Authors and publishers must be willing to provide a well crafted and substantive product in both are to thrive and achieve financial success in the 21st century marketplace.
This takes time.
Authors must also fine and devise ways to remain in contact with our readers. The Internet becomes our godsend in this respect.
Of Fiction, Facebook and Potential Consumers of Our Writing… Read More »
[Writer’s Digest]–“What’s the most important change happening in the publishing industry right now that’s impacting the future of the author-agent relationship?”
[Agent–Paige Wheeler of Folio Literary Management]: “The change in the delivery mechanism is huge. Barriers of entry to publishing are down, and authors are able to make (their work) available to anyone with an Internet connection. It’s still a small percentage of the business, but it’s growing. ..the two biggest obstacles to success seem to be spectacular editorial content and the market capability to reach a vast audience. At Folio, we’ve been exploring opportunities (for) providing outside services (marketing, speakers services, licensing, apps) to really serve (authors’) needs.”
–Evolution of the Literary Agent, Writer’s Digest, October 2010
Agent, Paige Wheeler’s response to the question presented by the interviewer from Writer’s Digest gives a succinct summary of the new world of publishing that is available to writers and authors in connecting with readers.
Her comments also tell what we must do to be successful as career authors.
Of Apprenticeships, Marketing and Patience… Read More »
I recently read an article in the October 2010 Issue of Writer’s Digest Magazine.
While it bears the title, Evolution of the Literary Agent, one could easily substitute the word Publishing, for Literary Agent and the title would remain consistent with the content, if not more in line with and indicative of the topic(s) discussed and information given.
The four literary agents interviewed in the article, and their responses and comments leave much for any author, whether seasoned and financially successful or just starting out, to consider and ponder.
Of Agents, Publishing and Writers… Read More »
According to plot guru, Martha Alderson, plot can be viewed as either a noun or verb. She states: “Plot as noun encompasses every element of a story. Plot as verb allows conscious development of those elements.”
I invite you to visit her blog, and to follow her on Twitter. Her daily Tweets are gems of gold.
Of Plot, Nouns and Verbs… Read More »
Teaching in the NYC Public Schools was not only gratifying but also meaningful. Working with students in grades one through six for the first part of my career.
My Principal felt that I had a special talent and expertise when working with students in learning difficulties and encouraged me to get my second Master’s in Reading and Learning Disabilities. I am glad that I did. The next 19 years I worked as the Reading Specialist and then Staff Developer in both reading and writing.
The best part is I worked in the same school all of those years and the children and parents became part of my extended family.
I taught children from other countries and helped them learn to read, understand our language and excel in school. Before leaving, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I was the Dean of Discipline and helped create a Peer Mediation Program in my school.
Freedom of expression is important, and after retiring from teaching, I realized that there were many new things I could learn to do. I love writing because it allows me to express my true feelings about any subject I choose.
Why Do I Write & What Is My Process? | What Makes Me Tick?–Fran Lewis Read More »
I recently read two articles on acclaimed mystery author, Janet Evanovich, the first stating that she had requested $50 million from her then publisher St. Martin’s Press to renew her contract, the second, published some weeks later, announcing that in response to St. Martin’s had refusing the requested amount, Evanovich had subsequently returned to Bantam/Random House Publishers where she first began her career.
While the first article had ended with ponderings of whether Evanovich would receive her request from St. Martin’s, particularly in this poor economy, the second article carefully stated that no one privy to the proceedings had released details of what Evanovich would receive from Bantom/Random House.
My husband, on hearing the details of the articles, responded with, “$50 million dollars? You must have your numbers wrong. Are you sure you read the article correctly?”
Questioning the figure myself, or rather my ability to remember what I saw, I returned to the website where I had read the articles and then announced to him that I was correct. “Wow!” He shook his head, adding, “She must sell an awful lot of books,” referring to Evanovich.
And she has done that. But obviously not enough for St. Martins to grant her request.
Of Dreams, Making them Real and What We Are Willing to Pay… Read More »
When I’m asked to answer the queries — what is your process? — why do you write? I begin by saying that I come to writing as a reader. I believe it is important for me to claim that because it does explain why and how I write. I also admit that I answer this way to reinforce the notion that I am studious, scholarly, serious.
I think writing long fiction is good for me because this is what I like to read. So– when I say I’m reading, seventy-five percent of the time I am reading a novel.
But you know what? There is another bit of it.
There is something I am less eager to mention — an aspect of my personality that isn’t always desirable.
Why Do I Write & What Is My Process… | Breena Clarke Read More »