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The Blog

News and Notes

Observations and opinions about the brave new publishing world.

Around the Publishing World (January 11)

11 Jan 2016
Around the Publishing World, author tips
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We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

 

 

1. Are there any unforgivable sins in literature?
Author Rivka Galchen answers that question in the New York Times and I absolutely love her answer. Great advice for her fellow writers.

 

2. 28 Things You Must Know About Publishing
There are some great observations here about self-publishing and traditional publishing. #1 and #19 are great points that authors don’t like to hear, but they couldn’t be more true. As for #19, when we run into authors that are unwilling to invest in their own books, we run for the hills. Why should we invest if you aren’t willing?

 

3. Unconventional Tips for Unblocking Writer’s Block
Author Derek Haines has some suggestions that are really excellent outside-the-box ways of thinking about temporary writer’s block. It happens to everyone occasionally. No need to panic. Your talent hasn’t suddenly left you. Try these tips and it will more than likely come right back.

 

4. 21 Author Quotes About the Magic of Reading and Writing
Great writers give you some inspiration to keep on keeping on. Some are a bit trite, but the sentiment is there.

 

5. New at Eckhartz Press: Library bundles and our Speakers Bureau
Our Eckhartz Press authors have spoken at lots of libraries around the Chicagoland area. We’re now offering book bundles for other libraries that want to stock our books, and our speakers bureau for libraries (or other organizations) to book our authors. Click on the links above to get more information.

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Around the Publishing World (January 5)

05 Jan 2016
Around the Publishing World, author tips
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We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

 

 

1. The secrets of viral book sales
This is a great article from last year, and although it’s a UK blog, there’s a lot of great info here for American writers as well. Here’s a short excerpt…

There is an old adage that all writers should have emblazoned on their hearts – Publicize or Perish. Seasoned authors understand the truth of these words and combined with the art of promotion they form the singular formula for success and the foundation upon which your book is most likely to go viral. To an author it is as important as E = MC2. It isn’t a mathematical formula, but a powerful aide memoire:-

P + P = BV2 P(Promotion) + P(Publicity) = BV2 (Book Virility)

 

2. 14 books to read if you like To Kill a Mockingbird
All writers are readers too, correct? I liked this piece about other books that are similar to one of my all-time favorites, “To Kill a Mockingbird”. Courtesy of the Bookbub blog.

 

3. New lit editor at New City
When it’s time to send out your book for reviews, there’s a new name that should be in your list of contacts at New City (a local Chicago publication). Her name is Toni Nealie, and she’s their new lit editor. You can find out more about her at the link.

 

4. Who controls your facebook feed?
This is good information really for anyone, but authors use facebook extensively to help promote their works. This article helps us better understand how that whole facebook newsfeed actually works.

 

5. Book Marketing Tips from Author Helen Sedwick
Frances Caballo interviews self-published author Helen Sedwick, and Helen has some great advice about garnering blog traffic, and how to conduct blog tours.

 

6. Author Tuneups
We started these last year at Chicago Author Solutions, and they got a great response. Click on the link to get more information. A 30-minute author tune up with our experts can help your specific project with publicity, marketing, pre-press, messaging or out-of-the-box thinking.

Copy of Copy of THIRTY

Around the Publishing World (December 17)

17 Dec 2015
Around the Publishing World, author tips
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We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

 

 

1. Make your book a best seller
We would normally never post something with a headline like that, but this article actually has some great advice. It’s easier than you think. You just need to find the right category.

 

2. Book Blurbing tips
You probably know Malcolm Gladwell as a best selling author, but did you also know that Malcolm Gladwell is the king of the book blurb? He’s done tons of them. Posted a link to this article because when you become an author you’ll be asked to blurb too. There’s definitely an art to it, and Gladwell does it well.

 

3. James Patterson teaches writing
You’ve probably already seen this in your facebook or twitter feeds, but just in case you haven’t, and you’re interested, check out the video below.

 

4. A perfect present for the writer or editor in your family
If they don’t have the Chicago Manual of Style yet, it’s a must-have book in every writer’s or editor’s library. This link will take you to a way to purchase the online version, which is a subscription service. Easily searchable and right at your fingertips when you need it.

Around the Publishing World (December 8)

08 Dec 2015
Around the Publishing World, author tips
Comments: 0
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We stay on top of happenings/trends in the publishing world to help out busy writers who are spending their time doing what they should be doing: writing.

 

 

1. Society of Midland Authors Literary Contest
The Society for Midland Authors is now holding its annual literary awards contest for books published in 2015. If you are interested in knowing more, check the website. Founded in 1915, the Society of Midland Authors is a professional and fraternal society of book authors, poets and playwrights residing in the twelve-state area of the midwest.

 

2. Writing tips from great authors
You may have seen these before because they’ve been around for a while, but it never hurts to read them again. These pearls of wisdom are all of the tough love variety. If you can’t trust fellow authors to level with you, who can you trust? One of our favorites:

 

If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they’re happy.
– Dorothy Parker

 

3.Brutally honest self-publishing tips
Therin Knight is a sci-fi and mystery author and despite being young, she has some pretty good insights about self publishing. Again, of the tough-love variety. Every writer needs to hear these things occasionally.

 

4. Literary Tweets
Both of these brilliant minds are comedians, but we present their tweets to you with all the literary love they intended to convey…