Being a published author has a lot of advantages (chief among them, I would imagine, is the ability to start sentences with, “Well, as a published author…”). But the downside to being a published author? Your book—your pride and joy—is out there, open to criticism from the world (and a particularly judgmental subpopulation known as Amazon.com customer reviewers). And that means the inevitable bad review.
Sure, a bad review can hurt, but take heart—it’s probably not as bad as you think. Don’t believe me? Check out The Worst Review Ever. This blog features the worst of the worst, sent in by the disparaged (and good-natured) authors themselves, along with their answers to questions like, “How long did it take you to get over the pain and humiliation of the review (assuming you got over it)?”
Here are some of my favorites (presented in all their unedited glory):
Gem #1: “If you hate Western Civilization, Moveable Type and The English language...Then you'll love 'Venus Envy’!”
Gem #2: “this book has perhaps crossed a line. maybe a book as shallow has been invented, you havent read it, cause it doesnt exist. it was as sluggish and definetly [sic] not straight. full of stereo types [sic], this book fades into dust”
Gem #3: “Holy Creative Writing No-No 101! Here's a clue that something is amiss in a book: when reading, if you find yourself wondering things like, ‘I wonder if Axl Rose realizes he looks dumb with corn rows’ or ‘Maybe I just haven't given cauliflower a fighting chance’ or ‘Gee, I wonder how many interstitial [sic] hairs are on my index finger’, then there is something very wrong with the book.”
So don’t despair, authors. Until a reviewer calls for you to be “drawn and quartered” for your writing (a wee bit harsh, no?), you're in pretty good shape.
July 14, 2009
July 1, 2009
A Few Good Statistics
They’re everywhere. They could be your best friend, your mom, your neighbor, even your neighbor’s kids. Pretty soon, you’re seeing them at the grocery store, the gym, work, and your child’s soccer game. But how do you know for sure? Should you just ask directly? Or try and start a conversation and hope it comes up? What to do?
Who am I talking about? Readers, of course. Writers, authors, and members of the publishing industry are constantly trying to locate these readers and get them to, well, read. These readers, they are elusive, their tastes are varied, and one success with them is not necessarily a predictor of another.
Statistics aren’t really the publishing industry’s strong point, but fortunately we have Bowker PubTrack to provide us with some guidance. R.R. Bowker is the world’s leading source for bibliographic information, and PubTrack is the publishing industry’s premier resource for understanding consumer book buying behavior. We recently received a 2008 report on the U.S. book-buying consumer, so I thought I’d share a few interesting tidbits with you.
Statistics like these can be useful, but I think the most important thing you can do as a writer or author is to really think about who your readers might be and find ways to connect with them. There are no secret formulas or magic numbers for publishing success, and your book will probably require a strategy that’s different from someone else’s. So take some time to consider your goals, keep your expectations in check, and be on the lookout for those sneaky readers…
Who am I talking about? Readers, of course. Writers, authors, and members of the publishing industry are constantly trying to locate these readers and get them to, well, read. These readers, they are elusive, their tastes are varied, and one success with them is not necessarily a predictor of another.
Statistics aren’t really the publishing industry’s strong point, but fortunately we have Bowker PubTrack to provide us with some guidance. R.R. Bowker is the world’s leading source for bibliographic information, and PubTrack is the publishing industry’s premier resource for understanding consumer book buying behavior. We recently received a 2008 report on the U.S. book-buying consumer, so I thought I’d share a few interesting tidbits with you.
- 45% of Americans ages 13+ read books
- Average age of a reader is 44
- 58% of READERS are female, and 57% of book BUYERS are female
- Top 5 fiction genres: mystery/detective, juvenile, romance, sci-fi, espionage/thriller
- 62% of books purchased are paperback
- 23% of books purchased are through internet retailers; 22% through large chains; 5% through independent bookstores
- 31% of books purchased are impulse buys
Statistics like these can be useful, but I think the most important thing you can do as a writer or author is to really think about who your readers might be and find ways to connect with them. There are no secret formulas or magic numbers for publishing success, and your book will probably require a strategy that’s different from someone else’s. So take some time to consider your goals, keep your expectations in check, and be on the lookout for those sneaky readers…
June 25, 2009
Starting with a bang
Brought to you by Robert Rich, editing assistant
This post is vital to you accomplishing everything you’ve set out to do.
