Molly O'Keefe's Blog, page 4

Maureen’s doing a Live Chat!

Maureen Chatting Live!

I’m doing a live chat tonight for RayKay Books’ YouTube channel.

If I’ve understood correctly, the chat will be streaming live at Reading in Twilight.

If you have any Burning (grin) questions for me, you can post them in the comments there, http://readingintwilight.blogspot.ca/2014/03/maureen-mcgowan-live-chat-starts-310.html, or tweet the questions using the hashtag #MaureenLiveChat.

The chat will include a special sneak peek at the cover for GLORY.

The chat is at 7pm Central time.

 

Reversing Expectations

I love it when a show or story takes me down a path and then completely surprises me in a way that’s plausible. If a story can do that, I’m in and it will take a lot to lose me. I especially love when a story plays with gender expectations and turns them on their head.

It’s what I loved about Battlestar Galactica (the reboot), how they almost ignored gender and it’s role on behaviour and the show’s expectations of what their characters were capable of, so the women could be the hero, and damaged and the strongest in terms of will, and the men could bring the central core of humanity and warmth.

Another show that’s doing this right now is The Americans. I’m catching up on the first season, and it’s smart, well written and really well acted and in the show, in the quiet war between the Americans and the Russians, the soldiers are both men and women. Both use their sexuality to get what they need, and both are ruthless. But the core of the show is basically a marriage. A marriage of convenience, two KGB spies brought together and sent to 1980′s American to spy, while under the pretence of a normal, American family.

The husband is the one who is the central core of warmth in the family, he’s ruthless to be sure, but also the most conflicted about his family and their reasons for being there. The wife is the one who is the most loyal to Mother Russia, but also ruthless and hard, and stubborn. Played by Keri Russell, she is gorgeous, and tiny and yet, Russell brings a ferociousness to her fight scenes that makes it almost believable could she defeat a man twice her size.

Her husband is the warm beating heart of the show and she is the hard edge and the writers have done a great job making me believe in both. It’s a really good show, and getting better with each episode.

Anyone else watching it. I’m trying to come up with other shows that reverse expectations in such a believable way.

 

 

Missing Hugh Howey’s Point

I’ve been quasi following all the interweb discussions of Hugh Howey’s Author Earnings reports and I can’t help but think that many of the naysayers are missing the point…

Disclaimer: by quasi following, I mean that I read Howey’s first report, skimmed the second, read one or two of the posts criticizing his methodologies and conclusions, and I skimmed through some of the comments both on his blog and on other discussions about his analysis.

Like I said: Quasi paying attention.

But my overall impressions are thus:

I agree that statistics and methodology matter and that one can’t leap to definitive conclusions based on limited or flawed data. I have a Masters Degree. I took statistics. I know about research.

But… I have a few buts. (LOL. I said butts.)

BUT #1

The simple fact is that it’s not possible to control all the variables or get the raw data (much of it proprietary to Amazon, other retailers, the publishers and/or authors) needed to do a study that would stand up to academic scrutiny. Not possible. So I commend Howey for creatively gathering what data he could and being open about its limitations.

BUT #2 (and this is the big but) (LOL I said big butt)

I think to quibble about the methodologies or the extrapolated conclusions (which were all stated as theses, not facts) misses the point.

And the point?

Well, what I took away was based not only on Howey’s study, but also on the huge amount of anecdotal evidence I’ve heard and read from talking to countless authors, reading blogs, attending conferences, observing the bestseller lists, following author advances and print runs for more than a decade.

And my conclusion and the important point to me is:

Through self-publishing, (especially in genre fiction, which is what Howey was talking about), more authors are earning decent incomes than ever before. Way more authors are earning way more money.

No, not every self-published author is selling a million books. But certainly no one can argue that every traditionally published author ever has been, either… Let’s just stipulate that the million-dollar earners are outliers in any form of publishing.

