Welcome back. After last week’s discussion about character vs nature, I hope you managed to work some weather into your current work in progress. In this episode we’re discussing character vs society. The Writing Break cafe is open, so let’s grab a drink and settle into the Overthinking Couch. 

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

We’re discussing publishing news today, including what’s trending in books. We’re also talking about the fascinating literary conflict of character versus nature.

• Generative AI reduces the collective diversity of novel content
• Report Finds Customer Traffic Rising at Barnes & Noble
• Shelf Awareness for Friday, July 12, 2024 | Shelf Awareness
• K-lytics Historical Fiction Market Report
• K-lytics Sports Romance Report
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

The literary conflict of character versus character seems simple enough, right? Two characters are pitted against each other in some way. This clash can be physical or mental, but it’s best when it’s a bit of both . . . or a lot of both.

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

Today we are talking about the literary conflict known as character versus self.

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

Whether or not you seek to avoid conflict in real life, avoiding conflict in your writing will make for a boring book.

For the first half of this season we are covering conflict as a literary device and taking a close look at the seven different types. I’ll offer examples, I’ll discuss how conflict should guide your story, and I’ll explain how more than of these conflicts can be at play within your manuscript. 

• Has the DEI Backlash Come for Publishing? - The Atlantic
• WSJ | Kindle is the new must-have accessory (again)
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

I discuss the new format for the show moving forward and how I talk myself out of having imposter syndrome.

• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

Thank you to everyone who filled out the Listener Feedback Survey. I am in the process of reviewing and revising the show’s format accordingly, but there is still a little bit of time to complete our survey and tell me what to do. Check the show notes for a link to the survey, and remember that all responses are anonymous and highly appreciated. For now, it’s review time again.

• Writing Break Listener Feedback Survey - Please complete this survey.
• The Art of the Mini Sales Pitch: How to Subtitle Your Book So People Will Read It ‹ Literary Hub
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks

Today we are wrapping up our series on how to write better than AI and insisting on our cup of stars. Please remember to fill out the Writing Break survey. The feedback we're receiving is changing the format of the show. Thank you!

• Association of American Literary Agents - Association of American Literary Agents
• K-lytics Fantasy Romance Report and Market Seminar Video
• Warner Music Loses Appeal In Supreme Court Case Over Copyright Infringement
• Sights and Insights from the 2024 U.S. Book Show
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

"Sideway Love (Backtrack)" by Yagull Music

"Tropical Dance" by Sondé

We have a Listener Feedback Survey for you today in addition to our usual publishing news and writing tips. We appreciate you taking a minute to complete the survey.

• Writing Break Listener Feedback Survey - Please complete this survey.
• Bloomberg - Are you a robot?
• Farshore Annual Review
• Judge a Book by its Edges | Barnes & Noble
• How to get kids to read for fun: People who work on middle-grade books have some ideas.
• Yes, People Do Buy Books
• PEN America Cancels 2024 World Voices Festival
• Readers Take Denver 2025 conference canceled after "Fyre Festival of books"
• Authors Guild Supports FTC's Proposed Ban on Non-Compete Clauses - The Authors Guild
• FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes | Federal Trade Commission
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

“No More Phone Calls” by The Turquoise Moon

“Feel good laid back jazz piano” Gerardo Garcia Jr

It’s break time, writers. We have a lot of publishing news to get through today, and we’re continuing with our four-part series on how to write better than AI.

• 10 Things Author-Publishers Should Know About Amazon Advantage
• AI book publishing platform Spines raises $6.5M to disrupt centuries-old industry - SiliconANGLE
• Fake AI law firms are sending fake DMCA threats to generate fake SEO gains | Ars Technica
• The Bookseller - News - Trade debates shift towards shorter books for children
• How One Author Pushed the Limits of AI Copyright | WIRED
• PEN America Cancels 2024 Literary Awards Ceremony
• Free Style Sheet Templates
• Free Writing Tips

Music licensed from Storyblocks:

“More Jam Please” by Raighes Factory

“Gazing Out of a Café Window on a Rainy Day” by The Turquoise Moon

“Jazz You Up” by Julian Gross