Phil Giunta's Blog, page 107
April 24, 2012
Fellow GLVWG member Kieryn Nicolas gets some press!
Friend and fellow writer
Kieryn Nicolas
gets some press in her
high school paper
!
Kieryn will be a writer guest at her first Shore Leave convention this August along with fellow writer (and my publisher) Steven H. Wilson and me!
Kieryn will be a writer guest at her first Shore Leave convention this August along with fellow writer (and my publisher) Steven H. Wilson and me!
April 22, 2012
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, we get a double shot of David Gaughran as he discusses Big Publishing and the recent attacks on Amazon. Dean Wesley Smith puts on his publisher thinking cap while Bob Mayer compares bestsellerdom to riding the long tail. Konrath rails against the Agency Model which has received much attention lately due to the DoJ lawsuit against five NY publishing houses. Hallie Ephron offers advice on effective supporting characters and Phil Sexton tells you how to spy on your readers.
Kristine Kathryn Rusch puzzles over suspicious royalty statements and eBook accounting methods in two posts. In the third, she addresses the recent decision by the Pulitzer board not to bestow an award for fiction and how publishing itself is changing (which seems to be a common discussion these days).
Don't Be Fooled: Big Publishing Hates Competition by David Gaughran
The Anti-Amazon Campaign Jumps the Shark by David Gaughran
Think Like a Publisher: Chapter 1 - The Early Decisions by Dean Wesley Smith
Reflections on the Value of Bestseller Lists vs. The Long Tail by Bob Mayer
The Agency Model Sucks by Joe Konrath
How to Write Effective Supporting Characters by Hallie Ephron
Amazon Lets Authors Spy on Readers by Phil Sexton
The Business Rusch by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Royalty Statements
Royalty Statements Update
The Changing Definition of Publishing
Kristine Kathryn Rusch puzzles over suspicious royalty statements and eBook accounting methods in two posts. In the third, she addresses the recent decision by the Pulitzer board not to bestow an award for fiction and how publishing itself is changing (which seems to be a common discussion these days).
Don't Be Fooled: Big Publishing Hates Competition by David Gaughran
The Anti-Amazon Campaign Jumps the Shark by David Gaughran
Think Like a Publisher: Chapter 1 - The Early Decisions by Dean Wesley Smith
Reflections on the Value of Bestseller Lists vs. The Long Tail by Bob Mayer
The Agency Model Sucks by Joe Konrath
How to Write Effective Supporting Characters by Hallie Ephron
Amazon Lets Authors Spy on Readers by Phil Sexton
The Business Rusch by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Royalty Statements
Royalty Statements Update
The Changing Definition of Publishing
April 21, 2012
Write It Right Conference Recap
The
2012 Write It Right writers conference
was held on Saturday, 21 April at the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce just off route 61 in Pottsville, PA.
Due to some confusion over the exact location of the building (my GPS actually guided me to an office complex across the street), I arrived with minutes to spare for the opening welcome from Sara Hodon, co-founder of the Black Diamond Writers Network.
There were two sessions each hour. I started with Patricia Gallagher's "Writing from Real Life" which focused on memoir. She offered excellent tips on methods for telling factual accounts of your life, respecting the privacy of others who you may include in your recounting, various types of research to make the story more interesting, etc. Patricia was adept at keeping her audience engaged and her presentation energetic.
Then it was my turn for two back to back presentations. The first was digital publishing and audio books at 10AM which saw excellent audience participation and a little help from writer Autumn Jordon . Autumn offered a testimonial about an author who found success with KDP Select, a program offered by Amazon that allows them exclusive sales of your eBook for 90 days. KDP Select has garnered mixed reviews but there are always some who will have better luck than others in any given venture. We also touched on Digital Rights Management, ISBN numbers, Smashwords, and Podiobooks (for audio books).
The paranormal writing session at 11AM had me talking more than I wanted. The audience was a bit quieter. I tend to think they were hungry for lunch more so than enraptured by my babbling. However, we covered everything from character arc to story arc, suspense and tension, raising the stakes, and infusing emotion.
Keynote speaker Ann Boyle had a wonderful presentation after lunch on the changes in the publishing landscape. She touched on the evolution of self publishing and small presses, the rise of eBooks, and the advantages and disadvantages of publishing through the New York houses versus doing it yourself.
I sat in for Autumn Jordon's "Breathing Life into Your Novel with Emotion" at 1:40PM. Autumn covered every possible method for imbuing not just your characters but your entire narrative with emotion such that you, as a writer, would evoke those same emotions in the reader with every scene. Her presentation was thought provoking and all encompassing.
After Autumn's session, I took a break to get caught up on emails and update Facebook. I also took the time for some editing on the short story I'm currently working on. The conference ended with a small book fair and door prize drawings.
