What makes a best seller?

originally posted February 10, 2007
May 2021: revised text is noted

The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories from Authors and the Editors, Agents, and Booksellers Behind Them --by Brian Hill and Dee Power-- is still a valuable resource for authors

Brian Hill and Dee Power wanted to know what makes a book successful. So they researched the concept and published their answers in The Making of a Bestseller: Success Stories From Authors and the Editors, Agents and Booksellers Behind Them. They talked with  … continue reading

“Book Trailers”: A new book promotion technique?

originally posted February 10, 2007
May 2021: reformatted; several links updated; revised text as noted

A new promotional technique known as “book trailers,” or “book teasers,” (think of the so-called trailers that preceed movies to tease us into seeing upcoming films) could be a hot new trend—if it catches on. Book trailers can occasionally be  … continue reading

2007 Newbery and Caldecott winners announced

originally posted February 1, 2007
May 2021: reformatted; one link deleted, one link updated; no text revisions

The American Library Association (ALA) has announced its annual award winners and runners-up for 2007. The anticipated announcements came on January 22 at the association’s mid-winter conference.

Winner of this year’s John Newbery Medal (for outstanding writing in  … continue reading

In memory of Art Buchwald . . .

originally posted January 22, 2007
links updated; no text revisions, May 2021

As an author, editor, educator, and personal historian, I couldn’t not mention the passing of Art Buchwald over the past weekend. I encourage you to venture to this page of NPR’s Web site and read about his life and how he faced his  … continue reading