6/16/10 Writing and Publishing News

Why shouldn’t Bloomberg/Wiley authors sign the modifications the publisher is proposing? Which major sports bio went on sale despite threats and bookstores refusing to shelve? Which publisher is accused of sexual harassment? These headlines, plus more of the latest writing and publishing news are in this week’s Write Report.


Thanks so much to the Florida Writer's Association, which just named The Writer's Guide to the Courtroom as a finalist in the 2010 Royal Palm Literary Awards.

Where the law and literature meet:

The Authors Guild warns Wiley/Bloomberg authors not to sign that harmless looking modification they just got from their publisher: http://authorsguild.org/advocacy/articles/wileys-deceptive-letter-to-bloomberg-press.html  and http://authorsguild.org/advocacy/articles/wiley.html  and http://authorsguild.org/advocacy/articles/one-in-five-bloomberg-authors-received.html  and http://authorsguild.org/advocacy/articles/wiley-rejects-authors-guild.html  and Wiley’s response http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/PressRelease/pressReleaseId-76717.html

Will piracy increase revenues?: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120264-piracy-may-not-affect-revenues-says-new-report.html

Rooney’s Gold goes on sale despite legal threats, WH Smith backs out: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120169-rooneys-gold-goes-on-sale-despite-legal-warnings.html

Florida passes law assuring student free speech rights: http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=2103&year=

Freelance writers get settlement in internet publication case: http://www.mediacastermagazine.com/issues/story.aspx?aid=1000374111

Do you only need to file a copyright application to enforce your rights, or does it need to be issued? Depends on where you live: http://www.jdsupra.com/post/documentViewer.aspx?fid=a45e2c87-5796-4177-a032-ef88e2a876de  

Did Glenn Beck crib the plot of his new novel from a 2005 self-published novel? Here’s the comparison: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-kelly/glenn-becks-new-novel-abo_b_613861.html

London book thief steals $80,000 worth of books from library. I guess he had a big backpack: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/7829895/Book-thief-had-shopping-list-of-treasures.html

New details in Penguin sexual harassment case: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120768-new-details-emerge-in-penguin-sexual-harassment-case.html

Publishers accuse Amazon of extortion: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120788-us-publishers-hit-out-over-amazon-extortion.html

Children’s vetting scheme that impacted author school visits has been canned for now: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120771-childrens-vetting-scheme-disbanded.html

Dyer accused of plagiarism: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/120777-dyer-accused-of-plagiarism.html

Twilight folks sue over jacket: http://www.imdb.com/news/ni2891178/

Gaiman sues over Spawn: http://www.dailyfinance.com/article/biff-pow-comic-artists-clash-over/1113566/



More headlines:

Glenn Beck endorses Nazi book. Nobody is surprised: http://www.salon.com/news/glenn_beck/index.html?story=/opinion/conason/2010/06/07/dilling

Best articles on writing from the first half of 2010: http://blog.writersdigest.com/norules/2010/06/08/BestArticlesWritersShouldHaveRead1stHalfOf2010.aspx

Five million books downloaded to iPad: http://industry.bnet.com/media/10008527/even-with-fuzzy-math-ipad-wins-another-e-book-hand-against-kindle/

Children’s authors strike back! Colfer to pen adult novel: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/43472-colfer-pens-first-adult-novel---.html

The 5 greatest books with psychotic fan bases: http://www.cracked.com/article_18568_the-5-greatest-books-with-psychotic-fan-bases.html?notwilight

New interactive guide to Ringworld: http://io9.com/5561479/interactive-guide-to-larry-nivens-ringworld-is-the-next-best-thing-to-going-there

The origins of the vampire story: http://chronicle.com/article/All-the-Dead-Are-Vampires/65829

Why are the Brits so rude? (the author obviously has never been to Miami, the world capitol of rudeness): http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/naughty-by-nature-why-has-britain-become-so-rude-1995950.html

4/12/10 Writing and Publishing News

Where the law and literature meet:

Suit by photographers says Google is a brazen content thief: http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/web_services/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=224202351

Sacha Baron Cohen wins libel suit for insulting ex-girlfriend while in character: http://www.metnews.com/articles/2010/doe040810.htm

Publishers put the squeeze on booksellers over credit: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/455978-Publishers_Squeezing_Booksellers_on_Credit.php

How will returns work with agency model? Anyone?: http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2010/04/burning-question-about-agency.html

Penguin India decides that releasing digital books will reduce piracy. I wonder if they’re talking with the U.S. branch of the company: http://www.watblog.com/2010/04/12/penguin-india-goes-digita/



