Crime writers mystified by Colm TóibÃn’s criticism
irishtimes.com – Tuesday July 23, 2019
Colm Tóibín aggravated a long-standing literary sore point last weekend when he told a Guardian interviewer: “I can’t do thrillers and I can’t do spy novels.”
Asked which books he felt were most overrated, he said: “I can’t do any genre-fiction books, really, none of them. I just get bored with the prose. I don’t find any rhythm in it. It’s blank, it’s nothing; it’s like watching TV.”
He does not, in fact, watch television. “I don’t have a TV. Everyone talks about the golden age of American TV but it’s done nothing for me.”
'Ridiculed and not taken seriously': why fan fiction deserves more credit
smh.com.au – Saturday July 20, 2019
When Astrid Scholte was a teenager she was enthralled by the science fiction television series Farscape, a sweeping intergalactic space opera. She couldn't get enough.
The internet was a smaller universe in 2000, but online Scholte discovered a trove of fictional stories inspired by the characters and world of the show, written by other obsessed fans.
Soon, Scholte started studiously writing her own "episodes" to broaden the dimensions of her favourite television show.
"I didn't realise what I was doing was fan fiction. I did not realise there was a term distinctly defined back then," Scholte says.
These days, Scholte receives her own notes from fans after publishing her debut young adult fantasy novel Four Dead Queens in March.
Writing Jobs
benzinga.com – Saturday July 20, 2019
Are you a talented wordsmith? Writing careers offer many different job titles, roles and can also offer a lot of flexibility through full-time work or part-time gigs. We’ve researched various writing jobs, their pay and what both the current and future job market look like. Read on for our best tips to learn how you can find a writing job that matches your skills.
Main Takeaways: Getting a Writing Job
- Writing is a diverse field. From creative to technical, there is a type of writing that fits almost all interests.
- You don’t necessarily need a degree. You can get a writing job from studying English in college, or you can put together a portfolio of work.
- There are many skills that make someone successful in writing. We explore this and more, including job listings, below.
Audible's Captions Program Stirs Fears, Frustration Among Publishers
publishersweekly.com – Saturday July 20, 2019
“Outrageous” and “copyright infringement” were the first two (unsolicited) emails PW received from independent publishers when word of Audible’s new program to run text along side its audiobooks began to spread. The program, called Captions, which requires the company to transcribe audio to text, was highlighted in a story in USA Today with a headline touting that Audible is looking to let customers “ ‘read’ an audiobook while [they] listen.” While the company disputes that description, saying Captions is not at all akin to the act of reading, publishers, literary agents, and organizations representing authors are skeptical.
While Audible said in a statement that Captions “does not replicate or replace the print or eBook reading experience,” publishers are unconvinced. “There are real copyright issues here and authors, publishers, and agents should review and clarify their positions,” said Dominique Raccah, CEO of Sourcebooks. “It seems unlikely that Audible was granted these rights.”
Adventures in Script-Writing
counterpunch.org – Friday July 19, 2019
Over the years I’ve had approximately twenty scripts produced at small theaters in and around Hollywood and Orange County. None of these plays were celebrated or spectacular, mind you, just some offbeat comedies (in what might be called the “minimalist” tradition) that were fortunate enough to attract modest audiences willing to pay $25.
Live theater, particularly when you’re doing original scripts, is a fascinating process. You start by submitting a script to the artistic director of a theater. If they agree to produce it, you hold auditions, cast the roles, conduct rehearsals (usually four to six weeks), have your “tech week” (where the cast dresses in their costumes, and all the technical stuff—lights, musical cues, and special effects—are integrated into the performance), followed by opening night. Which is both exhilarating and terrifying.
Original plays are also challenging in ways that established plays are not. The difference between an actor doing material by a dead playwright like Arthur Miller or Agatha Christie, and doing material by a famous but living playwright like Christopher Durang or Beth Henley, is that the actor is never going to suggest to the director that the script be changed. Not in his or her wildest dreams would they suggest such a thing. (“Can’t we shorten that speech by Hamlet?” Make it lighter?”)
New Publisher Listing
firstwriter.com – Friday July 19, 2019
Publishes: Fiction; Nonfiction; Poetry;
Areas include: Short Stories;
Markets: Adult
Publishes novels, textbooks, poetry, short stories, photo essays, graphic novels, short-form personal essays and long-form nonfiction work. Query via form on website.
WGA’s fight with agents enters Act 2, but there’s no end in sight
latimes.com – Friday July 19, 2019
Like many of his peers, writer Rasheed Newson, a co-executive producer on the Showtime drama “The Chi,” was supportive of his union’s efforts to rein in some of the aggressive practices of talent agencies.
But three months after the Writers Guild of America told members to fire their agents, Newson is growing frustrated with the lack of progress in resolving a dispute that has consumed Hollywood.
New Magazine Listing
firstwriter.com – Thursday July 18, 2019
Publishes: Fiction; Poetry;
Areas include: Short Stories;
Markets: Adult;
Preferred styles: Literary
Punk-influenced broadsheet journal based in Cape Cod and Pittsburgh. Publishes material both in print and online. Send one or two unpublished stories or up to five unpublished poems, by email. See website for full guidelines and separate email address for poetry submissions.
U.S. Publishers Report Nearly $1 Billion in Sales as Strong Industry Growth Continues
benzinga.com – Wednesday July 17, 2019
NEW YORK, July 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Audio Publishers Association released the results from their annual sales survey, conducted by independent research firm Management Practice Inc., which revealed that the strong growth the audiobook industry has seen in recent years continues. Based on information from responding publishers, U.S. audiobook sales in 2018 totaled $940 million, up 24.5% from the previous year, with a corresponding 27.3% increase in units. This continues the seven-year trend of double-digit revenue growth in audiobooks year over year.
Grammarly will now tell you if your writing is bland
news.yahoo.com – Wednesday July 17, 2019
Grammarly has announced that its text Editor tool will not only check your grammar correctness and spelling, but also warn you if your writing is bland or lacking in conciseness.
Since the company was founded over 10 years ago, Grammarly has offered students, professionals, and anyone who types on a computer an AI-powered grammar tool that helps them write and spell correctly. This week the company announced that its browser extension, web, and desktop Grammarly Editor apps are getting an update that will do more than just keep users' texts mistake-free, it will also encourage them to write smoothly and more concisely.
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