We're Off to See the Biz

 

Although not related specifically to crime fiction, New York Magazine has a detailed and thoughtful look at the state of book publishing. Included are anecdotes about the new HarperStudio with its goal of changing the process of book returns by asking authors to forgo advances in return for half of their books’ eventual profit, as well as looks at topics like the desperate race to evolve into e-book producers, the dire state of Borders, the feeling that outrageous money is being wasted on mediocre books, and Amazon, which many publishers see as a power-hungry monster. The article makes the case that "publishing ends up looking like a mini-Hollywood, but even more dependent on sleeper hits and semi-reliable franchises." 

In a somewhat related article, the New York Times wrote about a new service, called Constellation, which will allow independent publishers the ability to use electronic readers, digital book search, print-on-demand and other digital formats at rates negotiated by Perseus Books Group. David Steinberger, the president and chief executive of Perseus, said, "We kept asking ourselves, ‘What does the independent publisher need to grow and succeed in the future?’ And this is what kept coming up."

Also from the book publishing technology department comes this note about Rock & Roll Homicide, a mystery novel which was initially promoted through the social networking site MySpace. When the first 200 buyers were analyzed, it was discovered that almost half were from a group of 18 to 35 year-olds that indicated they were not book readers. As author RJ McDonnell added, "Most of the buyers who fell into this category expressed a strong interest in rock music in their MySpace profiles." Although the jury is still out on using MySpace as a book marketing tool, especially for crime fiction, McDonnell's results are interesting.

The New York Times also had an article on book blurbing. Eric Simonoff, a literary agent at Janklow & Nesbit Associates, said, "I wish, and I think most editors would agree, that we should impose a moratorium on blurb-hunting."

NPR took a look at book trailers. Although some critics dismiss them as being ineffective, Lisa Gallagher, a senior vice president and publisher at William Morrow, says that trailers are vital, both for authors with well-established fan bases and for those still looking for a following.

Literary agent Nathan Bransford blogged about exclusives and literary agents.

And book publicist Rick Frishman tells you "Ten Things That Agents and Editors Hate."