Jean Harkin's Blog - Posts Tagged "bill-schubart"
Publishing: Shakespeare and I
I felt high as a cloud when I received word that my publisher is finally ready to start work on my novel, “Promise Full of Thorns,” after nearly eighteen months on hold!
Looking back to a recent re-acquaintance with Shakespeare, I wondered if he jumped over a candlestick when he first published. Maybe not! By 1594 when Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” was created, he was already an accepted member of Lord Chamberlain’s Company of Players (later called King’s Men) and only needed to have his plays printed—not published—for the actors to use.
Publishing in those days could be dangerous, says Lyndsay Docherty of Lancashire, England, a lifelong Shakespeare fan and teacher. The risk was not censorship against rough language, bad morals, or violence, but rather treasonable political material that might trouble the anointed kings, such as Elizabeth I, whose position as monarch was quite vulnerable.
Fewer of Shakespeare’s plays, mostly harmless comedies, were circulated in limited numbers during his lifetime. Wider “publishing” of his plays happened after he was no longer alive to be grimly punished by the monarchy for sedition. However, Shakespeare happily had some long narrative poems published during his lifetime. “Venus and Adonis” and “Lucrece” were best sellers. Maybe he did some celebrating over these successes.
Back to today and my current publisher: A fellow author, whose novel was recently released, said he felt that our publisher lacked professionalism. He said he felt disrespected and treated shabbily with communication delays, editing mainly by Grammarly, and an original cover design he deemed abominable. “Months of suffering are behind me and I’m trying to take time to feel good about it.”
Bill Schubart, a Vermont author and publisher, assesses turmoil in the publishing world this way: He says that my publisher, while reputable, is roiled in a declining market for literary fiction, the rise of e-and audio books, Amazon’s dominance, and a flood of hybrid and vanity releases. Publishers are “struggling with . . .the rationale of pumping more books into an enigmatic and saturated market.”
Those are not the same challenges to publishing that Shakespeare faced! I’ll keep you posted how it goes for me. Thanks for tuning in!
Looking back to a recent re-acquaintance with Shakespeare, I wondered if he jumped over a candlestick when he first published. Maybe not! By 1594 when Shakespeare’s “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” was created, he was already an accepted member of Lord Chamberlain’s Company of Players (later called King’s Men) and only needed to have his plays printed—not published—for the actors to use.
Publishing in those days could be dangerous, says Lyndsay Docherty of Lancashire, England, a lifelong Shakespeare fan and teacher. The risk was not censorship against rough language, bad morals, or violence, but rather treasonable political material that might trouble the anointed kings, such as Elizabeth I, whose position as monarch was quite vulnerable.
Fewer of Shakespeare’s plays, mostly harmless comedies, were circulated in limited numbers during his lifetime. Wider “publishing” of his plays happened after he was no longer alive to be grimly punished by the monarchy for sedition. However, Shakespeare happily had some long narrative poems published during his lifetime. “Venus and Adonis” and “Lucrece” were best sellers. Maybe he did some celebrating over these successes.
Back to today and my current publisher: A fellow author, whose novel was recently released, said he felt that our publisher lacked professionalism. He said he felt disrespected and treated shabbily with communication delays, editing mainly by Grammarly, and an original cover design he deemed abominable. “Months of suffering are behind me and I’m trying to take time to feel good about it.”
Bill Schubart, a Vermont author and publisher, assesses turmoil in the publishing world this way: He says that my publisher, while reputable, is roiled in a declining market for literary fiction, the rise of e-and audio books, Amazon’s dominance, and a flood of hybrid and vanity releases. Publishers are “struggling with . . .the rationale of pumping more books into an enigmatic and saturated market.”
Those are not the same challenges to publishing that Shakespeare faced! I’ll keep you posted how it goes for me. Thanks for tuning in!