Have I got your attention? Good. The first line of a novel, short story, or poem is the most important facet of your work. Before the internet became so pervasive, the primary hook for a piece of writing was the way it was presented—the cover. Even if the content of the book was the most profound, life-changing text ever penned, a mediocre cover could greatly hinder its opportunity to reach people. Readers would skim through books, but the cover and the blurb on the dust jacket were the most important elements. This means that often the person responsible for a book’s success wasn’t even the author, but instead the designers and editors who created the cover images and summaries.
Fortunately for writers, the power is back in their hands. The single most important development for writers in disseminating their work is undoubtedly the internet, and more specifically, Amazon. The popular web site boasts a feature that allows shoppers to look inside books as they’re browsing them on the site. They can’t skim the whole book, but they can read the first few pages, so that first line is more important than ever.
With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most memorable, and not so memorable, first lines in literary history.
The Best:
1. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk: “Tyler gets me a job as a waiter, after that Tyler’s pushing a gun in my mouth and saying, the first step to eternal life is you have to die.”
Chuck Palahniuk is one of the premiere postmodernist authors of our generation. He champions a style full of shocking events and short, choppy sentences. With Palahniuk, there’s no beating around the bush, no string of unnecessary adjectives cluttering what would otherwise be a worthwhile sentence. He drops you in the moment, and as far as first lines go, Fight Club’s introduction certainly isn’t going to turn you away. That’s a great thing, because if you’ve read it, you know the rest is just as good.
2. Desperation by Stephen King: “Oh! Oh, Jesus! Gross!”
Let’s not forget the importance of dialogue. When done right, dialogue provides a way for easily digestible information and beats the heck out of long-winded paragraphs of technical explanation. In the case of Desperation, a rather lengthy novel, all it takes is three energetically offered statements to make the reader decide he or she will stick around and give the book’s 500-plus pages a chance.
3. 1984 by George Orwell: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
Yes, this is an obvious choice, but there’s a reason this is one of the most famous opening lines in history. With one eerie sentence, Orwell sets the stage for this classic dystopian novel, marking the world as both recognizable and startlingly altered.
The Worst: (presented without commentary because, let’s face it, when a line’s bad, we all know it)
1. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski: “While enthusiasts and detractors will continue to empty dictionaries attempting to describe or deride it, ‘authenticity’ still remains the word most likely to stir a debate.”
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: “My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down.”
3. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson: “Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, often violently, just like love.”
Okay, now it’s your turn. Disagree with my choices? Baffled that something was left off? Want to stick up for Stephenie Meyer? Now’s your chance. Ready, set, go!
This post is vital to you accomplishing everything you’ve set out to do.
Have I got your attention? Good. The first line of a novel, short story, or poem is the most important facet of your work. Before the internet became so pervasive, the primary hook for a piece of writing was the way it was presented—the cover. Even if the content of the book was the most profound, life-changing text ever penned, a mediocre cover could greatly hinder its opportunity to reach people. Readers would skim through books, but the cover and the blurb on the dust jacket were the most important elements. This means that often the person responsible for a book’s success wasn’t even the author, but instead the designers and editors who created the cover images and summaries.
Fortunately for writers, the power is back in their hands. The single most important development for writers in disseminating their work is undoubtedly the internet, and more specifically, Amazon. The popular web site boasts a feature that allows shoppers to look inside books as they’re browsing them on the site. They can’t skim the whole book, but they can read the first few pages, so that first line is more important than ever.
With this in mind, let’s look at some of the most memorable, and not so memorable, first lines in literary history.
The Best:
1. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk: “Tyler gets me a job as a waiter, after that Tyler’s pushing a gun in my mouth and saying, the first step to eternal life is you have to die.”
