Good Books Are Worth the Wait Tim Schaffner in Publishing Perspectives asks why writers are in so much of a hurry. Writing and reading takes time.
Links of the week June 11 2012 (24)
Our new feature links to interesting blogs or articles posted online, which will help keep you up to date with what's going on in the book world:
18 June 2012
Perhaps you read the article in the New York Times last month (Saturday, May 12) titled: Writer's Cramp: In the E-Reader Era a Book a Year is Slacking. Tim Schaffner In short the premise was that publishers are having to crack the whip on their already bestselling authors to produce more product for the voracious appetites of the "impatient readers who have become used to downloading any e-book at the touch of a button." My response to this is: "What's the rush?"
Value of Self-Publishing is the "Blind Spot in the Market" Another thoughtful piece from Publishing Perspectives, this time from Editor-in-Chief Edward Nawotka, who looks at the Bowker figures showing 124,700 self-published titles in the total of 211,269 titles published in the US in 2011.
If you're a first-timer walking the halls of BookExpo AmericaBookExpo America, commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA. The largest annual book trade fair in the United States, you might feel a bit assaulted by the number of self-published writers pitching their books to whomever they can pigeonhole for a second (it's especially egregious in the press room). Veterans are used to it, though it is no less a distraction from the day-to-day work of the conference. But if you felt there were even more self-published authors on hand than in previous years - statistically speaking, you're likely right:
11 June 2012
Ebook revolution can kindle a passion for publishing Agent Ed Victor on why he decided to publish books.
Many people have asked me why I, a literary agent, decided to publish books. The short answer is %u201Cto better serve my authors%u201D. The long answer requires a little backstory on how the publishing business has changed in recent years.
US to Face Domestic Competition from Overseas Digital Publishers Publishing Perspectives on why American should watch out asforeign publihsers are starting to look at ways on getting into the American market.
America, watch out. In an attitude switch from recent years, foreign publishers are looking at ways to create market opportunities and exploit the rich digital market in the US. And it starts with the devaluing of foreign rights deals by the growing e-book distribution markets across the globe. flags of the world "Territorial rights barriers can't stand and are falling," said David Cully, President of retail markets and EVP of Merchandising for US book distributor Baker & Taylor during yesterday's Publishers Launch conference as part of BookExpo AmericaBookExpo America, commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA. The largest annual book trade fair in the United States. "When a book goes on sale, it goes on sale - if you go online on the internet, rights are being violated each in their own way. I think the market will deal with it financially. Publishers are recognizing that the rights they once acquired, will have a different value."
What Makes a Children's Book Great? We Have Some Answers from the first children's book conference run by Scholastic and Publishing Perspectives
A great book is...
1. One that contains a simple and original idea presented with clarity and great power.
2. One that connects with the reader, asserting its world directly into the reader's mind.
3. One that makes the world seem larger and more interesting.
4. One written with humor and a light touch.
5. One that is a realization of a complete but very different world.
What makes a children's book great? Publishing Perspectives, along with host Scholastic Inc., held its inaugural children's publishing conference yesterday, May 31, in New York City, in attempt to answer that very question. And while the subject may not have been settled definitively, the sold-out crowd of 230 writers, agents, and publishing professionals were treated to a morning of illuminating discussion.