When I left GalleyCat a couple of years ago the prospect of covering the publishing industry on a daily basis had become something of a grind. There were other projects to pursue - some successful, others less so and hence never discussed publicly - that stuck closer to my beloved genre of crime fiction or flew further afield.
But a funny thing happened in the intervening years: I didn't burn out on publishing. Far from it, as the convergence of a recessed economy, the rise of e-books (even if just in terms of how many stories are published about said rise) and the enthusiasm of many observers and insiders who want to mold publishing into a model that better fits the 21st century all make this a very exciting - albeit disturbing and not-so-occasionally depressing - time for publishing. Twitter helped keep track of that, and occasional stints hosting Publishers Lunch over the last year and a half confirmed I had too much of a personal stake to stay away.
Now comes a new gig: As of last week, I'll be writing about the publishing industry for DailyFinance, AOL's money and finance news blog. There will be short posts (like this and this) when news breaks and longer features every week or two. DailyFinance is a business-oriented site, and so too will my stories for them, which means I can cut loose on more stat-and-numbers geekery and learn more about the twin engines - technology and financials - that will drive publishing forward.
So a word of warning: between DailyFinance, my crime fiction columns at the LA Times and the Barnes & Noble Review and other freelance assignments - not to mention some larger projects in the works - Confessions will likely operate at a reduced frequency (aka when the mood strikes me.) Of course, the moment I announce such things, I end up blogging like a demon, which is how I've stayed at this for over six (!) years. But unpredictability is a wonderful thing, isn't it?
Not sure I'm going to like this. I've sort of depended on "Confessions" for a long time. Any chance of hanging in there?
Posted by: I.J.Parker | November 03, 2009 at 01:30 PM
GO GIRL GO! as much as Confessions is a must site - your freelnace gigs look exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Sarah Go
Ali
Posted by: Ali | November 03, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Congrats, Sarah! That's awesome news. Sad to hear there might be fewer Confessions, but the upside is way worth it.
Posted by: Marcus Sakey | November 03, 2009 at 04:11 PM
I love stats, so I'll be looking forward to those DailyFinance posts!
Posted by: Fleur Bradley | November 03, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Congrats on the new gig!
Posted by: Clea Simon | November 03, 2009 at 05:01 PM
good work, keed....now kick the publishing industry to its knees.
Posted by: Scott Phillips | November 03, 2009 at 10:09 PM
As long as you manage to work in the Weekend Update, or whatever it's being called now, we'll forgive you.
Posted by: Michael Padgett | November 04, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Onward and upward... : )
Posted by: Bob Levinson | November 04, 2009 at 10:49 AM
That sounds like a new and fascinating angle--and certainly the physics of finance in the industry needs an acute eye on it--but I will miss regular blog posts!
Posted by: jenny milchman | November 04, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Mazel Tov...spread the word....maryalice@mysterylovers.com
Posted by: maryalice gorman | November 08, 2009 at 11:42 PM