While the event was small, with perhaps 40 people in attendance, it allowed for excellent networking opportunities and a more intimate atmosphere. I enjoyed talking with several attendees about their experiences in writing, promotion, and choices in publishing. Good times!
Due to some confusion over the exact location of the building (my GPS actually guided me to an office complex across the street), I arrived with minutes to spare for the opening welcome from Sara Hodon, co-founder of the Black Diamond Writers Network.
There were two sessions each hour. I started with Patricia Gallagher's "Writing from Real Life" which focused on memoir. She offered excellent tips on methods for telling factual accounts of your life, respecting the privacy of others who you may include in your recounting, various types of research to make the story more interesting, etc. Patricia was adept at keeping her audience engaged and her presentation energetic.
Then it was my turn for two back to back presentations. The first was digital publishing and audio books at 10AM which saw excellent audience participation and a little help from writer Autumn Jordon . Autumn offered a testimonial about an author who found success with KDP Select, a program offered by Amazon that allows them exclusive sales of your eBook for 90 days. KDP Select has garnered mixed reviews but there are always some who will have better luck than others in any given venture. We also touched on Digital Rights Management, ISBN numbers, Smashwords, and Podiobooks (for audio books).
The paranormal writing session at 11AM had me talking more than I wanted. The audience was a bit quieter. I tend to think they were hungry for lunch more so than enraptured by my babbling. However, we covered everything from character arc to story arc, suspense and tension, raising the stakes, and infusing emotion.
Keynote speaker Ann Boyle had a wonderful presentation after lunch on the changes in the publishing landscape. She touched on the evolution of self publishing and small presses, the rise of eBooks, and the advantages and disadvantages of publishing through the New York houses versus doing it yourself.
I sat in for Autumn Jordon's "Breathing Life into Your Novel with Emotion" at 1:40PM. Autumn covered every possible method for imbuing not just your characters but your entire narrative with emotion such that you, as a writer, would evoke those same emotions in the reader with every scene. Her presentation was thought provoking and all encompassing.
After Autumn's session, I took a break to get caught up on emails and update Facebook. I also took the time for some editing on the short story I'm currently working on. The conference ended with a small book fair and door prize drawings.
While the event was small, with perhaps 40 people in attendance, it allowed for excellent networking opportunities and a more intimate atmosphere. I enjoyed talking with several attendees about their experiences in writing, promotion, and choices in publishing. Good times!
April 20, 2012
Shore Leave 34 Writer Guests
Shore Leave, one of the longest running SF conventions in the Northeast, has announced their
writer guest line up for August
!
Hope to see you there!
Hope to see you there!
April 15, 2012
About This Writing Stuff...
This week's round up includes excellent advice from Hildy Silverman regarding proper panelist etiquette. The Seattle Times seems to be hurling a few sticks and stones at Amazon lately. Digital Book World examines the DoJ lawsuit from a couple different angles. Dean Wesley Smith talks long about short fiction while Ashley Ream touches on time management. Jami Gold and Jody Hedlund talk about the voice and life of your story, respectively. Allison Winn Scotch wants us to push ourselves and Steven H. Wilson gets depressing.
10 Things To Think About When Sitting on a Writing Panel by Hildy Silverman via Jon Gibbs
Amazon Trying to Wring Deep Discounts from Publishers by Amy Martinez
Amidst Justice Department Lawsuit, Kindle Ebook Prices Rise Sharply by Jeremy Greenfield
Hachette Settles With DoJ, Admits No Involvement In Conspiracy by Digital Book World
When to Mail Short Fiction to Traditional Publishers by Dean Wesley Smith
How to Write a Book When You're Really, Really Busy by Ashley Ream
Do Your Stories Match Your Voice? by Jami Gold
7 Setting Basics That Can Bring a Story to Life by Jody Hedlund
On Pushing Yourself To Be Better by Allison Winn Scotch
The Community Behind the Independent Bookstore by Bob Proehl
Downers! Really Depressing Stories and How I Grew With Them by Steven H. Wilson
10 Things To Think About When Sitting on a Writing Panel by Hildy Silverman via Jon Gibbs
Amazon Trying to Wring Deep Discounts from Publishers by Amy Martinez
Amidst Justice Department Lawsuit, Kindle Ebook Prices Rise Sharply by Jeremy Greenfield
Hachette Settles With DoJ, Admits No Involvement In Conspiracy by Digital Book World
When to Mail Short Fiction to Traditional Publishers by Dean Wesley Smith
How to Write a Book When You're Really, Really Busy by Ashley Ream
Do Your Stories Match Your Voice? by Jami Gold
7 Setting Basics That Can Bring a Story to Life by Jody Hedlund
On Pushing Yourself To Be Better by Allison Winn Scotch
The Community Behind the Independent Bookstore by Bob Proehl
Downers! Really Depressing Stories and How I Grew With Them by Steven H. Wilson
April 10, 2012
Write It Right!
