(date: 2024-03-28 08:13:08)
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-28, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
I see no problem.
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3kor52bgur52b
date: 2024-03-27, from: Locus Magazine
Author James A. Moore, 58, died March 27, 2024. Moore was an award-winning author of more than 50 fantasy and horror titles.
James Arthur Moore was born September 3, 1965 in Atlanta GA. He began publishing work of genre interest with House of Secrets (1995, with Kevin Andrew Murphy), and his first solo novel was Hell-Storm (1996). Other notable books include Under the Overtree (2000), Fireworks (2001), Bram Stoker Award …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/james-a-moore-1965-2024/
date: 2024-03-27, from: Locus Magazine
The Lambda Literary Foundation has announced finalists for the 36th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (the “Lammys”), celebrating “the best lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender books.” Nominees of genre interest follow.
LGBTQ+ Speculative Fiction
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/36th-annual-lambda-awards-finalists/
date: 2024-03-27, from: Interesting, a blog on writing
And other relationship advice.
https://inneresting.substack.com/p/the-grimm-side-of-marriage
date: 2024-03-27, from: Locus Magazine
Kat Clay and Ian Nichols of Australia are the candidates for the 2024 Going Under Fan Fund (GUFF), which will send fans from Oceania to Europe to attend Glasgow 2024: A Worldcon for our Futures, the 82nd World Science Fiction Convention, to be held August 8-12, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Voting is open until April 22, 2024. For more information, see the GUFF website.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-guff-candidates/
date: 2024-03-27, from: Locus Magazine
Red Side Story, Jasper Fforde (Hodder & Stoughton 978-1444763669, £17.99, 384pp, hc) February 2024. (Soho Press 978-1-64129-628-1, $29.95, 456pp, hc) May 2024.
When Jasper Fforde did clever things in The Eyre Affair (2001), I was one of many people who fell in love with this funny, bizarre, slightly-askew-to-reality world. Fforde was writing humorous fantasy that commented on and skewered the real one. It sounded superficially like the Discworld novels …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/alexandra-pierce-reviews-red-side-story-by-jasper-fforde/
date: 2024-03-27, from: Locus Magazine
The six-title shortlist for the Dublin Literary Award has been announced. Authors and titles of genre interest include:
The initial 70 titles on the longlist were “nominated by 80 libraries from 35 countries around the world.” The shortlist features “6 books nominated by
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-dublin-literary-award-shortlist/
date: 2024-03-27, from: Author’s Union blog
Join us for a book talk with ANDREA I. COPLAND & KATHLEEN DeLAURENTI about UNLOCKING THE DIGITAL AGE, a crucial resource for early career musicians navigating the complexities of the digital era. REGISTER NOW “[Musicians,] Use this book as a tool to enhance your understanding, protect your creations, and confidently step into the world of […]
date: 2024-03-27, from: Literature & a Latte blog
<p>Literary agents are part of the overall publishing ecosystem and are gatekeepers between authors and publishers. If you want to have your book published by a traditional publisher, it’s nearly impossible to do so without having an agent. Most large publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts directly from authors; they generally rely on literary agents who screen and recommend manuscripts.</p>But agents do a lot more than just choose which manuscripts to submit to publishers. Here’s an overview of what literary agents do.
How much does a literary agent cost?
Literary agents don't work for free: in exchange for an agent’s work, authors will give up, on average, 15% of their income. You should never pay a literary agent before you’ve earned anything; any literary agent who asks for money upfront is dishonest.
Because literary agents work on commission, and only make money when they've sold your book or other rights, they're not going to just sit on your manuscript. But this is also why literary agents are very picky about which authors and manuscripts they take on. Literary agents look for manuscripts and authors that they think they can sell. Just because one agent doesn’t want to take you on doesn’t mean that there aren’t others who might be interested. Agents tend to specialize in certain types of books and don’t represent authors who don’t fit their specialties.
What does a literary agent do?
The main role of a literary agent is to act as a middleman between an author and publishers. This simple definition masks a large number of activities.
To begin with, literary agents look at manuscripts to determine whether they think they can sell them. There needs to be a fit between the author, the style of book they've written, and an agent’s areas of expertise. Some agents specialize in romance novels, others in nonfiction. Some focus on mysteries and thrillers, and others mostly deal with authors of literary fiction.
