Last week Overlook published the hardcover edition of CNET editor David Carnoy’s debut novel KNIFE MUSIC, a book that has otherwise existed only in digital formats. Our foray into the experimental world of self-publishing has certainly raised some industry eyebrows – a derisive colleague asks, “Self publishing? Really? You encourage that?”
We do. Not only does Overlook encourage the integration of new technologies into the world of publishing, but it seems that Carnoy’s novel and its journey from mobile app to printed book has struck a chord with reviewers and press throughout the media. Below are some recent stories on KNIFE MUSIC, Carnoy’s success as a self-publisher, and the future of printed media as it collides with interventions in new digital technologies:
Recently Carnoy guest edited an article on Publishing Perspectives (read it here) and discussed self-promotion in the age of self-publishing.
Gizmodo covered Carnoy’s relationship with iPhone Apps – in 2008 the App Store rejected Knife Music for objectionable content. Now, backed by Overlook, a new app has been accepted, naughty language and all. Read the full article here.
A few days ago Carnoy was on Media Bistro’s Morning Media Menu radio show offering his opinion on eBooks, self-publishing, and landing a book deal. His full interview is here.
David penned a letter to Steve Jobs that was posted on the Huffington Post, thanking the Apple exec for rejecting Knife Music, which may or may not have led to his book deal. Read it in its entirety here.
Knife Music is now available as a free iPhone App, downloadable at the Apple store. It’s been nabbed more than 400 times in less than two weeks. There is also a teaser available on Scribd (click here!) which has received more than 6,000 reads.
New Yorkers can meet Carnoy this Thursday when he makes an appearance at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble for a reading and signing at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there!
There’s an interesting article in today’s Wall Street Journal from Joanne Kaufman—Authors: Where Do I Sign? It talks about the delicate balancing game publishers face when setting up author signings, and it’s definitely something that we deal with on an everyday basis here at Overlook. While we recommend reading it in full, here are a few excerpts, with our thoughts.
"Which authors get to sign at which New York locations is a tricky gavotte involving publishers, chain bookstores and other venues. In fact, independent bookstores or locales like the 92nd Street Y are sometimes more appropriate perches."
As an independent publisher, we particularly like working with independent bookstores. Their specialties and dedicated staffs are always a joy, and the unique personality of each bookstore can work really well with many of our authors.
However, working with Barnes & Noble and Borders is a crucial part of our jobs. Getting to know the big locations of their stores, particularly in Manhattan, is one of the first things every publicist learns to do. Their staff works extremely hard to accommodate our preferences and needs (and will also sell books off-site at events, which means those sales will be reported to best-seller lists—huge bonus!) and it’s an efficient and friendly business model.
“It's not that certain branches confer more bragging rights than others, according to literary agent Laurence Kirschbaum. It's just that certain branches are simply better for certain types of books. "There are definitely uptown authors and subjects and downtown authors and subjects," he said. "A lot of it has to do with where a writer has most of his posse. Thus, you're not going to put the latest Tea Party author at the B&N at 82nd and Broadway," Mr. Kirschbaum continued, alluding to the store in the heart of the famously liberal Upper West Side.
This rings particularly true to us. Even a chain store will have its own personality, whether it’s in terms of size, accessories (the Lincoln Triangle B&N has a piano and excellent video equipment), or the surrounding neighborhood. An author who’s a West Village or Upper East Side resident or native will often get the best response there.
“Whatever the location, "the key thing is the network the author can call on to show up," said Mr. Kirschbaum. Indeed, Ms. Gottlieb's publisher asked about the size of her mailing list and the number of people she thought she could recruit for her event. "And they had to provide that to Borders to justify why they should have me there," said the author, who ended up with a respectable crowd of 100.”
Interesting anecdotes: that sports books often get the lunch slot at the Wall Street borders, and that it’s no coincidence celebrity books are usually at the biggest B&N, in Union Square—there’s capacity for over 1,000 people.
Anyways, whether you’re an aspiring author, a harried publicist, or a reader who enjoys meeting and greeting authors, this article delves into an important part of book marketing and publicit
