Question for Authors

I’d like to bring back the Q&A section of my blog. In previous posts, we’ve held discussions about the writing process and author’s experiences with rejection letters. I’d like to open a new discussion about the challenges we face when wanting to publish our work. So, here we go!

Authors, what is the biggest challenge you face when publishing your work? This can range from sending submissions, organizing a manuscript, or marketing the final product. What is your biggest challenge and how did you/are you overcoming it?

Is Book Publishing on the Decline?

The debate continues. What future lies ahead for book publishing? Is is similar to the newspaper industry? I just read an article about the decline of newspapers and book publishers, and wanted to share it with you. You can read the article here.

The article goes on to discuss how mainstream the print media were and what high hopes they had for continuing to be successful. But in recent years, we have all seen a decline in newspapers as there has been an increase in Web technology and the availability of content. The Internet has offered us instant access to the news that is reported, much of it being offered for free. With this trend continuing to rise, the need for actual newspapers has sadly declined.

This raises the question, “What is the future of book publishing?” Will we see the same trend happen to book publishers? I think yes and no. I feel book publishers, as the news media, will always have their place in the world. I think we have already seen a rise in technology for book publishing with the Kindle, development of ebooks, etc. Publishers, like the media, have to bend and transform with the ever-changing technological advances, and embrace the benefits that could be offered to authors. I don’t see technology wiping out the publishing world; instead, I see publishers growing with the new developments that are made.

Publishing 101 Event a Success!

On Saturday, Betta Book Publishing and Jong & Associates teamed up to provide a seminar on Publishing 101: An Introduction to the Publishing Process, Author and Artist Contracts, and Copyright Protection.

Let me start off by saying that we had a great turn out! We had an interactive audience who asked lots of questions, and had time afterward (granted we went over our original schedule!) where attendees could network and talk more with us about publishing a book and obtaining copyright information. From the feedback we received, many of the attendees wanted even more time with us, and felt they left with a better understanding of just how complex the process is.

It felt great to connect with authors in Rochester, and that we were able to provide them with valuable information and insight to the steps they can take to publishing and protecting their work. It is also a great feeling to know that more people are becoming aware of the amazing resources they have available to them in Rochester.

Rochester Home Network Provides Beneficial Services to Local Homeowners and Contractors

Hello all! I’d like to share with you a little bit about a Rochester-based company called, Rochester Home Network. During the rough economic environment, they continue to provide outstanding services to homeowners in need of repairs. Rochester Home Network does the work of matching homeowners with contractors who match their needs, specifications, and details of project needs.

Did I mention they are the only company in Rochester who does this? Take advantage of what they offer!

Are you a homeowner who is looking to have work done? Are you a contractor who is looking to provide work for homeowners? Read below to learn more…

 

During this economic time and news of foreclosures on homes, one local company continues to provide beneficial services to both home owners and contractors. Rochester Home Network, owned and operated by Tina Servis, provides the homeowner with a piece of mind when looking for qualified contractors and home repair professionals.

Rochester Home Network provides homeowners with contractors by matching their project needs, budget, time lines, specifications and location with the qualified professionals in their database. This ensures that the home owner and contractor are a right fit for one another.

“Rochester Home Network can help home owners when they are ready to make a decision on remodeling their home, by providing them with pre-screened, qualified contractors who are fair, reliable, and professional,” Servis said. “We background check, reference check, and ensure that contractors are carrying the appropriate insurance coverage. All this adds up to time saved for the home owner.”

Laura Paskell, of Brighton, contacted Rochester Home Network for remodeling a room in her home. “I was impressed with the very first contractor, loved his ideas, and felt he really understood my plans,” she said. “RHN made me feel more confident in making a decision knowing that I didn’t have to look through the yellow pages again and I didn’t have to do reference checks.”

Rochester Home Network is also a benefit to contractors, Servis said, because unlike other companies in our area, we provide a warm lead to the contractors, and the contractor only pays if they secure the job.

Rochester Home Network continues to be one of the only companies to provide services like this in Rochester, and continues to thrive through the current economic environment. For more information about Rochester Home Network, please contact Tina Servis at 585-359-4834.

Small Presses Prosper

Hello everyone! I recently posted a blog entry about the tough times that publishers are facing. Well, it turns out that a few days later, a relevant article was published in Publishers Weekly.

The article, “Against All Odds, Small Press Prosper,” written by Lynn Andriani and Jim Milliot, touched on the economy and what small presses are doing to prosper in these tough times. It was an inspiring read, and for that reason, I’d like to share it with you.

Click HERE to read the article, and feel free to share your thoughts!

Tough Times for Publishers, Writers

Hello everyone! It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve made an entry, and I apologize for the delay. It’s been very apparent that both publishers and writers are experiencing hardships in today’s economy. Not only do you hear about it in the news, but I’ve been experiencing it, as well.

It is becoming more challenging for writers to find a publisher who is willing to accept their work, and at the same time, publishers are becoming tighter on who they open their doors to. In every career field, and with the economy the way it is, people are becoming more and more fearful of taking a chance.

