Tag: bidness
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Reevaluating the Briar Patch
I have–to this point–been consistent regarding my opinion of self-publishing and its relevance to my own career. That opinion has not been very positive. For all the anecdotal examples that are bandied about the internet of self-publishing success, the majority of self-published work (in my own anecdotal exploration) is atrociously bad. Of course it is.…
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Realigning the Thought Tracks
There is some common wisdom shared among authors that has gotten twisted by the internets, like playing a game of operator/telephone (depending on where in the country you grew up–basically a message is relayed through a number of people and it warps with each passing). The very wise advice was, “Don’t quit your day job…
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Could It Be Any Clearer
Pearson, Inc is the parent company that owns Penguin and Pearson Education. They are the world leaders in trade and educational publishing, respectively. It also owns the Financial Times, Dorling Kindersley, and other ventures. Their 2010 numbers were just released. One point in particular is of relevance to people like you and me: Last year…
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Bordering on the Ridiculous
Sara Megibow posted recently that she “did her part to help Borders” by buying a book there. And all I can think is, you either screwed the publisher or screwed the author by buying there. If Borders doesn’t pay for the books it’s selling, someone has to take the loss. Either the publisher will take…
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The Known Unknowns
Between my own experiences in the industry and the years I’ve spent participating in various industry blogs (pubrants, the Bransford, etc.), I am not too worried about what will come after I get an agent and sell a book. Or at least, I feel like I have a pretty solid understanding of most aspects. Except…
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No Sympathy for Bookstores
The general premise is that if you want to be a writer, you should buy books whenever you can, whether they are for yourself or gifts for others (this sentiment most often comes up around Christmas). I don’t have a problem with this, to be honest. Support the business you work in. Makes sense to…