Wednesday 1 April 2009

It's Dangerous Out There

Publishing is changing and with it, some of my favourite places have announced big new changes today.

Absolute Write has been struggling financially for some time now, and it's hoped that its new association with Twilight and the accompanying merchandising deal will raise enough money to fund it in the months and years ahead. While this new deal should allow it to continue to operate at full speed, it does come at a price: the forums have been renamed Absolute Bite, the Office Party area of the forum has been renamed the Twilight Party, and vampires are running rampant throughout.

In an effort to improve its scam-busting capabilities, Writer Beware has teamed up with the FBI. I'd be grateful if someone would explain to Victoria that speaking sternly to big blokes with guns is not likely to make them stop what they're doing, because last time she tried it the powderburns ruined her hair.

Finally, I've decided to self-publish my first novel, Ambush of Shadows. I'm well aware of the many limitations involved in self-publishing, but the book isn't achieving anything by sitting unread on my hard drive, and with this blog getting around 10,000 visits per month now I like to think that a few of you might buy it. I'm in the process of editing it now, and will let you know when it's available.

Now. What news have you read today about publishing? Anything good?

23 comments:

Nicola Morgan said...

Go for it, Jane and put me down for a copy, please! You know everything you've got to do and you know all the pitfalls better than anyone so if anyone can do it, you can.

none said...

Hey, I could review that for GUD!

We've recently brought in a new pay-per-view policy--check it out:

http://www.gudmagazine.com/blog/

Nicola Morgan said...

April Fool anywhere in that post??! Have I been had?

Anonymous said...

Yes, I've just noticed the date, but only after I'd read it twice...

Nice one, Jane!

Nik Perring said...

Ha!

Sally Zigmond said...

I love today. It makes fools of us all. Which is why there are two idiots sitting on folding chairs and having their lunch just over the wall from my house. Lovely view and all that, but really!

Jane Smith said...

Zigmond, you should stop prancing around in your scanties, then the tourists might stop congregating behind your back wall.

I was expecting a lot more April Foolery from teh interwebz and have been a little disappointed. Next year I shall plan something big (if I remember in time).

Yay, Buffy, you're back! You missed the pitch party. I wanted everyone to descend on your blog and ask you questions about your cat, but you refused to play.

And Nicola, thank you for the vote of confidence in my writing. I am profoundly grateful (and yes, I'm reading Fleshmarket again after my son nicked it from me, and I'd suggest that everyone else reads it too because who ever wrote it--ha!--is pretty good at her job).

HelenMWalters said...

I put something up on my blog earlier at the request of someone who will remain nameless, and didn't realise it was an April Fool's Joke. (Or at least not until I'd looked at it properly) I've left it there, because it's also a brilliant marketing campaign!

Derek said...

You're self-publishing? I'm shocked. When's the one about the Trivium coming out?

Today's good news among all the doom and gloom is that the AAP reports that trade paperback sales were actually UP for 2008. Those facts and figures in full:

http://www.publishers.org/documents/S12008Final.pdf

Victoria Strauss said...

Jane, there's no April Fool's joke so over the top that someone won't believe it. As I can attest from some of the emails I've received today. So watch out--people are going to be waiting for your book, for real. I know I'll buy a copy!

none said...

Parteh?

Anonymous said...

Are you kidding me? Have I been had? Geez, there is no more gullible soul than I. Jane, darling, I'd buy your book even if it was written on toilet paper.

Jane Smith said...

Derek, the Trivium is being published towards the end of the year, I think (I can't keep track...).

Note to self: Lynn Price likes books printed on toilet roll. No doubt to mop up all the drool she makes when she looks at Nicola Morgan's best boots.

Jane Smith said...

Helen, you realise that everyone is now going to click through to your blog to see what that silly thing was? What a brilliant idea!

(I've resisted the temptation SO FAR, but will cave soon, I know.)

Jane Smith said...

Buffy, every day is Parteh day here. My life is one long celebration, even when there's snow.

And Victoria: thank you, my darling. If you're not careful I'll email you the mss and then you'll be sorry.

Jennifer Roland said...

Nice! Happy April Fool's Day!

Welshcake said...

You almost had me fooled...up until the self pubbing bit.

K M Kelly said...

LOL - nice one - for a moment there...

catdownunder said...

Jane!

Anonymous said...

Heck - missed the party and nearly missed this too. Nice one Jane, by far the best this April!
AliB

Jane Smith said...

Sorry to all of you who were fooled by this: I shall mention no names but it was touching to receive your many emails in which you warned me about the perils of self-publishing. I am warmed right through to the cockles of my heart by your concern for me. Although I have to admit: if I were going to self-publish anything it would probably be the Paradox Cloud* thing I'm writing at the moment, as it is so truly bizarre that I think it will scare everyone off! Talking French Bulldog, anyone?

* There's a tiny extract on my showcase blog--follow the link to Ambush of Shadows, and dig around a bit, if you want to read it.

Sharon Maas said...

Gotcha!
A bit late but never mind, wou wouldn't have fooled me... I clicked theoment you mentioned Absolute Bite... I looked at the date, and Voila!

David Dittell said...

Jane,

This is why it's dangerous to read archived posts haha.