The week in publishing (August 15 to August 21)
Posted By Sue Collier on August 21, 2011
Here’s some of the latest in industry news and views:
From HUFFPOST Books: Publish America Scam? Misleading Claims Anger Readers, Authors
The print-on-demand publishing company Publish America is under pressure following the reaction to a promise on its website, now removed, to present to JK Rowling the work of anyone who paid them $49. A similar offer was made in regard to the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
From the Savvy Book Marketer: How to Use Skype to Sell Books
When I discovered Skype as an avenue to share my books message with children without leaving the comfort of my writing studio, I was thrilled.
From Publishers Weekly: Second Circuit Rejects “Freelance” Settlement
A two-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday rejected an $18 million settlement in the long-running class action suit filed by freelance writers following the landmark Tasini case, and in the process have likely killed the chances of a revised Google settlement.
From Publish America: Re: Cease and Desist on behalf of J.K. Rowling
Dear Mr. Hudson: I am an attorney for Publish America, LLLP (“PA”). I have been asked by my client to respond to your August 16, 2011 demand letter, which was written on behalf of your client J.K. Rowling. In that letter, you accuse PA of publicizing a promotion that invades your client’s privacy and falsely creates the impression that your client has endorsed PA’s “product”.
From the Book Designer: Authors: Why You Should Be Writing in Adobe InDesign
A recent email conversation with a new friend (who is working on her book) made it obvious that what I am doing is nearly unique. She was desiring to do the same thing—work creatively within Adobe InDesign to produce completed books almost as a fine art exercise. She couldn’t find anyone else even talking about it.
From Publishers Weekly: ‘Parachute’ Stays Relevant At 40
When your book makes it onto the Library of Congress’s “25 Books That Have Shaped Readers’ Lives” alongside books like the Bible and War and Peace, the phrase “rest on your laurels” could certainly be applicable and understandable. But that’s the last thing author Richard N. Bolles and Ten Speed Press are doing for the just released 40th anniversary edition of What Color Is Your Parachute?
From GalleyCat: NaNoWriMo Writer Lands 6-Figure Deal After 30 Rejections
In September, Erin Morgenstern will publish her debut novel, The Night Circus–a project that began as a National Novel Writing Month manuscript and endured 30 rejections from literary agents. The Wall Street Journal explored Morgenstern’s “high-six-figure advance” and her potential as a successor to J.K. Rowling, but we uncovered some practical advice for aspiring authors.
From Writing by Night: ePublishing: Does it really “count”?
I used to think digital publishing was sort of a cheat, a way to get around the obstacles of traditional publishing for those who get sick of the multiplying rejection letters. It wasn’t “real” publishing, in my mind. After all, my dream was to see my book, with some big publishing house’s insignia on the spine, on the shelves at Barnes & Noble.
From HUFFPOST Books: Sweet Humility
The character in the Masters poem “Fiddler Jones” played the fiddle at rural fairs and dances, and eked out a not-very-good living as a farmer. It was in him to make music. He did. He gave himself no particular credit for this: “The earth keeps some vibration going.” The poem’s message was that he lived and died a happy man, though he was unsuccessful in the usual meaning of the word.
From Good E Reader: Traditional vs. Digital Publishing No Longer an Exclusive Decision according to Barbara Freethy
GoodEReader.com covers a lot of news in digital publishing and ebooks, and most of that information comes directly from the industry professionals. In terms of discussing indie publishing, the best source of information is usually the author who has had a hand in developing his own self-publishing career.
From The New York Times: Amazon Set to Publish Pop Author
Amazon moved aggressively Tuesday to fulfill its new ambition to publish books as well as sell them, announcing that it had signed Timothy Ferriss, the wildly popular self-help guru for young men.
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