What I do on Twitter

For those who don’t know, Twitter is a social media site where folks exchange conversation, ideas, and — most importantly for me — information.

I’ve been spending a lot of time on Twitter, finding out more about publishing, writing, markets, and agents. I’ve also been sending this information to my Twitter followers.

For those who use Twitter, you can follow me at @BJMuntain. For those who’d rather not, I’ve now set up Twitter here on my blog. If you look to the right of this blog, you’ll see my 5 latest tweets, under the heading Writing and Publishing news from Twitter.

Now, not all my tweets will be about writing or publishing, but most will. I post about 20 tweets per day, so there will be a lot of information.

I will, of course, still update this blog — I’ve actually been updating it more since becoming active on Twitter. It’s a lot easier to find the types of news I like on Twitter.

I hope you find this new source of news useful!

Tangent Online

A busy day today.

Tangent Online – which has published reviews of short genre fiction for 14 years – is “closing shop permanently March 1, 2009, unless someone steps forward to host the site.” This notice was given on a SFF newsgroup.

The website itself says they are on sabbatical “while we give the site a new look”. This was posted September 2007.

So, is anyone interested in hosting Tangent Online?

Warren Lapine returns

Warren Lapine — former publisher of DNA Publications, which “at its heyday published fiction magazines Absolute Magnitude, Fantastic Stories, Weird Tales, Dreams of Decadence, and Mythic Delirium, news magazine Science Fiction Chronicle, the non-genre Whole Cat Magazine, and KISS: The Official Magazine ” — has returned. SFScope reports on the man’s past and future in their article Warren Lapine returns to sf with magazine, books, and checks By Ian Randal Strock.

Keep an eye out for his new publishing venture, Tir Na Nog, which will bring out a reconstituted Fantastic Stories.

Opportunity to promote your book – free

On her blog, Lit Soup, agent Jenny Rappaport is offering a chance to get books advertised on her blog.  Here is her offer, called Book Blocks:

“This is an open invitation for any author who has a book coming out to write up a short piece about one of the building blocks of their upcoming book. It can be about the characters, the plot, the theme, the actual writing structure, the idea behind the novel (or non-fiction work), the worldbuilding, etc.”

It looks like it could be both interesting and educational – and possibly profitable.  Let’s watch and see how it goes.  With Jenny in charge, we know there won’t be any really lame entries! I also encourage others to read Jenny’s blog, and the blogs of other agents.  You can really get an education on the writing business this way.

Thanks, Jenny!  And good for you!

Random House Survey on Book-buying habits

Cindi Myers had this in her weekly newsletter:

A survey conducted at BEA by Zogby International for Random House sought information about the book-buying habits on Americans. Pollsters surveyed 8000 adults. Among their findings:

82% said they prefer to curl up with a printed book over using the latest in reading technology. Women (85%) are more likely than men (79%) to say they prefer reading printed books. Reading printed books also has greater appeal among older respondents, although it is by far the preferred method among all age groups.

11% of respondents said they are comfortable reading books in other formats, such as online or with an e-book reader or PDA. Men (13%) are more open than women (8%) to reading books in other formats, as are 13% of those younger than age 30, compared to just 6% of those age 65 and older.

43% of respondents said they “somewhat often” head to the bookstore with a specific book in mind, while nearly as many (38%) “very often” head to a bookstore with a particular book in mind.

77% said that when they go into a bookstore for a specific book, they sometimes make additional, unplanned book purchases.

For 48%, the first thing that draws them to a book while browsing in a bookstore is the subject, followed by the author (24%) and the book’s title (11%).

When asked about their most recent book purchase, 43% said the book’s subject was the most important factor, followed by the author (29%) and a good recommendation or word of mouth (11%).

When asked what makes them want to buy a book, 60% said suggestions from friends and family members, while nearly half (49%) said they are influenced by book reviews.

You can read all about the survey at http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1513

You can sign up for Cindi Myers newsletter — lots of good market information, especially for Romance — at her web site.