More headlines:

Does it matter if good writers are lousy human beings?: http://incharacter.org/review/good-writers-bad-men-does-it-matter/

iPhone apps make reading easier for dyslexics: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/apr/06/iphone-makes-reading-books-easier

Where mobile libraries are thriving: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/apr/07/mobile-libraries

Wuthering Heights sales double thanks to Twilight: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/7570922/Wuthering-Heights-quadruple-double-thanks-to-Twilight-effect.html

Chinese writer calls internet literature “garbage”: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/6945890.html

Academics predict 1/3 of books will be read on e-reading devices in the next 5 years: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/aussie-academics-say-third-of-books-will-be-read-on-ipad-style-devices-within-five-years/story-e6frf7ko-1225851480531

Where you can get a degree in Vampire Lit: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/trends/vampire_lit_gets_its_scholarly_due_157516.asp

50 best book people to follow in Twitter: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/09/50-best-book-people-to-fo_n_529295.html

Life magazine covers famous literary drunks and addicts: http://www.life.com/image/72383915/in-gallery/38742/famous-literary-drunks--addicts

Some Spring rays of hope in lousy bookselling market: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/115976-publishers-point-to-green-shoots-after-worrying-first-quarter.html

Why the iPad won’t save newspapers: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2010/apr/12/ipad-rupert-murdoch

Children’s booksellers want more stand-alone books: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/115987-childrens-retailers-clamour-for-stand-alone-titles-.html

3/19/10 Writing and Publishing News

Where the law and literature meet:
More Oscar bounce for lawyers. Hurt Locker makers sued: http://news-briefs.ew.com/2010/03/03/hurt-locker-law-suit/

Lindsay Lohan sues Etrade over use of the name Lindsay in ads: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35780790/ns/business-media_biz/  Girl, you’re no Madonna.

Amazon makes more threats to remove buy buttons – don’t even think about an agency model if you’re not one of the big five publishers: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/technology/internet/18amazon.html?partner=rss&emc=rss  and http://mhpbooks.com/mobylives/?p=13605

More missing buy buttons at Amazon: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/452669-Amazon_com_Removes_Buy_Buttons_from_Diamond_s_Publishers.php

But don’t hate Amazon just because they occasionally screw up: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/comicbookland/marvel_comics_writer_criticizes_trumpedup_outrage_over_amazon_graphic_novel_glitch_154884.asp 
Colorado calls for boycott of Amazon after associates program dropped: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/452559-Group_Calls_for_Amazon_Boycott.php

French three strikes law actually increased piracy: http://www.teleread.org/2010/03/14/french-piracy-increases-after-three-strikes-law/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+teleread%2FKHnj+%28TeleRead%3A+Bring+the+E-Books+Home%29

Kapow! Kirby estate sues Marvel over rights to superheroes: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GulfCoastAvengers/news/?a=15889

Unethical agent ruins e-contracts for everyone: http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2010/03/we-interrupt-this-q.html

Gerald Posner admits plagiarism: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/books/story/2010/03/17/posner-plagiarism-babylon.html  

More headlines:
Nothing to do with writing, but still. Florida vampire announces candidacy for President: http://www.wtsp.com/news/mostpop/story.aspx?storyid=127365&provider=top

High e-book cost didn’t damage Baldacci’s book sales, despite complaints: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iftfvIiV7uRYWgrbu8NHH8lDt4rAD9EF93LO0

Weird talents of well-known writers (and other celebs): http://www.cracked.com/article_18441_7-celebrities-who-had-badass-careers-you-didnt-know-about.html

Have you been quoted in a book and don’t know it? I have. Vanity Google book searching: http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/trends/vanity_google_booking_154889.asp

Harlequin offers books on Nintendo DS in Japan: http://www.teleread.org/2010/03/13/harlequin-offers-books-on-nintendo-ds-in-japan/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+teleread%2FKHnj+%28TeleRead%3A+Bring+the+E-Books+Home%29

If your iPad battery dies, you’ll need a new iPad: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7447353/Apple-will-issue-replacement-iPad-when-battery-runs-out.html

Scholars think lost Shakespeare play may be the real thing: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8569101.stm

Book about Gordon Brown shelved when author missed deadline: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/13/gordon-brown-publisher-shelves-book

Grisham’s kid courtroom drama has initial million copy print run: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/453472-Cover_and_Print_Run_Revealed_for_Grisham_s_First_Kids_Book.php