from flickr
Pat yourself on the back all you self-published authors (or soon to be) for helping the publishing industry in general. Interesting article by David Vinjamuri.
Is Publishing Still Broken? The Surprising Year In Books – Forbes.
My last post was on the back of the book. This one is on the very important front cover.
Some very good advice from Dave Bricker about designing book covers. Things to think about when you want to do it yourself, or when you are evaluating what your hired designer has done for you.
Note: If you hire a designer, make sure they get a synopsis of your book. Most don’t have time to read a whole book, but they should have a good idea of what’s going on in your story so they can design around it.
This small piece was written by Tony Vanderwarker who just happened to be a neighbor and friend of John Grisham. Now is that a writer’s dream come true or what?
from telegraph.co.uk
I like John’s suggestions but I’m pleasantly surprised he says to hook them in the first 40 pages, I would have thought it would have to be sooner than that. I’m glad he says otherwise because I agree with him on this point. You read all the time how you’re supposed to hook the reader on page one. Well, I think we don’t give readers enough credit. John Grisham’s 3 Must-Haves of Novel Writing | WritersDigest.com.
I’ve got another famous birthday to share. Here’s his picture, but it’s when he’s young so most probably won’t recognize him.
I’ll give you a few hints via quotes.
“It’s amazing how complete the delusion that beauty is goodness.” (That one’s a bit obscure so try this one.)
“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” (I think he may be right on this, but I don’t necessarily like that he’s right – Oh! I’ve given away a clue: the person is a male. Well, I guess the picture gives that away, anyway!)
(I didn’t know about this one but I like it.) “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
(Are you getting closer? This one should give it away. It’s one of my favorites.)
“All, everything I understand, I understand only because I love.”
Any idea yet?
Initials are: L. T.
He was Russian.
Okay, now you’ve got it. Yes, it’s Leo Tolstoy. 
Leo was born on Sept 9th, 1828 in Yasnaya Polyana, Russia. He died Nov. 20th, 1910.
I’m going to share one more I didn’t know of but I think is very apt for the time: “Government is an association of men who do violence to the rest of us.”
Well said, Leo, well said.
(photo taken from americaniliteratei.blogspot.com)
Now is about the time to start signing up for those fairs and festivals that frequently occur in the fall. Terry Cordingley has some ideas about the subject that I thought you might like. I have found that craft fairs can be fairly profitable affair for a book seller. You are frequently the only person selling books so it’s a nice place to stand out.
I think it’s handy to have a smart phone with a credit card swiper at these sales – the folks at these sales have only have so much cash and they are much more likely to buy your book(s) if they can use credit. I use the free paypal swiper. Make sure it works for your smart phone before you got to the sale. I had to change phones to get mine to work. I should have had the swiper with me when I bought the phone but I didn’t. Live and learn.
Anyway, sign up and go to any fair or festival you can get to. It’s a great way to get your name out locally.
Terry Cordingley: Day 15: Selling Books at Fairs and Festivals. Thanks for the reminder, Terry!
Have you always wanted to know what the going rate was for services related to self-publishing? Below are two resources I have come across recently that might help you out. The Bibliocrunch info is what most people need to know, The Writer’s Market piece by Lynn Wasnak is written for people in the publishing/writing business so it has more information than most authors need, but it will give you a good idea of the high and low costs for various services. I don’t know how old Lynn’s information is. There is no date on the piece.
http://bibliocrunch.com/pricing-guidelines/
http://www.writersmarket.com/assets/pdf/How_Much_Should_I_Charge.pdf
I usually write my book review on my personal blog: ckbooksblog.wordpress.com, but today I am putting my book review here because this is a book that a writer might be more interested in reading.
Genre: Memoir/how to (? – really unsure how to categorize this one)
Blurb: (from Goodreads) Rarely has a book on writing been so clear, so useful, and so revealing. “On Writing” begins with a mesmerizing account of King’s childhood and his uncannily early focus on writing to tell a story. A series of vivid memories from adolescence, college, and the struggling years that led up to his first novel, “Carrie, ” will afford readers a fresh and often very funny perspective on the formation of a writer. King next turns to the basic tools of his trade — how to sharpen and multiply them through use, and how the writer must always have them close at hand. He takes the reader through crucial aspects of the writer’s art and life, offering practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character development to work habits and rejection.
Serialized in the “New Yorker” to vivid acclaim, “On Writing” culminates with a profoundly moving account of how King’s overwhelming need to write spurred him toward recovery, and brought him back to his life.
Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, “On Writing” will empower — and entertain — everyone who reads it.
(Usual blurb – lots of spin!)
What I liked: It was interesting learning about Kings life. I had no idea (I won’t give anything away here in case you want to read it and don’t know anything about King, like I didn’t.) It is also interesting to hear what he thinks is important related to writing and story. He also has a list of books he has read that he likes. An interesting list as well.
What I didn’t like: Some of his recommendation/tips about writing are pretty vague. I think this is in part, because he has a pretty strong innate skill with writing. He would have to to be able to write and deal with the things he had to deal with (sorry, have to read the book to find out!) e.g., When talking about dialogue, he says to be truthful (so a similar word). Sorry – not very helpful. I read one review of this book where the reviewer thought he was condescending. Maybe a little, but as a fellow writer put it – I guess he might have a right to be a bit condescending. I guess I would agree. He does know what he’s doing as his books and his readership will attest to.
Rating: 4/5
Serendipity and Samples Can Save Barnes & Noble – Bloomberg.
I don’t think Virginia’s idea of a Barnes and Noble book warehouse/membership house would work. Sounds like a library to me. But it is a good question whether B & N can survive. Smaller stores might be a better idea. If they go under, my guess is the indie bookstores that have managed to stay afloat will still be around and can fill in the gap.
I am no fan of B & N since they make it very difficult (if not impossible) for indie authors to put their books in their stores (unlike the sadly defunct Borders), but I do buy from them on occasion.
As with most things, time, and the pocket book, will tell.
CKBooks Publishing 