This installment of Industry News tackles the Year of the Dragon thanks to social-media expert Kristen Lamb and her Kung Fu Writing post and dragon-beating tips. It’s never been easy to get a book published, but digital-book expert Mike Shatzkin argues that it used to be easier for publishers to turn a profit. Nowadays, more titles [...]

Galley Cat reported on Amazon’s hardline reaction to Reader Views. Amazon banned the company, which is dedicated to reviewing books and author publicity, from posting reviews on Amazon that authors have paid for via Reader Views’ publicity services, and took down reviews already posted. In a follow up, Galley Cat queried reader reactions to paid reviews [...]

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and…my new book. Publisher’s Weekly reports on Random House Canada’s testing of a new book tour model: rolling a book purchase into the cost of an event admission for guaranteed sales. On Galley Cat, blogger and author Kristine Kathryn Rusch criticized this article, concerning author James Crawford‘s [...]

In Frankfurt, Germany, publishing CEO’s gathered at the Frankfurt Book Fair, billed as the world’s largest (and longest running) book expo, for a panel discussion on the future of global publishing. Market predictions are mixed, according to region, but overall prospects for book publishing, both digital and traditional, were positive. The bottom line: “We are living [...]

A few recent posts in the blogosphere and news from this past week’s publishing industry trade show, BookExpoAmerica, may help writers looking to sort out the ever more pressing question of whether to opt for a traditional or non-traditional publishing route—or at least get you thinking. And the answer may well be: both. “The Snowflake Guy,” [...]

Looking for an agent? QueryTracker has tips from 20 agents on how to make your query shine. Agent Sara Megibow is looking for romance novel queries. Agent Rachelle Gardner gives advice on writing one-sentence pitches. She also gives advice on Sussing Out Legitimate Publishers. Harlequin announced a new licensing deal with a Russian publishing house. [...]