Once an agent has accepted an author’s manuscript, they will work with the author to improve and refine the book. It's not in an agent's interest to send an unpolished manuscript to publishers. Since agents only make money when they sell books, they want to give your manuscript the best possible chance. A good agent will act as an editor, advising you on elements of your book, and you may go through several rounds of revisions before an agent thinks it’s ready to send out. This doesn't mean that if your manuscript is sold you won't also work with a publisher’s editor and make more changes, but an agent wants to give your book the best chance to be bought.
Once a manuscript is ready to send out, an agent will identify the type of publisher who would best suit that specific book. They rely on their experience and their knowledge of individual editors in publishing houses to know who to contact. They may submit manuscripts to one publisher at a time or to multiple publishers, depending on how they think specific editors will react. These editors trust agents they know to not submit books that don’t fit with their type of book. There is a mutual understanding between agents and editors that both sides are working together to try to get the best books published.
Once a manuscript has been sold, then the agent starts doing one of their most important jobs: negotiating contracts. New authors rarely know how complicated publishing contracts can be, and agents are familiar with the types of clauses that publishers may wish to impose, and which may not be beneficial for the author. An agent may also be involved in attempting to sell film and TV rights, foreign rights, and subsidiary rights.
The agent will then collaborate with the author throughout the publishing process, from submission to post-publication marketing. Using their experience, they can advise authors on how to handle the time it takes for a book to be published, and how to manage the multiple payments of an advance, as well as make suggestions about how to promote their books. Agents also ensure that advances and royalties are paid on time and in full.
When a first book has been sold, an agent will then work with an author to manage their future career. They will help the author refine ideas for subsequent books, act as a sounding board when authors have questions about the publishing process, and help plan a career path. This includes staying up to date on current trends in publishing, to help authors choose how to evolve as successful writers.
What sort of publishers can authors approach without a literary agent?
While most large publishers require that manuscripts be submitted by agents, it is possible to send your manuscript to some other publishers. Some smaller presses and independent publishers may be open to working directly with authors without an agent. However, getting published by smaller publishers, who have limited resources for marketing and distribution, may not lead to many sales.
You can also choose to self-publish your book; in this case, you are in charge of everything. This has its pros and cons, and requires much more work than being published traditionally. Some authors prefer being in control of everything and may earn more money by self-publishing. But this is much more work than writing, which is already quite a task.
While you may not like giving up 15% of your writing income to an agent, a good agent is worth the money. From acting as a gatekeeper to traditional publishers and helping authors navigate contracts, agents are essential partners for authors wanting to make a career out of their writing.
<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>
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/blog/publishing-101-what-does-a-literary-agent-do
date: 2024-03-27, from: Margaret Atwoods Substack
The uproar between 1789 and 1799 was in large part a three-pronged religious civil war.
https://margaretatwood.substack.com/p/the-french-revvie-part-vii-dialogues
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-26, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
@catcalledlola.bsky.social here you go. I hope it helps.
https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3komgkmz2yb2n
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-26, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
They do.
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@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-26, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
First edition Dore books don’t look like the Dover press collections I bought and gazed at in my teens, as @lifeisamazing.bsky.social has taught me. They are exquisite.
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3komfvwoarg25
date: 2024-03-26, from: Locus Magazine
The shortlist for the 2024 Dinesh Allirajah Prize for Short Fiction has been announced. The prize is “open to both published and unpublished writers and aims to seek out the best established and up and coming voices in the form.” The theme for the 2024 prize was “The Uncanny.”
There were 7 shortlisted stories from the following authors:
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-dinesh-allirajah-prize-shortlist/
date: 2024-03-26, from: Locus Magazine
The Briar Book of the Dead, A.G. Slatter (Titan Books, 978-1-80336-454-4, $16.99, 368pp, tp) February 2024.
When I reviewed A.G. (Angela) Slatter’s 2022 novel The Path of Thorns, I said she was one of the best contemporary fantasists in the field. But I was wrong; my vision was too narrow. Angela is simply one of the best contemporary writers of fiction, regardless of genre. Deep down, I already …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/ian-mond-reviews-the-briar-book-of-the-dead-by-a-g-slatter/
date: 2024-03-26, from: John August blog
John welcomes back Pamela Ribon (Nimona, My Year of Dicks) to quietly ask: what’s with all the whispering in movies these days? They discuss trends and techniques in voice and volume, picking the right moment to whisper, and the value of voices across decibel levels. We also revisit Pamela’s work on Moana to look at […] The post Whispering Loudly first appeared on John August.
https://johnaugust.com/2024/whispering-loudly
date: 2024-03-26, from: Locus Magazine
Coelho, Joseph & Milner, Kate: The Boy Lost in the Maze (Candlewick Press 9781536236415, $19.99, 320pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audio, 03/26/2024)
Young-adult novel in verse, mixing the stories of a contemporary teen searching for his father, and the minotaur. First US edition (Otter-Barry Books 10/22).
