Sunday, April 13, 2014 spring "looking ahead" event

[Sonal Champsee]

With regards to self publishing new material though, I hope that at some point a system will be put in place to ensure that books are properly edited before hitting the shelves.

You know, it's not as good as a copyedit (let alone a substantive edit) but there's no technical reason that a self-pub program couldn't run a spell/grammar check before outputting into eBook forms and say "This work contains errors, continue?"

And then you could build custom dictionaries (to skip over things that are names or dialect) and the program could flag the work so that readers would know if it passed a basic check or not.

For Print-On-Demand, they could do the same, and perhaps even sell services of copy editors.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

Funny you should mention that! Yes, having different types of artists together at the same event creates a very special atmosphere that isn't quickly forgotten.

This is from that festival (Woody Point)...

I fully agree that writers and musicians can make an exciting blend. I've had two book launches that incorporated music--hand selected tunes that wove in with the themes in the books.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

Deanna and Mary, in addition to TWUC I noticed that self-published titles were included on the submissions list to the Arthur Ellis awards. None made the longlist, but it seems a good sign that one day they will. I don't know of any other Canadian literary award that accepts self-published titles.

Thanks for that, June. I wasn't aware. The Awards system has been stuffy so far about self-published material, although BC Book Prizes accepts this material.

 

[Nikki Vogel]

I think we're always going to like our print books. We have since they were invented. But I've absolutely embraced reading on in iPad. Of course I spend more money on books now as they're instantly obtainable. I used to work with Lawrence Hill, and I'd read his Book of Negroes on my iPad. When I met him, I told him how much I loved it. He offered to sign it and I said it was electronic. They I really did tell him he could sign my thigh. Anyone who's seen that guy will understand…

I was sad not to have his autograph on the book, but I'd really rather spend whatever time I have with an author I admire chatting instead of both of us looking down while he/she writes his/her name in my book. I think missing out on signatures is a really small price to pay for the convenience of an e-reader. That said, I think books will always exist, but I welcome innovation. I have a family member who claimed that I'm famous for accepting change. I'm not sure that's always true, but I do think that we have to embrace change or be left behind. I just got my hands on a copy of a strictly e-book. It's a make-up-your-own-fantasy book by three South African women writers. It's really fun erotica, and the point is that as the reader, you make all the choices (wear the granny gonch or go command0 - stuff like that). This is really fun, and though they could do it in print form (turn to page whatever if you choose the granny pants), they decided not to: http://itsabookthingblog.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-girl-walks-into-bar-by-helena-s-paige.html

I absolutely prefer to have print books, though I read quite a bit on an eReader. I never feel as oriented in the digital book as I do in a physical book, but there is the question of cost, and portability. When I travel I like to download several novels. This way I won't run out of reading material, I won't have to lug books around (especially in a place like Italy where the hotels tend to have long goat-path stairways where one is forced to drag a suitcase.)

 

[Julie Paul]

One of my favorite festivals (where my husband and I had our honeymoon!) was the Woody Point festival. Musicians and authors on stage together. Great mix and, as you say, pulls another audience to the writing (and music).

hi! One of the absolute best events I've ever been at was Rick Bass reading with the band Stellarondo, at the AWP. They put out a CD of four stories and music together, and it's so evocative... I am thinking of doing the same with one of my stories that's coming out in my new collection, as promotion. Not sure what that will look like, or how I will share it, but it's on my mind.

 

[Georgie Binks]

Deanna and Mary, in addition to TWUC I noticed that self-published titles were included on the submissions list to the Arthur Ellis awards. None made the longlist, but it seems a good sign that one day they will. I don't know of any other Canadian literary award that accepts self-published titles.

The Toronto Book Awards in Canada and the William Saroyan in the States both accept self-published works.

 

[Sonal Champsee]

I just got my hands on a copy of a strictly e-book. It's a make-up-your-own-fantasy book by three South African women writers. It's really fun erotica, and the point is that as the reader, you make all the choices (wear the granny gonch or go command0 - stuff like that). This is really fun, and though they could do it in print form (turn to page whatever if you choose the granny pants), they decided not to: http://itsabookthingblog.blogspot.ca/2013/07/a-girl-walks-into-bar-by-helena-s-paige.html

Those old Choose Your Own Adventure books would have been perfect for the web. Ahead of their time!

 

[Mary Novik]

I teach writing workshops to support my writing habit, and because it keeps me connected to writing in a way that other work might not. Like Jen, though, I find it can also take time away from my writing.

June is really a terrific instructor. I've talked to a number of her students, and they adore her. If you know anyone in the Vancouver area who is looking for a fiction writing workshop, all of June's workshops (Langara, SFU, UBC) are listed here: http://www.junehutton.com/?page_id=8

 

[Gail Anderson-Dargatz]

I teach writing workshops to support my writing habit, and because it keeps me connected to writing in a way that other work might not. Like Jen, though, I find it can also take time away from my writing. How do you find that, Gail?

