Writers You Want to Punch in the Face(book) This is the story of Todd Manly-Krauss, the world’s most irritating writer. He’s a good enough guy in real life (holds his liquor, fun at parties, writes a hell of a short story)—but give the guy a social media account, and the most mild-mannered of his writer friends will turn to blood lust. Okay, so he’s not a real writer. Except that he is. At times I fear he’s me. Because I do struggle for balance with social media. I’m supposed to use it to promote my work (it’s not just a Twitter account, it’s a platform, dammit), and if many of the highlights of my life are writing-related, I naturally want to share those.
But then I think of how I might come off to someone who’s struggled for years to publish that first story. And we can’t really share the lowlights, at least not most of them. And so we can forgive Todd Manly-Krauss. It’s not that you’re not happy for him. But shouldn’t a writer have a better ear, a better sense of how he’s coming off? No, you know better: the guy’s an ass.
Karen Dionne: Why Literary Agents Attend Writers Conferences (It's Not What You Think) Every week literary agents receive hundreds of query letters from aspiring writers who are hoping to interest the agent in their project. Why then, would agents take time from their busy schedules to go to a writers conference and meet yet more writers in person? I've worked with over a hundred literary agents during the 9 years I've been organizing the Backspace Writers Conferences held twice-annually in New York City, as well as the newly minted Salt Cay Writers Retreat taking place this October on a private island in the Bahamas. So I asked a few of my favorite agents why they attend writers conferences. Scott Hoffman (Founding Partner, Folio Literary Management): Why do agents go to conferences? Three reasons: relationships, relationships and relationships. Jason Allen Ashlock (President, Movable Type Management): Stephany Evans (President, FinePrint Literary Management): To be honest, I have numerous reasons for attending conferences... 1.
Random House Announces New Terms at Digital Imprints Hydra, Alibi, Loveswept, and Flirt. Posted by Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware Yesterday afternoon, I had a cordial conversation with Allison Dobson, Director of Digital Imprints at Random House, about the the recent controversy over deal terms at Hydra, Alibi, Loveswept, and Flirt. Based on strong criticism from writers' groups, authors, and agents, Random House has decided to make major changes in its digital contract. Allison was kind enough to share these changes with me. She asked me to keep them confidential until they could be officially posted on the Random House website, which is why you didn't see this post yesterday. A pdf of the announcement is here. Briefly, here are the changes: - Authors will now be offered their choice of two options: a re-worked profit-sharing arrangement and a traditional advance-and-royalties deal.
For the profit-sharing arrangement, there's still no advance. . - The contract will still be life-of-copyright, but the reversion clause has been improved. 25 Book Blogs + How to Pitch a Blogger. Readercon. Literary Luminaries - Literary Gifts of Great Authors, Poets, Pl. Will Write For Chocolate. Write Side Out.