It has been a week filled with lots of bad news about layoffs and downsizing at many media outlets and publishing houses.
In the spirit of “This, too, shall pass,” though, I’m not linking to the bad news and sensationalism. Instead, I’m looking to the future. The growth of electronic books will mean changes for novel and nonfiction book writers. The increased acceptance of online media will mean changes for article writers. So we look at the predictions and the information we have now and make our decisions about how we will progress with our writing careers.
Google & the Future of Books
A research librarian’s take on Google’s digitization of the global library. Robert Darnton discusses whether Google library is a fulfillment of the Enlightenment’s promise of information freedom.
Day One: New FOIA Rules
The Columbia Journalism Review presents a discussion of President Obama’s call for greater transparency in government and more responsiveness to Freedom of Information Act document requests.
Tasty Tomes: Writers’ Favorite Recipes
WTF, you might be thinking. This is an interesting article about a less-than-interesting topic, celebrity cookbooks. But, the writers who have submitted their favorite recipes are engaging in some great platform-building. (Come back Friday for more about platform, as I review Get Known Before the Book Deal.) Inclusion in a cookbook or some other sort of anthology could bring you new readers; some might even end up being your strongest brand champions.
Evil Editor
This blog pulls no punches in critiquing writing. It’s fun and a little frightening, and it contains some good hints if you can internalize the criticism and see how it applies to your own work.
When You’re Writing a Book…
The comments are actually the gold mine here, as commenters discuss the premise that you should be thinking about marketing while you are writing. I have envisioned the iTunes playlist I will post when my vampire novel is published (yes, I have to finish it first–more on that Wednesday). What marketing ideas have you come up with while you write?
Well, I guess appearing in a cookbook is an interesting and different way to market yourself. But really? Do you really think you could get new readers that way?
It’s not something I thought of before, but why not? There’s little to lose for the potential gain. Think of different places and ways you can get your name and your book title out there.
I’m of two minds about the way technology is affecting writers and readers. I absolutely love (paper) books and I don’t like the idea that they might not be around much longer. On the other hand, using technology is more cost-efficient and better for the environment. It’s a tough one but we have to move forward.
I’m torn, too. But I want a new gadget, so I’m hoping to try out an e-reader.