Oh, absolutely. I admit I'm hooked on teaching. I really, really love it. And it keeps me connected to the writing community at large (you're looking at my teaching venue right now; I have many hidden "classrooms" here on this forum.)

But the energy (and time) I use for teaching is the same I would use for writing. So its a trade off. I try to write in the morning, then shift to manuscript evaluation in the afternoon. I also try to build breaks from teaching into my schedule, so I can focus on a given project.

How about you June? How do you schedule things?

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

You know, it's not as good as a copyedit (let alone a substantive edit) but there's no technical reason that a self-pub program couldn't run a spell/grammar check before outputting into eBook forms and say "This work contains errors, continue?"

And then you could build custom dictionaries (to skip over things that are names or dialect) and the program could flag the work so that readers would know if it passed a basic check or not.

For Print-On-Demand, they could do the same, and perhaps even sell services of copy editors.

Yes, I guess another option is to have the onus on the writer to pay for editorial services before putting their book into print. I personally can't imagine releasing something before having it scoured by a separate and trusted pair of eyes.

 

[Mary Novik]

I was just re-reading Vikram's Seth "An Equal Music" which is a novel about classical musicians. The writing about the music is wonderful. Makes me want to hear the music itself...

Actually, An Equal Music is available as a taped book and the actual music plays in the background. It's lovely.

 

[Nikki Vogel]

I fully agree that writers and musicians can make an exciting blend. I've had two book launches that incorporated music--hand selected tunes that wove in with the themes in the books.

Once upon a time I used to participate in the Raving Poets in Edmonton. It was an open mike venue for poetry reading. The Raving Poets band played accompaniment to each poet's work. You would tell them the mood/color of your work and they would improvise music. Thomas Trofimuk (Waiting for Columbus) was one of the founding fathers. It was such a relief for those of us who are nervous in front of a microphone. I even wrote a poem dedicated to the band to explain how wonderful an experience it was.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

Thanks for that, June. I wasn't aware. The Awards system has been stuffy so far about self-published material, although BC Book Prizes accepts this material.

To my knowledge (they used to), the Saskatchewan book awards accept self-published titles as well.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

Those old Choose Your Own Adventure books would have been perfect for the web. Ahead of their time!

No kidding, eh? I really enjoyed reading this book in the form it took. Just fun to click on "Stay here and see what happens" or whatever.

 

[Sonal Champsee]

Yes, I guess another option is to have the onus on the writer to pay for editorial services before putting their book into print. I personally can't imagine releasing something before having it scoured by a separate and trusted pair of eyes.

Me neither. But then, I'm really aware that the feeling of elation of having finished is fleeting, and that I will soon see problems everywhere.

 

[Georgie Binks]

Yes, I guess another option is to have the onus on the writer to pay for editorial services before putting their book into print. I personally can't imagine releasing something before having it scoured by a separate and trusted pair of eyes.

I think there is always the impression that self-published people don't work with editors but many do. I have seen some real dilly books but many of the self-pub places that offer a package offer packages including editors and cover designers. I hired my own editors just to submit my book to publishers because I wanted them to go in clean.

 

[Kimmy Beach]

I absolutely prefer to have print books, though I read quite a bit on an eReader. I never feel as oriented in the digital book as I do in a physical book, but there is the question of cost, and portability. When I travel I like to download several novels. This way I won't run out of reading material, I won't have to lug books around (especially in a place like Italy where the hotels tend to have long goat-path stairways where one is forced to drag a suitcase.)

So true. I go to Greece a fair bit, and the convenience of having nothing but my iPad in a hard-shell keyboard case is utterly fantastic. I can do everything: write, email, post online, and read books. It's a win-win for travelling, no doubt about it.

 

[Deanna Kawatski]

Once upon a time I used to participate in the Raving Poets in Edmonton. It was an open mike venue for poetry reading. The Raving Poets band played accompaniment to each poet's work. You would tell them the mood/color of your work and they would improvise music. Thomas Trofimuk (Waiting for Columbus) was one of the founding fathers. It was such a relief for those of us who are nervous in front of a microphone. I even wrote a poem dedicated to the band to explain how wonderful an experience it was.

Nikki, that sounds great! I also think it pays to have a bit of a singer or actor within in order to ace readings!

 

[Sonal Champsee]

Actually, An Equal Music is available as a taped book and the actual music plays in the background. It's lovely.

I will have to check that out. Thanks! (I've been youtubing the music.)

 

[Kimmy Beach]

This is pretty fascinating to hear how well you can track the number of ebooks vs. print. Some friends have ereaders, but many more are holding back from electronic books, enjoying the print experience much more.
I see many of my students with ereaders, but many more with print books of all types. I wonder who is buying the ebooks. Big population centres?

I certainly buy my share.