Linky Goodness
Someday I'll get to posting about the weird (for my) process of writing Breath of Stone. In the meantime, here are some links I simply can't keep to myself:
I Am an Indie Midlister (and That's Okay) From haikujaguar comes a great post on her experience as an indie author, her sales numbers, and the perceptions of success in today's direct-to-reader publishing world.
Via The Passive Voice, link to and discussion of The Bookseller's First Independent Author Preview. As I mentioned in the comments there, it's still important for industry-to-industry discussions of indie-published works to be compared positively to trade-published works. Many in the industry have little experience, exposure, or knowledge of what is happening outside their boundaries. They don't know or understand how readers are connecting with independent writers. They aren't at the forefront of the change. They still need to be told where to look.
(Aside: Also, as a middle-aged woman, I have extensive experience with such comments. After all, I grew up hearing, "That's really good, for a girl!" and being told that should be taken as a great compliment. The trade-publishing folks who using "Well done, for self-publishing!" also think they are being progressive and complimentary. It'll pass.)
Speaking of gender perceptions, Women You Should Know delivers a fabulous interview with the woman who, as a child, was featured in the 1981 LEGO ad with such a positive message about creativity in childhood that had nothing to do with gender. Rachel Giordano speaks well to the issue of today's gendered toys, and how easy it is for those toy-imposed messages to affect choices of life and career.
Lastly, and back to the writing front, I offer you the blog post What Agents, Editors, and Art Directors Look For Online. Alack and alas, I discover upon reading it that I would be a terrible prospect for an agent or editor. I've written things that might be divisive! I've discussed the publication process! I've told people when my books are on sale! I share some things from my personal life! If you really want to delve into it, there is one anonymous response that goes into great detail about what the person wants to find and avoid in someone's social media presence. And, to add a dash of humor, there is a survey respondent who doesn't really want to be reminded that writers might research their online presence as well because they "don't like the feeling."