IMHO: No Such Thing as a Happy Medium
Medium was never a money-making platform for most writers, and with the recent departure of its founder, its potential has hit rock bottom.
A Legal Battle Sheds (Some) Light on Libraries & Digital Lending
The suit against the Internet Archive’s CDL policy raises important questions on how library lending affects publishers and authors.
Book sales update: July 20, 2022
As of July 2, print book sales have fallen 7 percent versus last year in the US market, according to NPD Books.
Lightning Source sets minimum discount for small publishers
Ingram is mandating that Lightning Source customers use a wholesale discount of at least 30 percent on new and old titles alike.
Ingram launches book wholesaling operations in UK
Ingram already offers print-on-demand and distribution services in the UK; starting in September, they will expand to offer book wholesaling, as they do in the US market.
Simon & Schuster’s publisher steps down after two years
When Dana Canedy was hired by Simon & Schuster in 2020, it was the first time a Black woman had been put in charge of a major publishing imprint.
The DOJ’s suit to block a Big Five publishing merger starts on August 1
In November 2021, the US Department of Justice moved to block, on antitrust grounds, the acquisition of Simon & Schuster by Penguin Random House.
Wattpad Stars program comes to an end
Given the recent launch of the Wattpad Creators program, Wattpad has alerted Wattpad Stars that their program is phasing out by the end of this year.
A reality TV show for authors: America’s Next Great Author
Writers can sign up for a casting call for a chance to pitch their book idea to a panel of experts.
The Secret Side Careers of Successful Authors
Many successful authors maintain side writing careers, in less glamorous forms such as grant writing, copywriting, and ghostwriting.
The Building Blocks of Scene
“Making a scene” in public often happens spontaneously, but creating emotionally compelling scenes on paper requires considerable planning.
3 Things I’ve Learned About Storytelling (and Life) from Performing Narrative Nonfiction
One author’s tips for performing your stories in front of a live audience.
Closing Image: July 6, 2022
At The Bookseller Marketing and Publicity conference, Hazel Kenyon of Nielsen Book Research in the UK presented the latest stats on the UK book market.
Links of Interest: July 6, 2022
The latest in the creator economy, Amazon, culture & politics and more.
B&N and TikTok partner on summer reading promotion
The #BookTok challenge encourages TikTok users to engage in behavior they are already engaging in: reading books and sharing their reactions.
PageBreak Conference takes place this October
Positioned as a next-generation publishing event, PageBreak is an opportunity for the industry to gather and examine what’s next.
New children’s imprint: Allida Books
HarperCollins Children’s and Clarion Books have launched Allida Books, named for a “Korean word that means to inform, announce, or make known.”
Amazon Trend Report: Vigilante Justice
This subgenre has high sales but low title growth, making it attractive for authors wanting to break in.
IMHO: How Much Does Platform Matter?
I analyze 2022 memoir deals to determine the role of platform in the author’s success.
How BookTok Is Affecting Traditional Publishers
Book acquisition may start to trend toward books that inspire strong emotions in readers—and therefore more organic content on TikTok.
Book sales update: July 6, 2022
It’s a good time to be writing comics and graphic novels. Sales in the category increased 62 percent in 2021 in the US and Canada.
Wattpad launches a new paid program for creators
The Wattpad Creators Program is meant to serve the most engaged writers on the platform by offering them cash stipends and marketing and editorial support.
Ingram’s Lightning Source moves away from phone support
IngramSpark eliminated phone-based customer service during the heart of the pandemic, to the consternation of many.
Amazon’s ebook return policy garners wider media attention
Self-publishing authors, among others, have long complained that Amazon’s ebook return policy is far too permissive.
7 Questions to Design a Better Arc of Change for Your Protagonist
Your novel’s external and internal parts must be intricately woven together to create a work that truly resonates with readers.