Chuck Palahniuk is one of the premiere postmodernist authors of our generation. He champions a style full of shocking events and short, choppy sentences. With Palahniuk, there’s no beating around the bush, no string of unnecessary adjectives cluttering what would otherwise be a worthwhile sentence. He drops you in the moment, and as far as first lines go, Fight Club’s introduction certainly isn’t going to turn you away. That’s a great thing, because if you’ve read it, you know the rest is just as good.
2. Desperation by Stephen King: “Oh! Oh, Jesus! Gross!”
Let’s not forget the importance of dialogue. When done right, dialogue provides a way for easily digestible information and beats the heck out of long-winded paragraphs of technical explanation. In the case of Desperation, a rather lengthy novel, all it takes is three energetically offered statements to make the reader decide he or she will stick around and give the book’s 500-plus pages a chance.
3. 1984 by George Orwell: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.”
Yes, this is an obvious choice, but there’s a reason this is one of the most famous opening lines in history. With one eerie sentence, Orwell sets the stage for this classic dystopian novel, marking the world as both recognizable and startlingly altered.
The Worst: (presented without commentary because, let’s face it, when a line’s bad, we all know it)
1. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski: “While enthusiasts and detractors will continue to empty dictionaries attempting to describe or deride it, ‘authenticity’ still remains the word most likely to stir a debate.”
2. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: “My mother drove me to the airport with the windows rolled down.”
3. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson: “Accidents ambush the unsuspecting, often violently, just like love.”
Okay, now it’s your turn. Disagree with my choices? Baffled that something was left off? Want to stick up for Stephenie Meyer? Now’s your chance. Ready, set, go!
June 18, 2009
Posts Worth Revisiting
Today's post is a recap of some of our best articles on a few different topics. We have a ridiculous number of amazing posts so it was a challenge to pull out my favorites. Therefore, please feel free to suggest your own picks in the comments.
Publishing
Ready. Set. Publish.
Seven Big Publishing Misconceptions
Editing
Fact Checking for Fiction
Citations
Writing Effective Dialogue
Design
Cover Design Don’ts
Distribution
Distribution Explained
Direct Selling
Marketing
Author Websites
Book Signings 1 & 2
Publishing
Ready. Set. Publish.
Seven Big Publishing Misconceptions
Editing
Fact Checking for Fiction
Citations
Writing Effective Dialogue
Design
Cover Design Don’ts
Distribution
Distribution Explained
Direct Selling
Marketing
Author Websites
Book Signings 1 & 2
June 16, 2009
Blooks
By Caitlin Topham, Publishing and Editing Assistant
As we’ve recommended in the past, starting your own blog is a great way to promote your book, develop your personal voice, and connect with readers. Some authors, however, may begin blogs before a manuscript has even been started. Many writers use blogs as a tool to explore new ideas and plotlines, gain a readership, and receive constructive feedback. According to blogger Jane Friedman, "Online platforms allow you to…craft a stronger premise for a print product." And for an author without connections in the publishing world, a blog can be a great way to get your name on a publisher’s radar and your material on their desk. "Most writers are not getting published in magazines or literary journals. For some more unconventional voices, for people that don’t have connections, blogs can be an entryway into the game," explains Kate Lee, a former assistant at International Creative Management who connected with many authors though their blogs before signing them on for book deals.
Blooks—books based on blogs or web sites—are a somewhat recent trend, though a few authors have already found success through this alternative publishing process. A great example of this "Stuff White People Like," a blog started in January 2008 by Christian Lander. As the title suggests, this blog is a catalog of all the things that white people like: coffee (#1), being offended (#101), and Moleskine journals (#122), for example. By March 2008, Random House announced a book deal with Lander—a $300,000 book deal, reportedly. The book was released in July 2008.
