Here's What's New in Publishing

There have been a number of fascinating things going on in publishing recently. Let me catch you up to date...

 

1. In October, Esquire Magazine will feature something that's never been done before: an animated cover. Their 75th Anniversary issue, coming in October, will use 3-mm-thick e-paper (the same material used in Amazon's Kindle), and will have images that change and turn on and off. Think of this as a simplified version of the newspapers you saw in the Harry Potter movies. The data and batteries behind all this are actually baked into the paper, but they fully expect hackers to be able to get inside and reprogram the images. Fascinating stuff ahead for the world of publishing. Covers that shift and change. (I was even told the magazines will have to be delivered in refrigerated trucks. Interesting.)

 

2. New York Magazine says that book publishing is dead. You can read it all for yourself at www.nymag.com/news/media/50279  -- it's an interesting exploration of the current economics of publishing.

 

3. It looks more and more like Borders could be in serious trouble. They picked a bad time to re-finance, and it looks like they may have to sell the company after all. That's a bummer. Borders is a wonderful company to those of us who work with books and words. As an author, you want them to remain in business.

 

4. Google has announced they are (finally) making their book previews and searches available to data bases everywhere. And Random House is participating (surprise!). After all the talk of lawsuits and warfare, it looks like publishers are beginning to see the potential benefit of this type of arrangement.

 

5. One of the most important, but under-reported, publishing stories of this year has been the behavior of some publishers over Sherry Jones' novel, The Jewel of Medina. In case you don't know, it's the story of Ashia, the young girl who was taken as a bride by Mohammed when she was only six years old. Random House had contracted the book and was ready to release it, but then an over-the-top review from University of Texas professor Denise Spellberg referred to the book as "porn" and warned the publisher that releasing the book would expose the company to Islamic terrorism. So what does the publisher do? Stand up for freedom of speech? Brush off the review as one that clearly is a case of both fear-mongering and self-importance? Not on your life. In a shameful move, they announced that they're not going to release the book, even though they admitted they hadn't received any actual threats. So much for publishers taking the high road. Although the author took pains to be respectful of the Muslim faith, the publisher decided the book would be "offensive to some in the Muslim community." So censorship lives in America. It is apparently okay to write anything you want about Christianity, but to offer even an innocuous re-telling of Muhammed's decision to betrothe himself to a young child (a historical fact, by the way) is wrong because it might be offensive to nutjob extremists. Interesting. I hate the fact that Random House caved, and that Dr Spellberg insisted on yelling "fire!" when there was none, thus creating an uproar where none need exist, and putting people's lives in danger.

 

6. Lest you think I'm exaggerating, this morning the home of British publisher Martin Rynja was bombed by terrorists. He is safe, and the nutjobs are in police custody... but none of this would have happened if Dr Spellberg had bothered to actually read the book and dip her pen in ink instead of acid. She should give an apology to everyone involved (won't happen -- she's far too self-absorbed to see the damage she's done to others). The book now releases in America with Beaufort Books. I'm going to buy a copy just to spite the small-minded people unwilling to stand up for freedom of speech.

 

7. Scholastic apparently announced they're laying people off. Um... this is the company that sold tens of millions of the Harry Potter books, the best-selling novel series in history. The seventh of which released last year. And they're laying people off? Yikes.

 

8. I recently received a proposal from someone you definitely need to meet. I know this because, when asked to indicate who referred him to me, the author wrote, "The Holy Spirit." Think about that. God himself directed this guy to me. I believe that officially allows me to put "Tool of God" on my business card. Just thought you should know.

 

9.  Famed author David Foster Wallace committed suicide last week -- a great talent, dead at 46. Wallace's writing inspired many authors. And while you may not like all of his conclusions, you've got to admit that Infinite Jest had some fabulous writing. His voice was sort of a combination of new and old -- new technique, old moral musings. A fascinating writer. Mr. Wallace was a creative writing prof at Pomona College. He shall be missed.

