CHECK OUT YOUR RIGHTS. NEW GOOGLE SETTLEMENT MAY AFFECT YOU!

Hello All – LAUGH, WEEP, BUT MOST OF ALL—CHECK OUT YOUR RIGHTS. NEW GOOGLE SETTLEMENT MAY AFFECT YOU!

In December, 2008 it looked like publishing had come to the end of our book world. The economic recession had an impact on the market and at first this appears to have been understood as a result of rising unemployment and the economy itself. But I don’t think it’s just that simple. Many of the large houses were loaded with debt as a result of mergers and acquisitions, led by Wall Street. Example – Houghton Mifflin Harcout was purchased by Vivendi Universal in 2001. A private equity firm then took it on (think leveraged buyouts-remember Other People’s Money?). The company was sold again in 2006 and was soon merged with one of their toughest competitors, Harcourt Press. Now drowning in debt, Harcourt has recently announced it will accept no more manuscripts this year!!

So it appears that Wall Street—the Masters of the Universe not understanding how publishing works—thought that as owners they’d be able to generate profits of 15 to 20 percent in the book business, as opposed to traditional profit margins of 3 to 4%. Big layoffs in December resulted at large publishers like Simon & Schuster, Random House (and their dissolution of Doubleday and Bantam Dell). Interesting because these bombshells didn’t occur just because people quit reading books! See, Read it and Weep, at www.salon.com/book/sfeature/2008/12/23/publishing.

A New York Times on-line article reports that wholesale book sales in the US fell 2.4 percent last year. Interestingly, however, book sales in continental Europe seem to be holding their own. www.nytimes.com Of course some of our problems in the US are due to higher costs, and there is some deep discounting on hard covers. The drop in book sales was significantly less than the 8.3% drop in the overall retail segment of the economy, however.

And there’s hope—a good book is like comfort food. Good stories and writing lift us out of our own problems; it’s good escapism and I don’t think this will ever stop. Andre Breedt, research and development analyst at Nielson Bookscan says “People have been reading and they will keep reading, no matter what happens.” And advances in technology will help publishers control their costs in the future. Now, I personally prefer to hold onto a good book that I’m reading, but e-books will save huge costs for publishers—no more printing costs, the distribution is easy. But authors—keep up with your rights! First of all, check royalties in new contracts for e-book sales. Publishers have minimal printing and distributions costs for those, so the trend is for royalty percentages there to go up.

And be aware. Web sites are popping up on-line allowing readers to download digital versions of popular best-sellers for less cost than the actual book. (I’m not going to publish those addresses.) Along the ‘be aware’ line: Google’s new Library Project will allow readers to preview, read large portions of books for sale, and access the books, on-line and in libraries and universities. Three years ago various publishers, authors and the Author’s Guild sued Google in a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of all authors and publishers, claiming that Google has violated copyrights and various other rights, by scanning large portions of their books, creating an electronic database, and displaying excerpts without permission of the copyright holders. Google denied the claim, and now the lawsuit has been settled. The issue that was frightening authors related to the number of pages that Google planned to scan and make accessible on-line to readers for free. Currently they are supposed to be limited to displaying 20% of the book, although I believe that’s negotiable by the publishers. Check that out. For most of us, 20% means 60-80 pages! So contact your agents and publishers to see if they’re working on your behalf to limit the pages accessible under the Google project. In any case, particularly if you are self-published, check out your rights under the Google Book Settlement pages on-line at www.books.google.com/googlebooks/agreement. See you soon! Pamela

Publishing economies of scale

Newspapers and magazines continue to reduce their editorial staffs and cut content in an effort to stay afloat. Recently 24/7 Wall St. published ten major daily papers they feel will most likely fold or discontinue print opting for online publications.

However,there is a silver lining...

I have also seen a purging, and some of the smaller, more editorially rich publications are beginning to shine a little brighter. True they don't pay as well, but welcome experienced writers with open arms.

It's time for all of us to get creative, and I welcome the challenge.

