Streamline your agent search

Are you in the market for an agent? You may want to look into AgentInBox. Launched last November, the site is reportedly free--for now. That will change at some point, when the "initial introductory period" ends, though the site specified no date.

A recent Publishers Weekly article talked about the site's growth and the first successful match between 26-year-old YA author and an agent who sold the author's debut novel to Simon & Schuster's Atheneum Books for Young Readers imprint. Not bad for a first attempt.

The PW article didn't mention how many agents participate in AgentInBox, but said only that the number was "growing," which could mean anything. Nor did it mention how many authors have signed up, although I imagine after this bit of news, that number will grow by leaps and bounds.

AgentInBox seems to be on the up and up. According to its web site, it assists authors in preparing "high quality" queries, and then sends the submission out for the authors to "the right" agents. This alone is a huge timesaver.

Other features include tutorials on how to prepare "perfect query letters, manuscript samples, and non-fiction book proposals."

The fact that AgentInBox doesn't charge, and participating agents receive no payment up front makes it seem legit. Do they have a screening process to weed out scam agents? PW didn't say. But, as with any agent search, keep an eye on the Preditors & Editors site to be sure.

Celebrate Read an E-Book Week!

March 7 through 13 is Read an E-Book Week!

If you have any doubt about the success of ebooks, doubt no further. The Association of American Publishers found ebook sales increased 176 percent in 2009. Incredible! Certainly worth celebrating.

Publishers Weekly’s eBook forum, Think Future, recognized the significance of ebooks in the market but unfortunately focused on aesthetics of the format rather than more important issues such as piracy, and how to make ebook profits more equitable to authors. Ironic, since PW recently published findings of "massive piracy" in which publishers lose about $3 billion (yes, with a b) due to illegal sharing. (It is not a compliment to an author to share a book you love. Share it in a review, certainly, but please don't take hard-earned wages from authors by forwarding ebooks to others. Thank you.) Despite warnings, book sites continue to share ebooks illegally.

And though the device may change, ebooks will endure, whether delivered via HTML, PDF, or a mobile phone app. Ebook readers may be in a state of flux, but pre-Christmas Kindle sales pleased Amazon. And the Nook seems to be popular too.

The Book Industry Study Group is conducting the inaugural study of readers' attitudes toward ebooks through July 2010. Those results should prove interesting reading.

Traditional publishing houses such as Random House are staking out their ebook niches, somewhat akin to bulls in a china shop. Just today, Barnes and Noble announced they'd try bundling print and ebooks. Another interesting development to watch.

This video on the Social Media Revolution illustrations the trend toward digital in everything from "friending" people to hiring new employees. The point about advertising is interesting, though somewhat disturbing that marketers would make such choices for us. But that's another issue, for another blog.



If you’re looking for a few suggestions on great ebooks, check out mine! Whichever authors you like, I urge you to support them by buying their ebooks, not just during Read an E-Book Week, but all year.

Second basket o'books

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore will celebrate the first national National Bookstore Day with a giveaway basket of books by central Pennsylvania authors known collectively as The Susquehanna Writers.
Central Pennsylvanians named The Midtown Scholar as the region’s top independent bookstore for six years running.
Publishers Weekly encouraged independent bookstores across the country to celebrate their vibrant culture. Midtown Scholar patrons will have the opportunity to win a basket full of great reads such as:
• The Yellow Stone by T.M. Crone
• It Came from Beyond the Sun by Mike Silvestri (mystery)
• Thy Kingdom Come by Don Helin (military thriller)
• One Soul for Sale by Cate Masters (dark fantasy)
• Picture This by Cate Masters (contemporary women’s fiction)
• The Greater Good by Susan Kelley (fantasy), plus a jeweled book thong
• Spark of Magic by Lily Stone (fantasy; in PDF format on CD)
• Night of the Walrus by Dennis Royer (mystery)
The Midtown Scholar Bookstore has hosted author events for several members of The Susquehanna Writers, including Don Helin and Mike Silvestri. Readers can learn more information about The Susquehanna Writers at http://thesusquehannawriters.blogspot.com.
Bookstore representative Catherine Lawrence agreed to host the giveaway to help the listed authors promote their works and to encourage customers to celebrate National Bookstore Day. “Like other independent bookstores, the Midtown Scholar provides a vital service to the community. We hope residents will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to support local authors and learn about all the Midtown has to offer.”
No purchase is required to enter the giveaway. To enter, visit the Midtown Scholar Bookstore at 1302 North Third Street (across from Broad Street Market) in Harrisburg. The drawing will take place on Nov. 21.
Visit the store online at www.midtownscholar.com.
Below is a photo of the basket (pumpkin not included).