Next weekend, I will be speaking at the Write it Right writers conference to be held at the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce.
10AM - 10:50AM: Digital Publishing & Audio Books
11AM - 11:50AM: Writing Paranormal Mystery
Here is a link to the conference.
April 8, 2012
About This Writing Stuff...
This week, Dean Wesley Smith carves up The Magic Pie for indie writers. Joe Bunting offers advice on why your muse may be ignoring you. Konrath chimes in on a recent Seattle Times debate about Amazon involving writers Barry Eisler and Richard Russo, reporter Amy Martinez, and editor Mary Ann Gwinn. Speaking of Amazon, they've certainly been beneficent toward indie writers and small presses lately...
Kristine Kathryn Rusch discusses audience and bestsellerdom while Donald Maass has some ideas about...well...ideas. Michelle Diener calculates the ratio of action/tension/emotion and debut author Lance Woods is excited to receive advanced reader copies of his fantasy mystery novel, Heroic Park.
Last but certainly not least, congratulations to media tie-in writer and comic editor Bob Greenberger on receiving the John Pilkington Award at I-CON !
7 Reasons Your Muse Isn't Talking to You by Joe Bunting
Receiving an Award While Having Fun by Bob Greenberger
Indie Publishing Thinking by Dean Wesley Smith
Amazon's $1 Million Secret by Alexander Zaitchik
What, Me Debate? by JA Konrath
Amazon's Relations With the Publishing Industry - A Debate on The Seattle Times
The Business Rusch: Audience by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Good Seed by Donald Maass
The Action/Tension/Emotion Ratio by Michelle Diener
Holy Crap! I Wrote a Real Book! See? by Lance Woods
Kristine Kathryn Rusch discusses audience and bestsellerdom while Donald Maass has some ideas about...well...ideas. Michelle Diener calculates the ratio of action/tension/emotion and debut author Lance Woods is excited to receive advanced reader copies of his fantasy mystery novel, Heroic Park.
Last but certainly not least, congratulations to media tie-in writer and comic editor Bob Greenberger on receiving the John Pilkington Award at I-CON !
7 Reasons Your Muse Isn't Talking to You by Joe Bunting
Receiving an Award While Having Fun by Bob Greenberger
Indie Publishing Thinking by Dean Wesley Smith
Amazon's $1 Million Secret by Alexander Zaitchik
What, Me Debate? by JA Konrath
Amazon's Relations With the Publishing Industry - A Debate on The Seattle Times
The Business Rusch: Audience by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
The Good Seed by Donald Maass
The Action/Tension/Emotion Ratio by Michelle Diener
Holy Crap! I Wrote a Real Book! See? by Lance Woods
April 7, 2012
The Hunger Games
Saw a matinee of The Hunger Games today. My fiancee had just finished the book last week. I have yet to read it, but it is on my list after I complete Heinlein's Stranger In A Strange Land.
I enjoyed the film but didn't quite become as emotionally engaged with Katniss as I'd hoped to. Don't get me wrong, I rooted for the heroine certainly and there were many tense moments during the competition itself--and no small share of cliche's found in your average TV action series (no spoilers here, though). The most disturbing scene in the film for me (yet not terribly shocking) was what ensued after all twenty-four kids stepped out of the lift tubes into the clearing and dashed for the supplies.
We've all seen or read tales of dystopian futures, benighted societies run by morally bankrupt governments, and themes of "survival of the fittest" and "fight to the death". Perhaps that's why I was not disgusted by watching children kill one another.
And that's a problem.
Our society today has become just that "desensitized" (to coin an overused buzzword), which is precisely what The Hunger Games seems to be about at its core (at least in my opinion). For the very reason of its prescience, then, maybe we should pay attention. Inner city street gangs populated by children kill one another on a weekly basis. How is that any less repulsive than government sanctioned brutality against children, pitting them against each other as a spectator sport disguised as "tribute" to your nation?
Overall, the film was well paced and acted with an excellent cast in Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, and many more.
I definitely look forward to reading the book and seeing where the film may have been deficient in the emotional aspects of the story. Let's face, isn't the book almost always better than the film?
Images above and below copyright Lionsgate Pictures, 2012.
I enjoyed the film but didn't quite become as emotionally engaged with Katniss as I'd hoped to. Don't get me wrong, I rooted for the heroine certainly and there were many tense moments during the competition itself--and no small share of cliche's found in your average TV action series (no spoilers here, though). The most disturbing scene in the film for me (yet not terribly shocking) was what ensued after all twenty-four kids stepped out of the lift tubes into the clearing and dashed for the supplies.
