Tag Archives: News

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

“Around the Web” has taken a new path. I use to gather a bunch of articles I found interesting and just share them here. But now… I have a whole podcast to share and talk about them on!

So, here are a couple things we did not get to, and a couple that came up this morning:
Literary agent wish list.

6 things only writers understand (I found this list hitting really close to home.)

How to write action that won’t show you’ve never thrown a punch.

And here is the show. A lot of great info this show, and some awesome websites.

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

And I need to do another “Around the Web” post, because I have a few interesting links to share, and i don’t want to forget.

Smashwords is allowing “pre-orders” of books published through them to any platform.

KDP select is adding support for Japanese, and a couple other changes.

4 real inventions inspired by SF, a video from SciShow.

Garrett Robinson put up a fantastic formatting tutorial for print and ebooks. (there are several on his website.)

Templates for all the headers, avatars, icons and backgrounds on social media.

A great example on world building with map making.

A flow chart on how to break free of writers block.

Cliche Book Covers… Don’t do these, seriously.

Watch Neil Gaiman read his book, The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman discusses being disappointed by books (writing or reading them.)

The Round Table Podcast is back with an episode about “The ‘Death’ of Cyberpunk”

Joanna Penn shares her experience taking a traditionally published book back to self publishing.

Yes, I wrote that!

Posted on by
Reply

The new SPRT, episode 4, is out.

SPRT

We had an interview with author Lisa Grace about her movie deal, and how she weathered the trials and tribulations of dealing with lawyers, producers, and publishers to bring her indie book series to the movies.

Also, John ate his words.

If you recall, last week I published “The Pretty Leaf” for free because one of my co-hosts, John Ward, took a shot at flash-fic. And here John is, saying how great “The Pretty Leaf” really was.

I’ve had some great responses from people about “The Pretty Leaf”, and I’m really glad I wrote it. I hope you will share it with others, comment, like, or even print out to give away.

Stories are better when they are shared.

 

My co-hosts–  Carl Sinclair |  Wade Finnegan  |  Bill Dowis  |  John Ward

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

It’s long past due for an “Around the Web” list.

Here are some of the things going on around the web.

Judge says: Apple Conspired to Fix eBook Prices

Harper Lee, author of “To Kill A Mockingbird”, scammed out of her author rights, trying to get them back.

An Op-Ed piece on “state of publishing“. A very interesting read actually, and why the mega-publisher “Penguin Random House” isn’t good for readers or authors.

A great article about research showing that copyright kills books!

What Makes People Put Down a Book

TedEd talks, “If Super Powers were Real” including super speed, flight, and immortality among others.

22 Productive Tricks

7 things D&D Taught me about Storytelling

Is ANGST the secret ingredient in new adult fiction?

 

 

My New Podcast!

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve actually been thinking of how to add audio or video podcasts to my blog. I’m rather afraid of speaking in public though, so doing it on my own didn’t seem very appealing.

Enter the snazzy group of guys who follow Self Publishing Podcast, and Story Telling Podcast and they decided to do their own podcast, and invited me to join.

We will be discussing the two podcasts we all follow, and anything else interesting in the publishing world. News, articles, controversy, etc.

No idea how this is going to work, or if it will go smoothly. I don’t really care, it sounds fun.

So, look for our new podcast this friday. I will post a link, and embed a video.

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

It’s been a while since I did an “Around the Web” post, so I thought I should catch up.

In the news this week, the biggest thing is the protests in Turkey. Huge protests, with thousands of people marching against the police. There are amazing pictures coming out of Turkey, and a lot of chatter on Reddit from people who are actually there, and what is going on.

I hope they make some headway…

Now, for the rest of the news.

Hugh Howie talks about indie authors who make a living writing.

Hugh Howie also plugged an Anne Rice video on “how to be a writer.” Hint: Go WRITE!

Neil Gaiman talks about the book that made him.

Neil Gaiman’s speach, “Make Good Art”, is now in a book form.

