Writerly Post – State of the Author, A Day Late
AKA, Random Author Chick is Random this week. The publishing industry has been fairly quiet this week. Life, itself, however, has not. We’re talking DEFCON levels. So what does a writer chick do when the random gets out of hand? State of the Author post. Yeah…
• I gave away an office supply on my website this past week. A Rhodia notebook. I had 23 comments as entries. I knew one person who entered. Now THAT has pretty awesome. The general random part? The winner hasn’t contacted me yet. Must figure out what the policy is going to be about that. Hmmm.
• I received my first major book publisher rejection (fortunately very polite) this week. Now I get to weigh the pros and cons of printing and snail mailing a submission package to the one other major publisher that will consider unagented work, or go with a much smaller publisher that takes unagented electronic submissions. It’s actually something that has to be carefully thought about since cash money is generally an issue. Time I can commit to. These things take time.
• So, if not having an agent is a hurdle, why don’t I go that route? That’s a much more involved story than I want to get into. The short answer is that I’ve been burned by less than reputable agents in the past. I know most agents are good and professional people, I’ve got that “once bitten, twice shy” thing going – only squared. And though I could probably get some feet in the door that I otherwise couldn’t, I’m also dealing with the Catch 22 of time spent trying to get an agent is time not spent in trying to get the book published. We’ll see if I made the right decision.
• Word counts on new projects are happening. A bit more sporadically than I would like, but I did mention the DEFCON chaos levels, right? With the projects at the Day Job coming to a head after 4 months of prep work, a sick puppy, a broken car, and house issues all hitting at once, word counts come in when and where you can get them. Most of my writing has been at my Secondary Starbucks while sharing a car with my husband. But they are happening, because word counts are IMPORTANT, darn it.
So, there’s the state of the author – she’s frazzled, freaked, and freaky, but she’s working on it. And if you want to see the crazy lady in person – I’m participating in ArmadilloCon 32 in Austin, August 27-29 and FenCon in Dallas September 17-19.
And The Winner Is….
Chris Stelter says:
August 9, 2010 at 9:50 am (Edit)
I switched to the Webbie (from Moleskine) specifically
because of the paper. It’s a dream for fountain
pen users. I’d love to win one!
PS – there was one comment posted to Live Journal, which was taken into account in the random comment generator numbering.
Comment back here so everyone knows you’ve claimed your prize and email me with your contact information so I can send you your prize!!!
Oh, and the Other Thing…
I got my first “Major League” novel rejection today. As in, one of the Big Six publishers.
I have to say (and not just because I’m going to have the opportunity to meet Anne Sowards in a couple of weeks), ACE/ROC has the nicest, politest form rejection emails ever. And they had a very quick turnaround after I confirmed Cyberspace had eaten my original submission.
It’s the next rung on the ladder. Now onto the next publisher. This is actually the first rejection for the actual book, the other rejection was the publisher discontinuing their SF line.
All in the line of duty.
From the Archive – Trolls for Christmas
Yes, it’s Christmas in August – which is nice since it’s been 105 degrees here in Texas lately. Before I get to the archive post, a quick update. There are only a few hours left to register for the Rhodia Notebook. Get commenting.
Now…Trolls for Christmas…
When you have any kind of presence on the internet, you have to be prepared for anything. During this lovely week before Christmas, I had the “pleasure” of dealing with a troll. And not the good, plot bunny kind.
About a month ago, I was a very small part in a take down of a website. This website had put up in their entirety hundreds of books from major authors across the board – genre fiction, mainstream fiction, and non-fiction. I was told about the site by a very computer savvy person I know who found some of the genre fiction authors we know on the site. One of these authors had her entire body of work posted on this site.
In the short upheaval that occurred after this site was found, it was taken down. The computer guy turned the site in for blowing user agreements. Because the guy had put up everything, including Star Wars media tie-in novels, production companies (LucasFilms), major publishers (Baen), and SFWA got involved – that I know of – in Cease and Desist. I did my part in the way I knew how. I talked. I blogged. I passed the word.
I got the troll. The guy who “owned” the site sent out apologies as the Wrath of Lucas, et al. descended. I even got one. Now, a month later I get an email from a rather disturbed individual from a Yahoo! Account with a “name” that I sure hope is fake (or “her” parents have a lot to answer for). I was told I needed to check my facts before being mean to the owner of the site (as if I had anything to do with the actual take down). That he – owner – had bought those books on a CD and put them on his site to promote reading, and as a writer I should also be promoting reading. And that he was not infringing on anyone’s copyright because he was offering them for free – not making a profit off of them.
