Janalyn Voigt's Blog, page 36
February 27, 2011
Newsy Notes ~ Publishing Predictions: #7 The Memoir Genre will Continue to Grow
Confused by rapid-fire changes in the publishing landscape? Here's a link to an article covering one of ten publishing predictions I'll cover on
Janalyn Voigt
consecutive weeks on this blog. I give an analysis of the post and my own take on the prediction.
This weeks' Link:
Memoir has been a popular genre these past several years, and I don't think it will fade any time soon. In 2010, we will continue to see a rise in the number of published memoirs and the genre will become even more creative. ~ Matilda Butler; 10 Memoir Writing and Publishing Predictions for 2010
Points of Interest to Writers:
Print on Demand (POD) technology has helped make memoir publication financially feasible.
Elements of memoir have made their way into other genres.
The digital book explosion can only help memoir writers.
Self-publishing is an important avenue for authors of memoirs.
Marketing may well take more of an author's time than writing.
Facebook marketing is essential.
New technologies will add interest to memoirs.
Twitter will become more viable as a marketing platform.
Templates will simplify memoir writing.
My take:
I agree with these points. Memoirs and other books with limited appeal and smaller distribution levels will benefit from a combination of POD technology, digital publishing and the online shopping trend. Given this fact, self-publishing can well make sense for memoir writers. The lion's share of responsibility for promotion of a book already rests squarely on its author's shoulders. New technologies are in the offing across the board, not just for the memoir genre, and writers should indeed promote through Facebook and Twitter.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 24, 2011
Notes to Self: How to Spell Opportunity
Janalyn Voigt
Sometimes I feel like I'm living by my wits in an ongoing literary version of "Survivor."
I'm invited to speak. I make an editor's first cut. A new contract arrives in the mail. They have to scrape me off the ceiling.
And then reality sets in. The speaking invitation requires, at minimum, a cohesive message delivered by a punctual person (with or without sweating palms). Making that first cut only means more hoops to jump through. And attached to the new contract is the expectation I will endure edits and pour myself into promotion.
Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful, and I wouldn't trade this kinetic life, but…
Note to Self: Opportunity is most often spelled W-O-R-K.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 23, 2011
Quick Notes: Manage an Opt-in Email List with Google Groups
For a free and easy way to manage an opt-in email list, consider using a Google Group. This brief video shows how to get started. I like the simplicity!
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 20, 2011
Newsy Notes: Publishing Predictions: #6 Media-Savvy Authors will Gain an Advantage
Confused by rapid-fire changes in the publishing landscape? Here's a link to an article covering one of ten publishing predictions I'll cover on consecutive weeks on this blog. I give an analysis of the post and my own take on the prediction.
This weeks' Link:
Ideally, promotion will begin much earlier – perhaps even the minute the book's contract has been signed – and continue much longer than 60 days beyond the launch date. This is a model used in both the music and entertainment industries (both of which have much more expensive production costs) – so why not for books? ~ Josie Brown; Hoping My Publishing Predictions Come True
Points of Interest to Writers:
The publishing industry will follow the music and entertainment industries into primarily distributing products online.
As this happens, writers want to see a fair compensation for their efforts.
Copyright infringement is easy online.
Ebook publishers have used low sales prices, higher royalties and frequent payments to authors as incentives.
As eBooks become the norm, traditional print publishers will change their business model and become brand managers for their authors instead of gatekeepers.
Promotion of a title will go online and begin much earlier than before, possibly before the ink is dry on the contract.
Media-savvy authors will have the advantage in building their brand and promoting their books.
My take:
While I agree with much of what Josie predicts, she gets a little carried away with her utopian vision of what she terms a "brave new world" of book publishing. I do believe that more people than ever will read digital books, print books won't go away entirely. I personally know plenty of people who reject the notion of reading a digital book on a reading device. Give them a plain old print book, thank you very much. I'm willing to bet you know some of those people, too. You may even rank yourself in their number. I'm less certain than Josie is that ebooks will become the norm. I don't say this to negate the impact of digital books as they bite into the publishing pie, but rather to offer a little perspective.
