The Written Scene
Matthew Pallamary talks about being a one-man show after working in publishing, the origin of the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, having a foot in several different writing genres, why porn for the sake of porn is boring, being regular with writing, how to accomplish conflict in short/micro stories, getting the aha moment in short stories, leading readers down the path and frustrating their expectations, traveling to the Peruvian Amazon to study shamanic plant diets, using mind-altering chemicals when writing (even though writing is his favorite altered state), how writing is cathartic and healing, the difference between cruelly editing and ruthlessly editing, and so much more.
Ellen Byerum’s character wears vintage clothing. So does Ellen. It only makes sense that Ellen held a book signing in a vintage clothing store. See her YouTube video about it. Check out her other videos for more tips. Nothing says a book signing has to be in a bookstore!
Romance Writers of America files for bankruptcy amid bitter racism battle
Although the romance genre is a popular one, RWA’s membership dropped by 80% due to internal battles concerning racism within publishing. In addition, the organization owes millions for hotel fees for conferences. Membership declined from 10,000 members to 2,000 since 2019. COVID also played a part in canceled conferences.
Peter Shankman, who started Help A Reporter Out (HARO), sold the company. He’s recently back in the action with Help Every Reporter Out (HERO), as we announced last month. However, in the meantime, there’s been another change. It’s now called Source of Sources, or SOS. Peter explained SOS reflects the massive changes to media over the past two decades, built to help time-starved journalists/writers who juggle multiple assignments at once. He’s promised to keep SOS reputable, easy-to-use, and free, although if you want to “keep the good karma flowing,” please donate to Best Friends Animal Society or The Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals. In need of a source? Want to be one? Sign up and see what’s going on.
Layoffs Hit Little, Brown Editorial; Tracy Sherrod, More Depart
Hachette Book Group let go seven staffers at Little, Brown, including VP and deputy publisher Craig Young and VP and executive editor Tracy Sherrod, along with Jean Garnett, Ben George, and Pronoy Sarkar, all senior editors. Hachette confirmed a “restructure” and “seven LB employees were affected.” The move was “not cost-cutting” and “LB plans to hire new roles.”
In January, former editor-in-chief Judy Clain moved to Simon & Schuster to relaunch Summit Books. In February, former Putnam VP and publisher Sally Kim joined the imprint as president and publisher. Last month, HBG laid off several staffers in its sales department.
Photo of new library layout at HISD Elementary School sparks outrage
Rows of desks, all facing one direction, few books seen, two rows of computers—it’s a sterile place that looks nothing like a library.
Book Publicist: Do you need one?
Independent Publishers Group (IPG) announced the addition of six new publishers to its sales and distribution programs.
- GracePoint Publishing (worldwide distribution, effective September 1)
- Upriver Press (worldwide distribution, effective July 1)
- Belle Pointe Press (worldwide distribution, effective July 1)
- New India Publishing (worldwide distribution by IPG’s Eurospan, excluding India, effective July 1)
- Emmaus Academic (worldwide distribution, excluding North America and Oceania, effective July 1)
- Curtis Press (worldwide distribution by IPG’s Eurospan, excluding the United Kingdom and North America, effective May 1)
Costco is switching up how it sells books. What it means for shoppers. And publishers.
Costco will consistently sell books only during the last four months of the year, when holiday shopping picks up. Costco, Target, and other big box stores make up 4% of the market. Publishing industry analyst and author Thad McIlroy said, “It really meant a lot to the industry that Costco was a strong outlet. To have it turned into just Christmas gifts, that’s not a good thing.”
Pushkin Acquires Steerforth and Hanover Publisher Services
Pushkin Press, a London-based publisher, acquired New Hampshire-based narrative nonfiction publisher Steerforth Press and sister company Hanover Publisher Services. The companies will merge into Steerforth Press and Services in July.
