the marketing
section,
To finish,
Today Publishing
Perspectives and Scholastic joined together to have a one day conference
looking at YA. Check out #PPteen on Twitter to get comments from the YA Lit
community on New Adult lit..sales...and quotes that should be on tee shirts!
maureen
pic from yesterday’s
little event, down the road from me.
