This edition of Right Now is especially for writers. Here is your list o’ links:
The Class of 2k9 has been posting interviews with their editors over on the 2k9 blog. Find out what makes editors from Viking, Henry Holt, and Katherine Tegen Books (an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s) say “Wow! This is a book I really need to acquire.”
Also, check out this roundtable discussion from Poets & Writers with four editors on what makes them fall in love with a book and what beginning writers are doing wrong.
If you’re trying to figure out if you should spend your advance money on promo items like postcards and bookmarks, you might want to check out what booksellers have to say about what works and what gets ignored by their customers.
How popular is your writing website? Enter your link at this page on Marketleap to find out for free.
Young adult novels just might save the science fiction and fantasy genre, so says Charlie Jane Anders at io9.com. Apparently, young adult science fiction/fantasy bestsellers have been selling twice as well as adult bestsellers in the same genre, a fact that has enticed a lot of people to try their hand at penning the next Uglies or Twilight, including Heroes creator Tim Kring.
Blogger, writer, and book reviewer April Henry has some tips on how to get your book noticed by newspapers, including what kind of note from a publicist makes her move a book to the top of her “to be reviewed” stack.
And if you need a dose of humor to off-set your creative angst, check out these jokes about how many publishing professionals it takes to screw in a light bulb. My favorite: Q. How many editors does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A. Only one; but first they have to rewire the entire building.
Parker Peevyhouse never turns down a free bookmark
Chris Eboch
Greg R. Fishbone
Nick
lindajoysingleton
Parker Peevyhouse
Joni Sensel
Awesome list of links! I’d seen a couple before, but I really appreciate the links to the editor interviews. =)
I just wanted to thank you all for this blog. I came upon it via The Longstockings and I’m so impressed with how much insight, information and links you provide would-be fantasy writers like myself. Keep it coming!
P.S. What’s up with the creepy smiley face in the upper right hand corner? I spotted it the other day and thought if I clicked on it I would be transported to some underworld blog. Alas, that is the mind of a writer. Just can’t let random happy faces stay happy. And random.
Thanks for those very nice comments about the blog.
As for Creepy Smiley, as I shall now refer to him, I have often wondered what he’s doing up there on the screen. We did not put him there. I’m guessing it’s some sort of WordPress design secret.