Posts filed under ‘Opinion’
The Future of Book Publishing
I received an email requesting the feature of an article recently published to a blog for www.onlinecollege.org called 10 Biggest Predictions for the Future of Book Publishing. Upon reading and sharing strong commonalities in the beliefs of future predictions in book publishing, I thought I would repost and link. (As well as help to conjure up thoughts, discussion, rebuttal or your own predictions for the book revolution.)
So, here we go… the following is a repost of the article, 10 Biggest Predictions for the future of Book Publishing:
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The future of books is at stake, for some readers and industry members. But even those who are nostalgic for smelling pages before they’re read can get excited about what’s to come in book publishing.
Obviously, predictions should be taken as just that. Just because some educated experts formulate projections based on trends and observations doesn’t necessarily mean they will come to pass. Nor does it mean that if they do prove real, everything ends up exactly as stated within a specific time frame. So consider the following finds, collected from relevant corners of the internet, information to ponder and process rather than anything truly definitive. They are merely conjectures, not absolute facts.
- Vanity presses and self-publishing will swell in popularity: Self-publishing carries with it a rather interesting dual reputation. Some view it as an excellent means to get great stories out there without having to worry about editorial intervention begging for less personal, more commercial properties. Others chide the publishing houses that charge the authors themselves an exorbitant fee to print — hence the term “vanity press” — and sell their services based more on ego-stroking than actual talent. The reality likely lay somewhere in between, as the superb Self-Publishing Review showcases. Regardless of one’s political leanings, a visit to Daniel McCarthy’s Tory Anarchist at The American Conservative provides an intriguing, yet logical, prediction for the future of these divisive businesses. He argues in favor of an increased relevance and de-stigmatization of self-publishing, especially with the surge in blogging’s popularity, and details possible (but obviously not definitive) economics behind such measures.
- More writers and artists will experiment with motion comics: Major, independent and self-publishers alike have been exploring the outer fringes of the motion comics medium to varying degrees of success over the past couple of years. The fact that it remains in a largely nascent stage provides an excellent challenge to creative individuals, begging them to take it as far as it can possibly go. Domenic Defina at Septagon Studios praises Amo Tarzi’s Superare as a particularly striking example of what sort of quality creations the motion comics medium inspires. Anyone can watch it on Vimeo, yet the layout particularly pops on gadgets such as the iPad. It stands to reason that many innovators will turn their attention towards customizing their works to suit the features of new technologies rather than going retro.
- There will be little need for gargantuan publishers: Off in the far-flung future of 2020 (which hopefully sees those personal jetpacks that science has been holding out on), Richard Eoin Nash believes that many of today’s publishing giants will instead resemble their far smaller, more independent counterparts. He thinks the overemphasis on churning out bestsellers and profits will lead to executives slicing back on personnel and resources until their businesses have streamlined to produce around one hundred or so titles a year — all of them perfectly crafted to stir up mainstream hype and sell thousands of units. A “lack of entrepreneurial capitalism,” Nash argues, leads him to believe that the industry will structure itself as such within the next ten years.
- More people will be authors: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mark Coker believes that more authors will begin emerging onto the literary scene at an ever-climbing rate. Considering the amount of opportunities available in self-publishing and vanity presses these days, anybody rejected by mainstream outlets or desiring to forego editorial involvement has little to fear. With manuscript in hand and a story to tell, the masses may very well flood the very market that ten years ago would have never given them a voice. This leaves the literary world ripe for new ideas and innovations that many publishers turn down for fear of losing profit and bestseller status. Anyone who feels as if the current literary climate takes few risks and putters about in a sea of mediocrity and repetition should find this prediction particularly tantalizing.
- eBooks will only get more popular: Plenty has already been written about the Kindle, Nook and iPad and how they’ve revolutionized the way people read. And experts across the board repeatedly posit that it will only expand from there, with many experts postulating that 95% of books will go straight to a digital state in the future. Considering the hubbub swirling about the iPad, the prospect of more interactive, dynamic literature increases in likelihood as well. But even factoring out that element, readers flock to these devices for their ease of use, durability, portability and the fact that they clear up plenty of space on those shelves in the living room.
- Authors will grow even more media-savvy: By this point, many fans have made note of the ever-closing gap between themselves and their favorite authors. Through Facebook, Twitter, message boards and blogs, they can completely bypass the agents and managers and publishers and go straight to the writers themselves. Authors themselves feel as if the trend will continue, with those hoping to “make it” in the industry feeling intense pressure to maintain an active, viable internet life. Failure to do so, they fear, compromises their chances of getting picked up for publication and/or capturing the interest of readers — and their money. Therefore, it makes sense that the industry will probably experience an upswing of writers eagerly embracing social media and blogging in order to promote their work.
