What's Going On?
I seem to be channeling ADD today, and so I thought I'd share all my random thoughts:
There are mornings when I fall prey to the wonders of the internet. Let's face it: there's so much out there to read! I love taking half an hour over my coffee in the morning to scroll around and see what's happening around me--both the publishing world and the world at large. I'll hit a few blogs, a few newspaper sites, check out RSS feeds from some of my favorite pages. But all the while, I try to keep an eye on the clock, because a few too many book reviews and I can look up to discover it's time for lunch, a time-suckage issue that I know plagues many writers. (I just need to look up one more thing and then I'll have all the background information...)
So, what's going on in the world this week? Well, Penguin Books is exploring the virtual world, using Neil Stephenson's novel, Snow Crash as their first experiment. You can read more about it in yesterday's Guardian. And on a completely different note, fans of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series for middle graders can hear a podcast of the author speaking about his work, also over at the Guardian.
Wondering about contests, and whether winning one can help you get a leg up? (Or maybe just why there seem to be so many in the romance genre?) Fellow agent Jennifer Jackson has posted a ramble on just this subject, so go check out what she has to say.
Conference vs. convention. I've noticed there seems to be a disparity in language between publishing genres. Romance writers hold conferences (mostly sponsored by various chapters of RWA), while sf/f writers hold conventions. The latter are just as serious about writing and craft and publishing as the former, but they also seem more inclined to acknowledge that their writers are also fans of the form, and therefore readers. Everyone wants to sell their own books, but sf/f writers seem to want to chat about other writers' books, as well, and are quick to provide a rundown of everything they've read lately, and whether or not you should bother. I spend quite a bit of time at conferences, but I'm beginning to hit the conventions, too, and enjoying the differences. Next week I'm off to Austin for the World Fantasy Convention, an event that draws writers, editors, agents, and readers. I'll be sure to pop back in to share.
That's my rambling quota for the morning. The clock is telling me it's time to get back to weightier matters, such as chasing down contracts and heading out to pick up my mail (submissions!!). So, back to work...
There are mornings when I fall prey to the wonders of the internet. Let's face it: there's so much out there to read! I love taking half an hour over my coffee in the morning to scroll around and see what's happening around me--both the publishing world and the world at large. I'll hit a few blogs, a few newspaper sites, check out RSS feeds from some of my favorite pages. But all the while, I try to keep an eye on the clock, because a few too many book reviews and I can look up to discover it's time for lunch, a time-suckage issue that I know plagues many writers. (I just need to look up one more thing and then I'll have all the background information...)
So, what's going on in the world this week? Well, Penguin Books is exploring the virtual world, using Neil Stephenson's novel, Snow Crash as their first experiment. You can read more about it in yesterday's Guardian. And on a completely different note, fans of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series for middle graders can hear a podcast of the author speaking about his work, also over at the Guardian.
Wondering about contests, and whether winning one can help you get a leg up? (Or maybe just why there seem to be so many in the romance genre?) Fellow agent Jennifer Jackson has posted a ramble on just this subject, so go check out what she has to say.
Conference vs. convention. I've noticed there seems to be a disparity in language between publishing genres. Romance writers hold conferences (mostly sponsored by various chapters of RWA), while sf/f writers hold conventions. The latter are just as serious about writing and craft and publishing as the former, but they also seem more inclined to acknowledge that their writers are also fans of the form, and therefore readers. Everyone wants to sell their own books, but sf/f writers seem to want to chat about other writers' books, as well, and are quick to provide a rundown of everything they've read lately, and whether or not you should bother. I spend quite a bit of time at conferences, but I'm beginning to hit the conventions, too, and enjoying the differences. Next week I'm off to Austin for the World Fantasy Convention, an event that draws writers, editors, agents, and readers. I'll be sure to pop back in to share.
That's my rambling quota for the morning. The clock is telling me it's time to get back to weightier matters, such as chasing down contracts and heading out to pick up my mail (submissions!!). So, back to work...
posted by Nephele Tempest at 12:10 PM
3 Comments:
It does seem like more and more contests are popping up. I understand the view from an RWA chapter, it is a great fundraiser. But from a writer's perspective it's too difficult to choose which ones to enter, so the best qualifier is the final judges. It seems difficult for agents and editors too because they probably are getting tons of requests to judge. All these contests will probably just fizzle out to be the few strong ones in the long run.
I totally didn't know there was a difference between Convention and Conference. I am practcally in tears that I can't afford to go to Dallas next week. Man I wanna go!!!!
Meh. Next year I hear it's going to be in New York. woohoo!!!
just as much as i am a writer, I am also a fan. I read and read and read. It amazes me how some can forget how important it is to read the works of others.
Ah, yes, the World Fantasy convention. Is that where writers gather who fantasize about becoming authors?
No?
Sorry.
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