HARDCOVERS Months on list Last month
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 7 3
The Narrow Road Between Desires, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW) 2 4
System Collapse,
(date: 2024-03-23 16:16:54)
date: 2024-03-22, from: Interesting, a blog on writing
It’s not just about how characters speak, but why they use that voice.
https://inneresting.substack.com/p/194-choosing-the-voice
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
Winners have been announced for the 2024 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, including titles of genre interest.
Older Readers’
Younger Readers’
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-waterstones-childrens-book-prize/
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
Iain J. Clark will design the base of the 2024 Hugo Award trophy, and Sara Felix will design the 2024 Lodestar Award trophy.
Each year, the rocket-shaped Hugo Award trophy “is given a unique base design to reflect the personality of the hosting Worldcon.” The Lodestar trophy is also given a unique design every year. Felix previously designed the first Lodestar trophy in 2018.
The designs will be revealed on …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-hugo-and-lodestar-trophy-designers/
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
Logical Fantasy: The Many Worlds of John Wyndham, John Wyndham (Subterranean 978-1-64524-143-0, $50.00, 424pp, hc) April 2024.
So many impressive writers of short fiction have shown up over the past few decades that it’s worth wondering how the writers of earlier generations seem to be holding up. A couple of new collections from two very different figures, Harlan Ellison and John Wyndham, might offer some clues. There was a …Read More
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
We hope you all had a fantastic St. Patrick’s Day! We’re back at it again with another video for you, so just relax and we’ll catch you up on the top science fiction, fantasy, horror, and YA books that are slated to hit bookstore (and Amazon) shelves for March 18th, with reviews and blurbs and covers!
Our channel is @locusmagazine. …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/new-books-video-is-live-for-march-22/
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
The inaugural Wayward Wormhole workshop was held November 1-21, 2023 at Castle de Llaés in Gurb, Spain.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});While you are here, please take a moment to support Locus with a one-time or recurring donation. We rely on reader donations to keep the magazine and site going, and would like to keep the site paywall free, but WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT to continue quality coverage …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/wayward-wormhole/
date: 2024-03-22, from: Locus Magazine
Author and professor of mathematics Vernor Vinge, 79, died from Parkinson’s disease on March 20, 2024. He was noted for introducing the technological singularity concept (AKA the Singularity) and known for his gripping hard science fiction.
Vernor Vinge was born in Waukesha Wisconsin on October 2, 1944. He was married to fellow science fiction author Joan D. Vinge from 1972 to 1979.
His first published work of science fiction was …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/vernor-vinge-1944-2024/
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-22, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
Very willing to share Caitlin’s gofundme!
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3koc6gtpm732e
date: 2024-03-22, from: Final Draft blog
Many aspiring screenwriters struggle to make dialogue sound naturalistic. Often, the dialogue is stilted and doesn’t sound like the way people actually speak (this can be said of a few professional screenwriters as well). Or the dialogue is just perfunctory, and the characters are simply spouting exposition, and, once again, it doesn’t sound like the way people speak. Finally, some writers go out of their way to be snarky or colorful in their dialogue and go a little overboard. They’ll fill their dialogue with all kinds of opinions, anecdotes, and digressions.
https://blog.finaldraft.com/how-to-use-digressions-to-create-natural-sounding-dialogue
date: 2024-03-21, from: Locus Magazine
» Slate, Shasha Leonard, 18 Mar 2024: Two Decades in, the Queen of Faerie Fantasy Is Doing Just Fine, subtitled “Author Holly Black reflects on the rise of ‘romantasy’ novels, explicit sex scenes, and BookTok.”
» The New Yorker, Katy Waldman, 17 Mar 2024: Kelly Link Is Committed to the Fantastic, subtitled “The MacArthur-winning author on the worthwhile frivolity of the fantasy genre, how magic is and is …Read More
date: 2024-03-21, from: Locus Magazine
The shortlist for the 2024 International Dylan Thomas Prize has been announced. The six-title list includes Biography of X by Catherine Lacey (Granta).