Of course, turning your blog into a book isn’t simple. When translating your text from the computer screen to the printed page, you’ll have to do more than copy and paste, especially if some of your blog postings contain your response to the results of last night’s American Idol contest or your musings on Michelle Obama’s fashion choices. According to Friedman, most bloggers either start from scratch or their blog material goes under extensive revision. Just like you probably wouldn’t publish your personal journal word for word, your blog is not finished material. The goal is to use your blog posts as starting points from which you can craft a cohesive, plot-driven story. This is where the difference between blogs and books is most noticeable. A book is a finished product that makes a point and sticks with it throughout the writing and storytelling process. A blog, on the other hand, is an ongoing project. It can mutate and change, respond to new thoughts and ideas, start in one place and end in another. As you consider creating a book from your blog material, keep in mind that the tone of your authorial voice will change, and so will the length of your story.
Though "blooks" can meet with great commercial success, some literary reviewers may not always concur with popular thought. Take for example the 2005 memoir Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell. Her blog, "The Julie/Julia Project," chronicled her year of cooking all the recipes in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The book won a Blooker Prize and has been turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which will be released this summer. But despite its wide appeal, the book was met with some doubt by reviewers. David Kamp, a reviewer for The New York Times, explains that though Powell’s prose contains passages worthy of a well-versed food-lit writer, the book "still has too much blog in its DNA: it has a messy, whatever's-on-my-mind incontinence to it, taking us places we'd rather not go."
When considering whether or not to translate your writing from the screen to the page, think about what a book could offer your readers that your blog could not. Keep in mind that blogs can remain current and up-to-the-minute, and can easily be revised and edited. And, of course, if you ever find yourself regretting what you wrote in a post, it can be deleted. The same cannot be said of a book.
Have you ever thought of turning your blog into a book? Which format do you prefer?
As we’ve recommended in the past, starting your own blog is a great way to promote your book, develop your personal voice, and connect with readers. Some authors, however, may begin blogs before a manuscript has even been started. Many writers use blogs as a tool to explore new ideas and plotlines, gain a readership, and receive constructive feedback. According to blogger Jane Friedman, "Online platforms allow you to…craft a stronger premise for a print product." And for an author without connections in the publishing world, a blog can be a great way to get your name on a publisher’s radar and your material on their desk. "Most writers are not getting published in magazines or literary journals. For some more unconventional voices, for people that don’t have connections, blogs can be an entryway into the game," explains Kate Lee, a former assistant at International Creative Management who connected with many authors though their blogs before signing them on for book deals.
Blooks—books based on blogs or web sites—are a somewhat recent trend, though a few authors have already found success through this alternative publishing process. A great example of this "Stuff White People Like," a blog started in January 2008 by Christian Lander. As the title suggests, this blog is a catalog of all the things that white people like: coffee (#1), being offended (#101), and Moleskine journals (#122), for example. By March 2008, Random House announced a book deal with Lander—a $300,000 book deal, reportedly. The book was released in July 2008.
Of course, turning your blog into a book isn’t simple. When translating your text from the computer screen to the printed page, you’ll have to do more than copy and paste, especially if some of your blog postings contain your response to the results of last night’s American Idol contest or your musings on Michelle Obama’s fashion choices. According to Friedman, most bloggers either start from scratch or their blog material goes under extensive revision. Just like you probably wouldn’t publish your personal journal word for word, your blog is not finished material. The goal is to use your blog posts as starting points from which you can craft a cohesive, plot-driven story. This is where the difference between blogs and books is most noticeable. A book is a finished product that makes a point and sticks with it throughout the writing and storytelling process. A blog, on the other hand, is an ongoing project. It can mutate and change, respond to new thoughts and ideas, start in one place and end in another. As you consider creating a book from your blog material, keep in mind that the tone of your authorial voice will change, and so will the length of your story.
Though "blooks" can meet with great commercial success, some literary reviewers may not always concur with popular thought. Take for example the 2005 memoir Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell. Her blog, "The Julie/Julia Project," chronicled her year of cooking all the recipes in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The book won a Blooker Prize and has been turned into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, which will be released this summer. But despite its wide appeal, the book was met with some doubt by reviewers. David Kamp, a reviewer for The New York Times, explains that though Powell’s prose contains passages worthy of a well-versed food-lit writer, the book "still has too much blog in its DNA: it has a messy, whatever's-on-my-mind incontinence to it, taking us places we'd rather not go."