 

10. I have an author who is a model. It's true! I've begun working with Jennifer Lyn King, and here is a lovely picture of her modeling a bathroom rug:  http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?item=22958&maincatcode=null&subcatcode=null&itemID=17838&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C105%2C1733&iProductID=17838

 

11. You'll be happy to know I've been doing some writing and sharing my ignorance with others. I did the article on "Christian Fiction" in the new Writers' Digest 2008 Guide to Literary Agents, and I penned an article on how to effectively do a "competitive titles" section in your proposal in The New Writer's Handbook, Volume 2. Both books are available at Amazon.com.

 

12. In case you haven't heard, Zondervan is co-sponsoring a writing competition with Mount Hermon Writers' Conference. It's aimed at first-time novelists, and the winner gets a $10,000 advance on a publishing contract. Check it out at www.zondervan.com/fiction.

 

13. If you've enjoyed Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz, make sure to visit his blog -- www.donmilleris.com. The guy is a hoot. Thoroughly enjoyable.

 

14. Last thing: I just received an email from a guy who began his query with these words:

This query is extremely important. Please bear with me in these words. I need to say things before I start my query letter of submission. If it is meant for you to understand and receive the things I come to share with you now, you will to humble yourself to see the great in this gift sent from the Lord God. I say this not to hurt your feelings, but to help you see this truly comes from the Lord and it is way above the thought and comprehension of a mere man.

You must admit, it would be tough to read those words and not start to drink heavily. The author goes on to say he is just "an average Joe," but explains he has been allowed to view "the real truth." Apparently that truth is that word play is fun, since he makes a point of noting that the word "swine" is a form of "we sin," that "hatefulness" is "see half nuts," and that "funeral" is "real fun." It's exactly this type of insanity that keep me in this business. Just sharing the blessing with you all.

 

-Chip MacGregor

 Tool of God

 

Comments

[Susan]

What a wonderful post to kick-off the week: I enjoyed it!

Thanks for some great links too.

[Dan Case]

God told me to post this comment. :)

D.

[Jill Williamson]

You are so funny.
I had to read a couple of those points to my husband. Love the modeling pic!

[Timothy Fish]

Chip,

Just out of curiosity, about what percentage of the queries you receive come from people who aren’t firing all thrusters?

[Brandt Dodson]

If it is meant for you to understand and receive the things I come to share with you now, you will to humble yourself to see the great in this gift sent from the Lord God ... ???

Wow! I'll never complain when I look at another bunion.

[chip]

Yes, those really are Jennifer King's FEET on that bath mat. Think about that for a minute -- would anyone call YOU in order to include YOUR feet in a nationwide ad?

And a great question, Timothy. Not many people who write to me are quite this many bricks shy of a load. But I had several recently, and just wanted to share the blessing. What's funny isn't just the fact that I get some weird ones, but HOW SERIOUSLY people take themselves. I get notes from never-published writers with zero training who insist on my reading their proposal because "it came from God." Geez... GET OVER YOURSELVES, people. If you haven't been trained, if you have no experience, chances are your writing isn't very good, no matter how deep and meaningful you are. Yikes. Appreciate the sensitive way you phrased that, by the way, Mr. Fish.

[Courtney Walsh]

So, should we be concerned that book publishing is dead and Scholastic is laying people off and Borders is in danger?

Leave it to me, (the pessimist) to pick out those little tidbits and overlook the (altogether too common in my line of ministry work) "God told me you are the angel of fiction" comments. :)

[Rachel Hauck]

You so crack me up! Are you taking submission from people with only. . . never mind.

Do you really think books are dead? I hope not. Why do we have to have everything electronic. It hurts my eyes. I'd want to quit reading if I had to spend a day, 8 - 10 hours, on a computer, then for pleasure, have to read a computer book. Eck!

Have a good day reading fun queries.

Rachel

[Sheri (Lynn Rush) Boeyink]

It's kinda hard to take in a laptop the doctor's office to read a book while you wait. I sure hope books aren't dead. Or maybe we could print them out? UGH, paper, printers and ink.....OH my

[erin]

Yay for the crazy emails!

