Publishing News Roundup Series: Game of Thrones and Illustrators on Nielsen
by Maureen Crisp • May 25, 2015 • Follow
Published in News, Publishing Tips • 11 comments
Taking A Stand
Pic: Flickr /Creative Commons- David – Joan of Arc
This week my Twitter feed began filling up with comments about that Game Of Thrones episode. Quite a few writers castigated using violence/rape against women, as a motivating factor in advancing the story or the character of the hero, as lazy storytelling. Chuck Wendig compared how the latest MAD MAX film and the GOT episode treated violence against women as a motivating factor. He makes excellent points and my hat is off to him for
raising this issue.
raising this issue.
Should Illustrators be credited in the Nielson ratings? This question has started a lot of comment, mostly along the lines of Whaaat? You mean they aren’t? or It’s about time! or This is a debate? Porter Anderson takes a look at the issue and held a #futurechat on it this week. Nielson claim it is too difficult to credit
illustrators. It is all about the metadata, folks.
illustrators. It is all about the metadata, folks.
Are literary journals in trouble? Jane Friedman examines the way literary journals are run and
whether they will still be around in a decade. Can they afford to rest on their laurels as print gatekeepers in today’s digital age? The comments make interesting reading. Would you accept rejections for 10 years until they took one of your pieces?
whether they will still be around in a decade. Can they afford to rest on their laurels as print gatekeepers in today’s digital age? The comments make interesting reading. Would you accept rejections for 10 years until they took one of your pieces?
Kris Rusch wrote this week about what it is like to stand up for yourself as a writer to your agent or editors. When you have to burn the bridges to get out of a toxic relationship that will harm your career. She has great advice and is well worth reading from a writer beware point of view.
James Scott Bell has responded to a post by Porter Anderson on the proliferation of writing services to authors. Are they worth it? Can
writing be taught? Is the digital revolution, widely trumpeted as the best time to be an author, like the gold rush? The only rich people on the gold fields were the guys selling shovels. Lots of comments on both these provocative
posts.
writing be taught? Is the digital revolution, widely trumpeted as the best time to be an author, like the gold rush? The only rich people on the gold fields were the guys selling shovels. Lots of comments on both these provocative
posts.
Mike Shatzkin has put a stake in the ground. He lists what Publishers need to do if they really want to tackle digital publishing. Although he is focused on Traditional Publishers his list of important points are good for Indie Publishers to take a look at.
In the Craft Section,
K M Weiland has two great posts on finding the perfect midpoint of your novel and the story climax.
Jody Calkins has 5 keys to great storytelling.
Kristen Lamb has a post on story structure.
Now Novel has a post on romance writing mistakes and a list of the best Sci Fi research sites for authors.
Janice Hardy has a great post overview on what a good YA should have and Hugh Howey tackles YA from a different perspective.
In the Marketing Section,
Penny Sansievieri has a great post on timing an Amazon preorder.
Anne R Allen has a must read post on Reviews – Don’t pay for them and what is considered payment – this surprised me. (Bookmark)
Kristen Lamb has a post on pen names. When do you absolutely need one?
7 ways Authors are using Instagram– The Book Designer
DBW is analysing 12 publishers websites. If you want to see how your website stacks up take a look at the criteria.
Publishing Crawl has a post on author photos. How to choose the best shots.
Apple has a new starter kit out for using iBooks.
Sue Coletta talks about what to do when pursuing the Trad Publishing dream.
Website of the Week
Storybundle is a website that offers curated bundles of eBooks. These bundles mean that authors get a bigger share of the pie, they
also support charity and you get some great reading. The bundles are up for a limited time. This week Kris Rusch has curated a bundle of writing craft books.
also support charity and you get some great reading. The bundles are up for a limited time. This week Kris Rusch has curated a bundle of writing craft books.
Included are some I have had my eye on for a while. So now I own 10 for the price of the 4 I was thinking of. A present to myself for my 350th blog post.*
To Finish,
Alex Cavanaugh founded the Insecure Writers website which has grown from strength to strength. All writers suffer from insecurity at some time or other. She has a great post on taking small steps to conquer insecurity in your craft and move forward and maybe take a stand…
Maureen
@craicer
@craicer
About Maureen Crisp
Maureen Crisp has been writing her weekly publishing roundups for over seven years. She is a traditionally published children's author as well as indie-published. She lives in New Zealand and is heading the team organising the 4th National Conference of Children's Writers and Illustrators. She is currently trying her hand at writing a children’s book series if she can drag herself away from forever tweaking her Mars novel or obsessing over space.