Scribbles & Wanderlust
  • Home
  • About
  • Clients
  • Book Reviews
    • Reviews 2012
    • Reviews 2013
    • Reviews 2014
    • Reviews 2015
    • Reviews 2016
    • Reviews 2017
    • Reviews 2018
    • Reviews 2019
    • Reviews 2020
    • Reviews 2021
    • Reviews 2022
  • Features
    • Deal Announcement
    • End of Year Book Survey
    • If We Were Having Coffee
    • This Season’s Rewind
  • Discover a New Read
    • Adult
    • Young Adult
    • Middle Grade
  • Tag: publishing

    • Defining Young Adult Literature

      Posted at 3:36 pm by Laura, on April 6, 2013

      I’m currently taking a genre study course on young adult literature, and we’re trying to find a way to define the genre, so that it encompasses current YA, classic YA, and all the subgenres of YA.

      We’re finding it to be incredibly difficult! But out class has agreed on these points:

      • YA must have a young adult protagonist (arguments about age continue…11-21, 13-23, 13-19?)
      • YA is a coming-of-age and/or first encounters novel
      • YA has characters and/or experiences that the reader can relate to

      Other aspects of our definition we argue over, such as:

      • respecting the intelligence of the reader (authors like Dessen and Green certainly do, but some other authors write less literary and more entertaining/simple language)
      • accessible language (some classic YA, like Jane Eyre seems to be categorized as lately, doesn’t quite meet this)
      • including “classic YA” (is it YA? Was it thrown in because they’re taught to YA students in school?)
      • are the characters or situations relatable at all?
      • character-driven, or plot-driven, or is it pacing: fast and slow?

      What do you think defines young adult literature? If you could define it in 1-3 sentences, what would be your definition of YA?

      Posted in books, library, publishing | 11 Comments | Tagged books, genre: young adult, library, publishing
    • Ally Condie Lands Deal for Two New Novels — GalleyCat

      Posted at 9:06 am by Laura, on March 26, 2013

      Looks like Ally Condie’s going underwater this time in two new novels! Thank you, GalleyCat, for the news!

      Matched trilogy author Ally Condie has inked a deal to publish two new novels with Dutton Children’s Books. The Penguin Young Readers Group imprint will release the first book in fall 2014.

      [The book] tells the story of Rio, who has waited her whole life for the opportunity to leave her safe, underwater city of Atlantia for life on the surface. But when her twin sister, Bay, shocks everyone and chooses Above first (only one family member may go), Rio is left with increasingly dangerous questions about the complex political and religious system constructed to govern the fragile divide between land and sea.

       

      Posted in books, Link, publishing | 0 Comments | Tagged books, news, publishing
    • Keeping Brick-and-Mortar Stores in Business: A FAQ

      Posted at 9:45 am by Laura, on February 28, 2013

      In light of the news that Barnes & Noble will be closing a third of their stores across 10 years, that Nook may be separating from B&N, that independent bookstores are few and far between, allow this bookseller to answer the age-old question, “How can I keep bookstores from closing?” (which, of course, stems from the statement, “I wish bookstores weren’t closing!”).

      The best and most obvious answer is purchase directly in the bookstore.

      Seriously. I’m sick of explaining to people why we sell books at the sticker price, why prices are “high,” why online is cheaper than in store. As I cannot take out my frustration on our patrons, I’m going to step up with booksellers everywhere — including independent and used bookstore booksellers — and explain all these questions.

      1. Why are online prices cheaper?

      If a bookstore, like Barnes & Noble or Waterstones, has an online presence, the prices for the products are generally cheaper. This is because the consumer is going directly to the vendor — which has far fewer employees — and ordering from there. Whether or not one is a special member of some sort for this online bookstore, there is still the expectation that one will pay for shipping. The price offered is the lowest price that can still be split among the publisher, the author, and the bookseller.

      When the consumer purchases in the store, they are paying for “overhead.” Overhead is payment towards the rent/lease of the venue, payment towards the helpful employees, payment for the upkeep and cleanliness of the venue, as well as the publisher, the author, and the bookseller corporation.

      If consumers continuously purchase online rather than walking into the store, the store’s physical presence declines and thus they close. Chain bookstores live with a double-edged sword: online presence can boost sales, but it can also aid in store closings.

