Articles from April 2004

We Knew This

April 30th, 2004 · Comments Off on We Knew This

We try to run a clean blog, but this week’s news is tilted toward the titillating. Must be Spring — makes us all a little frisky. Plus The Guardian always manages to bring something interesting to our attention. As it turns out, men and women write porn differently. Now, we don’t think this is news […]

File Under: Square Pegs

It’s Scary, No?

April 30th, 2004 · Comments Off on It’s Scary, No?

Perhaps it’s the thought of all those publishing people…laughing that makes us nervous. The Book is back (though, we confess, due the piles of bound and printed material lying around, we missed the news it was gone). The 2004 BA Conference in Brighton (perhaps something special was slipped into the water?) was a virtual lovefest […]

File Under: Square Pegs

Ask and You Shall Receive

April 30th, 2004 · Comments Off on Ask and You Shall Receive

It’s nice when agents take time from their busy schedules to explain things to us. After all, there is so much of this industry clouded in mystery (what are reserves for returns and why do I want them?). Fiction Addiction has convinced the fine folks at Graybill & English — who serve as both literary […]

File Under: Agents

Sometimes, We’re Left Speechless

April 30th, 2004 · Comments Off on Sometimes, We’re Left Speechless

Or maybe it’s that we find self-help books comforting. It’s hard to say. Either way, this article was just a little too interesting to let pass without comment. Plus we’re sure we know someone who’s writing on this very subject. My brain is so cool: Welcome to the world of neuroscience self-help books

File Under: Square Pegs

You Can Give It Away

April 30th, 2004 · Comments Off on You Can Give It Away

Conventional wisdom (which we never trust) says why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free? In the publishing biz, this translates to: never, ever, no matter what put your work online for free. Because that’s bad. Or not, as several authors have learned. We recall the trend beginning with Doug Clegg, […]

File Under: Square Pegs

AARP: It’s Not Just For Grandmothers Anymore

April 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on AARP: It’s Not Just For Grandmothers Anymore

We confess: one of the least popular gifts we gave our mother was an AARP membership. Why? Because she didn’t like the implication. Of course, now she sees how membership saves, and appreciates our thoughtfulness more. That and it’s like getting carded again. For authors, AARP offers a very special benefit: yes, we’re talking cold, […]

File Under: Books/Mags/Blogs

Our Lips Aren’t Sealed

April 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on Our Lips Aren’t Sealed

ePublishers come and epublishers go. It’s a tough business. But rarely has a new epublisher caught our attention in this manner: Loose ID is your traditional epub focusing on the various romance genres…with a twist. They’re looking for proposals developed around (are you ready?) 1980’s songs. This means you (yes, you, the one who’s longed […]

File Under: Publishers and Editors

Note to Agents: Websites Are Good

April 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on Note to Agents: Websites Are Good

Tracey Adams, formerly of McIntosh & Otis, has started Adams Literary. She’ll continue to focus on chilren’s books. For more information about Adams Literary and how to query them…well, once again, we recommend directory assistance in New York. Calls to the McIntosh website were returned unanswered.

File Under: Agents

Publish or Perish

April 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on Publish or Perish

In author circles, as we well know, the subject of self publishing is quite controversial. Nobody wants to admit they’ve considered it — even as they rail against the futility of beating heads against publisher doors (in a manner of speaking. We don’t advocate author violence.). And those who have? Well, they find their backs […]

File Under: Publishers and Editors

Pulp Fiction

April 29th, 2004 · Comments Off on Pulp Fiction

Wide-eyed blondes. Swaggering private eyes. Murder most foul. Yes, we agree. It’s time the publishing industry took us back to the glory of hardboiled crime fiction. Hard Case Crime, from Dorchester and Winterfall LLC, will be releasing a mix of classic and new noir titles. No guidelines on the site, but you know what they […]

File Under: Publishers and Editors