Want to Succeed at Self-Publishing? Join a Writers' Group: Tips from an Indie Author
publishersweekly.com – Monday December 11, 2017
Writing a book about living with areata—a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to baldness—was a way for Deeann Callis Graham to “find some peace with what was happening to [her] physically and emotionally.” The book, Head-On, was praised by Publishers Weekly as “heartwarming” and “a powerful compilation of profiles with a sincere and encouraging message.”
Before self-publishing Head-On, Graham went to writing workshops, met other indie authors, and read widely about publishing. Although she was ready to tackle the writing and design of the book, she was caught off-guard by the demands of marketing. “Marketing is a long and arduous process that I wish I would have known more about in the beginning…Most of the marketing I do is within the alopecia areata community. My biggest surprise has been the challenge of reaching that niche audience. I thought it would be easier.”
Easy listening
thebookseller.com – Friday December 8, 2017
Agents are on my mind. At last week’s AudioBook Revolution conference, a number of agents raised concerns about how publishers are demanding audio rights when they also buy print. The charge was led from the podium by Curtis Brown agent Alice Lutyens, backed from the floor by her colleague Cathryn Summerhayes, and informed by agent Ivan Mulcahy. It was a debate I had been told no-one wanted to have. Now it feels urgent.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday December 7, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Markets: Children's; Youth
Focuses on children's books and digital content for all ages and genres. Send query by email. See website for full guidelines.
How to get published if you’re not in the know
irishtimes.com – Wednesday December 6, 2017
Everyone who works in publishing will be familiar with the phone call in which you are asked to advise a friend or friend-of-a-friend about a book they have just written. Some people might pretend to roll their eyes or grumble a little, but it is, to be honest, one of the most gratifying of moments. We all know it. Finally, you can be of some actual use to all the people with real jobs who were always happy to offer you practical help over the years when you were reading things.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Tuesday December 5, 2017
Publishes: Fiction; Poetry;
Areas include: Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
East Anglian literary magazine published biannually, with one themed and one non-themed issue each year. Publishes poetry and short stories. See website for full guidelines and any current theme.
Hachette UK buys Jessica Kingsley Publishers
thebookseller.com – Friday December 1, 2017
Thirty years after it was founded, Jessica Kingsley Publishers (JKP) has been bought by Hachette UK for an undisclosed sum.
The indie publisher specialising in social and mental health sciences is set to become an imprint of John Murray Press under Nick Davies. Its founder Jessica Kingsley will work with the company on a consultancy basis until mid-2018 when she will retire.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Monday November 27, 2017
Publishes: Poetry;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Experimental; Literary
Literary journal publishing innovative, imagistic, philosophical, and experimental poetry, drawings, collage, photography and paintings. Reads year round.
Writing a bestselling book
independent.co.uk – Friday November 24, 2017
Every author hopes their novel will earn that elusive but much-desired tag of bestseller – can there possibly be any better branding to have on your paperback, one that will open more doors, attract more readers, and set the writer on the path to fame, riches and a warm glow every time they check Amazon?
But is it possible to actually set out to write a bestseller? We could all write a novel, given enough time, inspiration, and ink and paper. It might not necessarily be a very good novel, but we can be taught the mechanics. Indeed, hundreds of thousands of would-be novelists have been trying their hand at doing just that this past month as part of National Novel Writing Month.
New Literary Agency Listing
firstwriter.com – Friday November 24, 2017
Handles: Fiction; Nonfiction
Areas: Adventure; Arts; Autobiography; Biography; Business; Cookery; Crime; Current Affairs; Fantasy; Finance; Historical; Literature; Military; Mystery; Romance; Sci-Fi; Sport; Technology
Markets: Adult; Children's; Youth
Treatments: Literary; Mainstream
Send query with synopsis and sample chapters.
Authors accuse publisher of exploiting writers by banning literary agents
dailydot.com – Thursday November 23, 2017
Tyrant Books, a little-known New York indie publisher, has just ignited a firestorm of controversy on Twitter. Authors including Chuck Wendig, John Scalzi, and Neil Gaiman are speaking out against the publisher, all thanks to this tweet:
"Dear agents, please stop sending inquiries to Tyrant. We no longer consider agented writers. Writers w/agents: feel free to send, just know you have to drop your agent if we want to sign you. Thanks,
Tyrant staff"
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