Romance, Relationships, and a Free Book
My new favorite romantic couple is now Alice and Charlie Lukas, the main characters in “Promise Full of Thorns,” my debut novel that has just been released by Brown Posey Press (an imprint of Sunbury Press.)*
Since it’s Valentines month and my novel newly released, I’m inspired to recommend my favorite romance and relationship books that I read and reviewed (here on Goodreads) in 2022:
“Bed Stuy” is Jerry McGill’s debut novel. Set in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, it is the story of a bi-racial and age-varied romance with fascinating complications.
“Confessions of a Farmers Market Romeo” by James R. Dubbs is a blend of humor, drama, and ‘foodiness.’ It rock-and-rolls through astonishing episodes like a TV sitcom.
“Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valerie Perrin is about a French woman who is keeper of the local cemetery; her husband is past history since he disappeared without a trace. There are back stories of love and secrets in this tale that involves a mystery.
“Hidden Among the Stars” by Melanie Dobson. This time-slip novel involves not only a romance in present time but also a past story of star-crossed loves during the Nazi period in Austria.
“Lila and Theron” by Bill Schubart tells of a motherless boy in Vermont who finds his true love and holds on through time and age.
“Oh William!” by Elizabeth Strout returns character Lucy Barton, divorced from husband William, but still with a loving commitment. An adventurous journey ensues.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures”, Shelby VanPelt’s debut novel, shows that love and faithful friendships are not limited to humans.
“Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor” by Melanie Dobson is another time-slip novel with forbidden love affairs and secrets in an English village.
“The Stranger” also by Melanie Dobson presents a slow-building love story between an outsider and a faithful member of a strict religious commune in 1890s Iowa.
“The Keepers of the House” by Shirley Ann Grau is a novel where forbidden love causes tragedy and heartbreak over generations.
*You may order my book in print from Sunburypress.com or any bookseller, including Amazon. Or order direct from me at a discount. E-books also available.
*I’m giving away two free paperback copies of my novel: 1) to the first person who wants a copy and leaves a comment on my Goodreads blog, and 2) to the first person who wants my book and is the first to send a comment about my blog to my e-mail address.
Have a lover-ly Valentines month! I hope to hear from you.
Since it’s Valentines month and my novel newly released, I’m inspired to recommend my favorite romance and relationship books that I read and reviewed (here on Goodreads) in 2022:
“Bed Stuy” is Jerry McGill’s debut novel. Set in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, it is the story of a bi-racial and age-varied romance with fascinating complications.
“Confessions of a Farmers Market Romeo” by James R. Dubbs is a blend of humor, drama, and ‘foodiness.’ It rock-and-rolls through astonishing episodes like a TV sitcom.
“Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valerie Perrin is about a French woman who is keeper of the local cemetery; her husband is past history since he disappeared without a trace. There are back stories of love and secrets in this tale that involves a mystery.
“Hidden Among the Stars” by Melanie Dobson. This time-slip novel involves not only a romance in present time but also a past story of star-crossed loves during the Nazi period in Austria.
“Lila and Theron” by Bill Schubart tells of a motherless boy in Vermont who finds his true love and holds on through time and age.
“Oh William!” by Elizabeth Strout returns character Lucy Barton, divorced from husband William, but still with a loving commitment. An adventurous journey ensues.
“Remarkably Bright Creatures”, Shelby VanPelt’s debut novel, shows that love and faithful friendships are not limited to humans.
“Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor” by Melanie Dobson is another time-slip novel with forbidden love affairs and secrets in an English village.
“The Stranger” also by Melanie Dobson presents a slow-building love story between an outsider and a faithful member of a strict religious commune in 1890s Iowa.
“The Keepers of the House” by Shirley Ann Grau is a novel where forbidden love causes tragedy and heartbreak over generations.
*You may order my book in print from Sunburypress.com or any bookseller, including Amazon. Or order direct from me at a discount. E-books also available.
*I’m giving away two free paperback copies of my novel: 1) to the first person who wants a copy and leaves a comment on my Goodreads blog, and 2) to the first person who wants my book and is the first to send a comment about my blog to my e-mail address.
Have a lover-ly Valentines month! I hope to hear from you.
