Tag: other writers

Validating the three publishing options: Traditional, Small/Independent, DIY
Honestly, when in the company of commercial press authors, defending my place as independent press author can be difficult. To those who have “made it” into the commercial presses, I would assume my defense comes across not nearly as articulately and convincingly as I would hope. Afterall, the examples of small press authors immigrating into the world of commercial presses far outweighs the number of commercial authors willing to emigrate to the small press world. The commercial press gatekeeper is much more discriminating than the indies; I understanding the disbelief. I too would go commercial if given the right opportunity.

But things are getting easier. Not only are small press books showing face on historically commercial press-dominated shortlists (the recently announced 2010 National Book Critics Circle award finalists includes quite a few small press titles), but with the help of Jane Friedman the various publishing paths have been defined, and by extension, validated.

In the summary of her Writers Digest Conference 2011 talk on publishing options Friedman very clearly explains what she sees as the basic three options for publishing:
1. Tradition
2. Independent or niche presses
3. Self-publishing/DIY publisher
But more, she outlines the viability of each path and goes even further to categorize according to which path that might suit them best. Her bullet-points follow:
Pros, Cons, and Requirements:

Traditional publishing:
- It’s a commercially-driven business
- Competitive – many people are trying to break in
- National distribution – your work needs to merit that
- Slower to market (usually)
- Not the time to experiment
- Persistence & patience
- For non-fiction: you need a platform
Small/independent press:
- Weaker distribution, smaller print run
- More personal attention, dedication
- Usually less money
- Niche marketing – smaller, specialized market; they’re experts in the field
- More accepting of “art” (could be nonprofit), more service-minded
DIY:
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Direct connections with readership (for sales)
- Must be comfortable with technology
- Must enjoy connecting with people (online and off)
- Requires energy to market and promote
ALL of the options actually require energy to market and promote.

It all boils down to you – your strengths, your work, your readers – to determine what’s best.
Hell, just read the original post. (more…)
January 23, 2011
Literary critics aren’t dying, but they are threatening suicide…again.
The December 31^st, 2010 episode of the New York Times Review of Books podcast focused on a conversation on the relevance of professional literary criticism, especially in respects to the ‘everyone does it’ mentality associated with Amazon book reviews, Facebook statuses, and amateur lit crit blogs. Though the entire conversation was extremely interesting, the following point was especially intriguing. Said Katie Roiphe, a professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, about the current position of a critic in relation to what so many people want to call today’s death of literature (slightly paraphrased; dates are my insertions):

It is tempting to say that we live in this dangerous death of literature, but the critic has always said that. If you go back to Matthew Arnold (1822-1888), if you go back to Dwight Macdonald (1906-1982), Randall Jarrell (1914-1965) and their generation. There is something romantic for the critic to see themselves as this lone, embattled defender of the culture against the vast desert that is our uncaring population. It’s an appealing stance, but I think we have to recognize that it is a romantic role that we embrace and somehow take on. In the end, the books remain, the critic remains, and I think that the idea of the death of the critic or the death of literature is just an eternal one for the critic, sort of a fascinating one for the critic.

The concept of historic consistency when it comes to traditionally un-mainstream mediums has always fascinated me. It seems very generational-centric/ego-centric to think of our time as somehow more unstable or somehow better off in terms of literature. But even when I hear such a concise, and example-laden, view of this fallacy as quoted above, I still can’t help but dismiss it. Do I just want to be a part of a suddenly underdog industry? Or has the industry always been a consistent underdog? Or does the term underdog not apply?

Be sure to read the corresponding essays from each of the episode panelists:
- With Clarity and Beauty, the Weight of Authority by Katie Roiphe
- The Will Not to Power, but to Self-Understanding by Adam Kirsch
- Translating the Code Into Everyday Language by Sam Anderson
January 1, 2011

Top five of oh ten

It’s that time of year again, when it is acceptable for elitists to boast of their hipster cred. Of course, I am referring to the Top (number) Lists of the year. I’m going to squeeze into my skinny jeans, wrap a scarf around my non-coated body, and crack open a PBR while I compile my best books of 2010 list.