The annual Dylan Thomas prize, in partnership with Swansea University, awards £20,000 “to the best published or produced literary work in the English language, written by an author aged 39 or under.” This year’s judges are Tice Cin, Namita Gokhale, Jon Gower, Seán Hewitt, and Julia Wheeler.
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-international-dylan-thomas-prize-shortlist/
date: 2024-03-21, from: Locus Magazine
Escape Pod 11/30/23 Beneath Ceaseless Skies 11/30/23 Three-Lobed Burning Eye 11/23 Fusion Fragment 11/23
Escape Pod closed out November with a gem in Uchechukwu Nwaka’s gripping “Challenges to Becoming a Pro Dragonracer in Apapa-Downtown”, which takes place in a future Nigeria where people like Ishola live rather vulnerably, trying to do their best for themselves and their families but facing the grim lack of infrastructure and pervasive …Read More
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-21, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
And it’s so good!
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3ko6cetkvts2h
date: 2024-03-20, from: Interesting, a blog on writing
Acting like you’re in the room when you’re in your room.
https://inneresting.substack.com/p/how-to-handle-a-phone-meeting
date: 2024-03-20, from: Locus Magazine
The Warm Hands of Ghosts, Katherine Arden (Del Rey 978-0-593-12825-1, $28.99, 318pp, hc) February 2024.
As The Warm Hands of Ghosts opens, former field nurse Laura Iven is still reeling from the deaths of her parents following the catastrophic explosion of a cargo ship laden with explosives in the harbor of her hometown, Halifax, Nova Scotia. (This is based on a real event in 1917.) Laura was home after …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/colleen-mondor-reviews-the-warm-hands-of-ghosts-by-katherine-arden/
date: 2024-03-20, from: Locus Magazine
The Locus Bestsellers for February include top titles: Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower), Dune by Frank Herbert (Ace), Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree (Tor), and DragonLance: Dragons of Deceit, Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman (Del Rey).
HARDCOVERS Months on list Last month
Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower) 7 3
The Narrow Road Between Desires, Patrick Rothfuss (DAW) 2 4
System Collapse,
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/locus-bestsellers-march-4/
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-20, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
Can i hear a wahoo or two?
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3ko523fwtls2q
date: 2024-03-20, from: Literature & a Latte blog
<p>You may spend years writing a book, and when you've finally completed a final draft that you think is good enough to go out into the world, the next step is to seek publication. If this is your first book - fiction or non-fiction - then the process of how a book gets from your manuscript into readers' hands can be quite complex and can take a long time. It can be helpful to understand the many steps of publication, so you know what you're in for.</p>Getting published for the first time
A lot of people try to write books. Very few of them complete their manuscripts, and even fewer have their books accepted for publication. If this is happening to you for the first time, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. The process of going from manuscript to bookstore can be long and complex. It can be helpful to be aware of the many steps in this process, and the milestones that you will encounter along the way.
Note this article discusses traditional publishing, not self-publishing, where the author is in charge of the entire process.
Agents: what are they good for?
The publishing process involves a series of gatekeepers to whittle down the tens or even hundreds of thousands of completed manuscripts that authors are trying to sell each year. The first such person is the literary agent, someone who assesses manuscripts for potential success and takes on promising authors. You don't pay an agent up front - in fact, you should avoid any agent who asks for money on submission - and agents only make money if they sell your book.
Generally, agents take 15% of what you earn from your book, and, in exchange, they work with you to help revise and improve the manuscript, send finished manuscripts out to publishers, and negotiate contracts. Getting a literary agent is pretty much essential to getting published by a major press these days, and finding an appropriate agent can be difficult. You not only have to find an agent who thinks your book is great, but also one with experience with your genre or type of book. Don't forget that it is the author who hires the agent, so you shouldn't necessarily jump at the first nibble you get from an agent, but take your time to make sure you are compatible.
