Writer Beware!
Novel Cat has clauses in its contract that can tie authors up for twenty to forty years with no way to cancel unless Novel Cat agrees to the cancellation. If they don’t, you’re stuck. Beware of solicitations from new platforms based in Singapore and Hong Kong. Always read the fine print, especially those concerning your rights.
Victoria Strauss wants to hear from authors who had issues—including non-payment—with Bronzeville Books. Contact her in confidence—names & identifying info are never shared.
Justice Department Sues to Block Penguin Random House Merger With Simon & Schuster
The Justice Department sued to block Penguin Random House’s proposed merger with Simon & Schuster, arguing that the transaction would create a behemoth publisher likely to drive down payments to authors and likely to “reduce quality, service, choice, and innovation.”
“The merger would give Penguin Random House outsized influence over who and what is published, and how much authors are paid for their work,” the DOJ said in its complaint.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, “If the world’s largest book publisher is permitted to acquire one of its biggest rivals, it will have unprecedented control over this important industry. American authors and consumers will pay the price of this anticompetitive merger–lower advances for authors and ultimately fewer books and less variety for consumers.”
Lawmakers Expand Inquiry into Library E-book Market by Andrew Albanese | Nov 19, 2021
Librarians, Educators Warn of ‘Organized’ Book Banning Efforts by Andrew Albanese | Nov 18, 2021
AAP (Association of American Publishers) to Amp Up Sustainability, Diversity Efforts by Ed Nawotka Nov 18, 2021
Print book sales rose 11.7% for the week ending November 14, 2021, the second week in a row for double-digit sales increases over the same time period in 2020.
Spotify Expands in the Audiobook Business by Jim Milliot | Nov 12, 2021
Spotify has made its move into the American audiobook market acquiring Ohio-based digital audiobook distributor Findaway.
Helpful Course
Want to give a TED Talk?
Deborah Siegel-Acevedo is an author, thought leader, and coach who specializes in supporting writers and authors to land TEDx talks. Join her in this two-part series hosted by She Writes University this December 7 and 14, 4pm PT | 7pm ET. Deborah will focus on demystifying the TEDx talk, and will also speak to keynotes and plenaries, the kinds of talks that build author platforms and solidify you as a thought leader and go-to person on the topics and messages you most care about. The goal of this course is to help you identify your one big idea—and give you the tools you need to land the talk that will help you soar to the next level as a writer or author. Between sessions, you’ll be invited to submit a 50-word description of the talk you seek to give and why you’re theone to give it. Classes are on Zoom. Each class is 90 minutes. Classes are recorded. Each She Writes University webinar comes with a recording that you can access at any time after the live event. There are no cancellations and no refunds. If you can’t attend the live event, you will have access to the recorded event for at least 60 days
