By Shelley Sturgeon
This is the last “This Week in the Blogs” post for 2017. The year seems to have passed so quickly. Perhaps that happens as we get older, but it seems like I’d just put away my holiday decorations and now, it’s time once more to drag out the baubles and tinsel. In just a few days we will be bidding adieu to 2017 and welcoming the New Year. Can you believe it?
Next Sunday, on Christmas Eve, we will be publishing our November e-Book Cover Design Awards and on the following Sunday, New Year’s Eve, check back here for our Carnival of the Indies post.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for being one of our readers. We appreciate you, your comments and your feedback. And, whatever your beliefs may be, I wish you all the magic and blessings of the season, happiness and good health now, throughout 2018…and always.
Jane Friedman on Jane Friedman
A Look Back at 2017 Publishing Headlines: 5 Issues Raised for Authors
“Looking back at the key stories we covered in 2017, these are the headlines that stand out and raise questions for me in the new year.”
Sharon Bially on Writer Unboxed
The Power of a Writing Group for Publishing Success
“If you’ve been in a writing group, you know how valuable it is to have a community of writerly peers to debate craft with, to vent with about rejection and rejoice with over triumphs, large and small.”
Sandra Beckwith on Build Book Buzz
Book marketing goals: Plan for success in 2018
“It doesn’t really matter how you define success. What counts is that you do define it. Because if you don’t have a goal for your book marketing efforts, you won’t know if you’re successful or not.”
Judith Briles on The Book Shepherd
Author Essential Tips How to Autograph Books
“Is there a right way … or a wrong way to sign a book for an enthusiastic buyer? Or for a gift from the buyer to another?”
Julie Greenbaum on Book Business
2018 Book Manufacturing Outlook Includes Ranking of Top 5 Book Printers Based on Latest PI 400 List
“The book manufacturing segment has come a long way since the doom and gloom days five years ago when many people questioned whether the printed book was in death mode due to the rise of ebooks. But, as we head into 2018, the demand for printed books is rising. And, with customer demands driving shorter runs and ultra-fast turnarounds, book printers are rising to the challenge of meeting those demands by continuing to invest in production inkjet and digital imaging technologies.”
Just for Fun
Tara Sparling on Anne R. Allen’s Blog… With Ruth Harris
The Twelve Days of Christmas…Writing Cliches
“I searched high and low, but couldn’t find a single Christmas ditty about writing, which was a bit disappointing. So in the best tradition of the season, I have reworked a very old song, and made it new.”
Self-Publishing News You Can Use
By Amy Collins
California wildfires have caused the temporary shutdown of some bookstores
The wildfires have led some bookstores in California to temporarily shut down. Bart’s Books, an outdoor bookstore in Ojai, which is part of Ventura County, closed due to smoky air, while others, like Chaucer’s Books and The Book Den in Santa Barbara, have remained open despite a marked decrease in customers.
Since its start on December 4, the Thomas Fire has destroyed 700 homes and led to the displacement of 74,000 people, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Reuters has reported that the wildfires burning through San Diego and Los Angeles counties for the past week, including the Skirball fire, which affected numerous stores in Los Angeles, are now mostly under control.
Photo: BigStockPhoto