Lost Specs

I really *am* behind in the business these days. I just found out today, in the latest Ansible, that Speculations is gone. According to their website now, “As of 2 March 2008, Speculations is no longer in the business of publishing market information for writers.” Their subscriptions will be continued via Cynthia Ward, the Market Maven. But with the loss of Speculations and the Rumour Mill, speculative fiction has lost an incredible resource and networking site.

They hint at returning with a format change. The Market Maven will be the first to announce their return.

We’re gonna miss you guys!

Other losses I learned of in Ansible are:

• Dungeons & Dragons creator, E. Gary Gygax
• Roy Scheider, of Jaws fame
• Columnist and wordsmith William F. Buckley, Jr.

All in all, a rather sad day for the person who can’t keep up with these losses as they happen…

The Ansible

Wow. Two posts in less than a month! Could this be a new trend?

My absolute favourite SF news ‘zine is Dave Langford’s Ansible. I just received the January issue today, and had to share some bits of news:

It’s true. Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimers. However, he goes on to say, “I would just like to draw attention to everyone reading the above that this should be interpreted as “I am not dead”. I will, of course, be dead at some future point, as will everybody else. For me, this [is] maybe further off than you think — it’s too soon to tell.”

Robert Jordan may have felt he had 20 books left to write, but now that he’s passed away, his wife has managed to find a writer to end the series in one. Brandon Sanderson will write this novel, which Jordan called A Memory of Light.

I encourage everyone to check out the Ansible at news.ansible.co.uk. The current issue can be found here: news.ansible.co.uk/a246.html. Be sure to check out Conspiracy Corner (where Princess Di’s death is finally explained), Outraged Letters (where Brian Aldiss gets his feet examined), As We See Ourselves and As Others See Us (where science fiction fans and writers are discussed), and Thog’s Masterclass (where we see that *anyone* can get published). Enjoy!

Brenda Novak’s Auction for Juvenile Diabetes Research

Once again, Brenda Novak is hosting an incredible on-line auction to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research. Those who used to read the newsletter version of The Word in Writing may remember that my cousin passed away last year from complications due to Juvenile Diabetes. He was in his 30s. For this reason, I encourage you to check out this auction. There’s something there for everyone:

For Writers, you can bid on mentoring and editing offers, as well as reads and critiques by authors, agents and editors. Agent Don Maass and his lovely wife, editor Lisa Rector-Maass, are each offering their services, for instance. Many (most?) of the offers are for those writing Romance, as Brenda Novak is a best-selling romance author, and that’s where most of her network lies. Brenda herself offers a number of prizes, including a ‘Deluxe Mentoring and Networking Experience’. After reading the description, you’ll be wondering why your best friends don’t treat you that well.

(Now, I know that some writers may wonder why they should pay to have an agent or editor read their proposals or manuscripts, and the truth is: you don’t have to. You can send your submissions to the Donald Maass Literary Agency and the other editors or agents for free, as you normally would… but this way, you are supporting a very worthy cause. And imagine the networking possibilities!)

For Readers, there are autographed books and galley copies, from such notable authors as Jo Beverley, Roxanne St. Claire, Mary Balogh, Dr. David Cherrington, John Gray, and Cindi Myers, as well as series, sets, collections, and other tidbits. You’ll find most, again, are romance, but there are also children’s and non-fiction and more.

Under Once in a Lifetime Experiences, you’ll find trips to Napa Valley, Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and so on.

Other items include coach purses, gift baskets, paintings, antiques, collectibles, and even a Ukrainian Easter Egg. I love Ukrainian Easter eggs.

So, check it out. There is probably something there you will want to buy. It’s things like this that make me wish I had a lot more money.

The Shared Worlds summer camp

I saw the note on Locus Online regarding the ‘Shared World Camp’, so I had to check it out. It’s one of those ‘Gee, I wish I were still in high school’ things, though — otherwise, it looks really cool.

At this 8 day camp, you can learn how to write stories (fantasy, science fiction, or horror), design games, or illustrate. Classes include alien biology and history as well as creative writing, game design, and art. The list of Visiting Speakers includes several published authors, game designers and illustrators, including Laura Resnick, Greg Keyes, Ken Hite, and Doug Chaffee. I’d be interested in seeing the names of the teachers, which are ‘Coming Soon’.