      2. Why are so many indie/used bookstores closing?

      Most independent bookstores and used bookstores use a mathematical formula to lower the sticker price to it’s lowest possible value before harming their sales. Say you spot a rare edition of a book by an author you love. The original sticker price is $25, but the indie store is selling it for $15 and the used store is selling it for $10. The indie store will make a small profit from selling this book, but the majority will still be sent to the publisher and author. The used bookstore is barely making enough profit to keep the place running, but nothing goes toward the publisher or author.

      A lot of independent and used bookstores are closing because consumers still find cheaper prices online.   The stores’ prices are also heavily dependent on scraping by: keeping employees employed, paying venue rent, keeping the place in good condition and clean. If you want your mom-and-pop, independent, or used bookstore to stay in business (either because you like the cozy atmosphere, it’s location, the selection, or even it’s nice low prices), you need to walk into their store and purchase from them directly.

      3. But I like Amazon’s prices! Why should I, the consumer, not use Amazon?

      Mention Amazon to a bookseller and we do everything we can to not explode with anger. Those stiff smiles, blank stares, and suddenly curt speech are the only acceptable ways for us to express our dislike.

      Amazon never sells at the sticker price. They are an online presence, not a physical presence. They make enough profit off shipping and other products to keep themselves in business. [Refer to Answer #1 on online prices.] Great on them. They’re a monopoly.

      But the prices they offer, including the used ones, rarely — if ever — benefit the publisher, the author, or anyone else in the book business. Yes, the prices are miraculously cheaper and in this economy everyone wants the cheaper price. But consistently purchasing from Amazon only creates a larger monopoly, creates a business that will not help you in person, and drastically lowers the likelihood of a brick-and-mortar store staying in business near you.

      Sidenote: This is for all those cranky customers who say to booksellers, “Ugh, I had to drive 30 minutes out here just to get to this store and you’re telling me you don’t have this book?! This is why Amazon is in business; I’m ordering from them!” No, Amazon is not in business because we’re 30 minutes away — we’re 30 minutes away because consumers like you consistently purchase from Amazon and we have to close our stores closest to you.

      4. If booksellers frown on Amazon, what are some other online groups with low prices that booksellers don’t get angry over?

      I’m glad you asked!

      Better World Books “collect and sell books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide.”

      Books sold on BetterWorldBooks.com help fund high-impact literacy projects in the United States and around the world. That’s why we commit to matching every purchase on our website with a book donation to someone in need.

      What sane bookseller would say no to that?! Literacy is something to support and celebrate!

      AbeBooks has some amazingly cheap prices on everything. They help those independent booksellers get their presence known. Small stores, nationwide and worldwide, advertise the availability of a new/used book they have in stock. When you purchase through AbeBooks, you’re benefitting this organization as well as the small seller.

      Alibris also helps independent sellers stay in business by connecting them across the globe and aiding in library collections.

      Biblio is also fantastic — a large selection of rare books, connecting indie and used stores across the country. They also help in non-profit organizations.

      —-

      So. You want your bookstore to stay in business? Go in the bookstore and purchase from them today.

      Posted in books, library, Link, publishing, technology, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged books, bookstores, library, news, personal, publishing
    • New Harry Potter Cover!

      Posted at 5:03 pm by Laura, on February 13, 2013

      A New Look for Harry Potter — Publishers Weekly — Shannon Maughan

      Though the assignment was daunting at first, Kibuishi says he started thinking about the Harry Potter books “as if I was looking back at them from the future. I wanted to pay tribute to the series itself and to classic literature. I wanted to take those two things and fuse them together. In a way, the first Harry Potter cover should feel like Dickens.”

      Posted in books, Link, publishing | 3 Comments | Tagged art, books, publishing
    • Bookish – A Magical Place

      Posted at 12:41 pm by Laura, on February 11, 2013

      Have you encountered Bookish?

      Bookish is an organization founded by Penguin, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster. The purpose is to promote books and help bookworms find their next best pick. In light of bookstores closing, these publishers created this fantastic website that helps personalize the reader’s interests. Get the latest news from authors, editors, and publishers!

      Check out their twitter, @BookishHQ.

      They were recently featured in Wall Street Journal.  Check it out!

      Posted in books, Link, publishing, technology | 0 Comments | Tagged books, ebooks, news, publishing
    • DOJ Case Settled

      Posted at 8:03 pm by Laura, on February 8, 2013

      At least, that certainly seems to be the case.

      Department of Justice appears to have settled with publishers in the ebook pricing case. What does this mean for the future of ebooks?

