With the Big Six flummoxed following the Hollywood model with increasing commitment to only tentpole titles rich in star power but often absent soulfully satisfying, original content, authors everywhere are now embracing the economic advantages of bucking the old path to publication by going straight to ebook. And with Amazon now having become a publisher with five imprints, and ramifications yet to unfold, things have gotten pretty interesting in today’s publishing world. For a lot of writers, however, both new and accomplished, things have just gotten confusing. Do the risks outweigh the rewards? Is the real cost of author empowerment sacrificing time to actually write? When is the traditional route to release no longer relevant? Why?
Though we addressed a lot of these issues at SD25, over the past three months a lot’s gone down in the industry. The tides require parting in effort to navigate these turbulent seas successfully. While it’s safe to say that this is the best of times for writers, it’s also the mess of times for many. The future of publishing is here. Chase it or reign it in and ride it–that’s what we’ll devote a good amount of attention to in Newport Beach. (Excuse the messed up metaphor, sorry.) In the meantime, Gayle Carline has a new book out on Kindle this week, Hit or Missus (A Peri Minneopa Mystery). With the tagline, “A friend will help you move–a good friend will help you move a body,” you know that, as usual, Gayle’s gonna give you a refreshingly fun read.
Literary rep. Dana Newman’s aboard for LA9. Dana joined us for the first time at last September’s LA8 and snagged first time conferee Marsha Aizumi’s memoir Two Spirits, One Heart. Just last week Marsha signed the deal with Magnus Books for publication next spring. Good job both!
Longtime hardcore workshoppers Maralys Wills and Matthew J. Pallamary are back, as are others yet to be announced, including more agents, editors, authors and naughty people (you know who you are). Also have our final guest speakers to announce, one of which I failed to make clear last update: Darlene Quinn.
That’s all for now. The $75 Early “Bard” Discount expires June 1. Take advantage of it, if for no other reason, to keep somebody else from getting it!
