Notes from One Writer to Another
Every month, Jane Friedman publishes a wonderful collection of links containing the best business advice for writers. Here’s the post for March 2013, and you can access previous months from the same location. Use your time and money effectively! Take a look.
Best Business Advice for Writers: March 2013 | Jane Friedman.
If you write books for children, you won’t want to miss this post from the New York Public Library. Here are their lists of the very best books. Pick some of them up at your local library and settle in for some delightful afternoons.
Children’s Books 2012: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing | The New York Public Library.
Cruise around the world of recent books for children at this excellent review site. The link below leads to a sensitive and complete review of a picture book, Toot and Puddle. Use the easy navigation tools to find reviews and news about early readers, chapter books, middle grade books, and YAs.
When November is over, and you have revised your manuscript, written your picture books, finished your sketches, and assembled your chapbook, you might consider working on your platform. Here’s a 30 day program from Robert Lee Brewer.
My Name Is Not Bob: How to Build (or Improve) Your Writer Platform in 30 Days.
This book (18 Minutes) sounds interesting. Anastasia Suen, a prolific blogger and author recommends it, and she reads a lot of books of this sort. I haven’t read it yet, but thought I’d pass it along.
While we’re on the subject of time management and accomplishing things, I have read The Now Habit, several times. I need to read it again, or at least skim it. It makes some simple recommendations that are remarkably effective.
I’m not the only fan. LifeHacker has summarized The Now Habit beautifully in this article: (Click on the link below. It’s well worth the read. The book is still available, too. You might even be able to check it out from your local library.)
http://lifehacker.com/5658620/the-now-habit-overcoming-procrastination-and-enjoying-guilt+free-play
I love my e-readers, but they can’t do everything. The printed page is still the best place for some works. Read about one of them.
Librarians, teachers, and writers for children, if you are planning an election-themed story hour, here are some books you might want to include.
WILD ABOUT WORDS: Vote for your Favorite Election-themed Kids’ Book.
Are you planning to attend? Find out here about a conference for people who blog about children’s literature.
Reviews are important. People depend on them. That said, if there is one glowing review in a sea of bad ones, it’s pretty obvious someone has been paid.
It’s important for all of us to take a minute to post honest evaluations of the books we read (if we have time). It counterbalances those dishonest voices, which will, unfortunately, always be around.
The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) respects the value of book reviews to the publisher, author and reader and urges independent publishers, self publishers and authors to ethically pursue both traditional and online reviews.
IBPA rejects and deems unethical the practice of “sock puppet” reviews—bogus reviews by reviewers writing under false names and/or pretenses.
IBPA calls for “citizen reviewers” to pledge to review truthfully and thoughtfully—or not at all.
Many of you are scratching your heads, thinking that the above position statements simply re-state the obvious and why bother. The “why” speaks to the recent furor over integrity in online book reviewing.
As you may have noticed recently in both the book trades and other media, the spotlight is shining on “sock puppets,” defined as fake online positive reviews posted under bogus names or pretenses. The Best Book Reviews Money Can Buy (New York Times, 8-26-2012) tells the story…
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One Way to Wonder 