      Apple has also said in court papers that the government’s suit “sides with monopoly, rather than competition,” by shoring up Amazon’s early advantage in electronic books.

      A civil trial for Apple is scheduled to begin in June.

      Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc has sided with Apple, telling the federal court that it, too, is concerned about a monopoly by Amazon.

      This is another issue with ebook pricing. Amazon is already an egotistical monopoly in the book world. Rather than going to a local or independent bookstore, customers rush to Amazon because it’s “cheaper.” Then those same customers complain about bookstores closing. How does one fix this? Utilize the local bookstore!

      Writers are worried about not making enough money on their books because of this monopoly. They know customers want small prices, and ordering through Amazon completely cuts out the royalties for authors and all their hard work. So now authors have turned to self-publishing ebooks, as they can still make money off ebooks.

      BUT NOW Amazon is trying to sell “used” ebooks, which is not actually a thing AND it cuts out royalties for authors once again!

      Obviously this post veered off-topic, but as a reader, who do you support? Do you want to support the writers and editors who work so hard to make good quality books for you to learn from and enjoy? Or do you want to feed a monopoly that is actually killing the industry?

      Some food for thought. Back to the DOJ deal…

      Posted in books, Link, publishing, technology | 0 Comments | Tagged books, ebooks, legal issues, news, publishing
    • Quirk Blog Post!

      Posted at 3:37 pm by Laura, on January 24, 2013

      Check out the post on Quirk’s blog! I wrote it!

      What Makes a Good YA Fantasy (and How to Spot It)

      Let’s start with the obvious: young adult (YA) is booming. It’s an unavoidable fact of book life. You find yourself waiting for weeks for a copy of The Hunger Games from your library, you get lost in the mass of books shoved onto the small shelves in bookstores, and publishers seem to only talk about YA in all its forms. YA is the “it” group, and for very good reason.

      Read on for more! I give 5 tips on spotting and loving YA fantasy.

      Posted in books, Link, publishing, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged books, genre: fantasy, genre: young adult, personal, publishing
    • Awards, Bestsellers, and E-books, Oh My!

      Posted at 7:34 pm by Laura, on January 16, 2013

      Apologies for the lack of posts. I’ve since taken a trip to NYC and adopted a kitty from a shelter.

      On to some book news!

      1. NBCC Finalists Announced — 2012 National Book Critics Circle finalists were announced Monday. There are 30 finalists across 6 categories, including Adam Johnson’s The Orphan Master’s Son, Katherine Boo’s Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Tom Reiss’s The Black Count, and Allan Peterson’s Fragile Acts.
      2. Wanna know which titles dominated in 2012? I’m sure you can guess quite a few of them. Big Names Dominated Bestsellers in 2012 contains all the sales information as well as the lists of the Top 10 Books within 10 categories.
      3. Prepare to be launched into a literary Italy with Dan Brown’s Inferno on May 14! Make all the jokes you want — I’m really looking forward to this one. Lost Symbol was ehhh for me, but the other Robert Langdon books were intriguing. Probably because it was set in Europe. And now we’re looking into Dante’s Inferno? Yes, please!
      4. Scholastic Report Finds More E-book Reading Among Children — This is to be expected, as the current generation is growing up with easy-access technology. However, the stats are incredibly fascinating. More boys are reading, and more teenagers are making the switch from print to digital.
      5. 2013 Edgar Nominations Announced — Check out the selections from the Mystery Writers of America, with Best Book, Best First, Best Fact Crime, and many more!
      Posted in books, Link, publishing, technology | 0 Comments | Tagged awards, books, ebooks, ereaders, news, publishing
    • Book Haul!

      Posted at 5:06 pm by Laura, on January 9, 2013

      GUYS.

      Guys…

      I bought books. I know I said in my Bookish Resolutions that I would hold off on buying books before reading them and instead use the library more. Hopefully these exceptions have validity in your eyes for purchasing and breaking that resolution.

      bought

      Snobs by Julian Fellowes — After a heartbreaking third season (sorry, America, you’re in for a real tear-jerker. Be wary with each episode.), I needed something by Fellowes (because let’s face it, he’s a great story-teller and really knows his history) that would hopefully have a much happier outcome. Full of drama we all know and love, I expect to really enjoy this book. Frankly, I’d been eyeing it for some time and after the Christmas episode I threw up my hands and went on impulse.