Once at a former job, I was contacted by a girl who told me her parents sold "Christian vitamins". I got uber-excited because I thought maybe they looked like Flintstone vitamins except with John and Peter instead of Fred and Barney. Thus, my Christmas shopping was done! I was sadly let down when I went to the website (they just had a few Bible verses on the bottle). I know this doesn't really rank with your kind of crazy, but it was a fun way to break up a work day.

On a serious note, the planned memorial for your friend sounds beautiful. Thinking of sparkly old cars in a parking lot made me smile. The sparkly cars also made me think of little quirks my friends and family love, and became a little nudge to make sure I tell them I love them more than I do. Thanks for sharing that. Hoping for so much sunlight for you all.

[michael snyder]

Question: If God (in any of His three persons) tells a particular writer that Chip needs to publish his/her book...

Then Chip (performing his due diligence, both spiritual and literary) bruises his knees consulting God and still feels no divine tingling or holy ice cream headaches...

Are we not then obligated as believers to burn our Praise Panties?

Mike (who is now searching for his tiny funnel to refuel his flicker torch thingy while awaiting divine instruction from the top tray of God's tool box)

[Heather]

So we're all waiting in suspense--do you feel humbled?

[Linda M Au]

A serious question about the Zondervan contest: One line in the rules says "The writer must not be published..." Do they mean in ANY way, or simply not published in novel form? This is extremely crucial in determining if so many folks are eligible (aside from the requirement to have attended Mount Hermon's)....

Frankly, you'd think a *writing* contest rule set would be written more clearly than this....

[Walrus]

I thought you weren't taking queries. Or are these people ignoring your website?

[Camille]

See? This is why I tell everyone your blog is a must-read. I learn something new every time. Who knew "see half nuts" could be found in hatefulness? Just think of the profound truths we've all been missing!!
Like "Chip's Oz hernia" is a form of schizophrenia!! I feel so enlightened! Please, please listen to this mere man; I too want to see half nuts and comprehend way above.

[Mary Snyder]

Oh my see half nuts truly explains that little blessing, doesn't it. Another explanation is George Bush -- he seems to be the blame for everything today. Great post Chip -- and thanks for the laugh.

[Bonnie Grove]

Scrolling through your blog and I noticed Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants cover and Lisa Samson's Embrace me cover look like they were seperated at birth.

I've noticed other patterns in book covers lately (besides from uber Amish and the oh so over done all black cover). Any thoughts on covers, Chip?

http://www.fictionmatters.blogspot.com

[Chip]

ON BEING HUMBLED: Yea, verily.

ON PRAISE PANTIES: Yes, they really existed. Mike (who knows his women's underwear) is a keen observer. Colored unmentionables for Christian women who understand the importance of having Bible verses plastered on every piece of clothing. They came complete with verses on them. (My favorite: "His love endures forever.")

ON ZONDERVAN'S CONTEST: My guess is "not published in books." But... you could always just look up the rules, for crying out loud.

ON CRAZY PEOPLE WRITING ME: I swear I don't make these up. The guy with the "see half nuts" letter had a couple dozen more of those. He's obviously a deep guy.

ON PATTERNS WITH BOOK COVERS: Covers go through cycles. One of the reasons to go to a trade show is to catch the latest in covers. But if you really want to sell books, put an Amish girl on the front. It's the first rule of marketing.

-Chip, TOG

[Ashley Weis]

Speaking of covers, do publishers allow you to have the cover designed outside of their in-house staff?

[Ramona Richards]

I've been following the Jewel of Medina story - really saddened me that RH turned into a big wuss over this.

LOVED the story about the query. Over the past 20 years, I've received many of the "God told me to send this to you" proposals, to which I finally learned to respond, "And I hope this blessed you. Unfortunately, God didn't tell me I had to publish it." (Sometimes said more kindly than others...)

Thanks for the updates.

[DaveR]

Always enjoy your wit.
Gives me hope for any queries that I write:)