The Friday Herd

Lots of stuff happened in publishing this week (and I really wish some of it was an April Fools' joke).  I'm not going to bore you with repeating it, but the following links are worth checking out:

Dorchester is allegedly selling books they do not have the rights to and apparently refuse to stop.  Horror author Brian Keene called for a Dorchester boycott last week.  This week, thriller author Stacy Dittrich made a public call for authors screwed over by Dorchester to contact her about a class-action suit she's putting together.

The fabulous Nina Cordoba and her God of Rock and Roll, Software Architecture, and Programming have put together an easy-to-understand guide for formatting your manuscript file for the Amazon Kindle and the B&N Nook.

NWHRWA president and pirate goupie, Jenn Bray-Weber posted her thoughts on public meltdowns and dog piling over at Musetracks.

And author/guru J. A. Konrath is selling his technothriller Origin for $0.99 as a experiment.  Joe plans to donate $500 to First Book, a very worthwhile charity, if fans help him break the Kindle Top 100.

Whew!

And just one little tidbit I thought was rather poignant.

Remember, kids:  Friends don't let friends respond to reviews in a public forum.  EVAH!

Business Tip No. 2 - The Dangers of Gossip

Currently reading - Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Friends and acquaintances here in Houston are packing up (some are even on planes already) to head for the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando, Florida this week. Whether you're a newbie or a pubbed, one very important thing to remember while you're at the conference--WATCH WHAT YOU SAY.

I'm not saying be less than honest, but don't have a case of diarrhea of the mouth. And whatever you do, don't say anything negative about a person. If you're having a difficulty with, say an agent or an editor, there are appropriate ways to handle any differences with that person. Loudly proclaiming that person an asshole in the middle of the hotel bar after a few too many wine spritzers is not it. And trust me, Murphy's Law dictates that the person you're dissing to your best bud while you're in the restroom WILL BE in the stall next to you.

Unfortunately, this stuff happens in every industry. Last night, I had the joy of watching the new girl at the day job make enemies and generally look like a total bitch by not handling a relatively minor matter with some discretion.

So keep that in mind when you head to any conference. And if your best bud tells you to cool it while you're out in public, please listen to him/her. The career you save may be your own.

Rejections Don'ts

A long time ago, I called a writing buddy for a rejection analysis session. You know, the "what-do-you-think-the-agent-really-means" talk. At the end, she laughs and says, "Whatever you do, don't send a nasty e-mail."

"Um, wasn't planning on it."

Yet, some folks do. Or they rant on their blog.

Which is almost as bad as the published author that trash talks (or trash tweets) the person who gave her a bad review.

First of all, can you say, "Unprofessional?" I knew you could.

Exactly what does the rant, no matter the form, actually accomplish? Besides giving the appearance that you haven't been taking your psych meds?

Nothing, that's what. Absolutely, positively nothing. A rejection is just one person's opinion of your work. ONE person. Your WORK. NOT YOU.

And performing the electronic equivalent of screaming at the agent or editor isn't among Carnegie's methods of winning friends and influencing people.

Did the agent or editor give you some feedback? If you harass him or her, they won't do it again. I'm not making any comments on the respective merits, or lack thereof, on the feedback. That's for you to absorb and evaluate.

But I find it very disturbing that the same people complaining about lack of response from agents and editors are, in many cases, abusing those same agents and editors.

So, to the agents and editors who took the time to offer me their opinon, thank you.

For the rest of you bitching, please kindly shut the fuck up if you can't say something intelligent.