Writers and the Current Publishing World

Raise an iced tea (or something stronger!) to summer! Back in the dark days of February I bought a brilliantly colored hammock and left it on an open shelf so its oranges and reds could reassure me: soon, soon. Now I’m finally measuring distances between trees.

Maybe it’s the people I hang out with or the websites I peruse but lately talk about the effects of the internet, ebooks and the economy on writing and publishing has reached a state of doom.
The subject as a whole is too big for this wee newsletter but I’d like to address authors, both beginning and struggling. Every time there’s a technological evolution, predictions abound that reading will die. The birth of radio did it. So did the advent of TV, CDs and audiobooks, not to mention the computer.
People, it ain’t gonna happen. Books will live long and prosper. Reading will continue. People will always pay (yes, pay!) for what they want. The publishing industry became bloated, arrogant and ugly. Millions were paid in advances for bad celebrity books, while good authors with good books received advances thousands of dollars LESS than ten years ago. And don’t get me started on miniscule print runs and non-existent publicity.
But that will change, and already is changing. Publishers that aren’t adapting are closing up shop – and that simply can’t be helped. Life is evolution. Not even nostalgia can keep a failing business alive, and we’re surrounded by examples on every front, not just in the book world.
Writers write to communicate, to share a story. If your goal is to be rich, or even make a living as a writer, don’t give up your day job. So while all this is “shaking down,” keep on writing. Stay disciplined and focused. Be ready. You WILL eventually find your audience. It may not be the traditional agent-to-publisher-to-bestseller list of old, but it WILL happen. Writers have more options than ever before. Stay light on your feet, keep your eyes open and think evolution. Self publishing and independent publishing will evolve until good writing rises and bad writing sinks.
Take charge of your own publicity and distribution. The internet is a fabulous tool; it is your friend; use it shamelessly.
And one last thought, if you want reading to thrive, be sure that you yourself are reading! Happy Summer, jo

Thoughts on ebook Readers
Okay, so there’s a lot of hype about ebooks and ebook readers (the device not the person). They’re sweeping the nation, right? Just ask yourself this: how many of your friends read books online? How many even own an ebook reader such as the Kindle? How many years have we been promised that an ebook reader guaranteed to shake up the reading world is just around the corner, coming soon, in just a minute, yup, you bet. Maybe someday this will be true, but not yet. Go buy a book (at your local bookstore, natch!).

The Singing Librarian
Rob Lopresti is a master of the mystery short story and a gifted songwriter. Check out his website to hear hilarious (but oh so true!) librarian songs.

Fun with Fennel
I’d never even knowingly touched a fennel bulb until I read a recipe that called for using one in a salad. They’re grand! Slightly anise flavored, you can use the entire plant but I like the bulb sliced thinly and added to a salad. Try it.

Who’s Reading?
The hottest area in publishing right now is for young adult readers, you know: the folks everyone claimed spent all their time playing electronic games. Industry figures show that the adult genre doing the best is the romance industry. Ah, love will prevail in any economic season.

Good Reads
Helma, considering the fact that Vladimir Nabakov’s first language was Russian, not English, decided to read LAUGHTER IN THE DARK, one of his earliest books. A wicked, sometimes funny book that can make your teeth clench in frustration for the protagonist. Russian darkness abounds here!
Ruth just read a hilarious young people’s mystery, THE BIG SPLASH, by Jack Ferriaiolo. Seventh grade noir. It’s sure to revive a few of your old seventh grade memories, maybe even cringe once or twice. The group called “the Outs,” rang a bell for Ruth.