Resources and tips for the self-published author.

Publishing News Roundup Series: The Importance of Cracking Down on Piracy

by Maureen Crisp •  August 20, 2018  •   Follow

Published in News  •  No comments

 

Piracy is one of the largest effects on author’s income.

Sales income is important to authors. Unlike other careers, like athletes where you can make income from multiple sources, authors make the majority of their money from sales. There’s not a lot of movement for them to make  money otherwise. That’s why piracy hits authors more than others in the art community. Some will argue that there is a right to free online information. But without income, authors can’t afford to do what they do. If you love reading and art, you want it to continue. So next time you go to download a book illegally, think about who you’re really hurting.

 

 

The Writing Life Game

 
In Publishing News this week…
 
The Guardian reported on the take down of a  book piracy site that had the pirates claiming authors were elitist. Unfortunately The Guardian’s headline could have been more tactful.
 

 

 
Cory Doctorow talks about the changes that Audible have instigated that hit authors in the pocket. Word on the street says don’t take an exclusive audiobook deal…
 

The alliance of Independent Authors are now advising that authors should move from Createspace to Kindle Direct for print. (Having my own Kindle print headache at the moment so be prepared.) They also have a great post on research trip claims and expenses.

 
Last weekend was the annual Society of Children’s Book writers and Illustrators Summer conference in L.A . Over 1100 delegats, three days… fabulous panels etc etc. Check out the SCBWI blog which live blogs most of the conference. Scroll down the right hand side and read the gems from the conference. 
 
Writing through life’s catastrophes. This is a pertinent blog post on what to do when life really falls apart. How do you write through the chaos?
 
Jess Lourey guest posted on Jane Friedman’s blog  with the definitive post on how to republish your back list after getting your rights back. This is a must read post if you are in this position. 
 
Kris Rusch takes a look at the Crazy Rich Asians author and how he gatherered together a team to negotiate his way through the Hollywood film scene. In advance publicity for the film he talks about turning down a huge deal from Netflix to take a smaller deal which gave him more say. Shrewd marketing or a huge risk… Great read.
 
Anne R Allen has a superb post on studying personality disorders to make more complex and interesting antagonists. There are some really good descriptions here of different types of disorders and how they manifest. A Bookmark post. 
 
In The Craft Section,
Two great posts – Simple pacing techniques and 4 ways to choose a better theme for your book-from K M Weiland- Bookmark
How to write a novel– Step by step with Jerry Jenkins
 
 
In The Marketing Section,
Why are wannabe screenwriters getting scammed– Hollywood reporter (This is also useful info for writers doing pitch contests.)
Using Cafepress for Book Merchandise– Elisabeth Craig – Bookmark
Spice up your Amazon Book Pages- The Creative Penn- Bookmark
 
To Finish,
 
Do you play games on your computer or phone? Do you feel guilty that you should be writing? Fear not Bold Hero! There is a quest just for you. How would you like to battle fearsome monsters and save the *fantasy* world through your word count. Game your writing. Take a look. It could be just what you need to bust that word count target. 
 
I can breathe a sigh of relief after last night’s award ceremony for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults is over. It was a huge honour to be a judge and nerve wracking as well. The finalists were all amazing. The winners well deserved. The judges still have to write up their reports but now we can talk and attend social events again…. 
 
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.