In any case, I’m far too old for this, but it looks like it could be worth the $1250 — remember, that’s 8 days in residence.

Hmmmm… I wonder if I could rent a time machine for a week or so…

Wofford College’s Shared Worlds camp

The Word in Writing Update – April 25, 2007

Now, I’ve been on hiatus for a few months. Rather than try to catch up on everything I’ve missed, I’m just going to give April’s news to date, over the next few days. Most of today’s information came from or through Ralan.com. Thanks, Ralan!

I do not guarantee ANYTHING

New Markets:

Drollerie Press is looking for “fiction works of all lengths that examine fairytales in unique and unusual ways. We are also interested in re-tellings of, or stories using characters from, Native American myth and legend.” Guidelines

Cat Tales: Fantastic Feline Fiction is a new anthology series being put out by Wildside Press, publishing “fantasy and suspense stories of 500-5,000 words involving cats.” Guidelines can be found at Ralan.com and Wildside Press.

Staffs & Starships Magazine is a PDF magazine of “literary quality speculative fiction”. Guidelines.

Tower of Light Fantasy, a new online magazine, is looking for “almost any kind of fantasy especially stories that blend genres, such as dark fantasy, science fantasy, and superhero fantasy.” Guidelines.

Blazing! Adventures Magazine will open to submissions on August 20, 2007, and will close again on September 20. “I’m bringing back the good ol’ style of writing that was made popular by the Pulp.” Guidelines

Hayseed Novellas will publish novellas in most styles and genres. “We want rich characters, interesting plots, and a developed voice. Unlike some small publishers, we don’t think commercial is a bad word.” Guidelines

Goblin Reader is currently accepting “Science Fiction (Cyber Punk ), Horror, Anything strange and unusual that is not in the mainstream.” Guidelines

Market Updates:

Backroom Publications says “Beginning in April, we will be reading submissions of novella and collections of fiction and poetry up to 50,000 words.” Guidelines

Withersin is open to submissions until September 1, 2007. Guidelines

Due to increased popularity, Aberrant Dreams has taken on a number of new editors. For a list of the new editors, check their news blog. Guidelines

Trabuco Road is open to submissions until May 3, 2007. Note that response time is now 6 weeks, and they now pay 5 cents per word. Guidelines

Interzone will be open to e-mail submissions during the months of May and November, 2007. Guidelines

As Hub is becoming a free e-zine, author payment rates have declined. Guidelines

Ralan’s says that Atomjack is going quarterly, but is doubling its pay rate to $10 per story. This isn’t reflected in Atomjack’s guidelines yet, though.

Afterburn has a new owner/editor, but somewhere along the way all previous submissions got lost. If you’ve got a sub in there, please resubmit. Guidelines

Electric Velocipede is open to all submissions, and has a new URL: electricvelocipede.com

Flytrap is open to submissions until May 31, 2007. Guidelines

Closed Markets:

Shadowed Realms is closed to submissions, and the next issue will be their last. Read the announcement on the Shadowed Realms Readers Forum.

Walking Bones is gone.

Hub is closed to fiction, except flash fiction between 800 and 1500 words. Guidelines

Rogue Worlds is closed to submissions until August 15, 2007. Guidelines

SpecFicWorld.com’s Featured Fiction is closed to submissions until January, 2008. SpecFicWorld’s Guidelines

Dark Energy SF is not accepting any submissions until September 1, 2007. Dark Energy SF website

Dated Markets (Anthologies, Contests, Special and Themed Issues):

Ticonderoga Press is looking for speculative “which focus on the migrant experience, both from the experience of the migrant and resident, stories of forced refugees and voluntary migrants” for an anthology entitled Belong/A Place Called Home. There will be two volumes: one containing stories by Australian authors, and the other by international writers. Deadline: September 1, 2007. Guidelines

News:

AnotherRealm is having a run of bad luck. Earlier this month, the website “was hacked by some not so nice people.” Now, as they rebuild their site, they are being sued by a certain unpopular agent, because they ‘mirror’ the Preditors & Editors site, and P&E says this agent is ‘Not recommended’, among other things. You can get more info at AnotherRealm’s website.