Plagiarism, ‘book-stuffing’, clickfarms ... the rotten side of self-publishing

Scams are rife, particularly when some authors can rake in thousands each month – but high-profile victims of plagiarism warn ‘day of reckoning is coming’Nora Roberts is one of the world’s most popular authors. She’s written more than 200 novels, tackled topics from romance to murder and sold more than 500m books around the world. And now she’s really, really angry.Roberts is one of dozens of authors who discovered last month that their work had been allegedly plagiarised by a Brazilian romance novelist called Cristiane Serruya. “Leisurely, he began to loosen her hair, working his fingers through it until it pooled over her shoulders. ‘I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you. It’s hair to get lost in,’” runs Roberts’ novel Untamed. Serruya’s Forevermore has it that: “Leisurely, he began to loosen her hair, working his fingers through it until it pooled over her shoulders and cascaded down over her back. ‘I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I saw you.’”This culture, this ugly underbelly of legitimate self-publishing is all about content. More, more, more, fast, fast, fastYou are responsible for ensuring that no tactics used to promote your book manipulate the Kindle publishing serviceThere’s a running joke in romance-land about how we might as well have a drinking game every time a plagiarism scandal pops up Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2019-03-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book world joins forces for charity

Some of Britain's bestselling authors and their publishers are donating their books to raise money for Syrian refugees. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2015-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In Turkey, Small Publishers Have a Chance to Compete

Although translated books dominate Turkish book sales, a growing audience of readers in Turkey means small publishers still have a chance to compete. The post In Turkey, Small Publishers Have a Chance to Compete appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Asks: Which Book Would You Un-Ban?

BannedBooksWeek.org made a list of the 10 most challenged titles of 2014. Which one would you make a case for lots of people reading? Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Virgin Books wins auction for medical detection dogs title

Virgin Books has acquired a title by the founder of Medical Detection Dogs, in a “hotly contested auction”. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The case for publisher subrights teams

In her column, Wrongs of Rights, literary agent Clare Alexander says she believes no rights department in publishing has "the necessary skills any more" to sell rights. Aside from my team, who work incredibly hard to help acquire and then sell our authors to as many territories as possible, I... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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My Job in 5: Helen Chapman, Picture book designer, Penguin Random House UK

Describe your role My job title is picture book designer but people outside the industry always think that I must illustrate all the books! Unfortunately I’m not that talented (though I do a mean stick man) so I end up describing my job as being an editor for the illustrators. Working in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Last chance to book children’s conference tickets

The children’s publishing world has only 24 hours left to book tickets to this year’s Bookseller children’s conference, which is taking place next Tuesday (29th September). The day, themed around the idea of growing the children’s market by invention and reinvention, covers four key areas:... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Indie Bookstores Use Inkshares to Publish Own Anthologies

In a creative use of the platform, crowdfunding publishing site Inkshares has recruited indie bookstores to publish original anthologies with the site. The post Indie Bookstores Use Inkshares to Publish Own Anthologies appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How Kepler's Books Returned to Profitability

Kepler’s bookstore, once on the brink of closing for good, just celebrated its 60th anniversary. Its revival reveals some secrets about how bookstores might work in the future. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After Oyster, What's Next for E-Book Subscriptions?

The shuttering of Oyster, "the Netflix of books," raises questions about the sustainability of the ebook subscription model. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Mollett Leaving U.K.'s Publishers Association

Richard Mollet, chief executive of the Publishers Association, is to step down next year to become head of European Government Affairs at RELX Group (formerly known as Reed Elsevier). Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Book Deals: Week of September 28, 2015

Blue Rider nabs a collection of humorous essays from Annabelle Gurwitch, Amazon’s 47 North buys an urban fantasy series from Sarah Fine, Harlequin signs Gena Showalter, and more in this week's notable book deals. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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PW Picks: Books of the Week, September 28, 2015

This week: Paul Theroux goes south, Ruth Reichl gets cooking, Leigh Bardugo kicks off a new series, and more. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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What Hot Titles U.S. Agents will Be Taking to the 2015 Frankfurt Book Fair

Among the titles expected to draw lots of interest are Anna Quindlen’s new novel, two projects by Karl Ove Knausgaard, an examination of artificial intelligence, and a look back by Cindy Crawford. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Little Book Distributor That Could

Small Press Distribution has carved out an important role in the distribution landscape, filling spaces overlooked by the bigger players through its commitment to independent and small presses. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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How A Quiet, Failed Comic Book Artist Conquered Hollywood's Nightlife Scene

Franki Chan was once unemployed and broke. Today, his IHEARTCOMIX empire works with the likes of The Rolling Stones and Skrillex.Franki Chan is an unlikely nightlife king. Now in his late 30s and softspoken, his big professional ambition earlier in life was to work as a comic book artist. But... Continue reading at Fast Company

[ Fast Company | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A manifesto for a digital book platform

"The future of the book business will certainly be unveiled on a digital platform." Even as some believe that ebooks' progress has been staggered by a retreat to print, Trajectory c.e.o. and co-founder Jim Bryant is undaunted in his vision for the primacy of "relevancy and discovery" inherent in... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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German Book Trade Says #RefugeesWelcome

As the refugee crisis continues and the number of refugees coming into Europe rises, the German book trade has responded with offers of help. The post German Book Trade Says #RefugeesWelcome appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Faster Is Better in Book Distribution

Book distributors are adding warehouse space and upgrades to shave delivery time to bookstores. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jeremy Tarcher dies at 83; maverick publisher of New Age bestsellers

In the early 1960s Jeremy Tarcher packaged book deals for celebrities, which resulted in such comical titles as "Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints" and Johnny Carson's "Happiness Is a Dry Martini." Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2015-09-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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