The top five

Rationale: these are my five favorite books that were published in 2010. Of course, disclaimers apply; I couldn’t read every book published, I may not have given some books equal attention, and on and on. However, I can still cull a few favs from the admittedly too-short stack of 2010 books I read. And here they are, in no particular order.

	What I said: Wolf Parts is vicious fairy tale excursions. Wolf Parts gives metaphor to the ambiguity of adolescence, turning the cautionary tale of “Little Red Riding Hood” into a predatory one. Wolf Parts turns the morality lessons of our established fairy tale and turns it inside out, sometimes literally.
	What I said: Bliss Inc. beautifully teases the reader with resolution, from the opening description of arrival to the final page, and even then the reader is left with encouragement in lieu of conclusion. But it is because of this encouragement that Bliss Inc. should be on every reader’s bookshelf. Upon finishing, I knew I would forever look at cities, and my own suburban life, differently. Bliss Inc. is a truly phenomenal book, and I am comfortable with saying that it will easily make my top books of 2010 list, perhaps my top books of all time list.
	What I said: I was surprised I liked it so much, to be honest. I’m admittedly a hipster when it comes to books (meaning, if one is popular, I am less willing to admit that I like it), but this guy has such a confidence of language that makes me so jealous.
	What I said: At times Aimee Bender minus the domesticity, add humor, mix with welcomed introspection. I’ll be reading more @paulGtremblay
	What I said: Author Nik Korpon is not satisfied to let a simple nod serve to validate his fandom, whether of movies, of music, or of literature. No, Korpon takes what is inherently compelling about each of his many references and weaves those concepts into his story.

Honorable Mentions

Rationale: these may not have made it to my top five, but they deserve some page space, dammit.

High Hopes

Rationale: these could have been on the list, but unfortunately I haven’t been able to read them yet. These are books that have been taunting me from my to read shelf. I’ve heard so much praise about these books that I feel bad for not yet giving them the time they deserve.

How They Were Found by Matt Bell

Working Backwards from Worst Moment of My Life by Rob Roberge

C by Tom McCarthy

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach

The Wraith by Goodloe Byron

It Came From Del Rio by Stephen Graham Jones

December 3, 2010

Rémi Carreiro makes the important part of books

Most of you have liars for parents. Most of you were probably given the stork spiel when asked age-inappropriate questions about the origins of things. Some of you may have been told the truth, in graphic detail, from honest, though morally disinterested, parents. I’m here to tell you the truth. Birds and bees have nothing to do with it. Rémi Carreiro is responsible. Rémi Carreiro gives birth to book covers. Also, he may have some kids; I don’t know.

When mocking up cover designs for Stranger Will, I began by searching for some seed images. Quickly, and thankfully, I found Rémi Carreiro’s Flickr gallery. While I ultimately chose his Park Bench image for the cover (well, actually readers of this blog chose the image, via a vote), this guy has some amazing images, many of which feel so perfect for book covers. See what I mean:

NOTE: The images captioned as “original” are the untouched amazing Carreiro photos. The book covers show my modifications. These aren’t real books and are only intended to showcase how perfect Carreiro’s photos are for covers. Are you listening publishers?

Bright White (original)

Bright White (modified cover)

Spruce Court Sunset (original)

Spruce Court Sunset (modified cover)

And this one just screams to be a wrap-around cover:

Opposing Views (original)

Opposing Views (modified cover)

Many, many thanks to Mr. Carreiro for offering his Park Bench image. If you want a print of your own, you should buy Stranger Will. The image will come with its very own 250 page wall-mount.

November 28, 2010
The Velvet Podcast, Episode 009: Does This Novel Make Me Look Fat?

Episode #009 of The Velvet Podcast is now live!

Authors Gordon Highland (Major Inversions), Brandon Tietz (Out of Touch), and Caleb J Ross (Stranger Will) have a spirited conversation about self- and vanity-publishing, debating its legitimacy, logistics, and financial aspects, as well as insights from their own experiences in this oft-scorned segment of the industry.

Please, give it a listen. Subscribe via Feedburner, Podcast Alley, or iTunes.

November 18, 2010
Author Photo Comics. Baer. Jones

November 10, 2010
Author Photo Comics. Borges.

November 6, 2010