- Memoirs expand as a genre: Autobiography and memoirs have always been around, but over the past few years have enjoyed an upswing in popularity — even blending with other genres such as diet, self-help, business guides, comics and plenty more. Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett at Women’s Memoirs believe that a combination of heightened demand and a plethora of self-publishing opportunities means even more will be available for perusal. It also opens the floodgates for even more experimentation. Graphic memoirs such as Maus and Persepolis have been around for a while, but never received the widespread, mainstream attention it so richly deserved. This could very easily push both literature and art in some interesting directions, especially when it comes to publishing autobiographies.
- Books will no longer have a minimum length: Mike Shatzkin notes that the burgeoning popularity of eBooks, along with its myriad other noted advantages, will also offer up more opportunities for novellas and other “lighter” fare. With so many publishers requiring a minimum length for the manuscripts they accept, writers now have a platform to release the works they want people to read on their own terms. No need to stuff filler into smaller pieces to meet demands. No need to worry about returns on printing costs. He also points out that magazines, newspapers and other periodicals could very easily adapt to an exclusively digital format as well. As could pamphlets, one-shot comics single short stories and poems, small collections and any other literary bits smaller than the average novel.
- eBook readers will move even further away from E Ink: Some of the devices themselves certainly have, anyways. And chances are, the next generations will rather quickly phase this technology out. E Ink helped solidify eBook readers’ place in society, accurately reproducing the look of print on paper for a smooth, satisfying experience. But LCD and OLED displays make for a far cheaper, just as readable alternative — definitely an advantage for producers hoping to keep up with escalating consumer demand.
- More young adult books will hit the shelves: Or, more likely, the eBook readers. Both young adult books and graphic novels have undergone something of a Renaissance lately, with the former enjoying a 14% increase in sales this past October. With Harry Potter and the truly abysmal ode to emotional abuse Twilight carving out niches for themselves far beyond the bookcases, plenty of other publishers are also looking to capture the proverbial lucrative lightning in a bottle. From a far less cynical perspective, the glut of YA novels currently entering the market provides middle and high schoolers a much broader selection of genres to explore. Those who do not enjoy the fantasy and horror elements of the two current media juggernauts have plenty more options available than previous generations — and things only look more promising from there.”
Now that you’ve read the predictions from OnlineCollege.org, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the future predictions of our books? You may read the full article at http://www.onlinecollege.org/2011/01/05/10-biggest-predictions-for-the-future-of-book-publishing/.
Peer-Critique: the one that i want, Allison Winn Scotch
I write and I read. They go hand in hand.
I find authors within my particular genre and a writing style that compliments my own, and I study their writing as I indulge in the read. My books have folded down pages and ink marks of thought scribbled on the extra space along the bottom or side. I note technique, style, phrasing — studying the craft of writing.
I would like to share with you an excerpt from a favorite author of mine whom I turn to for inspiration or simply a good read.
An excerpt from the novel The One That I Want, written by Allison Winn Scotch:
I lose track of time as I filter through the files, all stuffed with hopes of a better future. My neck muscles flare, begging me for a reprieve, but I want to be done with these heady declarations that there is life outside of Westlake. Not because I no longer believe it. I do now. I can see this now. But because they are also constant reminders of the road I ignored, the road I didn’t think to take when I had the possibility.
A knock at the door releases me from my haze.
“I saw your light on,” Eli says. He has called three times since Darcy’s catastrophe, but I’ve since been too swallowed up with everything to phone him back.
“What are you doing here?” I say, smiling widely because, both in spite of and because of everything, I am happy to see him. My neck relaxes, my shoulders spread, bursting the wads of tension that are scrunched up inside of me, and I wave him in.
“How’s your sister?”
I share the details, and he tilts his head and listens, watching me intently as I speak, so I tuck my hair behind my ears, embarrased, and look away.
“Hey, can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Your friend, the one from the avalanche. What happened to him?”
“He didn’t make it.” Eli’s chin drops slightly toward his chest, a subtle sign that we carry burdens, anchors that can pull us under the depths.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “Did you ever go back up? I mean, did you ever go climbing again after that?”
“I did.” He leans back into the couch as if the memory is releasing him. He stares at the halogen lights on the ceiling. “I went back up once, a few months later. Only once, though, and probably never agian.”
“Why?” I probe, a simple question that begs a complicated answer.
