New reason to surf the blogosphere: Book deals
Take if from a book publisher — the publishing business is changing shape faster than a stick of butter in Paula Deen’s kitchen. But that doesn’t mean that there’s no business in the book business, especially for Tastemakers.
In an article in the International Herald Tribune:
When she started contacting bloggers and talking to them about book deals, many were stunned that a real literary agent was interested in their midnight typings. Her roster was so rich with bloggers, including Matt Welch from Hit & Run and Glenn Reynolds from Instapundit, that the New Yorker profiled her in 2004. Two years from now, the magazine noted, “Books by bloggers will be a trend, a cultural phenomenon.”
And two years after that?
“If I contact someone or someone is put in touch with me, chances are they’ve already been contacted by another agent,” Lee said. “Or they’ve at least thought about turning their blog into a book or some kind of film or TV project.”
It will be difficult for the publisher to make a profit, said Sara Nelson, editor of Publishers Weekly. Doing some back-of-the-envelope math, she figured Random House would have to sell about 75,000 copies, a total that would likely land the book on best-seller lists, to earn back its $300,000 advance.
Blog books are far from a sure thing at the cash register.
Gawker.com spawned the book, “The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media,” which has sold fewer than 1,000 copies since its release in October 2007. A book based on a popular Web site focused on fashion disasters has sold 2,000 copies in its first seven weeks of release, according to Nielsen BookScan.
From a Cookbook perspective however, Lulu.com is moving forward:
Lulu.com Creator Brings Glamour Back to the Kitchen With Cookbook Series to Spice Up Your Life
With all of the blending, simmering and boiling in the kitchen, it is no wonder passion can be found lurking around the fridge or beyond the counter. Blondee, a larger than life personality and successful chef, looks to bring Hollywood style entertaining to kitchens everywhere with the launch of her first cookbook “Glamour in the Kitchen,” which is available exclusively at Lulu.com. Blondee shows anyone how to transform every meal into a romantic event by throwing out the rules, focusing on your strengths and laughing from your soul to generate sparks in the kitchen
