
Steven Pinker: 'Many of the alleged rules of writing are actually superstitions'
theguardian.com – Tuesday October 6, 2015

People often ask me why I followed my 2011 book on the history of violence, The Better Angels of Our Nature, with a writing style manual. I like to say that after having written 800 pages on torture, rape, world war, and genocide, it was time to take on some really controversial topics like fused participles, dangling modifiers, and the serial comma.
Inside Traditional Publishing: "Divorcing" Your Agent – When It's Time to Say Goodbye
huffingtonpost.com – Tuesday October 6, 2015
For many authors, the thought of voluntarily ending their relationship with their literary agent can be heartbreaking – especially if their agent search was long and difficult, or if they genuinely like their agent. But like a marriage, sometimes what initially looked like an ideal pairing turns out otherwise.

Is self-publishing the new black?
newsok.com – Sunday October 4, 2015

As an author, Jordan Dane, a former energy sales manager in Oklahoma, has had experience with publishing houses as well as self-publishing. She compares the benefits of self-publishing to what a traditional publisher might offer.

How a Digital Publisher Fell Back in Love With Print Books
publishersweekly.com – Sunday October 4, 2015

I've fallen in love with printed books. Again. Especially those for children.
Twenty years into my book publishing career—which included marketing for trade book publishers and founding a children's imprint—I had the opportunity to go digital, move into the future, hang out with the cool guys, play games, do the bicoastal thing, and grow a ponytail.

5 Truths to Contemplate Before You Start Writing Your Book
entrepreneur.com – Saturday October 3, 2015

"Writing a book is easy and will impress most of the people you meet."
After reading that in an article lately I gave a moment's thought to retiring my laptop and getting a job at the local bookstore.
OF WORDS AND WILL | I’m Just a Manuscript: Part Two
cornellsun.com – Thursday October 1, 2015
This week I'm continuing my overview of the book publishing industry. If you missed the beginning of the list, check out my last post.
Today I'm focusing on interns and agents within a literary agency and leaving the rest of the process for later posts so I can give it the space it deserves. But for now, read below to find out what happens to your manuscript within a literary agency!

What Writing His First Novel Taught Author Ted Bell About Writing His Ninth Novel
huffingtonpost.com – Wednesday September 30, 2015

"I can't predict what's going to happen with movie deals but I can predict what's going to happen with Putin."
After he said it over the phone, author Ted Bell and I chuckled. It was mid-morning on a Monday. Bell and I could hear one another over the line, sipping our coffee (he in Northern California, I in Southern California). We were wrapping up a telephone interview on Bell's writing career and the release of his new book Patriot.
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