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Was it just last year that the insane drive to add erotica to a publisher’s list lead to the creation of new and wilder imprints all over New York? Like pink phones, everyone had to have their own line. These weren’t your father’s dirty books, oh no. By definition, erotica is aimed toward women; by […]

This is from the March 3, 2006 “Shelf Awareness.” In an effort to restock its shelves after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Public Library is asking for donations of hardcovers and paperbacks for people of all ages. Library staff will decide which books should go into its collection; the rest will go to destitute families […]

Though we can’t be certain*, we think the British press is on schedule: one article touting the future of self-publishing per quarter. It’s almost enough to make us wonder if there’s some sort of publishing revolution happening across the Atlantic. If only we had a correspondent who spoke English. Though the article intermingles self-publishing and […]

To nobody’s surprise, readers largely prefer books with happy endings. Psychologists will surely do studies and focus groups, but we believe that deep down inside, most humans are hopeful. It’s a tough world and turning to a book that makes you think it will be just fine is human nature. It is that most of […]

We always appreciate it when someone comes out swinging, ready to fight the traditional publishing model. Lynne Scanlon, contrarian and cranky, has decided to enter the fray with a radical suggestion: dump the advance/royalty model in favor of cash-in-hand. As she rightly points out, contracts don’t favor the author (rule of thumb: the contract always […]

We know how hard it is to get worked up about copyright. All those funny ©’s and time frames and what is fair use, anyway? So it’s always nice to have a copyright primer handy. Plus they make great party favors! Bloggers and copyright mavens alike can always use a refresher on truths and myths. […]

Once upon a time, Betsy Amster was an editor. Then one day, she looked around her office and thought, “Wait! I can be an agent. The hours will be shorter, the pay better, and no marketing meetings.” So she cleared out her desk and hung out a shingle. At least some of the preceding is […]