Beatless

I'm never quite sure what to blog about these days. The reason I like the idea of publishing is not so much that I like books (though goodness knows I own enough of them) but that I like what's inside books. I like escaping into a story and I love learning things. But that's storytelling and the whole wide world of knowledge; most of it has little or nothing to do with the art and act of publishing and so isn't necessarily of direct interest to anyone who comes to this page. Most of it has nothing to do with any of our titles; it's much more to do with what's going on in my head. And the feedback we get often focuses on what people don't like rather than what they do which puts tentative crosses against a few of my regular topics but doesn't add any.
That's not to say I don't have facts and theories to share about publishing, but because of the way my brain works they tend to be either unashamedly* technical explorations of publishing processes or highly abstract musings on how the strategy of media industries might evolve. And these aren't things that light most people's fires. In fact that sort of thing might even be driving some of you away, which would make it a very questionable use of my time.
But I do think some visitors are interested in the mechanics of storytelling, so I might continue to kick that subject around. I'm particularly wrapped up in learning about screenwriting at the moment and I think that world has a lot to teach mainstream novel writers, both by positive example and by cautionary tale. Otherwise, I think I'm probably without blogging portfolio at the moment. So if any of the things I've written about in the last few years suddenly gives you an idea of what you'd like to encounter more of here, then please comment away. In the meantime, it's time to start a new post and share with you my feelings about the TV show Demons.
*OK, slightly ashamedly
Comments: 6
I wonder if the things you have tentative crosses against are the things that other people especially like? We're always much better at saying what we don't like.
Posted by: fiona robyn on January 30, 2009 01:48 PM
Rob
Actually it is facts and theories about publishing that I visit the Snowblog for. At the moment we get most of them from Emma but would be happy to hear your theories too. As an independent publisher, I find it useful to hear the thoughts of other independent publishers.
Posted by: Chris Nichol on January 30, 2009 04:04 PM
You should ask me for the Snowsales password, Chris!
Posted by: Em on January 30, 2009 05:47 PM
BOO! I originally read the title of this post as 'Beatles', and there wasn't a single mention of them. That's what you should write about.
Posted by: Anna on January 30, 2009 06:01 PM
Emma
Thanks. I did think about it but decided not to. I'm not in competition with Snowbooks, so there are no worries there. However I do want to write posts about business models and independent publishers, and wouldn't want to inadvertantly release any commercially sensitive info becasuse I happened to know stuff through Snowsales. It's enough for me thst you occassionally write about your business model anyway.
If I want a comparison figure from Snowbooks and you haven't already put it on your blog, I'll ask you for it directly and you can decide whether or not to give it to me. That way you don't have to worry if I'll blurt out something inappropriate.
If you visit my blog you'll find I'm currently hung up on ebooks. I would certainly be interested to know your and Rob's thoughts about publishing ebooks. I know in theory you're pro the idea but just wonder what you think about them commercially.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Nichol on February 1, 2009 07:49 PM
I must admit, I made the same mistake as Anna. Perhaps it's time to make a foray into music.
Posted by: Auntly H on February 2, 2009 02:19 AM