Author-Unfriendly Terms at Autharium
Over the past few weeks I’ve gotten a number of questions and alerts about author-unfriendly Terms and Conditions at Autharium, a new epublishing startup. So I thought I’d check into it myself.
Archive for the ‘SFWA Blog’ Category
Top Authors Contribute to Shared Worlds
Gene Wolfe, Neil Gaiman, Patrick Rothfuss and thirty more of the most imaginative writers, artists and editors from around the world have contributed to Shared Worlds’ “Hand in Hand” a webpage of advice written and photographed on the author’s hand, designed to inspire and motivate new writers.
Great and Not-So-Great Astronomical Moments in Film
I love astronomy and I love to see it used in science fiction, whether it’s in books, movies, or TV. Movies and TV have the biggest audiences and clips are now easy to share with current technology. I want to share some examples I really love, and a few cautionary tales that can serve as teaching moments.
For Those of You Who Are Wondering Why Someone Might Want to Launch a Class Action Lawsuit Against PublishAmerica
Here is an example of the sort of solicitation PublishAmerica authors receive daily (if not more often).
Baltimore Science Fiction Society Opens Amateur Writing Contest
The BSFS Amateur Writing Contest is now open to entries.
To promote the creation of quality genre literature in the state of Maryland, we are holding this contest and encouraging everyone who meets the qualifications to enter.
Solstice Awards
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America are pleased to announce Carl Sagan and Ginjer Buchanan as the recipients of the Solstice Awards for 2012. The Solstice Awards are granted to up to three persons, living or dead, who have consistently had a positive, transformative influence on the genre of science fiction and fantasy.
Random House Announces New Terms at Digital Imprints Hydra, Alibi, Loveswept, and Flirt
Yesterday afternoon, I had a cordial conversation with Allison Dobson, Director of Digital Imprints at Random House, about the the recent controversy over deal terms at Hydra, Alibi, Loveswept, and Flirt.
Another Class Action Suit Launched Against PublishAmerica
I wasn’t optimistic that I would ever be writing a post like this, after the class action filed last year against PublishAmerica was dismissed.
However, on January 31, 2013, the Maryland law firm Z Law and the New York law firm Giskan Solotaroff Anderson & Stewart (the same firm that is currently investigating Author Solutions Inc.) filed an amended complaint (the original complaint was filed last November) against Willem Meiners, Larry Clopper, and PublishAmerica LLLC on behalf of Diana Waterman, Jennifer Grant, Danita Clemons, and the class of PA authors in similar situations.
SFWA Response to Hydra Letter
Thank you for your letter regarding Random House and Hydra, and your interest in speaking with us.
Unfortunately, there is very little to discuss. SFWA has determined to its own satisfaction that Hydra does not meet our minimum standards for a qualifying market, as its contract does not offer an advance.
SFWA De-Lists Hydra; Random House Responds
Following on my post last week about unattractive deal terms at Random House’s new digital-only imprint, Hydra, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has determined that Hydra will not be a qualifying market for SFWA membership.