Agents pitch manuscripts to publishers. They use their experience and connections in the publishing industry to know which publishers are the best fit for your manuscript, and which individual editors your book might resonate with. Agents will send manuscripts out to multiple editors and publishers at the same time, and, if several publishers are interested, may even set up an auction. Agents may also try to sell foreign rights to publishers in other territories and languages, and try to sell film and TV rights.
The publishing process
First-time authors may be surprised at how long it takes to go from an accepted manuscript to a published book, at least with major publishers. (Small presses may work more quickly.) Once a publisher has bought a manuscript, an editor goes over the manuscript and discusses changes with the author. There can be several editing rounds, as an editor tries to help the author craft the most compelling book. In some cases, editors will suggest adding or removing characters, adding or removing major events, and re-organizing novels completely. This process can take months, depending on how quickly the author works, and how well the editor and author get along. Finally, a copy editor goes over the final manuscript to ensure that the text is correct.
The next step is designing the book. This includes the page size and font, as well as the cover, which is one of the most important elements of a book, and a key element for marketing the title. The publisher handles this and presents cover ideas to the author, who may or may not agree. But, in the end, it's up to the publisher to determine what will help best sell the book.
Once the manuscript and cover are completed, the book has to fit into the publisher’s marketing schedule. Some books are best released in the fall, others in the new year, and others are great summer reads. The publisher determines when a book should be published, and there is a long process as this information goes through the marketing team and sales reps. The actual marketing process may start six months before the book is published, and can involve sending out ARCs (advance reading copies or review copies) to book reviewers, influencers, and bloggers. The hope is to get enough reaction to spur pre-orders for when the book is finally available.
Publication and publicity
So your book is finally published. If the advance marketing has been effective, there may be buzz online and even the occasional celebrity or influencer who mentions the new book. If enough pre-orders have been made, the book can hit a best-seller chart, which puts it in front of readers who view those lists for new reads.
Most authors don't do book tours, but if a publisher considers a title important enough, they will help set up author events. At this point, unless a publisher paid the author a large advance, it's up to the author to do much of the publicity. This includes online publicity, through social media such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, contacting bloggers and reviewers, guesting on podcasts, attending festivals, and meeting with book clubs, either in person or online.
From this point on, all that's left is to hope that the book sells, that it sells well enough that the publisher wants another book, and that you're satisfied with the life of your new book. And then, it's time to get started on your next book.
<p>Kirk McElhearn is a <a href="https://kirkville.com" target="_blank">writer</a>, <a href="https://kirkville.com/podcasts/" target="_blank">podcaster</a>, and <a href="https://kirkville.com/kirks-photos-2/" target="_blank">photographer</a>. He is the author of <a href="https://www.literatureandlatte.com/store" target="_blank">Take Control of Scrivener</a>, and host of the podcast <a href="https://podcast.scrivenerapp.com" target="_blank">Write Now with Scrivener</a>.</p>
date: 2024-03-19, from: Locus Magazine
The Horror Writers Association (HWA) has announced their Summer Scares Reading list for 2024.
ADULT
YOUNG ADULT
MIDDLE GRADE
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/hwa-2024-summer-scares/
date: 2024-03-19, from: Locus Magazine
Medlock, Noah: A Botanical Daughter (Titan Books UK 9781803365909, $16.99, 384pp, formats: trade paperback, ebook, 03/19/2024)
Horror novel. A tale of two Victorian gentlemen hiding their relationship away in a botanical garden who embark on a Frankenstein-style experiment with unexpected consequences.
