tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post114317869931057047..comments2023-10-11T09:22:33.136-04:00Comments on Paperback Writer: Friday 20Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1145083085190151332006-04-15T02:38:00.000-04:002006-04-15T02:38:00.000-04:00fledchen wrote: ...what books have been banned and...fledchen wrote: <I>...what books have been banned and where? I thought midlist authors, even ones as firmly established as you, weren't high-profile enough to get officially banned.</I><BR/><BR/>I didn't either, until a reader from Jordan wrote to let me know that my StarDoc books were being smuggled in because booksellers were prohibited from legally importing them. I've since heard similar stories from readers in Iran and Turkey. High profile authors like Rushdie may get death threats, but in reality anyone whose writing offends Islamic religious authorities may find their books bounced out of that country.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1145021464147230712006-04-14T09:31:00.000-04:002006-04-14T09:31:00.000-04:00I realize this comment is rather late (I've had to...I realize this comment is rather late (I've had to take some time off of reading blogs because of health issues), but what books have been banned and where? I thought midlist authors, even ones as firmly established as you, weren't high-profile enough to get officially banned.fledchenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17374038682367702854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143402808814247942006-03-26T14:53:00.000-05:002006-03-26T14:53:00.000-05:00There are very few books that I enjoy enough to re...There are very few books that I enjoy enough to read more than once. Those I'll buy in hardcover. Maybe. But I've got better things to do with my $25 than give it to the library in a few days. Paperbacks for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143379127787264422006-03-26T08:18:00.000-05:002006-03-26T08:18:00.000-05:00More military slang can be found over at wikipedia...More military slang can be found over at wikipedia:<BR/><BR/>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_slang<BR/><BR/>Very useful for those of us who have no military experience but whose characters do. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143303363985220112006-03-25T11:16:00.000-05:002006-03-25T11:16:00.000-05:00Jean wrote: Tango-Uniform is a fun one. Granted, v...Jean wrote: <I>Tango-Uniform is a fun one. Granted, very sexist, but still fun. Sadly, I've become isolated from the environment where the really good phrases are used.</I><BR/><BR/>Before anyone asks, tango-uniform means tits-up. We used the common slang, like check your six (watch your back) and GOMER (get out of my emergency room), but we had our own inappropriate patient tags, like Hotels (hypochondriacs) Romeos (retired patients who want to talk your ear off) and Juliets (junkies angling for pain meds.) When I went TDY to another hospital for the first time, I discovered their ER staff had their own unique set of patient tags, some of which were never explained to me. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143302241570053622006-03-25T10:57:00.000-05:002006-03-25T10:57:00.000-05:00Steven wrote: will say that big name authors luuu...Steven wrote: <I> will say that big name authors luuuuv hardcover because - this is what I've been told anyway - the royalties are greater if - note the if - you sell out your advance. Not always guaranteed. A given book could flop, after all. Also, if I remember correctly, a publisher also makes more profit per book with hardcover.</I><BR/><BR/>I've heard the same thing, Steven, but have yet to find reliable statistics on it. I have made a nice amount of royalties on my hardcovers in the short term, but paperbacks are more profitable in the long term as they have a much longer shelf life, and are not taken out of print as hardcovers are almost always the minute the paperback reprint hits the shelves.<BR/><BR/>Would be interesting to do an analysis of hardcover/paperback sales for a range of authors, from rookies to the rockstars.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143296417150554552006-03-25T09:20:00.000-05:002006-03-25T09:20:00.000-05:00I can afford hardcover (but I try to find them at ...I can afford hardcover (but I try to find them at the best discount possible), but for many things, I prefer to spend as little as possible. For my known authors, I'll buy in hardcover, but for most, I prefer to wait until the paperback release.<BR/><BR/>As for FUBAR, I've heard both repair and recognition--I believe it depends upon the community you're working in. If it's maintenance, it's repair. If it's a non-equipment community, it's recognition. If you're in a politically correct environment, it's Fouled up Beyond All Repair/ Recognition.<BR/><BR/>Tango-Uniform is a fun one. Granted, very sexist, but still fun. Sadly, I've become isolated from the environment where the really good phrases are used. But at least I can afford a hardcover book if I want one. The price one pays...