Resources and tips for the self-published author.

Publishing News Roundup Series: Penguin Random House Expands into Southeast Asia

by Maureen Crisp •  November 5, 2018  •   Follow

Published in News  •  No comments

 

As Penguin continues to expand many wonder the effects on smaller publishers and self publishing.

If traditional publishing gets into every worldwide book market, it leaves many to wonder what share will be left for self pub and small publishers. On the other hand, could spreading of traditional  publishing help self publishing?

 

Cracking Nuts

 

 
In publishing news or rumours this week… Barnes and Noble might have a possible sale. The potential buyer has raised some eyebrows tho.

 

Last week I linked to Publish Drive’s article on Asian markets and how we should keep an eye on them. This week Penguin Random announced that they were opening a branch in South East Asia. Watch the new Asian scramble for voices and deals begin…

 

While Penguin Random are setting up shop… with deep pockets, Publishing Perspectives had an opinion piece from a new publisher about how not to start a publishing company. This is a timely read if you are thinking about doing the same.

 

Fearless champion of the Indie and scourge of scammers David Gaughran has a post this week warning of new ploys from the scammers who were thrown out of KU. This is a must read if you are advertising or selling on Amazon. 

 

Anne R Allen also has a warning post on how to distinguish the good guys from the bad in publishing. The game is always the same… fleece the vulnerable… the ploys are always changing. Read it and share with others.
 
Aeon has a long form essay on Translators. Are they the servant of the text or are they originators? This is interesting as AI is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Do we want a straight translation or do we want a sense of the original lyrical expression?

 

Jane Friedman links to two great essay on avoiding exoticism when you write immigrant characters. There is much food for thought in this post. The quote from Rudine Sims Bishop certainly brought me up short. “When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.

 

 As a children’s writer and teacher this is engraved on my bones… I wonder sometimes how some adult writers get away with casual stereotyping in characters. 

In The Craft Section,

The brilliance of backstory slip ins– Margie Lawson -Bookmark
 
 
The benefits of fan fiction– Writer Unboxed
 
Story Twist and Shout –  Janice Hardy – Bookmark
 
 
Making your book memorable– Elizabeth S Craig- Bookmark
 

In The Marketing Section,

The anatomy of a book cover – Writers Digest- Bookmark
 
 
 
 
20 podcasts for Authors– Diana Urban – Bookmark
 
A really good book with an ill advised cover.- Publishers Weekly (FYI- what would you do?)
 
Why your best marketer is you– Alli blog – Bookmark

To Finish,

It is World Mental Health day as I write this. Two great posts caught my eye this week. Kris Rusch on When to stop writing and Chuck Wendig on When writers block is actually depression. This is a very real problem among the writing community. It is alright to take breaks from writing. Both Kris and Chuck have really good advice for anyone who has writers block.

 

Maureen
@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.