The thing is… in the trad publishing world, most authors did not (do not) make very much money. I know, or have met, a lot of traditionally published genre-fiction authors who, to an outside observer, would seem to be highly successful. By “highly successful” I mean they’ve published at least one book a year, with a major publisher over at least a decade, and not only receiving above-average-for-their-genre advances, but also earning-out their advances on all or most of their titles. And many of them have hit bestseller lists and/or won big awards. And yet many of those “highly successful” authors have been earning an annual income barely above, or in many cases WAY below the poverty line. Most genre-fiction authors have needed a second income to survive.

And many of those same authors, via self-publishing, are now earning a real living — for the first time in their supposedly successful careers. Finally they are making $2 or more per book from the sales of titles that their publishers had given up on years ago, and had only been paying them royalties of $0.25 (or less) per book, when they did have them up for sale.

These authors, by pricing their back lists (and often front lists) at less than $10, (the price point that the traditionally publishers seem to like for e-books), are finding new readers and growing the sales of both their self-published and their traditionally published titles.

The point is that self-publishing has empowered authors in a way that’s never been possible before. It’s allowed them to actually earn a living doing what they love, rather than having to supplement with another job or a spouse’s income. It’s allowed authors to earn closer to what authors know we’re worth–and I’m sure most readers would agree we’re worth. Sure, most of us love what we do, but writing novels is hard, hard work and we deserve to get paid to do it.

I think it would probably shock avid readers to learn that their (outwardly successful) favorite author has been earning less than $20K a year. And let’s face it, in the past most genre fiction authors in the traditional world, would have been happy to be earning a steady 20K a year over a number of years. Especially after expenses. And most places that’s really hard to live on.

Through self-publishing, many of those same authors are earning several times that much. And they can put out books at their own speed and control the covers and marketing. While still not controllable, the amount of effort they expend is now more closely related to the amount of income they earn. More books + better books = more money.

Yes, it’s true that self-publishing also means that anyone can publish a book, so there’s a hell of a lot of crap out there. And there are so many titles it can be hard to stand out from the crowd.

So no, not every author who’s self-publishing is pulling in buckets of money. Not by a long shot. (I also believe the analyses that have concluded that the average self-pubbed author only makes about $200 a year.)

BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT. I’d wager that the vast majoriy of those people earning $200 a year or less aren’t treating it like a career, or even bothering to learn the first thing about writing or publishing.

I’m only talking about authors who are serious about this shit.

And regardless, the whole point of Howey’s analysis is to show that many more authors are doing better under the new world order than was even possible under the old world order.

For me, looking to the future and really wanting to earn a living doing this thing called writing fiction, it’s all about weighing the possibilities and probabilities and deciding where to make the big bets. And sure, in traditional publishing one or two authors a year make out like bandits. Their book hits the tops of all the lists and they get a movie deal and multiple foreign rights deals and become set for life.

But at most there are one or two books like that a year. If that. And meanwhile every other author earns peanuts. PEA-NUTS. (Even for authors who receive those (rare)) six-figure advances, when you amortize that over how many years it takes to write and publish a book, and then deduct the expenses of being an author and running your own business… Very few authors earn a good living.)

Now, I do agree that in self-pubbing it’s similarly unlikely to be raking in millions and hitting the tops of the lists. It’s not a get rich scheme.

But in these first few years of self-publishing, (which, let’s face it, only started to be a serious pursuit after KDP started), I’d guess the number of huge, break-out successes have been more like 5 or 6 a year than 1 or 2… Even if that rate doesn’t continue going forward, even if the opportunities to make out like a bandit are becoming fewer and fewer as there are more books out there and more competition for reader attention — I 100% believe that WAY more authors are earning above-peanuts-level incomes self-publishing. WAY more.

My assertion is supported by listening to authors talk. And it’s supported by logic (more volume x higher royalties per book = better living)… And it’s supported by Howey’s analysis.

And that, to me, is the point that the naysayers miss by quibbling about the methodology and statistics.

It bears repeating:

Through self-publishing, (especially in genre fiction), more authors are earning decent incomes than ever before. Way more authors are earning way more money.

I’m not yet one of them, but I’m hopeful.

end rant

 

Ready for Ready Player One?