We've all seen or read tales of dystopian futures, benighted societies run by morally bankrupt governments, and themes of "survival of the fittest" and "fight to the death". Perhaps that's why I was not disgusted by watching children kill one another.
And that's a problem.
Our society today has become just that "desensitized" (to coin an overused buzzword), which is precisely what The Hunger Games seems to be about at its core (at least in my opinion). For the very reason of its prescience, then, maybe we should pay attention. Inner city street gangs populated by children kill one another on a weekly basis. How is that any less repulsive than government sanctioned brutality against children, pitting them against each other as a spectator sport disguised as "tribute" to your nation?
Overall, the film was well paced and acted with an excellent cast in Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, and many more.
I definitely look forward to reading the book and seeing where the film may have been deficient in the emotional aspects of the story. Let's face, isn't the book almost always better than the film?
Images above and below copyright Lionsgate Pictures, 2012.
March 30, 2012
About This Writing Stuff...
We have a quite a variety this week as Goodreads CEO, Otis Chandler, shares his insights on book discovery. Alma Katsu rings in on the topic of fan fiction which is receiving a lot of press lately. Bob Mayer calls attention to issues with book reviews on Amazon (and any commerical site for that matter) while Shelli Johnson warns how writers get revenge. Jael McHenry encourages us to write what we don't know and Jody Hedlund offers effective dialogue tips. Kristine Kathryn Rush gives us her take on recent events in the traditional publishing industry. Editor Dave King advises us on ways to show and tell what our chracters are feeling.
And congratulations to Lance Woods, creator of Superhuman Times , on the upcoming release of his debut novel, Heroic Park from Firebringer Press !
Winning the Battle of Book Discovery by Otis Chandler, Goodreads Founder and CEO
What Comes First, the Platform or the Book? by Edward Nawotka
Is Fan Fiction Ready to Go Mainstream Thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey? by Alma Katsu
Amazon Book Reviews: Democracy in Action, Ignorance or Bullying? by Bob Mayer
The Business Rusch: Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Bigger Than Agency, Bigger Than eBooks: The Case Against Apple & Publishers by Tim Carmody
7 Dialog Basics That Can Help Tighten Our Stories by Jody Hedlund
BEWARE - Writers Have Long Memories by Shelli Johnson
Flip the Script: Write What You Don't Know by Jael McHenry
Showing and Telling Emotion in Fiction by Dave King
And We're Back...With a Novel! by Lance Woods on the upcoming release of his first novel, Heroic Park
And congratulations to Lance Woods, creator of Superhuman Times , on the upcoming release of his debut novel, Heroic Park from Firebringer Press !
Winning the Battle of Book Discovery by Otis Chandler, Goodreads Founder and CEO
What Comes First, the Platform or the Book? by Edward Nawotka
Is Fan Fiction Ready to Go Mainstream Thanks to Fifty Shades of Grey? by Alma Katsu
Amazon Book Reviews: Democracy in Action, Ignorance or Bullying? by Bob Mayer
The Business Rusch: Pay No Attention to That Man Behind the Curtain by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
Bigger Than Agency, Bigger Than eBooks: The Case Against Apple & Publishers by Tim Carmody
7 Dialog Basics That Can Help Tighten Our Stories by Jody Hedlund
BEWARE - Writers Have Long Memories by Shelli Johnson
Flip the Script: Write What You Don't Know by Jael McHenry
Showing and Telling Emotion in Fiction by Dave King
And We're Back...With a Novel! by Lance Woods on the upcoming release of his first novel, Heroic Park
March 25, 2012
About this Writing Stuff...
We first delve into the bizarre as St. Martin's Press finds itself the recipient of an unusual package. Kristine Kathryn Rusch addresses the belief that quality books are only found in traditional publishing. A bit late on this news, but Random House has decided to stick it to libraries through eBook prices.
Some thoughts on publicity and marketing from Crystal Patriarche and Jane Friedman. Jody Hedlund provides insight into visibility for writers and Marie Lambda shares advice on blog tours. Writers Digest offers some "How To's" to help us edit our novels and find writing time. Finally, C. Hope Clark encourages us to write against the grain!
Feds Intercept Pot Shipments to Publishing House by The Smoking Gun
Random House Sharply Increases Library eBook Prices by Laura Hazard Owen
The Business Rusch: Quality by Kristine Kathryn Rush
Goodreads and Other Genuine Publicity Thoughts by Crystal Patriarche
The Marketing Paradox: Start Small to Get Big by Jane Friedman
How Writing Against the Grain Creates a Niche by C. Hope Clark
How Can Modern Writers Become & Stay Visible? by Jody Hedlund
Blog Tour Tips: On Planning Your Journey by Marie Lambda
How to Edit Your Novel by Roseann Biederman
How to Find, Rather than Make Writing Time by Jessica Strawser
