Stopping The Blook In Its Tracks

March 28th, 2006 · 2 Comments
by Booksquare

Before we get started on our topic, we must clear the air. In no way, shape, or form do we support the use of the word “blook”. We demand that this word be stricken from the nation’s vocabulary immediately — think of the children! Do not let this word perpetuate.

And with that, we plunge directly into the going-on-years-now phenomenon that is bloggers writing books. Or is it blogs that become books? Nevermind — the source of the material is far less important than the fact that the Wall Street Journal got sucked into the might Lulu.com promotion machine (extra credit points for Lulu there). Also this lovely quote:

Still, not every blogger is a born author. “I don’t think a blog is a great place to look for new writers,” says Ms. [Judy] Clain [Little, Brown Executive Editor], “because there are so many, and so many aren’t very good.”

Amen, sister! We remain proud of our role in reminding you of this…

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File Under: Non-Traditional Publishing

2 responses so far ↓

  • David Thayer // Mar 28, 2006 at 11:35 am

    Booksquare the Blook? Perhaps Ms. Clain should blook again.

  • James Aach // Mar 28, 2006 at 11:55 am

    I don’t like the word “blook” either, and I would agree that it’s likely most blog authors aren’t of publishable quality.

    But – – it is interesting to note the quote that blogs not a great place to look for new writers. Where is that place? Most publishing houses depend on agents, who in turn tend to filter out books that publishers have no track record on, so it can become a vicious cycle of similar authors and similar titles.

    The best ways to break the cycle seem to be having an inside track in the industry, or to be famous. If the publishing industry is truly looking for new writers, what could be more convenient that spending a little time dipping in and out of blogs? Who knows what you’ll find?

    I enjoy your site keeping me updated on thinking in the publishing world. A shameless but intriguing plug follows.

    Regards, James Aach

    In my own case, I have a science-based novel with the backing of both a Pulitzer Prize Winner and a National Medal of Science winner. But it doesn’t fit into a narrow category, so agents have turned it down. I’ve since put it on my blog for free, and I’ve gotten great reviews from a wide variety of readers. (See the homepage comments.) Readers also keep asking – why isn’t this published? I can’t answer that, but I’ve taken my best guess at http://www.lablit.com/article/83).

    “Rad Decision” is a novel about a nuclear plant accident, written by a longtime nuclear worker. “I’d like to see Rad Decision widely read.” – Stewart Brand, founder of The Whole Earth Catalog.

    http://RadDecision.blogspot.com