I had to drive all over northern California last week. I mean all over. Oakland. Stockton. Hayward. Clovis. That’s right. Clovis.

I don’t normally think of that as good news, but it gave me a chance to listen to all 13 discs of Ready Player One. It’s like a giant pop culture scavenger hunt through a dystopian future. The narration is done by Will Wheaton which makes it especially funny when he talks about Will Wheaton and he does. Because he talks about everything. That aside, I thought Wheaton did an amazing job with the narration. He did so much more than read the story. It really came alive as I listened to it.

If you were alive and consuming (largely) American pop culture in the seventies and eighties I HIGHLY recommend this book. What a fun ride. So creative. And just when you think it’s getting a little predictable or cliche BOOM! it takes a twist.  There was one little section around disc 7 or so that could have been wrapped up a little quicker, but other than that it was move move move.

There was one point where the whole thing felt so clever and so well put together that I honestly thought about quitting writing. I mean, why bother. Then I decided to keep it as something to aspire to.

Anybody else reading this one? Did you like it? Love it? Think it was meh? What was your favorite part? (I think mine might have been the moment Max Headroom shows up. Loved that show back in the way back when.)

 

Today my heart is broken

Greyson Thane Doyle, so named for one of my favorite heroes in one of my favorite books died suddenly yesterday. The name was completely fitting, because he was in fact my hero and the love of my life. I called him my baby boy, and I asked him all the time why he just had to be so Greysony.

I was away on a business trip, gone only for a day when my assistant came to feed my cats. He came up behind her, laid down, had a seizure and died she told me. This after she gave him mouth to mouth resuscitation which will also forever make her a hero in my book.

The vet asked if I wanted an autopsy but it will neither bring him back or comfort me. Maybe in the move to my new house he took an unfamiliar leap and fell. Maybe there was something genetically wrong and all I was ever going to get were these four years.

I spent the day after learning the news hating my new house for tempting him into some unsafe jump, hating my job for keeping me away. Hating the world for taking this beautiful little life that brought such joy and comfort into my life. He was the best part of my day.

Pet owners will surely understand this. Single pet owners with no children will understand it more. They let us poor all our affection, all of our mushy love onto them and they accept it so eagerly. My fear right now is that I loved him too much. Something else I used to tell him all the time.

But of course life doesn’t stop. His sister Hermione will not leave my side, and my 21 year old cat, Lex, who I thought the call was going to be about, has decided as long as there is food on this earth and a comfortable couch to sit on then she has no plans to leave me any time soon.

I have a major project at work, I have chapters due on Monday, I have a book coming out next week. But today my heart is broken. And writing about him, has helped. So thank you.

And to you Greyson, I will see you on the other side. And when I do I would prefer it if, like you did every day when I got home from work, you were there to greet me at the door.

 

 

A New Book by Eileen Cook!

I originally bonded with Eileen Cook over our shared first names, but then it turned out that was the least of what we had in common. I adore her and adored her even more once I started reading her books. In person, she is charming, witty, and smart. On the page, she’s all that and a Costco-sized bag of chips. So the news that she has a new book out is super exciting. Even more exciting for all of you, is that one lucky commenter will get a free copy. 

That’s right. Free copy. Book giveaway. Do not miss this chance to get to know the author I always think of as “the other Eileen.”

Here’s a bit about the book.

YEAR OF MISTAKEN DISCOVERIES

By: Eileen Cook

Release Date:  February 25, 2014

Book Summary:

Friendship is a bond stronger than secrets in this novel from the author of The Almost Truth and Unraveling Isobel.

As first graders, Avery and Nora bonded over a special trait they shared—they were both adopted.

Years later, Avery is smart, popular, and on the cheerleading squad, while Nora spends her time on the fringes of school society, wearing black, reading esoteric poetry, and listening to obscure music. They never interact…until the night Nora approaches Avery at a party, saying it’s urgent. She tells Avery that she thought she found her birth mom—but it turned out to be a cruel lie. Avery feels for Nora, but returns to her friends at the party.

