Conversation Starters

I’m always up for a good conversation and there are many happening in the publishing blogosphere this week.

Publishing Perspectives' recent one day conference had people talking about what’s happening next in YA.

Quite a few people are talking about Amazon’s latest initiative, a subscription service targeting... KIDS?

Curtis Brown (respected literary agency) are partnering with Amazon in a new initiative...the conversations are just getting started on this breaking news. Are we getting into the murky waters of agent publishers?

Smashwords are talking up Apple iBookstore move into Australia and New Zealand.

Anne R Allen has had some big conversations about her blog post this last week on the changes in the publishing industry due to the Kindle and how the algorithms, to become a best seller, on Amazon have changed Indie Publishing.

Artistsroad is having a conversation on Kickstarter for Authors...is it worth it?

Bubblecow has an interesting conversation on giving your book away for free. Why would you do it?

Porter Anderson has gathered quite a few conversations about the Publishing Future along with Jane Friedman who has a conversation about curation and best business links for Authors.

Publishing Perspectives has a conversation going on e-serials and how they are turning into the next big thing!

NY Times is talking with bookshops about the shunning of Amazon published books and and what it all means for sales.

In Craft

Agents are telling anyone who will listen what to do at revision time...listen up all you NaNoWriMo-ers...

Roz Morris always a great conversationalist has a pursuasive argument on how to be original in your writing.

Steve Laube wants to tell you about fair use and permissions to copy another authors work. When do you need them?

The wonderful Children’s Publishing Blog is having a great conversation on making your characters totally loved.

The superb K M Weiland talks about the 10 lessons she learned while writing her novel Dreamlander (which took 12 years) and each lesson is a conversation in itself.

In Marketing,

Bob Mayer has a great post on using your storyboard to market your book...This is one of those lightbulb learning conversations.

Metadata is a scary conversation but necessary for all publishers (that’s you, Indie author) to understand so get yourself over to 

Publishing Perspectives and listen in on 13 tips about how to use metadata effectively.

The Book Designer wants to tell you about 5 things to consider in Book Cover Design...first up Genre!

Have you wondered about selling books off your own site? The Passive Guy has a great conversation about the pitfalls and plums of doing it all yourself.

The Bookshelfmuse is doing more than talking they are having a huge Be Nice To Others Promotion on their blog where you can nominate people to get a present from the Christmas Elf. Go and check it out.

Ebookfriendly is NOT talking. They are showing! They have a cool infographic showing the biggest themes in bestsellers.

So what issue on this list gets you talking?

maureen

Pic from Lovelornpoets /flickr

An Unexpected Journey...

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...

Skill lists for character motivation

6 types of courageous characters

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

6 non writing things that may improve your writing.

In the marketing section,

13 ways to find new readers for your books

Genre Zines

Improving international ebook sales.

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.