fiction with a dark edge
A particular form of story popular in the Victorian era became known as the “penny dreadful,” which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about it. Often these stories, detailing lurid crimes or scandalous activities, were cheaply printed so as to be available for a penny to a mass audience. They weren’t intended... Continue Reading →
Recognition Awards for independent and self-published books are tricky business. The Internet is awash with shady characters more interested in taking your money than giving you recognition. I know; I have fallen for a few scams. In fact, I think I can say that in most cases, the more you’re asked to pay, the shadier... Continue Reading →
Above is one of my favorite indie bookstores, Kepler's in Menlo Park, CA. It also happens to be the location of many fantastic literary events through its nonprofit arm and where I read at Story is the Thing last October. Last year was the first I learned that the last Saturday in April is Independent... Continue Reading →
Tell me about your favorite books As I mentioned in my last post, I've spent a lot of time on marketing activities recently. Which means I've watched a ton of book marketing Webinars, signed up for a gazillion email lists, and experimented madly. (If you're interested in some of the resources I've discovered, see below.)... Continue Reading →
Once upon a time, writers wrote, marketers marketed, and readers read. Alas, I missed out on the days when authors primarily paid attention to their craft and the art of storytelling. Now the line between content producers and content promoters has blurred, if not disappeared. The idea of what it means to be an “author”... Continue Reading →
AUDREY KALMAN 