Thursday’s Post-Publication Post: The Ebook is Coming, The Ebook is Coming

by Erika Dreifus on
10

Next week, if all proceeds according to plan, Quiet Americans will begin its conversion into ebook format. Which is exciting and, I’ll admit, a bit unnerving (it’s not possible for me to approach any sort of change without at least some anxiety–that’s the only explanation I can give you).

We’ve had some discussions among the Last Light Studio (LLS) publisher and authors about ebook pricing, but I think it’s safe to say that we haven’t determined anything conclusive or across-the-board. In fact, part of the beauty of the LLS model is that each author has quite a bit of say in the pricing of her own book.

Which means that I’d love to hear from those of you with more ebook experience, whether you consider yourself primarily a reader, author, or publisher. What are your thoughts about ebook prices? How much is too much? Does any price ever strike you as perhaps “too little”? What differential do you expect to see between a print and ebook version? (Yes, I’ve read through a number of blog posts and articles on these matters, but I’m interested in what you have to say.)

Please don’t limit yourself to pricing matters if you have more to share. Feel free to comment with any tips you may have about ebook promotion or other relevant issues, too. Are there specific venues you trust specifically for their ebook reviews? Please tell me about them!

Quiet Americans and I thank you!

The Wednesday Web Browser for Writers

by Erika Dreifus on
1
  • Mentioned this already on My Machberet, but it’s worth re-presenting: Last week, Cynthia Ozick was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jewish Book Council. Read Ozick’s reflections “on what it is to write as a Jew in America” here.
  • Virtual Book Tours 101, a guest post for Grub Street Daily, provides basics and background.
  • Nina Badzin adds a new post to her Twitter Tips series.
  • Former Alaskan David Abrams pays tribute to one of the state’s favorite sons, poet John Haines, who passed away earlier this month.
  • Since I have always found endings to be among the most challenging aspects of short-story writing, I really appreciated this post on the subject from Robin Black (for Beyond the Margins).
  • Speaking of short stories: Fiction Writers Review is launching a “Journal of the Week” giveaway feature, and the inaugural offerings are three free subscriptions from One Story.
  • Looking for some guest-blogging opportunities (and not concerned about getting paid)? Check out this call (for poet-bloggers) from Chloé Yelena Miller, and this one from First Person Plural, the blog of The Writer’s Center in Bethesda, Md.
  • In the unlikely case that you haven’t heard yet about Téa Obreht and her debut novel, The Tiger’s Wife, this New York Times profile will clue you in. (I haven’t read the novel yet, but I did love this Obreht story in The Atlantic.)

    • Quotation of the Week: Eeyore

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled

    Last week was a bit trying for me (although I’m always aware and grateful that what is “a bit trying” for me would be a blessing for 99.999 percent of the world). Still, I’m human, and sometimes, I can really benefit from a pick-me-up.

    It came, in this case, from a reminder (via Quotes4Writers) of Winnie the Pooh’s comrade (Eeyore)’s immortal words:

    Eeyore was saying to himself, “This writing business. Pencils and what-not. Over-rated, if you ask me. Silly stuff. Nothing in it.”

    Thank you, A.A. Milne, for making me smile.

    Monday Morning Markets/Jobs/Opportunities for Writers

    by Erika Dreifus on
    Disabled
  • “The Chattahoochee Review is under new editorship but very much alive and well. Please bear with us as we make this transition. We will be unveiling an exciting new website in the months to come. Meanwhile, keep the submissions and subscriptions coming.” Guidelines and pay rates are published at http://chattahoochee-review.org.
  • “The Haiku Foundation, as part of its mission to expand opportunities for writers of English-language haiku, created the HaikuNow! international contests in 2010. Prizes are awarded for English-language haiku in three categories: traditional, contemporary and innovative.” First-prize winners in each category receive $100, and honorable mentions receive $25. “All winning poems will be featured on The Haiku Foundation web site and permanently archived.” No entry fee. Deadline: March 31, 2011.
  • Contest opportunity for Minnesotans: “Welcome to the third year of Northwoods Woman Short Fiction Contest! We look for well-written short stories that would appeal to women ages 35-65.” Prize: $200 plus publication in Northwoods Woman. Stories should be unpublished and no longer than 1500 words. No entry fee. Deadline: April 15, 2011.
  • Attention, Arkansas poets! Poetry is one of the categories for this year’s Individual Artist Fellowships ($4,000) from the Arkansas Arts Council. No application fee. Deadline: April 22, 2011.
  • “In keeping with Kent Cottage’s [Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada] history of inspiration for resident artists and writers, including such historical figures as Rockwell Kent and A.E. Harris, the [Landfall] Trust has been hosting writers since 2005. The Trust is now inviting Expressions of Interest from established writers who are interested in the 2011 two-week Writer-in-Residence program from September 17 to 30, 2011. During this two-week period, the successful applicant will be supported through the use of the fully equipped cottage, free of charge, as an inspirational setting for his or her writing, with an expectation that there will be a public presentation of work forthcoming during or after the residency.” No application fee indicated. Deadline: March 31, 2011.
  • Drake University (Iowa) seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor of English-Poetry. “Drake University seeks an outstanding teacher and active poet to teach courses in poetry writing and poetic traditions. Secondary specialization in multicultural lit and/or critical race studies is desirable. 4/3 load, all undergraduate, including a First Year Seminar in fall term. (FYS is an interdisciplinary, topic-oriented writing-intensive course for entering students. See http://www.drake.edu/dc/firstyear/ for more information.)”
  • Poets & Writers, Inc., (N.Y.) is advertising for an Information Technology Assistant. “The IT Assistant is responsible for assisting in the maintenance and development of Poets & Writers’ Web site, pw.org, as well as assisting in the maintenance of Poets & Writers’ network, desktop systems, and software. This is a half-time position that reports to the Director of Information Technology.” NB: “Familiarity with the literary community is a plus.”
  • The University of Oregon is looking for a Director of Communications, George Mason University (Va.) seeks a Senior Writer, and Brandeis University (Mass.) welcomes applications for a Communications Coordinator position.