When considering whether or not to translate your writing from the screen to the page, think about what a book could offer your readers that your blog could not. Keep in mind that blogs can remain current and up-to-the-minute, and can easily be revised and edited. And, of course, if you ever find yourself regretting what you wrote in a post, it can be deleted. The same cannot be said of a book.
Have you ever thought of turning your blog into a book? Which format do you prefer?
June 9, 2009
999,999 and counting...
by Robert Rich, Editing Assistant
The English language is ever-evolving, and every day new words are added to local and national vernaculars at the expense of older, and often more appropriate, terms. It comes as no surprise that many of these new words are developed and put into practice by members of the younger generation. And now, the Global Language Monitor is claiming that in the early hours of June 10, the one millionth English word will be coined. When exactly new words can be considered full parts of the language is undeniably a gray area, but the GLM recognizes words once they have been used 25,000 times by media outlets, on social networking sites, and in other sources.
The English language is ever-evolving, and every day new words are added to local and national vernaculars at the expense of older, and often more appropriate, terms. It comes as no surprise that many of these new words are developed and put into practice by members of the younger generation. And now, the Global Language Monitor is claiming that in the early hours of June 10, the one millionth English word will be coined. When exactly new words can be considered full parts of the language is undeniably a gray area, but the GLM recognizes words once they have been used 25,000 times by media outlets, on social networking sites, and in other sources.
Here are some of the notable words added to the OED in the past few years:
Muggle: n. In the fiction of J.K. Rowling, a person who possesses no magical powers. Hence in allusive and extended uses, a person who lacks a particular skill or skills, or who is regarded as inferior in some way.
I’ll admit, I found myself swept up in the Harry Potter fanaticism when the book was first released. But even as a fifth-grader, I found the term “muggle” an absurd slice of fantasy, and definitely not something worthy of the “real word” classification. Never, however, underestimate the power of a group of kids caught in the wake of a fad.
Gaydar: n. A homosexual person’s ability to identify another person as homosexual by interpreting subtle signals conveyed by their appearance, interests, etc.
Gaydar is a term poised to cause nothing but controversy. Like another culturally dangerous term, gaydar will inevitably cause conflict regarding who can use it and when.
Riffage: n. Informal guitar riffs, especially in rock music.
The word riffage probably conjures up images of Mike Myers in Wayne’s World, adding “dude” to everything he says and displaying some Keanu Reeves-esque emotion. In reality, the addition of “riffage” gives implicit permission to simply add “-age” to the end of a noun and come up with a new word. Isn’t riff enough? After all, “damage” doesn’t refer to a really awesome piece of beaver engineering.
Ego-surfing: v. Searching the internet for instances of one’s own name or links to one’s own website.
This is also called a vanity search, and I’ll admit to having performed one before. Still, considering how few people really want to cop to performing this action, do we really need more than one term for it?
Crunk: n. A type of hip-hop or rap music characterized by repeated shouted catchphrases and elements typical of electronic dance music, such as prominent bass.
I heard this word all the time at high school dances, and to this day, it still confuses me. I’ve heard it as a noun, like the above definition, and as an adjective, ostensibly referring to items that are really awesome. Either way, it’s ridiculous.
The day I create a new term and it starts getting widespread usage, I’ll probably change my tune, but until then, let’s try to preserve the integrity of the English language and not put every term we hear on MTV in the dictionary.
So what do you think? Do these words deserve a spot in the dictionary? Are there any words you think should be added to the dictionary?
June 5, 2009
BEA 2009: Win!
Written with Liz Groh, BEA Master
This year’s BEA (BookExpo America) was a great success for the BookPros crew. Even though there were rumors that the show was less crowded, the attendance didn’t impact the success of our author signings at all. It’s still a huge show with plenty of booksellers, librarians, media and book lovers checking out the year’s new titles. We had a total of 22 authors in attendance,
promoting 20 books covering all kinds of genres: Sci-fi, children’s, self-help, YA, nutrition, finance, biography, motivational and even sports! Our table was in a prime location—we had a better spot than Emeril!—right next to the table where Tomie DePaola, Dave Barry (on the left in the photo) and Julianne Moore signed their children’s books, and one table away from the incomparable Julie Andrews who also wrote a children’s book this year.
