Writing Roundup
I’m wishing you a happy Monday with a set of good read for the week. Enjoy!
The New Austerity in Publishing
Like other industries, publishing appears to be tightening its belt. Gone (for now) are the big expense accounts and annual raises. I think this is a temporary measure, and things will return to what has been considered normal after a few years of belt tightening.
Publishers Keep Bidding High on New Books
It looks as if the world of the mid-level author will remain the same, as publishing houses use the blockbusters to subsidize the smaller selling titles. That is good news to those of us who may have been a little worried at the staffing cuts at the big guys. That does bring up a question, though. If publishing houses are putting out the same number of books with less staff, does that mean more of an editing burden will fall on the author?
The Worst of Being an Editor
This little list made me laugh. I spent 12 years editing academic research journals and magazines for a nonprofit publisher, so I feel the Blood Red Pencil’s pain. I once drew an apostrophe on a menu for a frequent lunch hangout because I just couldn’t stand it anymore.
What’s a Slush Pile Anyway?
I’ve always wondered about the slush pile. You read books and stories about the glamorous discovery of an author in the slush pile. But does it really exist? Apparently it does, at least for literary agent Rachelle Gardner. I echo her thankfulness that the pile is now virtual rather than physical.
Resolutions
Ya gotta love writers. Not only do we make new year’s resolutions, but we also write them down and revisit them toward the end of the year. Here is one such example.
Instant Rejection
This is an old post, but it is evergreen info. Please don’t make these mistakes. In fact, don’t even make the mistakes Janet mentions in the last paragraph. She may overlook them if everything else in the pitch is golden, but why give an editor or agent a reason to form reject you?
A Fiction Book Proposal
Great tips for preparing your proposal. Of course, make sure you check the submission guidelines for the agent/publishing house before you send your proposal–just to make sure you know exactly what they want and the right person to receive it. Previous posts have discussed query letters and the nonfiction book proposal.
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Categories: Uncategorized, writing