Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.
A note from Jane
Recently I did some reporting on counterfeits, copycats, and fakes in the book publishing market and shared examples of what such books look like at retailers—mostly Amazon.
A writer privately responded, saying, “Jane, it seems this trend will only increase, so nothing to do about it. It’s annoying but would you spend your days chasing these other books? The platform should be supporting that, otherwise choose a different platform to market on. No?”
There is some wisdom in this. You could indeed waste time and energy trying to stamp out infringement or piracy if you went after every case of it, and much remains out of your control. Even big publishers and bestselling authors pick their battles.
But in the last couple years—since the rise of AI—the scope and nature of the problem has changed. Platforms like Amazon, while they initially tried to operate business as usual, have put in place new policies and limitations. There’s now identity verification. “Companion books” (copycats, really) have been limited. And more.
So I responded, explaining Amazon’s recent changes, and added, “To sit back and say nothing, or accept it, doesn’t seem a wise course of action when, in fact, there is much more Amazon can do and should do. Other retailers and distributors don’t have the same level of pollution in their marketplace. Customers should demand better. This is how change happens.”
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When an agent or publisher gets your manuscript they decide quickly if the opening section intrigues them enough to read on — or reject. This free webinar shows you the 3 elements the first 30 pages of your novel or memoir must have to succeed. Hosted by bestselling author and acclaimed book coach Barbara Kyle. Space is limited so reserve your spot now!
Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)
Google NotebookLM: easy-to-use AI tool
Google NotebookLM will appeal to people who already use the Google Suite of tools, particularly Google Docs or Google Drive. Upload your notes, sources, or research, and Google can create summaries, guides, FAQs, and more to assist—all with citations included. You may have heard the buzz about its new feature that automatically generates a podcast conversation between two “people” who discuss the material you upload. Worth a look.
A new social platform for book lovers
I’ve seen many book review and discovery apps come and go, and this one may fade over time like just the others. But it’s worth checking out anyway: Hardcover, available on the web and as an iPhone or Android app. The people behind it want to create an alternative to Amazon’s Goodreads.
Join my free email-based class on how to earn a living from your writing 🤓
Next spring, the second edition of my book, The Business of Being a Writer, will release into the world. To help mark the occasion, I’m offering a free, email-based class on how to earn a living from your writing, no strings attached. Sign up here. It could be a fun and productive series to follow with a writing group or writing partner.
NEXT ONLINE CLASS
Oct. 16: Mastering Trauma Scenes to Improve Your Memoir with Lisa Cooper Ellison
Highly emotional experiences feel significant to our stories, but stories packed with trauma scenes can overwhelm the reader. Furthermore, intense material that’s improperly constructed can take away from your memoir’s main point. This 90-minute class will teach you what trauma scenes are, how their placement affects your story, and how to identify the most important and relevant details for the reader.
In the last issue, I asked you to share a favorite a new book series you’ve picked up this year and recommend. Here’s a selection of what you said.
This isn’t a new series, but it’s new to me. The Three-Body Problem trilogy by Liu Cixin takes the genre of sci-fi beyond the stratosphere, combining physics, astronomy, philosophy, sociology and the history of China’s Cultural Revolution, and weaving them into a 400-year long tale that repeatedly blows your mind. Mr. Cixin has the most amazing imagination I’ve ever encountered in a work of literature. —J Patrick Henry
I love the Unexpected Heroes series by Marty C. Lee. Adventure, friendship, danger, humor, all on another world. She writes ensemble casts and rotates the main characters for each book, so we get different viewpoints. Her fae series is also great, but it’s not finished yet. —Martha Rasmussen
Reni K Amayo’s The Return of the Earth Mother is an enthralling fantasy series set in the Kingdom of Nri (present day Nigeria). Gorgeous story, fantastic world building. —Beks Roen
I loved the Monk & Robot series by Becky Chambers. I think of this as cozy science fiction. —Rochelle Melander
This year I discovered a delightful Milkweed Meadow duology (which I’m hoping yields more books) by author Elaine Dimopoulos. The books feature an anthropomorphic cast of characters led by the meadow’s best storyteller, Butternut the rabbit, and explore themes of trust, friendship and forgiveness. I just adored both books! —Karol Silverstein
I recently read Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes. It was a really fun, intelligent, and humorous book. I know not to judge books by their covers, but this cover is exquisite, and there are illustrations sprinkled throughout the book, too. The next book in the series is called Murder Your Mate, and I am looking forward to it! —Angela L. Eckhart
Always in the pursuit of learning new things I decided I wanted to understand more about quantum mechanics. After reading dozens of Amazon reviews I ran across Carlo Rovelli, an amazing Italian physicist. His Reality Is Not What It Seems along with Seven Brief Lessons On Physics, not to mention The Order of Time are wonderful! They explain the phenomena without getting bogged down in mind numbing mathematical equations. —William Ramshaw
I was mesmerized, hooked, entertained, and swept up by Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. I have yet to pick up the second book in the three-part series, but if you’re at all interested in sci-fi, fantasy, friendship, sorcery, humor, and soul: this one’s for you. Genre-bending and beautiful. —Michael Bowden
I’ve become insanely addicted to Freida McFadden’s books—I started with The Housemaid and am legit plowing through all of them. I listen to them on my hikes and in almost every case the narration is excellent. —Penny Sansevieri
Next question: Do you have a tool or app that helps you keep photos organized (aside from native apps such as Photos on Mac/iPhone)? Let me know. Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.