In the news this week Nate Hoffelder examines Amazons
surprise new move that has authors mad and perplexed. Amazon owns Goodreads and
Authors have been used to running giveaways of their Print books for no money
at all. Now Amazon want to extend giveaways to eBooks. Before you cheer... Amazon
wants to charge you a lot for the privilege.
Porter Anderson has an interesting article on Publishing
Perspectives on Amazon creating a new imprint for short fiction... from famous
writers.
This week there was a lively discussion over on Passive Guys
blog about how Indie booksellers came to thrive in the current book market, defying expectation.
Christmas season seems to start earlier and earlier every
year. This week on the blogosphere blog posts were appearing with lists of
gifts for writers. If you want to get a head start on gift buying for a writer
check out Chucks Gift List... (Warning it’s Chuck so be prepared.)
Hannah Holt has an interesting post on how to make a living as a children’s writer. As a children’s writer myself, we all want to know how
to do it.
One of the regular discussions in the children’s writing
world is how to get boys to read. Lili Wilkinson has an impassioned article that we are reinforcing that boys don’t read because we are making a big thing
about it. I found myself nodding all through it. Read it and see if you agree.
If you are a writer you have to develop a thick skin. I
really hate that saying but I think I hate it because I recognise it to be
true. Marie McCann has an interesting blog post to help you deal with thecritics.
Ruth Harris has put together and A-Z of interesting and informative blog posts for authors... This is one of those bookmark posts full
of goodies.
Chris Fox has written some great guides on the Indie Author
life but this week he posted a short video about the stuff no one really talks about. The pressures that come with being a successful author.
Joanna Penn has been rounding up some great content on her
blog recently. James Haight guest posted with an article on crowd funding for authors. This is a really in depth look at how to do it. Joanna recently
interviewed the two Mark’s behind the Bestseller Experiment. They talk about
how they wrote published and marketed a bestseller in 52 weeks using in depth
analysis of what works.
September Faulkes has a great craft post on hiding what the main character knows from the reader. This is one of those posts that explains
how to do that nifty surprise switch that leaves you in awe of the writer.
In The Craft Section,
6 pillars of writer education- Art Newcomb- Bookmark
Tips for writing cross genre fiction- Casis Schreyer
Keeping your characters compelling- Janice Hardy- Bookmark
How authors can write faster- Bibliocrunch
How to make every character detail count- and Successful Query Pitch-Angela Ackerman-Bookmark
How to write funny- K M Weiland- Bookmark
What writing to market means- Holly Evans
In The Marketing Section,
Social Media content tips- Frances Caballo- Bookmark
Facebook advertising tips- Joanna Penn
Preorder strategy to build book platform- Bookbub- Bookmark
Writing effective query letters- Write to Done
To Finish,
Write to Done has compiled a handy list of writing and blogging tools. If you are looking for anything writing software related take a
look at the list.
McSweeney’s humour blog has taken a stab at how authors can ask people to buy their book. This will have authors laughing... in sympathy. (Just
don’t take their advice!!)
Maureen
@craicer
I round up the best of the bookmarked craft and marketing links as well as some other bits and pieces every month. When you subscribe you will also get a nifty book crammed full with marketing notes. My speech is done... The feeling of relief! Thanks to all of you who hit the coffee tab during the month.
Pic: Flickr Creative Commons- Tory
