Author name: Booksquare

Dissecting the publishing industry with love and skepticism.

Yeah, But What’s For Dessert?

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Far too many writers have longed for the opportunity to suffer from Second Novel Syndrome, only to discover the disease is at least as debilitating as puberty. And like adulthood, SNS may be something you live with until a kind-hearted friend takes you aside and says, “Dude, seriously, people are getting creeped out by you sleeping with such a young book.” The conventional view on SNS [Second Novel Syndrome] is that it is a seizure caused by a loss of innocence. Don DeLillo said a first novel comes to the writer as a gift and he doesn’t necessarily know how […]

Tools and Craft

Not Just A Southern Thing

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New York Publisher. Sounds so big, doesn’t. All those bright lights and tall buildings. Lunches at Michael’s with your incredibly hip (and incredibly young) editor. Both of you are wearing black. It’s slimming and repels city grime. But is a New York publisher right for you? Maybe you’d like someone willing to take a risk. Maybe you’re looking for a personal touch. Maybe you’re looking for someone like Kathy Pories of Algonquin Books. She’s looking for you, especially if you have passion for your work. I think we have such a proliferation of well-trained and well-schooled writers these days who

Publishers and Editors

It’s Your Fiction – Do Something With It

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We’ve never been fond of the starving artist model, but do understand that making your living from writing alone is a tough prospect. Sure there are alternatives: Though you’ll often hear them complaining, there are a thousand ways for writers to make money. They can be waiters, for instance. Or work in parking garages. If all else fails, there are always grants. And if even that fails? That’s what parents/spouses-who-are-lawyers are for. Also a generous patron. 2006 will be remembered as the year that changed the entertainment industry forever. Creative minds will find innovative ways to bring their art to

The Future of Publishing

File Under: Ho Hum Yawn Whatever

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We admit it: we spent about five minutes last year trying to work up enthusiasm for the mystery that might be JT Leroy. Hmm, that’s a lie. We only made it three minutes, tops. As it turns out, we didn’t care, don’t care, and probably won’t care in the future. Unless there’s an opportunity for making fun of someone or something. Then we will invoke our gender-given right to change our mind. Apparently Leroy has a stand-in for public appearances. Also, apparently Leroy doesn’t exist. Or not. It appears the name is a pseudonym that comes complete with backstory. Quite

Books/Mags/Blogs

The Da Vinci Coup: Leave No Shelf Space Free

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Bear with us a moment while we work through our confusion: Random House will be printing five million copies (give or take) of the paperback version of The Da Vinci Code. Now to us, that seems excessive given the fact that everyone in the known universe already has a copy. The hardcover has topped bestseller lists for years now — is there really anyone out there who hasn’t read the thing? Oh right, collectors. There are Dan Brown freaks who want each and every edition. And people who were waiting to buy the paperback, though one presumes a large percentage

Books/Mags/Blogs

On Precision In Language

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A panel of linguists has decided the word that best reflects 2005 is “truthiness,” defined as the quality of stating concepts one wishes or believes to be true, rather than the facts. Honestly, “truthiness” is selected the word of 2005

Quote of the Week

Look, Up In The Sky, It’s A Superagency!

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We don’t know where we read it first — the news was flying fast and furious this weekend — but there’s a new superagency out there. Scott Hoffman, from PMA Lit & Film, Jeff Kleinman, from Graybill & English, and Paige Wheeler, from the Creative Media Agency, have joined forces to create Folio Literary Management. The trio’s mission is simple. In addition to the traditional work done by agents, they work beyond the publication date (now that’s what we call earning that 15%): Folio picks up where major publishers leave off. We provide regional and local publicity that can dramatically

Agents

Resolution One: Read More

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If, like us, you made a resolution to eat less and read more this year, the Emerging Writers Network has a deal for you. Our friend Dan Wickett has twisted the arms of some his favorite journals — and they cried uncle in the form of discounts to EWN readers. Take advantage of their generosity. It’s the least you can do. The offer is simple – pay for one less journal than you order. Subscribe to 3? Pay for 2. Subscribe to 4? Pay for 3. And so on, right on to those truly dedicated souls out there who subscribe

Books/Mags/Blogs

First-Time Caller, Long-Time Writer

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Next week, BS is hosting the monthly meeting of The Bookclub. This is where women and men get together to drink wine (the post-Christmas gathering is prime timing due to holiday gifts) and eat food. Having mastered macaroni and cheese, we are moving on to a new recipe this year. Should be very exciting. Hmm, seems like something else is happening. Ah, yes, we are supposed to talk about the book (never fear, we have done our reading). This month, we’re thinking of scaring our friends by inviting Orson Scott Card to call and join the conversation. He wrote the

Books/Mags/Blogs

George Hodgman Indulges His Nurturing Nature

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We are continuing to sift through the backlog of stuff we meant to post, and this interview with George Hodgman stood out. Such is the beauty of a backlog — you can pick and choose your path*. Hodgman is executive editor at Henry Holt, and his dream is to edit. Really edit. Also write cover copy. His other interests involve avoiding forms with numbers and skipping overly long motivational meetings. We made that last one up, but since everyone hates overly long motivational meetings, it seemed like a good guess. While all editors seek talent they can grow old with,

Publishers and Editors
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