Let us begin with synopses and cover copy: both are fine bits of information that only begin to convey the character of a book (although cover copy sometimes lies!). These snapshots of information are nice, but, well, not prime examples of great writing about books. Publishers are bizarrely hands-off when it comes to talking about […]
Articles from June 2008
Why Publishers Should Blog
June 23rd, 2008 · 32 Comments
File Under: Perennials · The Future of Publishing
Things That Excite Me
June 16th, 2008 · 4 Comments
This past week, I encountered a string of things that made me smile, reminding me that the Internet is a really cool place for people who love to read. What’s exciting is that these are fun items that aren’t flashy, twirly, or even sparkly. They’re just plain fun. So here’s my current shortlist of things […]
File Under: Square Pegs
The Reading Problem
June 9th, 2008 · 11 Comments
Sometimes I think that everyone’s worried about the future of books, but nobody’s doing anything about it*. More precisely, I think the people who hand-wring the most are the same people who forget why people read in the first place. These are the folks who place books on ivory pedestals and disdain anyone who reads […]
File Under: Square Pegs
(Online) Myths Overheard at BEA 2008
June 2nd, 2008 · 8 Comments
It is inevitable, in a conference setting, that one will disagree with the information being presented. Sometimes it’s a different point of view, sometimes it’s that the presenter is working off old, inaccurate information. Sometimes, even, it’s a simple case of someone trying to make a point, and getting the message across in a sloppy, […]
File Under: Square Pegs