If you enjoyed learning about former Thomas Nelson fiction editor Allen Arnold in the October issue of ACFW Journal, here is the first of two blogs that contain more information from that interview. In this segment, reporter Christa Allan and Allen Arnold explore the development of Thomas Nelson’s fiction line in more detail. CHRISTA: After working with advertising agencies like …
“Technology is what existed before you were born.” (Alan Kay)
by Julie Gwinn B&H Publishing Group We had a digital summit at B&H recently to try to get our heads around the changes taking place in the publishing industry. It was two days of information and presentations with some startling statistics: In 2006, there were 296,352 books published. In 2010, that number jumped to 3,092,740. Thank goodness I am in …
Pitch Sessions: An Editor’s POV
by Ramona Richards Abingdon Press Sue Brower had some terrific advice last week about preparing for a writers conference, especially ACFW. One piece of advice she gave made me want to give her a cheer: • DON’T go to editor and agent appointments unprepared. Now…that may sound like common sense for most of you, but I thought I’d share a …
The Writers Conference – Make it a Life-Changing Event!
by Sue Brower Zondervan, Inc. I have just returned from a great week at Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. Alton Gansky and his team provided an experience that I know changed the lives of many writers. We had writers from beginners to bestsellers, those that write 500 word blogs to those that write 100,000 word novels. What we all had …
New Fiction Publisher at Thomas Nelson
by Ami McConnell Thomas Nelson, Inc. Respected author friends, I’m so pleased and proud to introduce Thomas Nelson’s new publisher, Daisy Hutton! AM: Daisy, you’ve been in publishing for your entire career, and with Thomas Nelson for several years, racking up the frequently flyer miles. Can you share a little about your journey? DH: My very first job in publishing …
The Numbing Nature of Numbers
by Allen Arnold Senior Vice-President, Fiction Thomas Nelson, Inc. We live in an industry with instant access to data. Numbers sorted in endless graphs, grids and pivot tables to tell if a novel, an author, a genre or the entire Christian Fiction category is rising or falling. And the numbers change constantly. The cycle starts to feel like a dog …
A Unique . . . Surprise
by Ramona Richards Senior Acquisitions Editor, Fiction Abingdon Press When asked what they look for in a manuscript, editors often answer, “A unique voice,” a frustrating answer to any writer. “A unique voice” is hard to define, hard to develop, hard to spot. It borders on trying to define what you like about a particular painting or why you prefer …
The Perfect Ending
by Sue Brower Executive Editor – Zondervan (a division of Harper Collins) My editing world was turned upside down last week. I thought I knew what was best to deliver the “satisfying ending to a great story.” Hopefully, we want the reader, or movie-goer to sit back, hold on to the last moments and then let go a sigh. “Ohhh, …
Silly Love Songs
by Ami McConnell Thomas Nelson, Inc. John Lennon’s iconic self-portrait hung on my cubical wall for years. His whimsical art was a wink to my arty inner-poet. But I have turned a corner recently. I’m wearing my (virtual) Paul McCartney jersey now. Here’s why. Paul McCartney wrote “Silly Love Songs” in response to critics’ accusation that he wrote lightweight songs-and …
Building a Better Relationship with your Editor
by Melissa Endlich An editor/author relationship can be just like a marriage-to get the most from it, you need to work at it. Here are some hints and tips to help create a great working relationship with your editor! • She likes my book. Now what?: Everyone wants to get off on the right foot with their editor. After you’ve …