independent book publishers
Big Bad Book Blog Book Reviews
July 28, 2010
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by Shennandoah Diaz
As you may know, the Big Bad Book Blog was designed to educate and support the publishing community as a whole, without regard for the model behind an author’s work. While it’s simple enough to educate across publishing models, it’s another thing to assist in the almighty quest to have one’s work be seen. As it stands, independently published authors receive little recognition through traditional media. It’s an unfortunate but understandable reality that most promotion channels available to authors are more supportive of books published through traditional publishers—often referred to as the “Six Sisters”. And we’re all too aware that book reviews as a whole are disappearing at an alarming rate.
So, to continue our mission of educating authors and supporting new voices, we are happy to announce the addition of a new recurring feature on the Big Bad Book Blog—Big Bad Book Reviews! To be clear, we (hopefully) will not be reviewing “bad” books—nor do we pledge a series of “bad” book reviews. We do promise to be “bad” in the vein of the 1980s Michael Jackson song and our blog’s masthead by challenging the publishing status quo and giving voice to the independent author through book reviews.
Starting in August, a member of our staff will review an independently published nonfiction work on our blog each week. To be eligible, the book must follow these guidelines:
- Must be an original nonfiction piece
- Must be either published through an independent publisher or self-published (traditionally published work will not be reviewed)
- Cannot be published or distributed by Greenleaf Book Group and/or its affiliated imprints (if we represent the book, it’s a given that we love it)
- Must be published within the last year
- Must include an author bio and contact information, including an email address and links to the author’s online presence
To submit your book for review, please send your book to the following address:
Greenleaf Book Group
Attn: Big Bad Book Review
P.O. Box 91869
Austin, TX 78709
To ensure accurate and timely delivery, label your package with the address exactly as it is posted above. Once your book is received, you will be sent an email confirmation. We will review one book per week and post reviews on Fridays starting in August. If you have any questions about the process, you may contact Shennandoah at shennandoah@greenleafbookgroup.com or at 512-891-6100.
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Toolkit for New Authors: How to Be an Industry Insider
October 12, 2007
by Aaron Hierholzer
Wouldn't it be nice to pen a brilliant book and have the world instantly adore your genius? It doesn't work that way, of course: "The End" means the beginning of your transformation into an industry-savvy member of the writing community. You'll take away huge benefits if you are aware of the myriad available resources for independent authors like yourself. Here's some advice to help you take advantage of them:
Become a member of guilds and other associations: Don't be a starving artist type, beleaguered with the financial repercussions of your writing profession. That's so cliché. These groups can get you discounts, health benefits, and free stuff:
- MediaBistro's AvantGuild – As if MediaBistro wasn't resourceful enough, its AvantGuild membership gives you access to a wealth of additional tools. For $49 for a year membership or $78 for two years, you get access to "Pitching an Agent" articles, discounts to writing and publishing courses and workshops, free magazine subscriptions, and even discounts on yoga and acupuncture--you know, stress relief for all of that writing, rewriting, editing, and rejection.
- Authors Guild – Established in 1912, the Authors Guild provides health insurance, legal services, and advocacy for authors of all types. Dues for the initial year of membership are $90; after that they are calculated by the member's income from writing.
- PMA, The Independent Book Publishers Association – Dues for membership to this organization start at $160 for non-publishers, and the < title="benefits" href="http://www.pma-online.org/benefits/membenefits.aspx" target="_blank">benefitsinclude (among many others) discounted shipping and ad rates, health and liability insurance, discounted access to Neilsen Bookscan, and participation in Publishing University Online, which offers interactive Web/phone seminars.
Read blogs: There’s a wealth of blogs out there offering news and more with fresh voices and uncensored opinions. By reading a sampling of these, you'll have a finger on the pulse of the book biz, catching the latest trends, news stories, and advice. Explore the book blogosphere and navigate blogrolls to find something you like. Some of our favorites:
- MediaBistro's GalleyCat – The self-described "First Word on the Book Publishing Industry," GalleyCat blogs all day about industry happenings, authors, and the scandals that occasionally arise in the industry.
- Book Slut – Interested in hearing what literary luminaries, agents, and editors have to say? Book Slut interviews some of the latest, greatest minds in literature and publishing and posts the interviews for all to read.
- Grumpy Old Book Man – Is publishing a very friendly business? That's the title of a post by the Grumpy Old Book Man, an English writer who blogs about his experiences in the industry.
- The Millions – Blogger C. Max Magee and a host of contributors have kept The Millions up-to-date for well over four years, making this site respectably middle aged in blog years. Bibliophiles will salivate over entries like "Hard to Pronounce Literary Names Redux" and "Pagination Blues."
And if you think you’re addicted to coffee, just wait until you get hooked on a morning injection of publishing news via a daily email. Sign up for Shelf Awareness and PW Daily to ensure you’re in the know.
Know how to find an agent: If you're going through an agent, you're surely tired of boilerplate responses from literary agents that "regret to inform you that unsolicited manuscripts are not reviewed." Try here:
- Litmatch – Like eHarmony for unpartnered authors, Litmatch not only provides comprehensive profiles but will list agents looking for books just like yours!
- AgentQuery – Another database, but also features a conference listing and MySpace-like author/agent networking site.
- Everyone Who's Anyone in Adult Trade Publishing – A long list of literary agents, interspersed with the compiler’s eccentric but often illuminating correspondence with them as he tries to find representation.
Become a regular at a relevant forum: Online forums are a great way to network and learn from the successes—and harrowing failures—of your fellow authors. Don’t be a lurker, flamer, or troll. Be active, make connections, and get the inside scoop on a wide range of industry topics with these communities. And don't forget to take what you read on message boards with a grain of salt. You may run into a crazy or two.
- Absolutewrite.com forum – Want some pre-submission advice from writers who have lived to tell the tale? Check out the "Bewares and Background Checks" section in AbsoluteWrite's Water Cooler discussion forum, where authors exchange advise and issue warnings about their experiences with certain literary agents. Other forum sections include "Networking: Sharing Leads," "Grammar for Grasshoppers," and "Rejection and Dejection."
- Yahoo Publishing and Promoting group – Learn how to beef up your readership with promotion and publicity tips other authors have used.
- Yahoo Self-Publishing group – Sponsored by SPAN, you can find spirited discussions here from self-published authors and small presses about how to publish and market your own books.
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