George R.R. Martin wrote 250k words for The World of Ice and Fire.

An Anne McCaffery tribute book will be out soon.

John Green claims Penguin to be the most effective publishing house for YA.

And non writing related…

An old video of a 7-11 at 2am from back in the 80’s. I forgot people use to smoke inside stores.

For a moment of levity, Tim Burton inspired Pokemon.

Someone did a minecraft world simulation, 1:1500 scale.

 

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

Your semi regular dose of news from around the web.

The saga over Penguin exploiting authors continues. And now there is a class action lawsuit over unpaid royalties to go with it all.

On some lighter notes:

Some of the best known authors prove it’s never too late to start writing.

The Creative Penn discusses marketing and selling learned from some top selling indie authors.

Pets of favorite authors.

The SPP interviews CJ Lyons. (youtube)

 

Happy writing.

Around the Web

Posted on by
Reply

The big news right now, or course, is the bombing in Boston. But I can’t add to the conversation on that except to say that I am glad the news is acknowledging that this is not just about us here in the states. It was an international marathon, one of several in the world. And while it was a sad tragedy, I hope that it is used to bring us closer together, not push us farther apart.

Now… some things from the writing side of life.

Amazon and Publishing Royalties (I love that Amazon is listening tot heir writers! Let’s hope they keep listening.)

27 Wacky Ways to Cure Writers Block (some interesting, and unusual ideas I’ve never come across before.)

Writers Club ultimate resource list…. Just.. ya, go look.

Interview with R.A. Salvatore at Comic Con

Perspectives…. Author vs Director

Simple advice from Neil Gaiman

Around the Web

Quote

Posted on by
Reply

I’m sick today, so I’m only posting a small post while my brain is active enough to handle it. I’ve actually been sleeping on and off all day today.

Alright, the big news, right off the top:
Amazon buys Goodreads! Here is an article from Daily News and another from Amazon Press Release. What does it mean? Will they integrate reviews? Will they muck up social networks and ruin things like facebook? Time will tell.

Second, Bioshock Infinite is out, and I love this review done by Adam Sessler. Basically… video games are pushing the boundaries of story telling. I can’t wait to play this game and be a full part of the story.

Felicia Day did a great AMA on Reddit this week, and talks a bit about the future of Geek and Sundry, and her creative drive in general.

The Writers Knowledge Base offers a searchable index of articles about writing, creating, and what have you. I haven’t had much time to search around in it, but so far it looks interesting.

The Nerdist interviews Macklemore. They talk about the weirdness of fame, writers block, creativity, and doing what you love.

The Future of Storytelling, interviews with people at Comic Con.

On the home front, I’ve been putting together a playlist on YouTube of video’s about Overcoming Fear, from the likes of Charlie is so Cool Like, Hank Green, and Vi Hart. There are some wonderful videos and I hope they inspire you, too.

Around the Web

Posted on by
2

The biggest news this last week or two has been about the Random House imprints, and their contracts.

John Scalzi had a lot to say about the matter, and about the subsequent changes put into the imprint contracts.

My thought on the matter is that if the publisher doesn’t give you a better deal than self publishing, then it isn’t in your best interest to do it, especially if you have to give them all of your rights to the piece of writing. After all, your the writer. You’re the one who should be making money off your work before anyone else.

And here is and article in defense of the royalty only contract, but take note. Royalty only does not mean giving up all rights, paying for things like printing, editing and storage out of your royalties, or losing control of your IP.

Please check Writers Beware for more information on sketchy issues with agents and publishers.

In other news:

Google Reader is shutting down. Here is a list of alternatives. So far, I like Feedly.

March 30 is INTERNATIONAL TABLETOP DAY! 

Body language cheat sheet for writers.

What if we put DRM on a chair? Well, I know what happens when we put DRM on SimCity.

Jim Butcher is putting out a steam punk series.

 

There’s been a lot more then this during the last week or so, but I think this is enogh for the day.