A note from Jane
I rarely enjoy talking on the phone and my feelings about it align with Gen Z, the infamous avoiders of phone conversations. A psychologist explained the aversion to the BBC recently: “Phone calls are more exposing and require a higher level of intimacy whereas messaging is detached and allows you to connect without feeling vulnerable or exposed.”
My mom doesn’t like talking on the phone either, so we never have phone conversations. But once she started using an iPad more than 10 years ago, she took to texting right away. Now we text most days of the week, to share articles or funny things we see online.
The most valuable thing that texting has given us, unexpectedly, is the emoji. That tiny little expression of emotion has empowered us to communicate feelings that we’re otherwise unable to express. (We have a complicated history.) While other people might consider it a sad replacement for a heart-to-heart call or in-person interaction, emojis allow our disabled hearts to open up with ease. There are no “I love yous,” but there are always ❤️❤️❤️
Jane
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Amanita Design: Czech video game company
A reader, Gabe, recently wrote in, “I’m always sad to read someone, especially an avid writer or reader say, I’m not a gamer, but… You never hear them say I don’t read books or I don’t watch films or I never look at a painting. It’s always video games. … And yet the writing, the experiences, the art in many games are incredible.”
Gabe’s comments reminded me of a video game company that my husband loves: Amanita Design. They are works of art. Treat yourself or someone else.
Gift idea for the cook in your life
If you know a cook who owns lots of cookbooks, they are likely to be delighted by an app that allows them to search their entire collection at once. Check out Eat Your Books (also known as the CookShelf app), which costs $40 for a year. You don’t get the recipe outright, but instead the cookbook title and page number where the recipe can be found.
Another teleprompter tool recommendation
In a recent issue, I mentioned that I started using the Teleprompter Pro app on my phone for recording vertical videos. Reader Howard Cohen wrote in, “One of my editors introduced me to the Elgato Prompter. It’s basically a one-way mirror with a monitor under it and you put your camera in the back of it. The one-way mirror shows you the screen image or your rolling teleprompter content and since you’re looking at it while reading, you are also looking directly into the camera and achieving eye contact with your viewers. Remarkably inexpensive for what it is, and with all the great video work you’re doing, may be a great solution for you.” I am tempted!
Authors: see if your books are part of the record-setting Anthropic settlement
On October 2, a database went live that allows authors and other rightsholders to definitively determine if their work is part of the class-action lawsuit against AI company Anthropic. This is the only official database that can tell you what works are included; no prior database you might have consulted was final or official.
The settlement payout could be quite significant: as much as $3,000 per title. It only takes a minute to check for your titles. Many authors should also receive a formal notice in the mail.
Don’t know anything about the Anthropic case? Here is a FAQ from the Authors Guild. They are also hosting a free Zoom session next week if you want to learn more and ask questions.
One of my books is in the database and I filed a claim. If your books are in the database but you want to object to the settlement, or if you want to exclude yourself from the settlement, you must notify the court or administrator of the case. Instructions can be found here.
Hybrid Publishing Versus Self-Publishing with Jane Friedman / Oct. 16, 1–2:30 p.m. EDT
Hosted by Writer’s Digest: Once an author steps away from the traditional publishing path (whether by choice or necessity), a whole new decision tree comes into play. Do you want to undertake the self-publishing process? Do you want to pay a company to assist you? Or would it be better to consider hybrid publishers? It’s natural to feel a lot of pressure over this choice, since the costs can be substantial.
Jane Friedman covers everything you need to know about the self-publishing, hybrid publishing, and paid publishing services landscape, in plain English. You’ll come away with a clear picture of how these companies work, how they differ from each other, and how it all compares to what professional, self-publishing authors do.
Your turn: host gifts
In the last issue, I asked you what you like to bring your host when visiting someone else’s home. Here’s a selection of what you said.
- I tend to ask the host directly, that way I avoid bringing them something they won’t use, drink, like, etc. I’m Australian and live in an amazing wine region, so I often bring a bottle from my favourite vineyard for the hosts. If I’m staying with someone as a house guest I offer to take them out to dinner (or buy a nice takeaway) to say thanks for hosting me. —Melanie
- If it’s the first time at someone’s house, I bringa small houseplant. When so many guests arrive with odd bottles of wine, unwanted side dishes, or flowers that need to be cut and put into a vase, a little houseplant stands out. It’s no fuss when you hand it off to your host, and it’s a gift that lasts and grows. One caveat: If I find out the household has a cat, I won’t bring a houseplant. I know cats like to gnaw on plants and can get sick on them. —Cynthia Gallaher
- My go-to is usually food … I aim for local items, and usually pack them in a cute, reusable grocery bag. Trader Joe’s bags are covered in local icons, which can be fun. —Cheryl Bailey
- Our favorite gift of the moment is a tire gauge/inflator! Instantly measured and fills tires to correct fullness. So many gas stations do not keep their air pumps maintained. Boring but handy. —Rebecca Rosenberg
- If they’re dog lovers, I bring dog-lover pens. Five high-quality ballpoint pens with sayings like “Tell your dog I said hi” on them. I’ve already bought a set for a trip back east in October. If they’re cat lovers, like yourself, I don’t know what to do. —Debby Mayer
- I make and jar many things throughout the year. Fruit in season becomes jam. Fresh pecans become spiced nuts for salads and snacking. In the fall, salted caramel sauce and hot fudge for ice cream. You get the idea. —Cathy Lewis
- If you search “hostess Hygge box gifts” on Etsy, you’ll find tons of charming options—some even customizable. They let you gift that “warm-and-cozy” feeling everyone craves. —Jenifer Vogt
- Our go-to is the Zeroll ice-cream scooper. ... If they are especially good friends, we will also bring Fabbri Amarena cherries, which take any ice cream from tasty to out-of-this-world, even or especially plain vanilla. —Sandhya Jain-Patel
Next question: Is there a book you regret not reading sooner? Hit reply and let me know.
Do you have a question you would like Jane to ask all readers? Offer up your suggestion, and she might feature it.
Free resources featuring Jane
Upcoming online classes
Meet Jane at an event
- Red Pencil Conference (Seattle metro area), Nov. 8, 2025
- Books by the Banks (Cincinnati, OH), Nov. 15, 2025
- IPNE Conference (online only), Feb. 20–21, 2026
- AWP Conference (Baltimore, MD), March 4–7, 2026
- Romance Writers of Australia (Darwin, Australia), Aug. 21–23, 2026
“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan
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Created by Jane Friedman
I report on the publishing and help authors understand the business of writing. My industry newsletter is The Bottom Line.
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This weekend: the annual baking of the fruitcake. I stop at step 5. |
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