<BR/><BR/>Lucky Mrs. Peel, but I hope Mr. Peel doesn't get jealous--or is Mrs. Peel a widow?<BR/><BR/>Fascinating discussion.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01805501348812702651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143254394586948122006-03-24T21:39:00.000-05:002006-03-24T21:39:00.000-05:00I will say that big name authors luuuuv hardcover ...I will say that big name authors luuuuv hardcover because - this is what I've been told anyway - the royalties are greater if - note the if - you sell out your advance. Not always guaranteed. A given book could flop, after all. Also, if I remember correctly, a publisher also makes more profit per book with hardcover.<BR/><BR/>S-lady will correct me if any of the above is wrong, I'm sure. :)<BR/><BR/>On the flip side some readers are hardcover snobs also, meaning they get some weird thrill out of saying "I bought it in hardcover." Kind of a subtle way of saying they had the $25 to spend on one book, I guess. That never floated my boat, but I know some people like that.<BR/><BR/>Regarding WFH - under the category of "wants more control because it may be a big moneymaker" - I'm sure most of you have seen the very end of the Sci-fi/Fantasy shelves at Borders/Barnesandnoble/Waldenbooks/otherchainstore. You know, the place where you see all the Forgotten Realms and Magic: The Gathering, Star Wars, etc. books? These are WFH also unless your name is R.A. Salvatore or Ed Greenwood or Timothy Zahn. True, they'll put your name on the cover, but it's WFH just the same.<BR/><BR/>Also, under the category of "author died and publisher wants more" - just where do you think all those Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew books keep coming from?Stevenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194055218380630722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143251628078481262006-03-24T20:53:00.000-05:002006-03-24T20:53:00.000-05:00Madukwriter wrote: What version do you have? How e...Madukwriter wrote: <I>What version do you have? How easy is it to get to grips with? At the moment I work in an office and use the keyboard eight hours a day. I know I should write more if I ever want to improve but the fact I use a computer so much already makes me worry about getting RSI. And I'm kind of lazy and like to procrastinate.</I><BR/><BR/>I'm going to be lazy and direct you to a post I wrote back in December <A HREF="http://pbackwriter.blogspot.com/2005/12/taming-dragon.html" REL="nofollow">here</A> that should answer all your questions.<BR/><BR/>Using your voice to write instead of your hands sounds like an easier alternative, but it has its own challenges. You have to train your voice to dictate in the same way you had to train your hands to type. <BR/><BR/>For physically limited or handicapped writers, it's an absolute blessing and I do recommend it as an alternative to explore for anyone who is dealing with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or repetitive movement injuries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143251137129565552006-03-24T20:45:00.000-05:002006-03-24T20:45:00.000-05:00Zoe wrote about the advantages of paperbacks: They...Zoe wrote about the advantages of paperbacks: <I>They're cheaper, they take up less space on my shelves, and they're easier to carry around (plus, they don't have those annoying dust jackets that keep sliding partway off the book :)).</I><BR/><BR/>More good points -- I always take off the dust jacket before I read a hardcover because it annoys the hell out of me, too. Thanks, Zoe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143251005278228182006-03-24T20:43:00.000-05:002006-03-24T20:43:00.000-05:00JPatrick wrote: I'll jump in here and do a public ...JPatrick wrote: <I>I'll jump in here and do a public service. FUBAR is ancronym for _____ Up Beyond All Repair. It's commonly used in the military, and sometimes civilians aren't familiar with it.</I><BR/><BR/>Thanks, J. In the AF we used "recognition" for the R. :) Sometimes I forget only Jean and a few other people are going to get what I mean when I regress into military-speak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143236801620003452006-03-24T16:46:00.000-05:002006-03-24T16:46:00.000-05:00Mapletree 7 wrote: Which of the above (if any) cou...Mapletree 7 wrote: <I>Which of the above (if any) could a good agent rpotect you from?</I><BR/><BR/>Your agent can go after any publisher on a WFH job that violates the terms of your contract. Otherwise, your agent's hands are pretty much tied. The best way to use your agent is to gather as much information about a WFH job and the client offering it <I>before</I> you sign a contract.