“Because I didn’t want the mountain to beat me,” he says, not complicated at all. “I didn’t want it to win. There are enough things in life where it will. But this one, I couldn’t. I couldn’t let it. It had already taken enough.”
I push my chair back and move to him now, sinking next to him on my faded purple couch and laying my head against his chest, where I can hear his heart beat a steady beat, like a metronome on my mother’s old piano. We sit there as the second hand circles the clock, in comfortable, easy silence, each of us bearing our wounds, only one of us already versed in how to sew them all the way back up.
(An excerpt from the novel The One That I Want, written by Allison Winn Scotch.)
I enjoy Mrs. Scotch’s style — there is a comfortable ease to the flow of her words. I’m taken to this moment in her descriptive writing and can feel the motions of her characters. What are your thoughts?
Do you have a favorite author you turn to? Would you like to share an excerpt of writing style in which we can all learn from? Email in at blog@wordclay.com.
–Melissa
Friedman Offers a Balanced Perspective on Author Solutions and Self-Publishing
Jane Friedman published a post on her Writer’s Digest blog , There Are No Rules, about her visit to Author Solutions Inc. headquarters in Bloomington, Ind.
I must admit that with the recent debate surrounding Author Solutions and the self-publishing industry, the title of Friedman’s post alone was enough to bring a tear to my eye: “Author Solutions Is Not Evil: 3 Things I Learned.” As I read through the post, I could hardly believe it: the post is actually a fair and honest outlook on ASI and self-publishing.
You see, as an employee of Author Solutions, I know there is kinder, gentler side to ASI that what has been portrayed online in recent months . Now, I’m not trying to say that ASI is perfect. It’s a company made up of people … so imperfection is inevitable. But, I’m extremely pleased that a respected member of the writing and publishing community has shared a balanced view of ASI and self-publishing by taking the time to talk with our representatives —by giving us a chance.
Here are just a few points that that Jane described well in her post I’d like to call out, because they ring true to me:
On “True” Self-Publishing vs. Self-Publishing Companies:
…The industry is now experiencing a “true self-publishing” movement that argues a “real” self-published author is one who eschews the use of services like Author Solutions.
I find the distinction to be nonsensical and elitist. It’s like saying you should never hire an expert or contractor to do your taxes, fix your car, or repair your plumbing.
On the Self-Publishing Business Model:
In my mind, the people who are angry and indignant about publishing services should be working to provide free or inexpensive consultations to the hundreds of thousands of writers who wonder how to get their work in print—that is, if those people feel that writers can’t readily determine, after researching all options, what their best path forward is.
On ASI:
… That’s all AuthorSolutions talks about: what their authors want. It drives their business, their growth, what they hang on the walls—which makes sense, because it’s the authors who are writing their checks.
… If more people could see AuthorSolutions’ ideas about publishing’s future, I think there’d be a lot less criticism and a lot more idea sharing. If the authentic personalities inside the company could be seen by the public, we’d all have to finally admit: these people are not evil.
At the end of the day, ASI is still a business; you cannot avoid that. But, one of the top things Friedman noticed about our company, is what it’s truly about: authors. I encourage you to read Jane Friedman’s post, Author Solutions Is Not Evil: 3 Things I Learned on her Writer’s Digest blog , There Are No Rules.
—Angie Kelly Pheifer
Make Your Own Rules to Writing
This week at a book club meeting of mine — that’s right, I said it, book club — we strayed from discussion of the current reading, which isn’t too uncommon. You see, a book club is a place of common gathering where we flight the everyday and meet in the storyline of the suggested reading. In a mix of discussion and friendly conversation, one is sure to find themselves on a variety of courses.
Amid book talk, we wandered towards our own writing. The interesting thing is that as writers we study the work of others, buy books on how to sharpen our own skills, and read blogs that offer helpful tidbits of information to guide and reassure us through this whole “writing process”. We learn the rules of the road. There are concepts and rules set in stone and there are also those we can bend in a variety of directions.
In life, we live and learn. Practice creates comfort which enables us to find confidence in our writing — and thus, the bending begins. We discover side roads. These roads lead to our own personality. A routine is created and a sort of personal Rules to Live (or Write) by. We all have them. And as our experience grows, the stronger our personal rule set becomes. It is the advice we pass on to new and fellow writers — the way we do things.
For the novice to published writer, each rule list derives meaning from the strong voices and personalities of the writer and their individual works.
“Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please.” — Mark Twain
“I just write what I want to write. I write what amuses me. It’s totally for myself.” — J.K. Rowling
“In creativity, there is no nonsense.” — Abbey, Book Club
The beauty is that even a slight shift to any writer’s rule, whether it is tweaked or taken out of context, a new thought emerges. We are fueled by this inspiration until we come into our own. And with that, we are able to understand the original rules and can now contribute our perspectives — my opinion, my rules for writing.
“Listen to that stirring feeling in your chest. It is inspiration, motivation and heart.” — Me
And now, I ask you to share Your writing rules — the motions that set your writing into play. We benefit from one another. And it is our writing that will grow.
–Melissa
A Bit of Reader Research
Today I had a simple conversation between friends. We talked of birthdays, how time seems to be running from us and, of course, today’s latest news. In conversation, my friend brought up her latest trip to the local bookstore.
Her Situation: In search of a new read.
Her Debate: She stood back and began to examine the rows of book covers — quick images describing a story. Noting her personal preferences, she passed cover by cover until one caught her eye.
A Complaint: When reading the back cover of a book, and then another, within the specific genre of choice, frustration set in over the commonalities to the Harry Potter series.
Side Note: Now, she is almost thirty and has read and appreciated the entire Harry Potter series.
The Result: She jumped the ship of genres in search of a fresh story.
By now you may be thinking, what is the point of this blog post? And I assure you there is one.
The Point: Your cover’s purpose is to attract readers to your book while artistically reflecting a component of your story. Your story, however, needs to hold up its end of the deal. What I mean is this: Tell your story. Feel the freedom of writing. Where does your imagination take you?
This is an elementary lesson that affects your book in a BIG way. Don’t mimic a story already told. Appreciate the work of fellow authors and take from that what you will — except the basic concept. Form your story around your ideas, experiences, insight and perceptions.
Your writing, your ideas — that’s this voice thing we’re always talking about. Listen to the searchers—the ones looking for a new story to fall into. They will share with you the need for new and different.
–Melissa
See you again tomorrow…
A Blog Letter To Readers
Greetings Readers, Writers, and Those of You whom have just stumbled here,
There is something fresh and real about the start of a new year, whether it is a truly new beginning or simply the feeling of such. Either way, I celebrate the opportunity to begin anew, with direction and new motivation for my work, myself and my writing. I hope you feel the same way about your writing in this New Year.
For some, writing a novel is an idea that never fades. For others, it is a continuous work in progress. Either way, your book deserves to be more than a dream.
The skill of writing takes practice and the knowledge of your preferred subject takes research. I know of no shortcut or easy way out. To reach your full writing potential, it is important to study your craft, know your genre and write constantly.
I propose a partnership — a friendship — between writers. Together we can filter through the chaos of a writer’s mind and the ins and outs of the writing and publishing industry.
In this New Year I hope you will consider this blog an excellent place to look for all things writing.
I (we) will focus on the development of your book through technique and style. Break down the process of book creation beginning with inspiration and idea generation to getting started to character development and plot structure. Practice writing with the weekly writing prompts that are aimed at inspiring fresh creativity.
Most importantly, I ask for your ideas and thoughts. Your experiences are welcomed. Please share any topics you have in mind. Remember, we are a team and together we will discover innovative ways to extend our crafts out into the writing world.
So, let’s get started. I’ll start small. Check back in tomorrow for ‘Small Writing Ideas that Make a Big Impact.’
Looking Forward,
Melissa
The World Needs Writers
Writers have a direct impact on our daily lives — every day, all day. As a society, we’re increasingly consuming more and more headlines, verbs and adjectives. It’s amazing how many times a writer touches our lives each day, and you may not even realize it.
Take this example: You’re watching TV and your favorite show airs its season premiere. No writing here, right? This is TV after all … the anti-book. But, as you watch the closing scene fade to black, it happens: you think, “Man, they must have different writers now; this show has changed a lot since last season.”
That’s right, writers.
But writers don’t only influence our entertainment. Every morning or evening (or both) we rely on news sources to inform us of the day’s local and global events. Whether you watch a news program on TV, read the paper, or visit a Web site, writers are behind this transfer of knowledge. And, even though journalists try to stick to the facts, they play a big role in how the story is told, thus, interpreted by you.
It’s not just large scale media where writers intersect our lives. For example, when you read the description of the cob salad or chicken sandwich from your lunch menu, someone wrote that. Another writer composed the instructions to your new camera. And another wrote the marketing copy on boxes in the cereal aisle; and another typed the words written on the parking ticket you received because you spent too much time in your grocery store’s cereal aisle. From the tag inside your shirt that you ignored when you did not “lay flat to dry” to the millions of pages of text on every single Web site that you visit today, they are behind each sentence, each letter, each apostrophe.
