On reading
Reading about reading:
Elizabeth Bluemle queries a group of authors on how they stay on task and offline when they are trying to read, research, or write. Answers range from not using a computer to scheduling Facebook reward time, to just plain failing.
For those who grapple with wanting to feel “well-read,” Timothy Aubry reviews The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction by Alan Jacobs. Aubry wrestles against his prejudices but finds Jacobs's book itself an easy read. I’m in the camp of reading whatever interests you in the moment, and I often apply that to writing, too.
Here’s an unpleasant surprise that probably shouldn’t be surprising. Amazon is now confronted with self-published spam infiltrating its Kindle shelves. “Amazon pays authors 70 percent to 35 percent of revenue for e-books, depending on the price. That gives spammers a financial incentive to focus on this new outlet.” Solutions include delaying payment to authors, curating content, or charging a fee to upload e-books.
