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This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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The publishing business, including the writing part, is in flux. Recession impacts publishers, which is limiting the number of authors accepted. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, with its confusion, vagueness, and broad, sweeping requirements also has influence on publishing,including authors.
In order to understand what is going on in the world of publishing, we must be informed and stay informed.
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Keeping Up with Publishing
A writer I know, a former attorney who was able to retire at a rather young age, attends writing conferences and reads extensively to keep up with the publishing situation since he wants to be published. I've done some editing of his work, and he is an excellent author. When we visited last week, before he and his wife took off for a long vacation in Hawaii, he said he's hearing, in numerous places by people who know, that anyone not already published probably never will be.
From my reading and from what people I know in the industry, the recession-nearly-depression has a huge impact on the publishing business. The major houses are cutting back on staff, number of manuscripts accepted, and number of accepted authors. They want established authors, well-known authors, authors whose names will attract book buyers. The publishers are wanting and needing changes in the book selling process, too, but whether or not those will happen remains to be seen (and would be the topic of another newsletter).
Fewer books are bought as the economy worsens, so large, medium, and small publishers are facing financial troubles. Without sales, presses receive even less income when the profit margin is small enough under the best of circumstances. Fewer books and sales means the need for fewer authors and manuscripts.
Small presses were and are trying to help new authors begin their writing careers, but they are most harmed by a new law, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, a law with the best of intentions but with many harmful actual effects. All items manufactured for children twelve years of age and under must be tested for lead and a few other hazardous materials. Important, very much so.
The problem lies in the vague, broad range, and confusing wording of the act. For example, since we're talking about publishing, the law includes books, something that doesn't contain lead or other hazardous materials -- even books imported from overseas. Every component that goes into a book is tested already, but the law does not accept those test results. The act requires that publishers (who have no control over the materials used in books) pay for tests to prove their products are not guilty. The testing is extensive and expensive.
What happens if this law continues on the current path of implementation, which goes into effect February 10, 2009, just a few weeks away? Many small presses are already preparing to close their doors. Others are dropping children's and middle grade books. Large publishing houses will test and pass the cost on to customers, causing the cost of children's books to rise drastically. However, according to Publisher's Weekly, some major houses don't know if they will survive another financial blow.
Where do the problems facing the publishing industry leave writers? With very few choices or chances to be published at this time. Hopefully, conditions will change, but we need to know what happens so we can be prepared.
One way to be informed is to read publications such as Publisher's Weekly (http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6627969.html?desc=topstory}. The online version is free. Also PW has a children's division, Children's Bookshelf (http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6629950.html?talk_back_header_id=65801...} also free online.
Another way to know what is happening is to be a member of groups or forums dealing with writing and publishing. I first discovered the problem concerning CPSIA on a Yahoo listserver called CBPublishing (CB = Children's Book).
Hopefully, the problems facing publishing today will lessen and soon. Only time will tell.
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Words from Our Readers
Thank you for all the feedback after my December issue. I'm fighting a migraine, have for days now, so may not have individual replies. Even so, I read and appreciate each comment.
Shen Wasuno 
I really, really needed to read this newsletter... And I don't even live in The USA...! A nice incentive, for me to start pushing the notion that a distant dream may not be all that distant.
twig
For someone who plans on searching for a publisher eventually, but has not yet done so, this advice was incredibly helpful. Thank you!
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth 
This NL is AWESOME!
Dan
This is the first issue I've read, it has a ton of excellent information.
Thanks!
Jason Clayton
Well said. I almost got scammed by the NY Literary Agency. I did send in some money, but when my parents threatened with the authorities, they sent it back.
Brandiwynš¶ 
Very good info, Viv.  Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Franki
I'm very new at this writing business, so I really appreciated this newsletter. I find it's almost like learning to swim. I'm in about toe deep right now.
Joshiahis
This was a great newsletter. Cultivating information like this is an important thread to living out that dream of being published.
~Lee
Thanks again. I'm always glad to know if something I've written helps anyone.
Viv |
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For Authors: January 21, 2009 Issue [#2835]
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