From Point A to Point B
Yesterday, I referred to a New York Times article that described Kathleen McGowan’s transformation from self-published author to toast of the big-time corporate publishing world. McGowan racked up credit card debt in order to attend the 2005 BEA on her own dime, but this year, with a seven-figure advance in the bank, she signed autographs for an hour and entertained…
continue readingWhat a Difference A Year Makes
The New York Times had an interesting article about Kathleen McGowan. Last year at BEA, McGowan was a self-published author who paid her own way to the convention and “‘had to really beg people to come talk to you.’ Returning to the couple’s hotel room one night, she broke down in tears. ‘I was, like,…
continue readingGood Ole Fashioned Southern Deals
A couple of fine Southern writers sealed up new publishing deals recently. One of my favorites, William Gay, author of I Hate To See That Evening Sun Go Down: Collected Stories Provinces of Night, and The Long Home, sold a new work entitled Twilight to MacAdam/Cage. North Carolina’s Clyde Edgerton sold a book entitled The Bible…
continue readingBEA Final Attendance Figures
Publishers Weekly reported that 22,366 “verified” attendees walked through the doors at BEA this year. I’m not entirely sure how accurate that figure is since some of the ushers were less than enthusiastic about scanning convention goers badges. Some were tyrannical in making you stand in line, show your badge, and get scanned. But others just…
continue readingBest Wishes for Barbaro
Since I grew up in the horse racing industry, everyone I’ve encountered recently wants to talk about Barbaro. My family was about tens of millions of dollars away from The Triple Crown races, but I’ve still felt my share of anxiety, fear, and sadness when a horse is injured. Luckily, as I check the news this evening, the latest…
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