Ellis, Sami: Dead Girls Walking (Abrams/Amulet 9781419766763, $19.99, 368pp, formats: hardcover, ebook, audio, 03/26/2024)
Young-adult horror. A teen searching for her dead mother’s body …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/new-books-26-march-2024/
date: 2024-03-26, from: Final Draft blog
Whether you have one main character or several, tracking their character arcs is not always easy.
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-26, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
How cool!
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@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-26, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
I’ll take the thanks.
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date: 2024-03-26, updated: 2024-03-26, from: NarraScope, Celebrating Narrative Games
The schedule page for Saturday and Sunday is now complete. Take a look!
Friday workshops are still being worked out. Like last year, we intend to have a program of remote workshops for online attendees and a (separate) program of on-site workshops. Both sets will be free for registered attendees …
https://narrascope.org/2024/03/narrascope-2024-schedule.html
date: 2024-03-25, from: Locus Magazine
Phantastische Akademie has announced the winners for the 2024 SERAPH, a German fantasy award.
Best Debut
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/2024-seraph-winners/
date: 2024-03-25, from: Locus Magazine
Jay Kristoff’s Empire of the Damned (St. Martin’s), sequel to his Empire of the Vampire (2021), debuts on three lists, ranking as high as #4 on the New York Times and Publishers Weekly lists.
Meanwhile, just as editions of Frank Herbert’s Dune have returned to bestseller lists in recent weeks, the trade paperback of Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem ranks on several lists today, as high as #7 on the
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/weekly-bestsellers-25-march-2024/
date: 2024-03-25, from: Locus Magazine
Kelley Armstrong, Cocktails & Chloroform (Subterranean 12/23) The latest volume in the A Rip Through Time Series (“Outlander meets The Alienist”) sees contemporary homicide detective Mallory Atkinson stuck in Victorian Edinburgh, where she investigates a sex-trafficking scheme. “A quick read… with reliable companions tackling all sorts of villains while also engaging in the sort of banter at which Armstrong excels.” [Colleen Mondor]
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/new-notable-books-march/
date: 2024-03-25, from: Locus Magazine
Richard A. Kirk is an author, illustrator, and visual artist. He is the author of novels The Lost Machine and Necessary Monsters, and illustrated collection Magpie’s Ladder. Illustrated novel Tailor of Echoes was published in early 2022. He has illustrated works by Clive Barker, Christopher Golden, Frank Herbert, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Thomas Ligotti, China Miéville, the rock band Korn, and others. Kirk’s artwork is exhibited and collected internationally. …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/spotlight-on-richard-a-kirk/
@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-25, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
Thank you!!
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@Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky (date: 2024-03-24, from: Neil Gaiman @ BlueSky)
I’m so glad.
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https://bsky.app/profile/neilhimself.neilgaiman.com/post/3kohuin523c2u
date: 2024-03-24, from: Locus Magazine
The Morningside, Téa Obreht (Random House 978-1984855503, hardcover, 304pp, $20.00) March 2024
Is the New Weird still a going concern? Dating roughly from the turn of the century (China Miéville’s Perdido Street Station is the Monolith that enlightened the hominid readers), with the term itself harking to the year 2002 (courtesy of M. John Harrison), the subgenre with famously leaky borders and hazy definitions is approaching its 25th birthday. …Read More
https://locusmag.com/2024/03/paul-di-filippo-reviews-the-morningside-by-tea-obreht/
date: 2024-03-24, from: Locus Magazine
These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart, Izzy Wasserstein (Tachyon 978-1-61696-412-2, $15.95, 174pp, tp; -413-9, $11.95, ebook) March 2024.
The term “dystopia” has been so widely and sloppily overused of late that, in the eyes of some, I suppose, it might just as well refer to anyplace without a Starbucks. Without parsing definitions, I’ve always thought of it as a bad society resulting from actual policies and decisions, not just …Read More