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143232919968502632006-03-24T15:41:00.000-05:002006-03-24T15:41:00.000-05:00PBW and Zoe - thank you both for your thoughts!PBW and Zoe - thank you both for your thoughts!Jade L Blackwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15321787298101881675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143232857196796702006-03-24T15:40:00.000-05:002006-03-24T15:40:00.000-05:00You've mentioned that you use Dragon Naturally Spe...You've mentioned that you use Dragon Naturally Speaking. What version do you have? How easy is it to get to grips with? At the moment I work in an office and use the keyboard eight hours a day. I know I should write more if I ever want to improve but the fact I use a computer so much already makes me worry about getting RSI. And I'm kind of lazy and like to procrastinate.OCRewiewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05632099971403398975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143230180674171652006-03-24T14:56:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:56:00.000-05:00A comment on the hardcover/paperback issue: As I r...A comment on the hardcover/paperback issue: As I reader, I agree with PBW in that I generally prefer paperbacks. They're cheaper, they take up less space on my shelves, and they're easier to carry around (plus, they don't have those annoying dust jackets that keep sliding partway off the book :)). Sometimes I'll buy hardcover releases, but in general I'll wait for the paperback (which can be frustrating).Zoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17702478924392188540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143229976013364742006-03-24T14:52:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:52:00.000-05:00Pencilone wrote: How is it possible to have such a...Pencilone wrote: <I>How is it possible to have such a busy writing schedule, and not burn out? What's the secret of not burning out?</I><BR/><BR/>My formula: A quiet life + loving your work + insomnia + ambition - self-doubt = my schedule.<BR/><BR/><I>My guess is that it's a writing habit built up over several years. If this is true, how many years did it take you to achieve this proficiency?</I><BR/><BR/>I want to say a life time, because everything I've done with writing has helped me become the writer I am now. I became interested in increasing my productivity and self-discipline during the very brief times I could write between the full-time day job and caring for my family about 15 years ago. I gradually built up the my current schedule over that time frame, which is why I don't recommend it for other writers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143229606581510652006-03-24T14:46:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:46:00.000-05:00Bridget Medora wrote: Mrs. Peel...I love it. Do yo...Bridget Medora wrote: <I>Mrs. Peel...I love it. Do you have anything named John Steed? ;-)</I><BR/><BR/>The autonomous backup drive that I occasionally plug into Mrs. Peel is called Steed. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143229469621013722006-03-24T14:44:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:44:00.000-05:00JLB wrote: What, if anything, do you care about ha...JLB wrote: <I>What, if anything, do you care about hardcover versus paperback versus “paperback originals” in your writing career?</I><BR/><BR/>I'm not a big fan of hardcover novels. They're nice and impressive and all, but my readers are paperback buyers. Also at my level on the market they're just not very profitable for me.<BR/> <BR/><I>Is it just a difference of cost/earnings per book, or does it matter to you personally as to the format with which your works are produced?</I><BR/><BR/>I'm not a format snob, so I don't get a "I'm legit" thrill from being in hardcover. Every time I am released in hardcover I think of the readers who can't afford to buy the book and have to wait six months to a year for it to come out in paperback before they can read it. That makes me feel guilty, as I remember the frustration of doing the same myself -- or having to wait to get it from the library -- back when I was younger and poorer.<BR/><BR/>Paperbacks are extremely portable. From reader mail I know that my paperback novels have been carried overseas by some of our soldiers in Iraq and the Middle East. They've also been smuggled into countries where my books are banned. To my knowledge that's never happened with my hardcover releases.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143228880647596192006-03-24T14:34:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:34:00.000-05:00Anonymous wrote: inkThis wins as the most enigmat...Anonymous wrote: <I>ink</I><BR/><BR/>This wins as the most enigmatic comment of the year, lol.