You’re a businessperson. You may not think of yourself as a writer, but you know that writing well can boost your results and your career. Naturally, you want to do better. Every week I point you to articles and blog posts that I think will teach you something or spark an idea or two. Some weeks there are more pointers than others.
This week I’m pointing you to pieces on James Patterson’s plans for really short books and the reasons to have an agent.
From Alexandra Alter: James Patterson Has a Big Plan for Small Books
“Starting this summer, the popular novelist will start testing a new line of short novels that cost less than $5 and can be read in a single sitting.”
Wally’s Comment: There are two things to pay attention to here. One is the basic idea: short, plot-driven fiction for an impulse-buying price. And, if you write business books, step back and look at the general trend toward shorter and shorter books and very low prices.
From Chip MacGregor: Ask the Agent: How important is it to have an agent today?
“We’re doing a full month of ‘Ask the Agent,’ where writers get to ask anything of a literary agent, and we’ll try to discuss it. Last week someone asked, ‘In today’s world of publishing, how important is it to have an agent?’ That’s a very fair question. With things changing so much in the world of publishing, I think most authors may want to consider that and some related questions: Do you need an agent? If so, why? If not, why not? How will you know if you need an agent? What should an agent do for you? And what will an agent NOT do for you? How do you go about finding an agent? What questions should you ask if you run into one in the wild?”
Sources I Check Regularly
I find the posts and articles that I share with you on The Writing Edge in many places. But there are a few that provide insightful pieces again and again. Here they are.