Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
What's Next?
Now that summer is in the rear view window, with respect to slicked-back hair, Wayfarers, and Don Henley, the publishing industry is moving once again at full speed ahead.
So, what's the next thing? More vampires? Werewolves? Steampunk? Angels?
Really, nobody knows. It's like trying to predict the weather. But it's fun to guess. One good way to do that is to look at what's popular now and what's coming in the near future. My agent, John Rudolph has just posted a nice blog entry at the Dystel & Goderich website about the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) 2011 Teens' Top Ten. It seems paranormal and fantasy are still going strong.
Which, ahem, is very good news.
But what is on the shelves right now doesn't necessarily translate to what's going to be on the shelf tomorrow. You have to look at what is being pitched to do that. Luckily, John and his cohorts have just posted the DGLM Childrens Newsletter for Upcoming Submissions. There are some awesome titles coming up by some talented authors. And be on the lookout for a special appearance by yours truly. How I convinced them to let me into that party, I'll never know.
So, what's the next thing? More vampires? Werewolves? Steampunk? Angels?
Really, nobody knows. It's like trying to predict the weather. But it's fun to guess. One good way to do that is to look at what's popular now and what's coming in the near future. My agent, John Rudolph has just posted a nice blog entry at the Dystel & Goderich website about the Young Adult Library Services Association's (YALSA) 2011 Teens' Top Ten. It seems paranormal and fantasy are still going strong.
Which, ahem, is very good news.
But what is on the shelves right now doesn't necessarily translate to what's going to be on the shelf tomorrow. You have to look at what is being pitched to do that. Luckily, John and his cohorts have just posted the DGLM Childrens Newsletter for Upcoming Submissions. There are some awesome titles coming up by some talented authors. And be on the lookout for a special appearance by yours truly. How I convinced them to let me into that party, I'll never know.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Lauren Myracle's SHINE: Wronged
Today news broke that one of the finalists for the National Book Awards was announced in error.
Think about that for a minute: you as an author being told you are nominated for the most prestigious book award - the Oscar of literature - only to be told, "Oops. Our bad."
Publishers Weekly reported that Lauren Myracle’s finalist spot in the Young People Literature category for her book SHINE had been intended for Franny Billingsley’s CHIME, a mistake made when a member of the National Book Foundation staff misheard a judge’s announcement over the phone .
The mix-up was not caught until last Wednesday’s radio announcement.
Myracle decided to withdraw her book as a finalist after being asked by the NBF. She was told that by doing so she would “preserve the integrity of the award and of the judges work.”
What a shocking embarrassment for the National Book Foundation. And what a horrible thing for Myracle to have gone through. Frankly, I’ve never been much of a fan of quantifying the value of one’s artistic work over another’s, but I’ve always been somewhat eased by the fact that, whether it’s the Oscars, Grammy’s, or the NBA, there was a professional, competent group of people running the show.
I have to say, my confidence in the National Book Foundation has been shaken.
Think about that for a minute: you as an author being told you are nominated for the most prestigious book award - the Oscar of literature - only to be told, "Oops. Our bad."
Publishers Weekly reported that Lauren Myracle’s finalist spot in the Young People Literature category for her book SHINE had been intended for Franny Billingsley’s CHIME, a mistake made when a member of the National Book Foundation staff misheard a judge’s announcement over the phone .
The mix-up was not caught until last Wednesday’s radio announcement.
Myracle decided to withdraw her book as a finalist after being asked by the NBF. She was told that by doing so she would “preserve the integrity of the award and of the judges work.”
What a shocking embarrassment for the National Book Foundation. And what a horrible thing for Myracle to have gone through. Frankly, I’ve never been much of a fan of quantifying the value of one’s artistic work over another’s, but I’ve always been somewhat eased by the fact that, whether it’s the Oscars, Grammy’s, or the NBA, there was a professional, competent group of people running the show.
I have to say, my confidence in the National Book Foundation has been shaken.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Bookstore on Fire - Kindle's Next Gen
I love a good unveiling. With the October 4 debut of iPhone 5 (or is it iPhone 4.5?) and Canon lifting the wrapper off of something mysterious on November 4, the next month is going to be neat-o. Yeah. I'm bringing back 'neat-o.'
But FIRST! Today marked the World Premiere of the Kindle Fire. I imagine the commercial will go something like this:
If not, I think they are missing out on some potential marketing genius.
This is quite an interesting piece of technology and may hint at what the future of the book may be. It's a capable little machine and I wonder if there will be a market for some sort of mixed media once these little devices find their way into our homes. Can you imagine a book with music clips as you read a page? Or a video supplement? Or some kind of Pop Up Video, but you know, for books?
But FIRST! Today marked the World Premiere of the Kindle Fire. I imagine the commercial will go something like this:
If not, I think they are missing out on some potential marketing genius.
This is quite an interesting piece of technology and may hint at what the future of the book may be. It's a capable little machine and I wonder if there will be a market for some sort of mixed media once these little devices find their way into our homes. Can you imagine a book with music clips as you read a page? Or a video supplement? Or some kind of Pop Up Video, but you know, for books?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Vacation, All I Ever Wanted
You might have noticed that things went on hiatus here at INK ROCK. It was summer. It was hot. And for a minute there, I think I melted in the brains a little. Did I mention it was hot? The situation called for a vacay getaway. More of the beach, more time to dig back into that sequel.
Vacation didn't extend only to me. The publishing industry takes a little time off for the summer. And now, with Labor Day behind us, the industry is back in the swing of things.
In other news: football started! Both of them! My Auburn Tigers are back and, strangely, considering their death-walk schedule, winning. That's college football, for those who might have missed last year when...ahem...we won the national title. In other football news, soccer has started again though, with the heat, it's still a bit like playing on the surface of the sun . We won our first game 3-1. I had a goal pulled back for offsides. Which I totally wasn't. Okay, maybe I was. And I missed side netting on a half volley. Boo that, too. In the English Premiere League, my Newcastle United ain't doin' half bad either!
So, in short, we're back and looking for great stories inspired by interesting places. Football distractions aside, look for regular posts coming weekly!
Vacation didn't extend only to me. The publishing industry takes a little time off for the summer. And now, with Labor Day behind us, the industry is back in the swing of things.
In other news: football started! Both of them! My Auburn Tigers are back and, strangely, considering their death-walk schedule, winning. That's college football, for those who might have missed last year when...ahem...we won the national title. In other football news, soccer has started again though, with the heat, it's still a bit like playing on the surface of the sun . We won our first game 3-1. I had a goal pulled back for offsides. Which I totally wasn't. Okay, maybe I was. And I missed side netting on a half volley. Boo that, too. In the English Premiere League, my Newcastle United ain't doin' half bad either!
So, in short, we're back and looking for great stories inspired by interesting places. Football distractions aside, look for regular posts coming weekly!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
MOVE
Returning in September for regular posts. Behind the scenes here at INKROCK, we're in early talks about a filmed pilot...but more on that in the future. ;)
In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful piece of film by STA Travel Australia!
In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful piece of film by STA Travel Australia!
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