What a nasty week...My body decided it was
the time to lie down and let a rampant cold stomp all over me...cue tissues. I
retired from the world as far as internet was concerned. The problem with that
is, the emails still keep coming and the things to do list just gets longer.
So crawling back to my notes, made a couple
of weeks ago what interesting tidbits from the publishing blogosphere do I have
to share with you.
Penguin’s acquisition of Author Solutions
still has everyone talking.
Mike Shatzkin looks at the moves to publish in the cloud and why it makes sense if you are a small to medium sized
publishing company...here small means up to 200 titles a year.
Roni Loren recently got burned using a pic on her blog post...She talks about the hazards of pictures and how you can get
around law suits from photographers.
Porter Anderson has been checking out the author shadow career...do you have one...it’s called author platform and it
happens when you misuse the 80/20 rule. 80% networking....There are some
interesting observations in the article and check out Eion Purcells link right
at the bottom...
For those of us who like an inspirational
story Inkygirl has a link to an interview with Helaine Becker...something in
this interview for everyone.
Karen Woodward has the writers definitive must have gadget if you get your best ideas in the shower....
Rachelle Gardner has reposted her article
about top ten query mistakes. It makes good revision reading...especially
rhetorical questions that ask the agent to answer NO.
Victoria Shockley writes about what it is
like to be a virtual assistant to a bunch of writers.
Cheryl Shireman sends a thoughtful open letter to all traditionally published writers.
The magnificent Chuck Wendig has written a
thoughtful response to a question about whether writers should care....This is
worth the read to discover that Chuck can write without using any dubious
humour or needing any warnings on language...It is quite touching...grab the
tissues.
Over in the craft section,
Check out these wonderful links
Super agent Donald Maass on predictable plot turns...and how to shake them up
The write practice shows you what to do with loglines...especially when your log line doesn’t match your manuscript.
After the shock of Margaret Mahys death last week, New
Zealand children’s writers and illustrators have been discussing how best to
remember the colossus of our genre. Several writers had a bright idea to gather
in public libraries around the country and read Maragret Mahy books at 11
oclock on the 11th August...the day that there is a big public
memorial to Margaret in Auckland.
We would like to throw this date and time
open to the world so wherever you are across the time zones...at 11’oclock on
the 11th grab a Margaret Mahy story...there are over 200...find some
kids or read to yourself and remember this remarkable storyteller and the
impact she has made on children’s literature around the world. You can let us know what you are doing on the official website where you can get a cool poster
and craft activity.