Besides the fact that I have seriously cleaned up the grammar, punctuation, and spelling of the rant, “she” shows a remarkable lack of knowledge in copyright issues. I don’t consider myself an expert in the matter myself, but I know some things, and when I passed my troll’s email on to others, I’ve learned this “woman” is sorely deluded and misinformed. “She” is the malicious one. Her friend, the site owner? I truly believe he was clueless.
1. Not one single author or publisher gave this person permission to post their work on his site. Not one single author even knew about the site until someone else pointed it out. Whether or not a person is making a profit off the postings is irrelevant. The author still owns the words. They grant permission to the use of the words.
2. Just because he bought a CD with the books on them, doesn’t give him or anyone the right to post the books for distribution. In fact, he should’ve turned the seller of the CD in. As the books/authors are across the board it’s obvious that the CD was pirated and not anything official from a single publisher.
3. These sites are not libraries. Libraries buy physical copies from the publishers then lend them individually to people. Library sales show up on the publishers accounting lists.
4. “Promotion” of this sort is ridiculous. This is like saying Grand Theft Auto (the felony not the game) is a Promotional Tool for the automakers — if someone cares enough to steal the car, it must be a good car, right? And promotion should be an agreement between author and promoter. This website didn’t ask anyone.I did make the mistake of responding to the troll. But one of the authors from the site wrote a beautiful response carefully explaining copyright to this deluded soul. I admit to taking a pot shot or two at the person’s lack of grammar, spelling, and knowledge. Of course, I expected a response. I wasn’t wrong. The very brilliant troll asked what I was doing to take doing Used Bookstores.
Um, nothing. Used bookstores have a very valuable place in lifecycles of books. Used bookstores not only give people with little money the ability to inexpensively discover new authors (libraries are the FREE choice, but don’t always have the selection of a good used bookstore). They also take overstock from the big bookstores, keeping those books from being stripped or returned, making the publishers and authors happy. AND, the author has been paid at some point for the original sale of the book.
And, to boil it down to it’s most simplistic form – from a fan friend – used bookstores do NOT sell Xeroxed copies of books.
What’s the bottom line? This is the face of piracy. People thinking they’re providing a “Service” to authors by stealing their work, posting it for free, and say they’re doing the author a “favor” by “promoting” their work. Yeah, don’t do me that favor, would ya? Thanks.
Writer Post – Publishing is Dead, Jim…Again
I apologize for not getting this up yesterday. It’s been a week…
Over the last few weeks, there’s been a lot more Death Knelling over Traditional Print Publishing. OMG! Print is dead. Ebooks rule. Long live the ebook. But is that really the case? There are arguments for and against. JA Konrath made waves when he announced he’d be selling his next book exclusively through Amazon and Kindle. Dorchester publishing recently announced they were dumping their mass market paperback line for ebooks and POD tradepaperbacks. For some this means the End is Nigh for traditional publishing. For others, it’s an interesting case study. Who’s right? Everyone and no one.
Is traditional publishing in trouble? Very likely, yes. Is this news? No. Publishing has been in “trouble” since the invention of the printing press for one reason or another. Publishing has had the same issues as many industries over time – technology changes a heckuva lot faster than hearts and minds. Hidebound and traditional business practices are hard to overcome. Can Publishing do it? Maybe. Maybe not. But regardless of what the techno-savvy say, I don’t think print is dead, long live print. Yes, print is in trouble and needs to rethink what they’re offering, why and how, but it’s not dead yet.
Why would people want to continue buying books? They’re not interactive or enhance able. They’re not “green”. They take up space. Ebooks can offer a much more intriguing reading experience that has nothing to with reading. There can be pictures. You can carry dozens on a device the size of a phone – if not actually ON your phone. What’s not to love?
In my opinion, a lot. Books – honest to goodness paper books – have advantages over ebooks. One: No dedicated reader – you can read any book without worrying about DRM. Two: no battery. You don’t have to worry about your book going out on you in the middle of reading it because you forgot to plug it in. Three: expense. No matter how much people gripe about how much a book cost these days ($7.99 for mass market, $9.99-$14.99 for Trade, and $25 for hardback – ish), it’s STILL not the $150-$500 for a Kindle, Nook, or iPad PLUS however much for the eBook itself. THREE: You’re not out all that money if you accidently knock your reader off the counter and into the toilet (don’t ask).
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not “anti-ebook”. In fact, I’m all for selling your book (my book, anyone’s book) in every format possible. Do I think ebooks should be priced the same as print? No. Do I think they should be sold as dirt cheap as some people do? No. There’s a lot of knowledge and work that goes into producing a quality ebook, just like a quality paper book.
And for those who point at Amazon’s report of ebooks outselling hardbacks? Show me the hard numbers. Amazon just issued the story. They didn’t share the data. I have no doubt ebooks are here to stay. But so are “real” books. The MP3/iTunes didn’t kill cd sales. The music industry didn’t implode with the advent of music downloads. Publishing will have to readjust, but I don’t think it’s dead yet.
