Blog

News You Can Use

By Steve Laubeon August 2, 2011

45 Ways to Blog as a Novelist – Do you have blogger’s block? Here are some great tips for finding stuff to blog about.

Why You Are Receiving Rejections – Nathan Bransford weighs in and is both simple and profound.

Read Your Old Tweets – If you are an aggressive tweeter you’re stymied if you want to review your archives. The linked tool is an amazing way to pull them all into one document for your review. If you use Twitter like a diary it creates a timeline of your life.

What Should You Podcast About? – If you are thinking about adding a podcast to your marketing efforts read this article.

Find the Right Writers Group for You – A short article and a video from Joanna Penn. If you want to find out the Christian Writer’s groups in your area contact Reg Forder at American Christian Writers or ACFW (www.acfw.com).

iPhone app for 1500 Classic Books – A cool free app from Penguin Classics. Annotated descriptions of all 1500 titles in their collection and 65 quizzes for specific titles in the series.

Get the ESV Bible for Free – The English Standard Version is available for free in nearly every digital platform possible…for free.

The Ultimate Guide to Emoticons – Found at ChurchMag.com which is a really interesting place to visit.

Book of the Month – August 2011

By Steve Laubeon August 1, 2011

by Steve Laube

The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs (published by Oxford in June 2011) is this month's "Book of the Month." I recommend you pick up a copy and enjoy the experience for yourself.

It seems a little odd to read a book about reading. But for those of us who are in the "business" of creating books it is always interesting to read a wise person's take on …

Category: Book of the Month, Book Review, SteveTag: Book Review, New Books

Fun Fridays – July 29, 2011

By Steve Laubeon July 29, 2011

Shakespeare as you've never heard it before! A bit less than four minutes of utter genius.

Category: Fun Fridays, SteveTag: Humor

Bon Voyage — or A New Adventure?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 28, 2011

On Monday, Barbour Publishing informed the industry that they will be discontinuing their Heartsong Presents imprint. After 18 years and 1,000 titles, it will end its run in December 2011. Publishing has always been fluid. Steve Laube says that it is important to stay flexible because “A publisher can dramatically change directions after a meeting on Tuesday.”

I never thought Heartsong …

Category: Get Published, Publishing A-Z, Tamela, TrendsTag: Agents, Get Published, Tamela, Trends

The Wrong Point-of-View

By Karen Ballon July 27, 2011

Last week we identified Point-of-View (POV). This week, let’s consider some common POV misteps.

What's My Line?: When POV/voice doesn’t fit the character.

Here's an example. The POV character is male and a construction worker. So is the following appropriate for his POV?

Category: Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Karen, Point of View, Writing Craft

News You Can Use

By Steve Laubeon July 26, 2011

The Publishers Who Lost the Most When Border's Closed - The next time you criticize "traditional publishers" for their seemingly high prices and slow adoption of new technology, remember this list. Penguin/Putnam lost $41 million when Borders went bankrupt. Ouch.

Twenty-five Rejection Proof Markets - A clever article by James Watkins. I like #24. Proof that I can remain rejection …

Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, SteveTag: News, Publishing News, Trends

Fun Fridays – July 22, 2011

By Steve Laubeon July 22, 2011

Hold on to your wallets! This video will make you want to search the Internet to buy your own set.

Category: Fun Fridays, SteveTag: Humor

Out of Their Minds: The basics of point-of-view

By Karen Ballon July 21, 2011

Ever been reading a novel, cooking along with the character, when you realize you’re not seeing things through that character’s eyes any longer? Somewhere along the way, something shifted and you’re inside a different character’s head. Jarring, huh? Probably jolted you out of the story, if only for a few seconds while you figured out what happened.

That, my friends, is what you want to avoid at …

Category: Craft, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Craft, Karen, Point of View, Writing Craft

News You Can Use

By Steve Laubeon July 20, 2011

Winnie the Pooh's Cultural Dominance - A great slide show of the history of A.A. Milne's character growing into a phenomenon. Did you know he sold the rights to Pooh in 1931 for $1,000 and a % of licensing fees? Today the licensing generates $5.6 billion in annual revenue. Wow.

Free Magazine on Writing - The July issue of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).

Agent Andrew …

Category: Book Business, News You Can Use, SteveTag: News, Publishing News, Trends

More Convention Highlights!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 19, 2011

As you know from reading our own Steve Laube's excellent insights on this blog about ICRS, the days were busy, exciting, and invigorating. The convention confirmed our optimism about Christian publishing's bright future.

I've been to the convention a number of times and have always been blessed. This year, it took place in Atlanta, a lovely city that offers hot, sunny, humid weather. My biggest …

Category: Book Business, Conventions, ICRS, TamelaTag: convention, ICRS, Tamela