Well, it seems time to bring up an important topic to all writers:  How do you get published in this day and age? Then, how do you get into bookstores, and how do you get sales? Can you make a living as a writer? Good questions!

There is much debate in the industry over what venues work, but the reality is there are so many writers now, and so many models of publishing, the only thing certain is that the old “rock star author” dream is rarer than ever. That said, there are also many more writing jobs than ever–so writing for a living (even if not books) is far more possible.  

There is a wonderful, snappy, difficult, vibrant discussion that went on at the Self- Publishing Reveiw website, in which traditionally published authors and self-published authors go at it over many of the details that are important to the discussion.  See http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2009/05/04/guest-post-a-publishing-person-self-publishes/ but be sure to read the MANY comments that form this important discussion.  The discussion is even more worthy than the article. Topics like “What is more vain, needing a big publisher to take your book and saying you are published by so-and-so or doing it yourself  ‘vanity publisher’ style?” make this a great read for anyone interested in writing books.

As many of you know, I’ve been big publisher published. I’ve also created a publishing company (which is more than self-publishing model alone) for my fiction, another for my book on SIDS, and been a part of other books that have gone mainstream in various ways.

And then there is The Mayden Chronicles which is altogether different in the blog style! I will seek a publisher for this one since the teen market isn’t my normal market. But when? And who? And will it sell? (By the way, the more you comment, the more that is likely because that demonstrates readers and interest! Hint hint!)

Feel free to join the conversation by commenting, and I’ll answer whatever questions I can. 

Happy reading and writing! Robin

Tells teens power is in their purses

By RUTH MOON For The Sun

Author Ann Brashares asked teens to recognize their power and use it wisely in an appearance Wednesday in Downers Grove. About 100 teen girls and their moms met the woman behind the popular “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” movie and book series at the event, sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshop, at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. Brashares, author of the four-book “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series, including the newly released “Three Willows: The Sisterhood Grows,” spoke about her life, read a portion from her book and answered questions from the audience.  Read more about her advice about teens, power, writing, and doing what you love…

Adornetto, who is just about to start her final year of high school in Melbourne, Australia, wrote her first novel, “The Shadow Thief,” at the age of 13 after shutting herself away one summer. It was published in 2007 when she was 15 to high acclaim.

A year later, “The Lampo Circus” confirmed her talent as a writer and this month the third and final installment in the series hits the stories with the title “Von Gobstopper’s Arcade.”  She spoke to Reuters about writing while trying to maintain the life of a typical teenager, with her fourth book underway:  Click Here To Read The Full Article On Reuters