Then Avery learns that Nora overdosed on pills. Left to cope with Nora’s loss and questioning her own actions, Avery decides to honor her friend by launching a search for her own birth mother. Aided by Brody, a friend of Nora’s who is also looking for a way to respect Nora’s legacy, Avery embarks on an emotional quest. But what she’s really seeking might go far deeper than just genetics…

What Others Are Saying:

“Cook combines friendship drama, boy troubles, romance, family conflict, and college application stress with a protagonist trying to understand who she really is in the wake of tragedy.”

Publisher’s Weekly

“Cook delves into some interesting questions about what is really important in life as well as the challenges associated with self-discovery and determining how far you’ll go to get what you want.”

Booklist

“Eileen Cook returns with Year of Mistaken Discoveries, a romantic tragi-comedy from the perspective of the most popular–often most hated–girl in high school: the cheerleader… Year of Mistaken Discoveries is provoking, fast-paced entertainment, and Cook successfully tackles some tough issues with a very light touch.”

Readerly- The National Reading Campaign.

“Given the choice between contemporary and paranormal YA, I will almost always pick contemporary and Eileen Cook is the perfect example of why.”

Nerdy Book Club- Kelly’s Top 15 Books for 2014

Don’t miss this chance to check out one of my favorite Eileens. Leave a question for Eileen or a comment or a “me, me, me!” below for a chance to win a book.

Hockey Heroes

Sorry, short post today, as I’m recovering from the flu, and all I can think about is women’s hockey.

Did everyone catch that incredible game yesterday? The women’s hockey match that re-defined the term nail-biter.

It almost didn’t matter who won, those women played with such conviction, skill and heart, on both sides, I wanted to call gold for both sides. It’s time for a women’s hockey league and I’m sure based on that game, registration in girl’s hockey is going to go through the roof in both countries.

It certainly set a standard for the men’s game today. Let see if the men can play like the women did.

 

 

Harry Conick Jr. is going to fix everything…

I started to write all this in comments in Maureen’s post yesterday when I realized it was blog length. Is anyone watching Idol with Harry? I gave up years ago – but my love of Harry brought me back. For nothing else he is charming and funny and wonderful.

But WOW… is he really doing it right. Honest criticism. And he’s not just helping the contestants. I think he’s trying to help America.

In Tuesday’s show the girls were singing. A young 18 year old girl sang a song. When it was over – he asked her to “speak” the first line of the song.

“Now that you’ve got me on the floor what are you going to do to me.” (I might be paraphrasing). But it was a very sexual song in nature.

He said to her very baldly is that who you want to be? Is that who you are?

From girl’s standpoint it’s a fun Grace Potter song. And she said it’s a about female power and how she thought that would give her attitude. And maybe that is what it’s about for Grace Potter.

But you could tell that for Harry, it wasn’t right for an 18 year old to be singing a song sexually explicit. Now Harry has 3 daughters so I think some think it’s a joke. But I think he was trying to make a bigger point.

He’s trying to tell these singers they need to “think” about what they are singing. What the lines of the song mean. What they are expressing. Who they are as an artist is built around those words. They shouldn’t be sung carelessly and without thought. And no not everyone needs to take on sexually explicit songs because “that’s what’s on the radio.” Think about who you are. Think about what you want to be. If that is sexual – fine. But it shouldn’t have to be because that’s what’s popular. It should be because you are. It’s like the difference between Madonna and Miley or Britney. When Madonna sings about sex you feel like it’s a very important part of her life that she’s sharing in different ways. When Miley or Britney do it – it’s shock value. It’s attention grabbing.

Maybe we as listeners should really think about what we are hearing and who we are hearing it from. Think about the fact that we think it’s okay for girls to be so explicit from such a young age.

I’m Harry hooked. Oh and he’s also trying to convince them that shouting isn’t singing, and hitting a high not isn’t like landing a big jump in ice-skating. Yes!!! You go Harry.

 

 

 

 

Calling for more male skin (or less female)

Eileen’s great post yesterday reminded me of many things I’ve been thinking about lately.

