France establishes ‘fixed price’ model for e-books

Le Monde reports that France has become the first country in Europe to impose a ‘prix unique,’ or fixed price, on e-books. This gives publishing houses the power to set a single price for e-books at which all book sellers must sell each digital copy. The idea of the ‘prix unique’ is to eliminate the ability of large booksellers to undercut smaller ones.

Since 1981, France has had a ‘prix unique’ for physical books. The UK Guardian books podcast notes that there are nearly 800 independent book stores in Paris as compared to only 10 in New York City.

Writing press review

-NPR has a piece on children's book apps.

-Writers Digest has advice on variety in dialogue and on how to start your story better.

-A column in Salon.com warns against too much description of setting.

-A piece in The Atlantic rails against writing how-to manuals.

-Copyblogger.com explores 5 crippling beliefs that hold back writers.

Writing press review

In the wake of the discussion at yesterday's meeting about character, a Glimmer Train essay talks about the topic.

The above essay also touches on the advantages and disadvantages of first person vs third person narration, as does this piece from Writers Digest (which also throws second person into the mix).

WD also had a few other good articles on:

-obstacles to writing productivity;

-obstacles to an effective plot;

-being an effective fiction writer and

-tips for finishing your novel.


Additionally, Gigaom explores e-books from an author's point of view.

Writing press review

Some links to articles and essays that may be of interest to writers (and readers)...

-The NPR program On the Media recently ran a show primarily devoted to reading and the future of the publishing industry;

-Writers Digest blog offered tips for success in YA writing;

-The UK Guardian ran the response of the head of Chicago's public library system to a report by the local Fox TV affiliate questioning whether libraries are still necessary;

-The Guardian also reported on the Society of Authors claim that digital publishing deals are 'not remotely fair' which makes it not good news for writers that...

-... Amazon.com has announced that it now sells more e-books than hardcovers;

-As Kay announced, the Adirondack Center for Writing is doing a unique public writing project in which everyone is invited to participate. For more info, go to the Adirondack Summer Shorts website.