Notebook Review and Contest – The Rhodia Webnotebook
So, Dave, of Dave’s Pencils – yes, we’re still working on the Rotring drafting pencil review. That one is a joint review that my husband and I are doing. This one was a much quicker one to do. And it all started with a contest like with the Rotring, just one I didn’t win. I’ve always been impressed with the Rhodia line of notebooks – just can’t always afford them. Then I was given the opportunity to both review and giveaway a Rhodia Webnotebook courtesy of Karen and Stephanie of Exaclair.
Now, to the review. The Rhodia Webnotebook is a blank notebook with 92 pages of 90g Clairefontaine brushed vellum paper. The cover is a black with the logo embossed on the front cover, an elastic band and bookmark to keep your notebook closed and in the right place. There is a hard paper inner pocket attached to the back cover that is cool, but I’m not sure what I’d use it for.
I have no problem with unlined paper. Sometimes I rather like it, because sometimes I can get more words on a page when I write. And I can see where some of my artist friends would find that useful for sketching. Then I got into actual use of the notebook. I wrote pieces of my rough draft in various pens to have fun and to test the paper.
The paper is smooth, almost slick feeling but without being glossy. It’s a cream colored paper, and that’s the word that kept coming to mind as I wrote on the paper – creamy. I did encounter a little bit of smearing but only with the most liquid of inks – my widest nib Waterman fountain pen and a rather gloppy ballpoint pen. I did discover that the rollerball pen I thought was good, isn’t as much because it skipped as much this beautiful paper as it does on coarser paper. Colors are clear and bright. And except for a worn down tipped fine point Sharpie, I encountered no bleed through to the reverse side of the page.
I can’t wait to find out what I use the notebook for. Fiction writing and reviews or my personal journal. I love this notebook. I would use it for EVERYTHING if I could. The 5.5″ X 8.25″ size would even fit in my bigger purse – definitely in any briefcase or backpack. I knew I would like Rhodia when I saw it in some retail outlets. Now I know for sure. And so you don’t have to take my word for it… I have one to give away.
The CONTEST: Let me know in comments who wants one and maybe why, and we’ll figure out a random comment generation method. Comment between now and Midnight on Friday, 8/13/10. I’ll get in touch with the winner by email, and we’ll get it out to them. DISCLAIMER: I do have to approve comments because the Russian Spambots love my site, but I’ll get ‘em approved as quickly as possible. GOOD LUCK!
I give it 4.5 Bronze Pencils out of 5 simply because I prefer spiral notebooks so I don’t break the binding, even though this is a very high quality, lay flat sewn binding.
**Note: I’ve revised my standard from 4 to 5 bronze pencils and have adjusted this review accordingly and it will go forward from here.
Book Review – The Two Worlds of Poul Anderson
This review was for TWO WORLDS OF POUL ANDERSON, by Poul Anderson.
From Wildside Press:
“This volume collects one short novel and one short story by classic science fiction author Poul Anderson. “Industrial Revolution” originally appeared in Analog Science Fact & Fiction, September 1963. “Duel on Syrtis” originally appeared in Planet Stories, March 1951. We have released it as a chapbook priced at $2.99 on Amazon.com. Quite a good deal, if I do say so myself!”
ISBN: 1-55742-693-7, 66 pages, $2.99 (chapbook)
Two Worlds of Poul Anderson: Science Fiction from the Golden Age (Paperback)
by Poul Anderson
ISBN: 1557426937
Price: USD 2.99
1 used & new available from USD 2.99
| 4.5 | 3
Now, I will say up front that I haven’t read just a whole lot of Poul Anderson in the past. In fact, my “classic” science fiction background is rather…lacking. I didn’t grow up with the Golden Age pulps. So I was intrigued by this opportunity. I did prefer “Industrial Revolution” of the two, not that there wasn’t anything I didn’t like about “Duel on Syrtis”.
“Industrial Revolution”, though originally published in 1963, resonated more with me. Set on an asteroid belt and dealing with mining rights, far away governments, political maneuverings and the military, this story – in my mind – is just as relevant today as it probably was in 1963. In fact, as I was reading it, the Gulf Oil Spill was still very much topping the news. I could see where – though some things change, others do not. Which is – again, in my mind – something that makes a story “classic” or “timeless”. The fact the reader can still draw parallels to their own time/climate. Some of the story – such as the language and gender attitudes were indicative of the time, but not so much that the story suffered for being 47 years old.
“The Duel on Syrtis” was a decent hunt story. Man against Alien. A story of survival in a hostile environment. I’m sure when Anderson first wrote and published this story in 1951, the idea of aliens triumphing over what seems to be the superior firepower of an industrialized civilization might have been new and a twisty. Being a reader in the 21st century with movies like James Cameron’s AVATAR and other stories out where Western Civilization/industrialization = Bad, Indigenous Species = Good, I was expecting the outcome of the story. So though it was a respectable story, I was less drawn into it than the other.