Fulton, Victoria & McLaren, Faith: Cursed Cruise (Underlined 9780593649381, $11.99, 288pp, formats: trade paperback, ebook, audio, 03/19/2024)
Young-adult supernatural mystery novel about four teen ghost hunters, one able …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/new-books-19-march-2024/
date: 2024-03-19, from: Final Draft blog
Your script should look as professional as possible, or industry professionals will likely pass on your script after a cursory read. In addition to using screenwriting software like Final Draft that formats your script to industry standards, you should proofread and edit your writing.
https://blog.finaldraft.com/5-editing-hacks-for-screenwriters
date: 2024-03-19, from: John August blog
John and Craig wring their hands and ask, how do you make sure the person you’re hiring isn’t a monster? They look at best practices for vetting colleagues, sussing out problematic people, and managing your own emotions when you’re the person with power. We also discuss writing for non-native English speakers, using three examples to […] The post Is This Person Going to Ruin Everything? first appeared on John August.
https://johnaugust.com/2024/is-this-person-going-to-ruin-everything
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-18, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
This is very very VERY silly indeed. And often surprisingly hummable. Thank you @mitchbenn.bsky.social
https://youtu.be/N1ZZlLMt7jQ?si=mo4eGaeGQegScIw4
https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3knyw5xy5522l
date: 2024-03-18, from: Author’s Union blog
Dear Authors Alliance Members, Friends, and Allies, It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing my departure from Authors Alliance. For me, the development is bittersweet—in a few weeks, I will be starting a new job at a law firm where I’ll focus on litigation and developing my advocacy skills in a new […]
date: 2024-03-18, from: Locus Magazine
Holly Black’s The Prisoner’s Throne (Little, Brown), second book in her Elfhame series following The Stolen Heir, debuts on three lists, ranking #1 on the New York Times Young Adult Hardcover list. All ten books on that list, this week, are genre titles.
Title Debut / #wks on any list NYT 03.24 LAT 03.17 USAT 03.10 PW 03.18 Amz (03.18) UK: Amz UK (03.18) Canada: Amz.ca (03.18)
Items on …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/weekly-bestsellers-18-march-2024/
date: 2024-03-18, from: Locus Magazine
International Thriller Writers has announced the finalists for the 2024 Thriller Awards, including several titles and authors of genre interest.
Best Hardcover Novel
Best Paperback Original Novel
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-itw-thriller-awards-finalists/
date: 2024-03-18, from: Locus Magazine
The Butcher of the Forest, Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom 978-1250881786, $18.99, 160pp, tp) February 2024.
I’m pretty sure that tales of forests that are haunted (or enchanted or forbidden or cursed or simply hallucinogenic) predate haunted-house tales by several centuries – in fact, they probably predate houses – and they’ve long provided powerful templates for fantasy (William Morris, George MacDonald, Tolkien, Robert Holdstock), horror (Arthur Machen, Algernon Blackwood) and even …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/gary-k-wolfe-reviews-the-butcher-of-the-forest-by-premee-mohamed/
date: 2024-03-18, from: Locus Magazine
MOSES OSE UTOMI was born July 26, 1988 in San Bernardino CA and grew up in Las Vegas NV. He studied psychology as an undergrad, then attended Sarah Lawrence College, where he earned a MFA in creative writing. Utomi is also a lifelong martial artist.
He began publishing work of SF interest with “The Story of a Young Woman” (2018, as Ose Utomi). His short work also includes the Forever …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/moses-ose-utomi-unreal-element/
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-17, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
so many fun things for @locusmag.bsky.social including me leaving the world your voicemail message: https://locus.betterworld.org/auctions/locus-magazine-science-fiction-f
https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3knvy2o3znt2e
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-17, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
I just learned of Steve Harley’s passing. I loved so much of what he did. Here’s a song: https://youtu.be/Gr3ubWAXSOo?si=YkTxlxgS_KK-_yct
https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3knvsiyfy5k2a
date: 2024-03-17, from: Locus Magazine
Other Minds and Other Stories, Bennett Sims (Two Dollar Radio 978-1-9533-8735-6, $18.95. 202pp, tp) November 2023. Cover by Eric Obenauf.
Other Minds and Other Stories, the new collection from Bennett Sims, is a must-read: a startling, insightful blend of horror and humor, thoughtful and unpredictable. Many of the stories here are about the psychologies of writing, and of reading, the very strangeness of trying to record thoughts or …Read More