Publishing News -- 12/7/2008

We're entering what promises to be a long, difficult period. The Internet provides an excellent opportunity to market and touch people who might need help or be in the position to help you. It seems more important than even to develop both traditional and online networking skills.

As a result, I intend to devote a portion of this blog to social networking and the opportunities it provides beoth for publishing and for building a network in case a job goes away.

Publishing and the Economy
All the Bad News in One Spot -- The midweek layoffs, salary freezes, and general bad news in the publishing industry.

Wall Street Walks Away from Newspapers -- Most major newspapers trade at less than $10 per share.

The Death of the Middle -- It's not the big books or little books that doom publishers; it's the books in the middle.

Behind Publishing's Wednesday of the Long Knives -- Publishing's business model simply doesn't work.

Wall Street Journal Says Advertising Recovery Has Begun -- AAlthough there are no numbers to substantiate this claim, it's good news...or a mirage.

Content and the Business
Patricia Cornwell on the Future of Crime Fiction -- Although she considers her part of the cause of the problem, she doesn't like what she sees.

Gender Bias in Fiction? -- Author Michelle Gagnon ponders whether there's more encouragement for male writers.

CNN Launches Site with User-Produced Content -- Outside monitoring for inappropriate content, CNN keeps its hands off ireport.com.

Coping in a Down Economy
Ten Essential Steps to Take before You're Laid Off -- Anyone who's been laid off knows how hopeless it feels. These steps might make the process easier if it happens to you, and might help you avoid it.

Five Ways Web Professionals Should be Proactive in a Recession -- Timely advice for anyone, not just web pros.