But for those who do like the Golden Age of SF classics, this was a nice coupling of classic hard SF. I do see how Poul Anderson was one of the Big Writers of the time, and now some I have read and appreciated his work, as I “should have” being in the industry that I’m in. If you like reading ebooks and classic SF work, this is a heck of a deal. I’d recommend it.
From the Archives – 2008 Black Wednesday
Today marks a week since the publishing industry had its Black Wednesday – in their own words. For writers, editors, publishers, and those who want to be those things, you saw and/or felt at least the shockwaves.
Major publishing houses like Simon and Schuster, Random House, and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt announced lay offs and cut backs as did religious publisher, Thomas Nelson. It’s no surprise given the state of the economy, everyone is tightening their financial belts whether through firing employees at all levels, including top level editors and executives.
The beginning seemed to come when news leaked of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ceasing acquisitions at least until the end of the year. Then came news of the staff cuts and consolidations. Random House completely consolidated and restructured their imprints into a dizzying confusion. Fewer books are being bought by fewer people with greater expectations.
To most people this means the book publishers are hunkering down, buying those names they know will sell and sell well and not taking a chance on new or even mid-list writers any longer. However, amid the chaos and confusion, many authors are doing what many of them do best – try to sell books. John Scalzi wrapped this up with some sage advice when he wrote about Black Wednesday in his Whatever Blog – “Buy some d—-d books.” And many other authors, including myself, have echoed him in our blogs in the past week.
Don’t like what the publishing industry is doing? Want to see something else? Tell them with what financial resources you have. Buy books from your favorite genres by your favorite, maybe less known authors. Or follow Shanna Swendson’s “Publishing Loop of Doom” advice. Go the brick and mortar stores and request your favorite TYPES of books you like, especially if they don’t have them in the stores. If you have a favorite small press, buy the d—-d books so those presses survive the economic down turns.
Given the bleak outlook, many new writers, and even readers, may think it’s time to give up. Throw in the towel. There’s not going to be any way to break in now. I wish those folks luck. As for me and most writers I know, we’re sticking it out. Eventually the economy will turn around, and the publishing industry will have holes to fill. I, for one, and most pros I know will be ready.
But until then, happy holidays and buy some books. Books make excellent gifts, don’t require a major outlay of cash, and are a renewable entertainment source. A good book can provide years of enjoyment. So, let’s all go do our part.
Insane Nutshell of the Last 24 hours
Loki is on an antifungal now. The vet recommends a specialist to scope his nose and see what’s going on. Pricey – until we called, the estimate is twice what our vet thought it would be.
On the way to get coffee at the independent roaster in Downtown Arlington. We hit road construction. The road construction hit back and ripped a hole in Lexus Luthor’s exhaust pipe. I won’t get my car back until Monday after work – earliest, and the estimate is not cheap.
HOWEVER, we’ve taken pictures of the construction area and the damage and have the Complaint Form For the City of Arlington. Seriously doubt anything will come of it but venting, but we have to try. Who knows maybe my city government will shock and surprise me by taking responsibility for something (insert wild laughter here).
It’s been a tough 24 hours.Thoughts and prayers are appreciated. If anyone wants to throw a big pile of cash at me in exchange for some kind of writing – I wouldn’t say no. 
But know that my status is NOT quo and won’t be for a while. But no one was hurt. We still have our jobs, and our house, and our health. And my husband looks darned sexy steam cleaning the rugs…
Cuz the Status is NOT Quo
As writers, artists and well, any other kind of creative professional, we often have to deal with Chaos in our lives. Day Jobs get out of hand. Family drama gets in the way. Pets develop undiagnosed health issues. These things always throw a monkey wrench into being a creative professional. What do you do when your status is not quo? You use it.
Right now, I’m going through two of those three things – my family is relatively drama free at the moment (and yes, I realize that just “jinxed” it). But I’m still managing to get my word counts in. What’s helping? The fact I’m currently working on a project with a nasty old serial killer, and the section I’m doing is from the killer’s POV. I can get out all my dark and frustrated on paper.
I’ve heard of people killing their bosses, coworker, and exes off in their works as therapy. I have joked about it myself. This time, though, I’m all over that theory. I have two other projects I’m also working on – both humorous, and I’m not feeling the humor right now. There’s some that I can do there, but hey…give me dark and twisty right now. I’m all over that.
So, moral of the story is to use your chaos for GOOD instead of EVIL. Or whatever you need it for. Chaos can be your friend when channeled properly. Now, I’m off to write some serial killer thriller stuff and pet my sick dog.
