Deadpub Hollywood China

Deadpub, Hollywood, and China

The death of oldpub and the implosion of Hollywood are two subjects that get a lot of play in the new counterculture. Newpub authors and anti-woke film critics alike have come to resemble End Times preachers interpreting the Book of Revelations to mean the eschaton is right around the corner.…
May 16, 20242 Comments
Publisher

How to Think Like a Publisher

Uncomfortable conversation time. You may not want to hear it, but a lot of folks in the newpub scene shoot themselves in the foot by calling  themselves "indie authors." Don't feel bad. I made the same mistake at first. And it is a mistake. Because as the name implies, newpub…
May 15, 20241 Comment
Tolkien vs Sanderson Magic

Sanderson v Tolkien, Magic v Sacrament

Authors Brandon Sanderson and J.R.R. Tolkien are both kings of epic fantasy. So it should be no surprise that both receive their fair share of mentions here. Catholic podcaster Aaron Irber gives us a reason to discuss both of these literary giants thanks to his recent post on Substack. There…
May 14, 20244 Comments
Holes in Publishing

Elle Griffin: Shooting Holes in Oldpub

My valued neopatrons called my attention to this viral Substack post by author and editor Elle Griffin. In it, she shares facts that came to light in the US government's recent suit against oldpub giants Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster. The main takeaway is that publishing house representatives…
April 25, 202414 Comments
Star Wanderers

Introducing Star Wanderers

Author JD Cowan introduces his latest swashbuckling sci fi adventure! Detective Ronan Renfield is a Galactic Enforcer sworn to protect the innocent and bring evil-doers to justice to maintain order throughout the stars. The Agent is a nameless knight errant tasked with hunting the most brazenly wicked and blasphemous who…
April 24, 2024
Brandon Sanderson BackerKit

King Brandon Does it Again

In yet another definitive win for him—and Neopatronage—Fantasy King Brandon Sanderson has shattered a second crowdfunding record. Brandon Sanderson, the bestselling author known for his epic fantasy novels, has already raised more than $16 million on crowdfunding platform BackerKit since launching it earlier this week. Related: Neopatron Brandon It should…
April 23, 20249 Comments
Gate No Walls

No Gatekeepers Where There Are No Walls

My cherished Neopatrons and I were discussing the phenomenon of the indie author who goes back to signing with publishers. It's been fascinating to see this regression to the oldpub model the minute some realize the newpub model is obsolete. Falling back on the even more obsolete yet familiar instead…
April 22, 202412 Comments
World Building 1

How to Handle World Building

The one element that distinguishes science fiction and fantasy from the other flavors of adventure fiction is world building. If you’re a new SFF writer, learning how to craft vivid secondary worlds is a crucial skill. And mastering it takes finesse as well as creativity. But it’s not as daunting…
April 19, 20245 Comments
King Brandon

Audible Bows the Knee to King Brandon

At the beginning of this year, we covered Brandon Sanderson's dispute with audio book monopolists Audible. The epic fantasy king and neopatronage pioneer announced his intention not to publish the audio versions of his $40 million crowdfunded books through Audible. His stated reason? That the Amazon subsidiary failed to offer…
March 6, 20244 Comments
7 Wonders

Seven Wonders: Now on Audible

William Hastings, author of the highest selling paranormal wrestling novel ever written - and my talented editing client - has some exciting news: Seven Wonders, the larger-than-life sequel to Vatican Championship Wrestling, is now available on Audible! Read by wrestler/commentator/vocalist Matt Rehwoldt (FKA Aiden English) There's never been a better…
March 1, 20241 Comment