What Kind of Book Translates Well to Screen?
Well-constructed stories, snappy dialogue, and surprising twists can all contribute to a book’s chance of being chosen for adaptation.
There’s Never Been a Better Time for Book-to-Screen Deals
Original and exclusive content is in high demand among all streaming services, creating increased opportunity for screen adaptations—especially for authors with a sizable backlist
CEO of Penguin Random House Points Out Misconceptions about the Publishing Industry
Markus Dohle, who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, says people are often pessimistic about the future of books—and he knows why
IMHO: Substack is not disrupting publishing with its book serialization
Last week, Substack, the email newsletter platform, announced that it was paying an advance to author and entertainment writer Zack O’Malley Greenburg to serialize a book, We Are All Musicians Now
Book Sales Update: July 7, 2021
Through the week ending June 19, NPD BookScan shows year-to-date print sales up 19.6 percent over 2020. Adult fiction has enjoyed a 31 percent gain over 2020
Longread: Did Twitter break YA?
For those who blame social media for what’s gone wrong with the world today, Twitter is one of the most favored targets and often for good reason.
Wattpad and Webtoon merge their studio divisions
it makes sense that the studio arms of both companies have been merged into a single division known as Wattpad Webtoon Studios.
2018 Racism Survey: BIPOC employees at US book publishers share their experiences
While 16 percent of respondents said they did not feel they had experienced racism or microaggressions in publishing,
Audiobook royalty rates come under scrutiny in the UK
Agents are urging publishers to offer a greater share of audiobook royalties beyond the standard 25 percent net (the same as ebooks).
Kindle Vella updates its content policies once again
It’s probably good news that Amazon is listening to the concerns of authors who are balking at restrictions that could limit the reach and value of work published on Kindle Vella.
Where My Money Comes From
A look at how the sources of my income shifted between 2016–2020, with online teaching now earning the lion's share.
Writing From the Spinster’s Perspective: Q&A with Donna Ward
Donna Ward is an Australian writer whose first book, She I Dare Not Name, has just been published in the US.
The (Copyright) Trouble with NFTs
Hype aside, an NFT is not equivalent to registering a digital work with the Copyright Office—and it's no barrier to unlawful reproduction.
Closing Image: June 23, 2021
A recent Nielsen Books & Consumers survey shows that the total UK book market grew 6 percent in terms of volume in 2020.
Links of Interest: June 23, 2021
Trends Did bookstore closures hurt frontlist sales? You’ll hear most Big Five publishers say yes. But Mark Williams questions that
Draft2Digital adds BorrowBox to distribution network
Draft2Digital, a leading ebook distributor for authors, recently announced distribution to BorrowBox, an app that provides library patrons in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom
Legible: a new reading and publishing platform for ebooks
So far, the Canadian-based platform has 30,000 free and public domain titles and is beta testing sales of books from Grove Atlantic and Open Road Media.
Mirror: “Publishing like never before”
What would happen if you crossed Medium with cryptocurrency? That’s how people are explaining Mirror. The one-year-old startup is now valued at $100 million
New literary agency: ArtHouse
Literary agents Latoya Smith and Felice Laverne have launched ArtHouse, which is dedicated to “pushing forward in the industry with diverse voices and perspectives.
Bonnier Books UK launches music imprint
Nine Eight Books launches in November and “will provide a year-round publishing home for broad, bold, and entertaining musical perspectives.
UK’s Quarto launches Happy Yak
The new children’s imprint debuts this summer with board books, picture books, and more for children up to seven.
UK’s Octopus launches mass-market nonfiction list
The new initiative (as part of Hachette UK) will target “defined communities of potential readers, whether it’s a trusted household name with a core community of fans
New children’s imprint at Astra house
Astra Publishing House is launching a children’s book imprint in fall 2022 that will target ages newborn to 12, focusing on illustrated titles.
Running a Profitable Facebook Ad Campaign
Testing your ad creative and pushing past your first few ideas is key to a successful and cost-effective Facebook ad campaign
The Future of Digital Events
The ease of being able to deliver the event from the convenience and comfort of home remains a primary advantage.