Having said that, I agree with Josie's views on the edge ebook publishers have in the marketplace and among some writers. I also believe that promotion of titles will start earlier and extend longer. The real meat of this post is the assertion that media savvy authors will have an advantage.
I agree that digital books are easy to pirate. On Friday I posted a video response to concerns about online copyright infringement. It's worth the time to watch it.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 18, 2011
Viral Notes: On Offering Your Writing Free
Janalyn Voigt
In this brief video, Neil Gaiman offers his perspective on making your writing available online for free. He sees it as an opportunity and gives some interesting facts about people find their favorite authors.
His thinking may very well stretch and challenge you.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 17, 2011
Notes to Self: Nipping Procrastination
I'll admit it: I've procrastinated on drawing rough maps from which artist Anna O'Brien will create real maps of Elderland for inclusion in DawnSinger, which releases this fall. As I wrote DawnSinger, I found it easier to consult maps filed away in my imagination. Unfortunately, now that others want to see those maps, I have to put them down on paper.
In this case, I know my motives for procrastination, and they aren't good. While I can draw animals just fine, maps defeat me. To make matters worse, Elderland has evolved into a complex world. In a word, the task intimidates me. And yes, I'm not unaware that it's ludicrous to be intimidated by my own fantasy world.
The trouble is, whenever I put something like this off, it grows in proportion to the time that elapses. The longer I wait to climb a mountain, the steeper it seems. Fear of a thing is usually much bigger than the reality. Realizing this, I recently took the bull by the horns, met the road with the rubber, and fished rather than cut bait. I finished a rough draft of the Elderland map and contacted Anna and my editor at Port Yonder Press about getting started.
Next week, I'll finish the map and send it on its way to more capable hands. Meanwhile, that mountain has turned back into a mole hill.
Note to Self: Whatever it is that holds you back, just do it.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 16, 2011
Quick Notes: Network Right from your Gmail Account
I just discovered and installed Rapportive to my gmail account. I love that I can see my Twitter feed, and comment on Facebook right from gmail. Watch this brief video to learn more about its useful features.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
Quick Notes: Social Network Right from your Gmail Account
I just discovered and installed Rapportive to my gmail account. I love that I can see my Twitter feed, and comment on Facebook right from gmail. Watch this brief video to learn more about its useful features.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 13, 2011
Newsy Notes: Publishing Predictions: #5 Ebooks Will Gain in Popularity
Janalyn Voigt
Confused by rapid-fire changes in the publishing landscape? Here's a link to an article covering one of ten publishing predictions I'll cover on consecutive weeks on this blog. I give an analysis of the post and my own take on the prediction.
In the next twelve months the relationship between book content, online content, marketing materials, ad campaigns and experimentation will continue to break down, seeing the development of a new style of work that exists somewhere between them all.~ Michael Bhaskar, Digital Publishing Manager, Profile Books; A Year in Digital Publishing
Points of Interest to Writers:
Several editors call for standardized ebook pricing.
Ebooks are now seen as a valid publishing option rather than just usable for marketing and branding.
Look for continued development of touch-screen devices and interactive apps.
Social media engagement will become even more vital to a book publisher's health.
Flexibility and the lack of an undigitized backlist gives small presses an advantage.
With games console makers like Nintendo entering the digital market, the boundaries between reading and gameplay will blur. This will attract new audiences.
My take: I wholeheartedly agree that ebooks will become more popular, especially as the lines blur between reading and gaming. As smaller presses position themselves on the cusp of change, larger publishers will have to restructure to become more nimble to survive and thrive. The ebook wave has yet to crest.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
February 11, 2011
Viral Notes: Kindle Formatting and Strategies
Janalyn VoigtWhether you're just starting out as a Kindle-book author or are a seasoned pro, this video by author and reader Joanna Penn contains some great suggestions for both formatting a Kindle book and competing in the Kindle Store.
© 2010 Janalyn Voigt
Click to Subscribe to LiveWriteBreathe by Email
|