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143228754868382302006-03-24T14:32:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:32:00.000-05:00Pixel Faerie wrote: One of the questions that came...Pixel Faerie wrote: <I>One of the questions that came up the most was of course how to break into print in the first place. I guess everyone assumes it is some trick or secret handshake and once you learn it, you are in the club. Could you share the secret handshake? ;)</I><BR/><BR/>Pix, I hate to disappoint you, but there is no secret handshake. The only thing I've seen that remotely resembles a SH is having a famous author as a parent, and I still the big name's kid has to prove he or she can write a decent book. <BR/><BR/><I>But really, if there was a trick to breaking into writing fiction books, what would you tell new writers?</I><BR/><BR/>Keep writing. Don't stall, don't freeze, don't give up. Try new things. And no matter how nasty it is, don't take rejection personally. That's basically what I did.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143228650384432392006-03-24T14:30:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:30:00.000-05:00I'll jump in here and do a public service. FUBAR i...I'll jump in here and do a public service. FUBAR is ancronym for _____ Up Beyond All Repair. It's commonly used in the military, and sometimes civilians aren't familiar with it.Jpatrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01956495958795742147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143227561145145372006-03-24T14:12:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:12:00.000-05:00Julie B wrote: This is tied in to the previous com...Julie B wrote: <I>This is tied in to the previous comments -- what types of things are generally sold as WFH? I've hear of "autobiographies" but what other fiction and non-fiction things are handled this way?</I><BR/><BR/>Anything can be WFH work. Most typical situation:<BR/><BR/>An author dies. If the publisher owns or obtains the rights to the author's pseudonym, another writer can be brought in to write under the name and keep the books rolling out, as is the case with V.C. Andrews and I believe Gary Jennings as well.<BR/><BR/>WFH are regularly brought in to ghost for big name authors who for whatever reason don't have the time or inclination to write their books. Sometimes the BN is gracious and allows the WFH to share the byline.<BR/><BR/>A publisher wants a certain type of book for their imprint to take advantage of some momentum in the market, but don't have time to find an author writing it, or simply want more control over the work because it may prove to be a big moneymaker. In this case a WFH is contracted to write the books for a flat fee, but the publisher retains the copyright and collects the royalties. <BR/> <BR/>A writer has turned in a manuscript that is FUBAR and can't be put into production. The publisher for whatever reason still needs a book in that slot, so they hire a WFH for a rush job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143226914686398602006-03-24T14:01:00.000-05:002006-03-24T14:01:00.000-05:00hsc wrote: This may be a stupid question, but is t...hsc wrote: <I>This may be a stupid question, but is there any way to break into work for hire writing without being an established pro first? Any way at all? I've been struggling with my fiction for about a year now -- I can either think of good beginnings, middles, or ends, but never all for the same story, and I stall out no matter what I try -- but I've always been good at writing to other people's specs.</I><BR/><BR/>Without publishing credits or an agent, you're probably locked out of most of the WFH novel-length jobs. But you should audition for an open-submission job that comes along. You never know; your writing style might be the one that best suits the client.<BR/> <BR/>Another thing you might do is try writing some short nonfiction pieces for magazines. They're not as big a time committment, there are literally thousands of jobs in the freelance short category, and editors who like your work will call upon you to do assignment pieces -- which could then be used as credits to go after a WFH book project.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143226535163375342006-03-24T13:55:00.000-05:002006-03-24T13:55:00.000-05:00Rebecca wrote: I'm ashamed to admit I've never hea...Rebecca wrote: <I>I'm ashamed to admit I've never heard of the term "writer for hire" before. I assume it's the same thing as a ghost-writer.</I><BR/><BR/>Almost. Most of us prefer the term writer-for-hire versus ghost writer. A ghost writer traditionally writes the book while the famous or notorious client puts their name on the cover and takes credit for it. A writer-for-hire will do the same thing, but today we're more like a copy writer with a really, really long assignment. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8343238.post-1143226325745364702006-03-24T13:52:00.000-05:002006-03-24T13:52:00.000-05:00Katherine wrote: 11. But it pays so well that you ...Katherine wrote: <I>11. But it pays so well that you wonder why you bothered establishing your public name(s) in the first place.</I><BR/><BR/>Amen, sister. My first WFH job paid three times more than my first pubbed novel under my own name.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com