The Cif community challenges its writers – and can change their minds | Seth Freedman

Georgina Henry's kind but firm encouragement to go below the line on my pieces has transformed my life as well as my idealsFor a wide-eyed, wannabe writer, being cast into the Cif lions' den induced fear and pride in equal measure. The chance to contribute to such a paradigm-shifting project was one any budding journalist would jump at, but at the same time there was no hiding from the army of commenters ready to tear each and every article to shreds in the threads below. And since I was writing about the most incendiary topic under the Cif sun, the venom and vitriol would start flying from the minute the publish button was pressed on each of my pieces.Despite alarmingly inauspicious beginnings – ending my debut BTL comment with a sneering "Whatever mate – I write, you read …" – it soon became apparent that the Cif process was a two-way street. The site's original editor, Georgina Henry, encouraged me to participate in the threads from day one, telling me firmly but kindly that venturing below the line was "more than good form – they expect it". To her and her burgeoning ranks of readers and commenters, writers' jobs had only just begun when their pieces were put up on the site; the real work took place in the lengthy and vociferous threads that followed.No sooner had I started joining in the debate I found – like so many others – that I just couldn't stop. The addictive nature of the Cif beast meant I always wanted to respond, forever craved the last word, couldn't help... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #earliest days #crude prototype

Other Publishing stories related to: 'The Cif community challenges its writers – and can change their minds | Seth Freedman'


Why all writers are vain

I’ve met, interviewed and shared stages with many authors over the years, and seen all too many signs of pride and oversensitivity to criticism. There is an inherent egotism in believing your voice matters – but that’s no reason not to put pen to paperMany years ago, when I had just started... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-02-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #put pen #recently appeared


Social media conference ahead of Digital Minds

The London Book Fair (LBF) is extending its Publishing for Digital Minds conference, with the first social media conference to focus on trends in global publishing. The virtual conference, named “Around the World in 8 Hours”, will take place throughout the day from 9 a.m. on 18th March across... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #global publishing #digital minds #virtual conference #18th march


Why Writers Need to Know the Publishing Business

Publisher Deborah Emin argues that as publishing professionals, we should want writers to understand each stage of the process: how they are acquired, marketed and sold. The post Why Writers Need to Know the Publishing Business appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing business #publishing professionals


Chapman: S&S UK's 'challenging' year

S&S UK has seen a "challenging year" which has not been helped by a number of staffing changes, its c.e.o Ian Chapman has told The Bookseller.  The c.e.o and publisher of S&S UK and International was speaking following the release of S&S's global results by its parent company CBS on... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #challenging year #ian chapman #ss uk #sales drop #operating profit


Susan Golomb Joining Writers House

Veteran literary agent Susan Golomb, whose clients include Jonathan Franzen and William T. Vollmann, will be starting at Writers House on March 1. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #writers house


Women writers dominate Waterstones kids' shortlist

Female authors account for the vast majority of this year’s Waterstones Children’s Book Prize this year, with 15 of the 18 titles written by women (see full shortlists below). The prize is divided into three categories – best illustrated book, best fiction for 5-12s and best book for teens –... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book prize #illustrated book #vast majority #waterstones children #books shortlisted #steve antony #rob biddulph


Proposed changes in copyright law could render online music streaming more expensive

Late last week, the United States Copyright Office released a report recommending sweeping reforms to the existing music licensing system, which is a labyrinthine mess of outdated regulations (because most of them were established before the Internet age).Titled “Copyright and the Music... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2015-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #internet age


Male writers feature on RNA shortlists

Three male authors are among the many writers shortlisted for the Romantic Novel Awards 2015 (full lists below), which are traditionally overwhelmingly dominated by women. Stephen Burke is shortlisted in the Historical Romantic Novel category for his novel The Good Italian by (Hodder &... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #romantic comedy #male authors #hodder stoughton


BBC changes ending of Casual Vacancy

The BBC has changed the “bleak” ending of J K Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy for its TV adaptation, due to be screened this month. Screenwriter Sarah Phelps told the Telegraph that she had had to come up with a redemptive ending for the story, set in the fictional village of Pagford. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #casual vacancy #tv adaptation


Little, Brown Turns Community Site into New Imprint

Launched in 2013, Novl is a community website that was set up to be a central location for the social media activities of authors at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #community website #central location #brown books #young readers


International Press Community Condemns 'Spurious' Closure of The East African

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Nation Media Group, the International Press Institute and prominent African journalist Joseph Odindo support The EastAfrican, and say that e ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #world association #news publishers #protect journalists


Changes to HBG Sales Unit; Epstein Named V-P

Dave Epstein has been promoted to v-p of retail sales, and will oversee sales of both adult and children's books to all traditional retail accounts. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #retail sales


B&N Names 2014 Discover Great New Writers Finalists

The program, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, recognizes great fiction and nonfiction debuts from authors at the start of their careers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-02-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #25th anniversary


On Writers and Writing review – Margaret Atwood on her profession

Drawing on her panoramic reading and her experiences of the authorly life cycle, Atwood surveys her trade with a mix of seriousness and gentle fun“You may find the subject a little peculiar,” warns Margaret Atwood, before she discusses the writer’s relationship with mortality. “It is a little... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #life cycle #publishing industry #works hard


Changes on Board for NCIBA

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association president Calvin Crosby has resigned his position, now that he has joined McSweeney's as marketing director. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #marketing director


North Carolina Indies Build Lists, Community

North Carolina is home to a growing number of independent presses that publish in diverse subjects and categories. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #north carolina #growing number #independent presses


Check it Out with Andrew Richard Albanese: Why Do People Challenge Books?

For many, the tragic events in Paris have highlighted the importance of free expression. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #free expression


New Fantasy Writers and Internet-Haters Dominate Our Favorite Books This Month

While January can suffer from a post-holiday publication lull, it's a great time room for cooler, less conventional reads. The post New Fantasy Writers and Internet-Haters Dominate Our Favorite Books This Month appeared first on WIRED. Continue reading at Wired

[ Wired | 2015-01-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #month appeared #fantasy writers


Inside the Mind of Moses: PW Talks with Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg

Biblical scholar Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg trains her trademark lens on the Book of Numbers, using psychoanalytic concepts to understand the story of the people of Israel wandering in the wilderness. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this |


Diana Gabaldon, Poisoned Pen Launch Writers' Program

The bestselling author has partnered with her local bookstore on a writer-in-residence program in Scottsdale, Ariz. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-01-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #diana gabaldon #bestselling author #local bookstore