Writers play a necessary role in our society beyond the obvious “author” role. Of course, there are novels, magazines and poems, but even if your book never hits the bestseller list, the world needs writers.
-Angie Kelly Pheifer
Barnes & Noble Launches e-Book Store: Rumors Circulate of Plastic Logic Partnership
This week, Barnes & Noble opened their e-Book Store online. They have hit the ground running with plans to grow aggressively. The word on the Web is that they are going to be partnering with Plastic Logic to distribute content via a device scheduled for release early next year. The device is said to be a big step in the right direction, hopefully minimizing the annoying parts of the Kindle2, Kindle DX and Sony Reader.
It would be logical to assume that Barnes & Noble will be able to establish themselves in a market that they have dominated for so long. They understand books and consumers, which is quite clear when you visit their site. The eBook Store interface is extremely user-friendly. People can download the apps they need in order to interact with the new eBook Store, including options for your computer, iPhone and Blackberry.
Overall, I think that this is a healthy development. While I don’t see any indication yet that there will be an interface such as the Digital Text Platform available to upload content to the Kindle Store, I would be surprised if this is not in the works. The strength that Amazon has brought to the e-book market is a good starting ground and I believe that strong players getting into the game will drive Amazon and any other serious participants to adapt and improve.
Barnes & Noble’s new eBook Store has a clear impact on your ability to sell your book. Familiarize yourself with this new development, so that you can be one step ahead of where your target audience is going.
-1,000 Chimps
Stop Leaving Self-Publishing Out of the Conversation
On Thursday evening, I watched in horror as my seemingly trustworthy news source, News Hour, completely failed to include self-publishing in its “review” of changes in the publishing industry.
Funny. Isn’t self-publishing part of “the publishing industry”? I vaguely recall that self-publishing’s growth more than doubled last year and now makes up more than half of all books published in the United States … Shame on you, News Hour.
I have the utmost respect for the News Hour. I adore Jim Lehrer, amongst others (Shields and Brooks, anyone?). But the news piece was disappointing.
Sure, they covered e-readers and e-books, the changes this brings to the industry and the challenges that this new form of distribution brings to publishing houses. They discussed how the recession was affecting the industry, and allowed libraries to chime in on the discussion. They had a publisher and literary agent on the show to offer their input.
But that is not the whole story. There is more that is happening in the publishing industry.
Why leave self-publishing completely out of the conversation? Not even one mention in passing. The media surely is aware of this form of publishing – it’s (more…)
How to Tell a Story: Establishing Narrative with Beginning, Middle and End
If you’ve participated in a writing workshop or read about constructing stories, then you’ve probably heard about the infamous story arch, which includes: (1) situation, (2) conflict and (3) resolution. In other words, stories generally need beginnings (introductions to the situation and main character), middles (adventures or trials of the conflict) and ends (the resolution of the story’s main conflict).
Of course modern story forms need not follow this traditional format so strictly, but the three stages of story are still invaluble to writing great fiction, even if the general guidelines are bent a little (or even broken).
To help readers reconceptualize this basic storytelling principle, let’s consider Kirsten Lepore’s award-winning short stop-animation short film Sweet Dreams, a video which establishes situation, conflict and resolution in less than 10 minutes.
SWEET DREAMS BY KIRSTEN LEPORE
Stage One: Set the stage; introduce the major character and primary conflict.
Analysis: Not a minute into Sweet Dreams, viewers already understand that the main character is a cupcake, and he dreams of traveling outside of his candy town.
Stage Two: Watch the character(s) develop and/or endure the conflict.
Analysis: Due to a shipwreck, the cupcake is able to discover a new town and a new way of life that ultimately rewards him in the way of friendship and wisdom.
Stage Three: The conflict comes to a head, and the character changes or acts according to their previous development.
Analysis: The cupcake returns to his candy town only to be alienated by those whom he used to call friends. When a storm threatens to dissolve the candy town, however, the cupcake utilizes his new wisdom, builds a safe haven out of carrots and saves his people from disaster.
Obviously, most stories cannot be boiled down to such basic elements–there’s still room for tone, satire, dialogue, sub-conflicts and more–but Sweet Dreams clearly outlines the story principles on which most compelling narratives are based.
The Point: Always think about the beginning, middle and end of your stories, even if you ultimately choose to write your story in a non-traditional way. Remember that rising tension, character development and clarity are all necessary for every compelling story.