      Possession by A.S. Byatt — If I weren’t in grad school for publishing, I would be in grad school (at Durham University, cough cough) working towards a PhD in Victorian and Romantic Literature (if you couldn’t tell from my favorites list). Two people are to blame for my obsession with the Romantics, Victorians, and the Gothic: my sophomore honors English teacher in high school, and my Victorian professor in college. Both of them highly recommended I read “Possession” — this book followed me for years. And then, on the plane back from the holidays, I sat next to a very nice gentleman who loved talking about books, and he suggested I read this too. Well, geez. If a total stranger says this is the book for me, as well as my two favorite English teachers, then maybe I really should buy it!

      But wait! There’s more!

      ARC

      Requiem by Lauren Oliver — Harper Teen hosted a Deliria Slogan contest on Twitter and I was one of the winners to receive an ARC of the third and final installment to the Delirium trilogy! Thank you very much, Harper Teen!

      Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons — As a bookseller, you can receive ARCs as one of the perks. Some publishers have deals with bookstores to send ARCs so that the bookseller can give an honest review as well as prepare for questions from customers about the book upon publication. This is a prequel to the Tatiana and Alexander trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed winter 2011. Thank you, William Morrow!

      In short, HarperCollins rocked the ARC giveaways today.

      Posted in books, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: dystopian, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, publishing
    • New Adult — Needless or Necessary?

      Posted at 7:23 pm by Laura, on December 18, 2012

      With the rise of young adult (YA) fiction popularity, and the wide audience ranging from preteen to late twenties / early thirties (thank you, Hunger Games), publishers and marketers are thinking of creating a new sub-genre called new adult (NA for the purpose of this post).

      New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak or Valued Sub-genre? — Publishers Weekly — Rachel Deahl & Judith Rosen

      While marketing directors say there is a need for NA, with an audience geared toward 18- to 23-year-olds, some wonder if it’s even necessary.

      “Even though the term is a relatively new one, the content has always been there in literature and movies,” explained Gina Wachtel, v-p and associate publisher at Random House. Wachtel, who is overseeing a slate of new digital imprints at Random House, among them a new adult one called Flirt, said these books feature characters who are at “the stage of figuring out who you really are—and all that goes with it.”

      Talk to editors about new adult and the first thing you will hear is that the term is fluid. While these titles will likely feature 18-year-old to 20-something protagonists, fixating on the age of a character misses the point. Lucia Macro, a v-p and executive editor at William Morrow, said the new adult tag speaks more to voice, style, and theme. Asked if the term was necessary, Macro said it’s useful as a marketing tool. “Whether people want to admit it or not, publishing is a lot about marketing, and when you’re marketing to people it’s necessary to have [the appropriate] terminology.” She then added: “In-house it helps people wrap their brain around a book, especially when you have maybe 10 seconds to explain it to them.”

      Some people believe the NA title will help censor content too mature for teens. While at the same time, NA can be marketed towards readers that share books across generations: mothers and daughters reading the same series or kinds of books, for example.

      Personally, I do think the NA concept is a neat idea, but completely unnecessary. There are some great self-discovery books in fiction (or “adult” fiction, if we have to use this sort of terminology), as people are constantly discovering who they are no matter what stage in life. There are thousands upon thousands of books that do not even contain sex in it, if that’s the concern. The teen and children sections are there to help parents guide their offspring to various titles that is suitable for their age-group. But once that child is out of the house, in college, they are an adult — they should be able to make their own decisions on reading material. Creating an entirely new section almost seems to separate the market even more.

      Division based on age, which is honestly what this boils down to, is unnecessary. I thoroughly enjoy books about children, teens, adults, even some protagonists that are in their 70s! It’s about the story.

      Posted in books, Link, publishing | 4 Comments | Tagged books, genre: new adult, genre: young adult, news, publishing
    ← Older posts
    Newer posts →
    • Hello, I’m Laura!

      I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!
    • Search the Blog

    • Currently Reading

    • Book Review Rating Key

      ★★★ — It’s good
      ★★★★ — It’s great
      ★★★★★ — OMG LOVE!!!

    • Recent Posts

      • MSWL for 2023
      • Favorite Reads of 2022
      • Deal Announcement: Annie Cardi, YA Contemporary
      • Deal Announcement: Molly Horan, YA Contemporary
      • Deal Announcement: Ana Holguin, Romcom

Blog at WordPress.com.

Scribbles & Wanderlust
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • Scribbles & Wanderlust
    • Join 1,196 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Scribbles & Wanderlust
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...