The art of blogging has seen a remarkable transformation from visually rich sites to blogging storefronts selling arts & crafts.

http://suzanneduda.typepad.com/my_weblog/

New publishing sites provide opportunities to turn that blog, journal or vacation into professional looking books on your own schedule.

www.blurb.com/create/book/blogbook

Another interesting read about the publishing execs and their quest in downsizing the magazine industry with quotes from my Southern Breeze editor Mark Newman

www.foliomag.com/2009/how-lean-too-lean

So now's the time to make that dream come true and fine tune that creative drive.

Until we chat again...deb

For many years I have used my photography to help me write. It sets the mood, offers attention to detail and delivers that sense of place when staring at a blank screen.

What do you do to get past that glaring white screen?

The highs and lows of writing

Now that we're all finished with Mardi Gras, some of us enter a post-holiday low trying to regain a productive schedule and hopefully a good dose of inspiration.

This blog is dedicate to those who struggle with guilt in not writing as much as they like.

Erica Spindler recently posted a blog on her myspace page: "Sequestered myself at our lakehouse, just me, my golden retriever and BLOOD VINES, my Book in Progress. I’m thrilled to say, I wrote 12 pages yesterday and 8 so far today! Due date is April 1 – wish me luck!"

Congratulations Erica!

Although I responded with a disappointing one page of writing for the day, I did complete a satisfing project for one of my photography clients (most freelancers are "jacks of all trades" relying on other crafts to get them through the rough times). But Erica's determination was contagious, thus one of the beauty and benefits of blogging. The next night I finished three more pages and now 2/3 of the way through my rough draft.

Thanks Erica!

Everyone works better with outside deadlines compared to self-imposed, that's a sentiment echoed by all kinds of writers in blogs and personal communications. Many editors have left their secure office job for the freelance circuit, because they missed the writing.

It's what drives us emotionally. But like any euphoric sensation, the lows and highs can be equally chaotic. After completing a well written article, book, or even just an opening paragraph, you celebrate with unbridled enthusiasm. Often times going back to it, like a delicious piece of chocolate, rereading, savoring every word.

Sometimes, when I'm at a low point...feeling guilty for not writing, the money is slow coming in or the pitches are ignored--I go back, back to these sweet morsels. It's not only a morale booster but at times helps unlock writer's block.

But we artists are a fickle bunch, and many, including myself, will say, "did I really write that, it's so good, will I ever write like that again?"

And the answer is a resounding yes!

Sound in on how you fight those writer blues.

The next blog, do reading books really improve your writing skills.

Welcome northshore literary enthusiasts

Hello my friends,
The Northshore Literary Society organizers, Pamela (Pam) Ewen Lott and yours truly, Deborah (Deb) Burst, decided to use blogging as a means of sharing northshore literary news and a forum to voice opinions, suggestions and literary work.

What better way to stay in touch with our esteemed literary group than a streaming blog. Consider it a cozy place to share your literary thoughts, poems, or just shoot the breeze. And there's nothing wrong with pursuing those writing skills.

Many literary scholars insist that you write something everyday, some say a page, others claim a paragraph or two. Some do journals, others write letters, and some slave away on the computer sending emails. Although texting has its purpose, I personally feel emails should be taken more seriously. It's an art of communication. Albeit, a modern form of art, but one that should be used for many styles of writing: business, friendly banter and creative prose.

At the turn of the millennium, when I first began my sojourn into the internet world, my Tulane English professor suggested we use emails to fine tune our craft. The email would follow all the same rules as writing an article, essay or book. And I have passed with flying colors.

In my profession as a freelance writer, emails are my lifeline to landing an assignment and earning a living. So if you are looking for a way to practice your writing skills, may I suggest emails. The quick reread or once over will not only become second nature, but a major investment in your professional reputation. The consequences of sending an inflammatory message is irreversible.

Btw, I landed an interview with Anne Rice through a casual but well crafted email to an address gained from her website. There's a big world out there just waiting for you.

Chime in, would love to hear your thoughts on the literary etiquette of emails.

Stay tuned...coming soon the announcement of the next Northshore Literary Society meeting.
Signing off,
Deb