In previous years, we’ve done in-booth signings at our distributors’ booths. While those always went perfectly well, there is no question that the Autographing Area is the place to be. With so many people walking around and so many authors signing simultaneously, there
was no shortage of people wanting free signed books. Our authors also did a great job of promoting their signings ahead of time—as usual, Thomas Pierce’s bright yellow tote bags promoting his book, The Last Rose, were everywhere—and many had lines waiting before they even arrived.
Those of us in attendance also had a bit of time to sneak away and enjoy the rest of the show, too. We went to a few seminars, walked the floors to see which books are debuting this year, and
snagged some free ARCs (advance reading copies) on the way. Two of us (I won’t name names) added close to 20 pounds to our suitcases. Good thing we were well below the 50 pound limit to start off! A few of us also attended a Twitter Meetup (BEAtweetup) on Friday night at a really funky, eco-friendly club called Greenhouse (which was decorated to match its name). It’s always an odd experience to meet someone you’ve “followed” and “friended” online, but have never actually interacted with in person. Technology is an amazing thing!
All in all, BEA 2009 was a big success. Our authors had great signings, and each did a podcast
interview on-site with BEA’s Emmy-winning interviewer, Les Shapiro. You can check them all out online at BookExpoCast. A big thanks goes out to all the folks at BookExpo America, Reed Exhibitions, BookExpoCast and the Official BEA Autographing Area for helping make this year’s show such a success for us and for our authors. And yes, we’re already looking forward to next year’s conference, which will stay in New York but move to mid-week: May 25-27, 2010. We hope to see you there!
This year’s BEA (BookExpo America) was a great success for the BookPros crew. Even though there were rumors that the show was less crowded, the attendance didn’t impact the success of our author signings at all. It’s still a huge show with plenty of booksellers, librarians, media and book lovers checking out the year’s new titles. We had a total of 22 authors in attendance,
promoting 20 books covering all kinds of genres: Sci-fi, children’s, self-help, YA, nutrition, finance, biography, motivational and even sports! Our table was in a prime location—we had a better spot than Emeril!—right next to the table where Tomie DePaola, Dave Barry (on the left in the photo) and Julianne Moore signed their children’s books, and one table away from the incomparable Julie Andrews who also wrote a children’s book this year. 
In previous years, we’ve done in-booth signings at our distributors’ booths. While those always went perfectly well, there is no question that the Autographing Area is the place to be. With so many people walking around and so many authors signing simultaneously, there
was no shortage of people wanting free signed books. Our authors also did a great job of promoting their signings ahead of time—as usual, Thomas Pierce’s bright yellow tote bags promoting his book, The Last Rose, were everywhere—and many had lines waiting before they even arrived. Those of us in attendance also had a bit of time to sneak away and enjoy the rest of the show, too. We went to a few seminars, walked the floors to see which books are debuting this year, and
snagged some free ARCs (advance reading copies) on the way. Two of us (I won’t name names) added close to 20 pounds to our suitcases. Good thing we were well below the 50 pound limit to start off! A few of us also attended a Twitter Meetup (BEAtweetup) on Friday night at a really funky, eco-friendly club called Greenhouse (which was decorated to match its name). It’s always an odd experience to meet someone you’ve “followed” and “friended” online, but have never actually interacted with in person. Technology is an amazing thing!All in all, BEA 2009 was a big success. Our authors had great signings, and each did a podcast
interview on-site with BEA’s Emmy-winning interviewer, Les Shapiro. You can check them all out online at BookExpoCast. A big thanks goes out to all the folks at BookExpo America, Reed Exhibitions, BookExpoCast and the Official BEA Autographing Area for helping make this year’s show such a success for us and for our authors. And yes, we’re already looking forward to next year’s conference, which will stay in New York but move to mid-week: May 25-27, 2010. We hope to see you there!
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