I’d like to open this up for discussion and learn more about what you are doing to overcome this fear? Are you, as an author, more likely to self-publish, or even hold off on pursuing that dream? Are you, as a publishing professional, lowering your prices for potential clients, or becoming choosy on who you decide to work with?

For myself and Betta Book Publishing, I’m thinking of more ways to reach out to authors. I’m thinking of ways that I can build a relationship and trust with authors who are looking to publish their work, and help them through the entire process. I think it’s difficult to do this because of how bad the economy is at the moment. With companies shutting down and companies laying off, it’s difficult for people to trust a new company because of the unstable environment. I’m trying to work through these odds to show people that they can put trust in myself and Betta Book Publishing to help them prosper from their passion of writing. It is a challenge, but I feel it is very worth it.

Local publisher, attorney react to Kindle 2 controversy

From the desk of Betta Book Publishing

Amazon has recently launched its updated version of Kindle, an electronic reading device that allows people to download a digital version of books. Different from its predecessor, Kindle 2 now features a text-to-speech function, for those who prefer to have the text read aloud by the device.

Fans of the Kindle may rave about the innovative feature; however, The Authors Guild feels it is illegal as it may infringe upon copyright laws. A Rochester-based publisher and attorney weigh in on the controversy.

Kelly Sabetta, founder and president of Betta Book Publishing, is concerned about the Kindle 2 feature and how it may affect authors.

“Authors, especially first-time authors, are already overwhelmed by learning about the many aspects of the publishing process,” Sabetta said. “I’m afraid this new feature may add to their apprehensions about copyright laws and using Amazon services.”

She feels that the advancements in e-book devices show technological progression, however, it takes away from the actual act and experience of reading a book.

“It will also create legal issues,” Sabetta said, “that can become messy for authors, publishers, and attorneys.”

Tracy Jong, patent and trademark attorney of Jong & Associates, addresses the issue it may cause. “The legal controversy surrounds whether text-to-speech amounts to reading a book out loud. That is an audio right, a derivative work protected under copyright law,” Jong said.

Although it may cause a rise in legal challenges, Jong is optimistic about the evolution of technology, including the Kindle 2. Even though print publications are on the decline, she sees it as an opportunity for the industry to reinvent itself.

Jong compares the Kindle 2 controversy with the debate that existed for musical artists and downloadable digital music. She believes it will evolve in the coming years for literary works.

“Authors who carefully position themselves with this new technology have a new way to actually get ‘books’ out and have people read them,” Jong said. “Companies that offer fair royalties and protect the authors will get the best content and stand out from the crowd.”

Similar to Sabetta, Jong shares her concern that the rights of the author are protected, and that everyone shares in the revenue stream from e-book distribution.

“If an author has a new book contract, s/he should negotiate e-book rights,” Jong said. “Publishers certainly could contractually prohibit Amazon from adding audio functionality to its e-books without authorization.”

Sabetta agrees.

“It is imperative that the author and publisher engage in conversation about copyrights and agreements and work together to find what is best for the author,” Sabetta said.

“Just as we did when movies began release on home video, the industry will need to find a legal balance for all of the participants as technology progresses,” Jong said. “This evolution will carefully be followed and debated by the legal community representing the various interests of writers, retailers, and publishers.”

How to Use LinkedIn to Benefit Your Business

Hello everyone!

This past week has been extremely busy (I like it that way)! One thing that is being planned is an information seminar called, “How to Use LinkedIn to Benefit Your Business.” I will be speaking at this event sharing my knowledge and experience with social media Websites such as LinkedIn and how it can benefit you and your business. It’s a free, easy-to-use Website that puts you in touch with professionals all over the world. It’s helped me in numerous ways, and I look forward to sharing how it can help others.

The seminar will be held Thursday, February 5, 2009, from noon – 2 p.m., at Jay’s Diner, 2612 W. Henrietta Road.

For more information, or if you’d like to register for the event, please contact me.

If you’d like to check out the LinkedIn Website, you can do so by click here….> www.linkedin.com

Happy New Year!

I’d like to wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!! I feel 2009 will be a great year!

I have receiving responses to the questions I posed in Monday’s blog entry in regards to rejection letters. I will begin posting them tomorrow.

Have a safe evening, and happy new year!

Rejection Letters 2

Hello everyone! I hope you had a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! The new year is upon us! I can’t believe how fast 2008 went by, can you? Now that the holidays have passed, I, like everyone else, am now getting back on track with things. I feel the new year will bring many great opportunities!

We last left off with an article written by David Michael Slater, addressing the topic of rejection letters. For any of you who have submitted to publishers, probably more so with traditional publishers, you may have experienced receiving a rejection letter or two. Even in my experience of researching publishers, many (if not most), are not-so-friendly with first-time authors, or authors of different genres which may be more difficult to market.

If you’ve experienced this first-hand, share your story with us! What was the basis of your rejection letter? How was it worded by the publisher? Was it personalized? What did you do with it? What do you wish publishers would say in a rejection letter?