Publishing News Roundup Series: Book Trends in the Midst of Political Upheaval
by Maureen Crisp • February 15, 2017 • Follow
Published in News • No comments
Do book trends follow political upheaval?
As with any events going on during any time in history, book agents are always looking for the next big book opportunity. This book opportunity usually syncs with what’s going on in history. As they follow each other, trends develop which is what ultimately causes what we have coined “book trends.”
Gazing Into The Crystal Ball
Over the last week I have been watching agents trying to figure out on Twitter what kinds of books might be popular in the upcoming few years based on the political upheavals in the U.S. If you type in #MSWL in the Twitter search bar you can get a snapshot of what they are looking for. It got me thinking about what people read in times of political upheaval. Do they read safe stories or stories about how to cope when a society is disintegrating?
Kris Rusch has a great blog post on writing in difficult times. I think it’s a must read for every author. Tara Sparling takes a different tack and screams for Book Heroin from Publishers who are playing it safe.
Slate has an interesting post on using sensitivity readers. These are readers representing the various communities you may be writing about to give your MS a beta read. But can their wishes change the story too much.
Litreactor has decided that we all need to take a deep breath and not post on Social Media about certain things. The list is not long but it is very pointed.
Getting a book distributed is a tricky thing if you are a self publisher. Jane Friedman has written a quick guide to get you started. New distributor on the block, Pronoun, has one upped Createspace. Looks like interesting times ahead.
Jeff Goins has a few words to say about book launches and he should know… He is one of the fastest selling non fiction authors around.
Simon Owens talks about using Patreon to support various writing projects. This is an interesting alternative to crowdfunding. Build your own paying tribe… which may be what’s needed as The Guardian reports that Award winning writers are forced out of full time writing.
In The Craft Section,
Effective ways to make memorable characters– Dean Elphick
How to use schedules to write– Scott Myers- Bookmark
Formatting interiority– Mary Kole
What does an agent look for– Chip McGregor
Does your character description work?– Michael Hauge- Bookmark
Conflict between protagonists– Chris Winkle – Bookmark
Story hooks– K M Weiland- Bookmark
How long should your series be– Rachel Aaron- Bookmark
In The Marketing Section,
7 essentials for your book launch-Keely Keith- Bookmark
Content marketing and Selling Non Fiction Books Two great posts from Joanna Penn Bookmark
DIY Marketing tools – IngramSpark
But I don’t want to blog– Indies Unlimited
Online education as book marketing– Publishers Weekly
What’s new on your marketing list – Molly Greene
Are indie authors following the music script– Interesting article from Bookbaby
Going from launch to 1000 sales in 3 weeks- Kboards- Bookmark
Social Media Marketing myths– Bookmark
To Finish
A few years ago Anne R Allen published this great blog post which is still relevant. 12 signs your novel isn’t ready to publish. This checklist is always a good wakeup call. If you can tick all the boxes you might have the next book answer to that difficult question, what to read to escape
from real life.
from real life.
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.