Sisters in Crime leaves Twitter/X
After a very thoughtful discussion, the board voted to cease using Twitter/X immediately (11/20/2023). They will pin a post to keep their account on the platform so that no one else can use the handle. As of 11/20, they will no longer post on the platform.
Update from the Authors Guild regarding scams
Amazon Sues Fake Publishing Scams
On October 30, Amazon filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California against twenty individuals and companies falsely claiming affiliation with Amazon, Amazon Publishing, and Kindle Direct Publishing. According to the complaint, the defendants target authors using websites with misleading names and URLs that replicate the look and feel of Amazon services. Victims believe they are working with Amazon, paying “substantial sums of money, often thousands of dollars, for grossly inadequate or non-existent services.”
The Authors Guild included previous warnings in their newsletter about scammers impersonating Amazon Publishing as well as Amazon Studios. They urge all authors to remain vigilant, to ensure that web and email domains are legitimate, and to reach out directly to verify authenticity if you have any doubts about any communications you have received.
If you’ve come across or done business with a publishing scam, please email staff@authorsguild.org to let AG members know to avoid it.
(Membership is by the month or year, very affordable for the benefits received)
Genre: A 33 1/3 Series – new books on ’70s teen pop and Krautrock
333SOUND – Short books about albums. Published by Bloomsbury.
“Each book offers new perspectives, song recommendations, little-known tidbits, personal stories, and above all, ways of thinking about music.”
Wimberly’s Gratuitous Ninja (Beehive, Dec.) collects the webcomics saga of “pyrate” vs. ninja warfare into a volume of more than 600 accordion foldout comics pages that span 400 consecutive feet.
How TikTok Has Transformed Romance Publishing
Sometimes it seems there are more calls for submissions for horror than any other genre. Want to learn more about how to write Gothic horror? It’s not all gory. Sometimes scary is worse!
What Is Gothic Horror in Fiction?
Writers Digest managing editor Moriah Richard outlines the history of gothic literature, what makes it horrifying, and how you can utilize the traits in your own storytelling.
Not a fan of overly long descriptions? This article from April Davila shows you how to keep it short but still give your reader a vivid picture of the who and where of your story.
April Dávila is the award-winning author of 142 Ostriches, and the book won the WILLA Award for Women Writing the West. Her blog (at aprildavila.com) is one of the Best 101 Websites for Writers. She is also the creator of the Sit Write Here writing coaching program. She is a practicing Buddhist, a half-hearted gardener, and occasional runner. Her second novel is forthcoming.
Why authors need a personal brand: Advice on how to make it happen by Jessica Sorentino 10 steps to a personal brand. Get more helpful free book marketing information in the “Build Book Buzz” e-mail newsletter.
Judge Will Toss Part of Authors’ AI Copyright Lawsuit
The judge ruled AI does not infringe on copyright, but he won’t dismiss the case with prejudice, meaning authors are allowed to amend and refile their claims. A core claim of the suit—that Meta’s use of unauthorized copies to train its AI model is infringing—remains.