As someone who came of age in what was supposedly a post-feminist society, I expected to be treated on equal ground with men when I started work in the 80′s. (I wasn’t.) I expected to be respected and not minimized because of my gender. (I wasn’t and was.) But in spite of those disappointments in the world, I expected things to continue to get better. Alas, I think that, in many ways, they’ve gotten worse.

With the things boys are exposed to these days (and girls) it’s no wonder that it feels like we’ve taken major steps back vs. forward. (e.g. porn and the depiction of women in video games–not to mention other forms of popular culture.)

Sure, it’s easier for women to get good jobs now than it was in the 70′s and 80′s, but I feel like our culture has found other (worse?) ways to hold women back. And the normalcy of sexual degradation is terrifying… As Eileen discussed yesterday in the context of True Detectives.

I read something lately about how much of our world is framed by the male eye/gaze. And it seems so obvious to me in hindsight.

When they’re fit and genetically blessed, men have gorgeous bodies that look great nearly naked–to the heterosexual female gaze, in any case. So why are only female pop artists and actors expected to look perfect and appear nearly nude so often? Where are the nearly naked men dancing in music videos? Why are men still in suits on red carpets when the women are showing side boob and upper thigh? Why, for example, don’t we expect McConaughy to strut down the red carpet shirtless, in fancy short shorts? Or maybe a see-through shirt and really tight pants? Why does a man, who clearly loves to go shirtless on other occasions, cover up for formal events when his female counterparts are showing so much skin?

The flip answer is that the men would look silly. Suits are normal formalwear for men. But why do we think that? Why does “normal” have male bodies fully covered and female bodies barely covered? I think it’s because “normal” caters to the male gaze.

And that’s just formal wear. Never mind what pop stars wear on stage or in music videos. When it comes to equality in the depiction of male and females bodies in popular culture the lines are decidedly not blurred. (Reference intended.)

 

A Post That Was Not Going To Be About True Detectives

I was so revving up for a post about this show. It is so well-written and the acting, the ACTING!!!! I cannot take my eyes off Matthew McConaughey and I am not talking about his abs. His tortured damaged present day self is mesmerizing and thinking about what took him from his admittedly damaged past self to this ruined wreck of a man is getting to be an obsession.

So, first and foremost, SPOILER ALERT!!!! I cannot contain myself. Sorry. Stop now if you haven’t watched at least the first three episodes. Also, BAD LANGUAGE. Yep. F-bombs all over the place.

But what I was going to blog about was the way women are portrayed in this series. Start out with the dead naked tied-up woman and the way the camera lingers over her pale bloodless body or maybe even the opening credits with plenty of naked butts. It took me a while, but I started realizing the way the men in the show treated the women in general was seriously objectifying. It’s not just the bad guys. It’s not just the murdered prostitute. Woody Harrelson doesn’t really care who his wife is or what she’s thinking or feeling or what his girlfriend is thinking or feeling. He just wants to f*ck them and he wants to be the only one to f*ck them. They are essentially just places to put his penis and he only gets upset if he thinks someone else might be using them as places to put their penises. Seriously, we all know what he was talking about with the whole “mow my lawn” metaphor, right?

I was getting ready to get up on my high horse and pull out old copies of Andrea Dworkin books. Then there was this subtle shift in the last episode I watched (which was not the most recent one because Andy went to Indonesia and I’m going to wait until he comes back to watch the rest with him). Something about the women insisting that they are more than just holes. I’m not sure if it’s just wishful thinking on my part, but I’m hoping not. I’m hoping that’s part of where this is going.

Part of what made me so upset when I thought about the whole treatment of women thing is that the whole series is so well done. I wanted it to be well done and to respect women. It made me sad that those two things couldn’t seem to co-exist and now I’m thinking I jumped to a conclusion (really, who can blame me, have you watched the strip club scene?).  So I’m not sure whether or not to be upset about the treatment of women or applaud the way it shows how some men treat women and how evil it is.

Anybody else watching this? If not, seriously, check it out if for no other reason then Matthew McConaughey’s amazing acting and the dazzling writing.