A note from Jane

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There’s only one Christmas movie I’m likely to watch every year because it’s the first one I recall from my childhood: The Christmas Carol with George C. Scott.

My dad recorded the TV-only special when it aired, then pulled out the VHS tape every Christmas to replay it for me. (Meaning: I will also forever remember these commercial breaks for IBM computer.)

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In the Scott version, my favorite character is Scrooge’s nephew, Fred, played by the brilliant Roger Rees. Fred is the epitome of warm-heartedness and cheer, the perfect foil to Scrooge. The older I get, the more miraculous I find his optimism and willingness to be repeatedly rejected by Scrooge. Normally when someone rejects us so clearly and openly, we don’t keep going back for more. But Fred persists; if his mother was so fond of Scrooge, perhaps a breakthrough might be possible.

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When his efforts are rewarded, Fred reserves no bitterness; he has saved no punishment. He welcomes Scrooge with open arms as if they had been loving family members all along.

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It’s a wonderful ideal to aspire to.

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One of Fred’s best lines, from the book version: “[Christmas is] the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”

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Jane

P.S. Most popular blog post this month: Why Do Publishers Close Imprints?​

​Bob Eckstein​

ISSUE SPONSOR

Jane’s Electric Speed List

Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)

Remove suggested posts from Facebook

If you’re a Chrome user, there’s a plugin that removes “suggested” posts from your Facebook newsfeed (but not ads). My only hesitation when installing this plugin was that it would eliminate all the charming cat videos and cartoons that fill in every gap of my Facebook experience. But perhaps it’s better to intentionally follow accounts I like. 😺 H/t Simon Owens​

Manage your to-do list from your Mac menu bar

For Mac users only: If you rely on a to-do list for your work day, you might appreciate Hotlist, which makes the list accessible from your menu bar. Free! H/t Tech Productivity​

I’ve rounded up all the new publishers and agents that were announced in 2023

Throughout the year as part of my paid newsletter, I keep track of new publishers, new imprints, and new literary agents. Then, I compile them all into a handy list I make available for free. Here is the 2023 list.​

Which libraries carry your book? Use LibraryATM

In a recent Business Clinic, I used a handy tool called LibraryATM to help an author identify libraries that would be good targets for marketing outreach. LibraryATM is powered by OverDrive—the largest distributor of digital books to libraries in the US. Plug in any book title, and see which libraries have the ebook or audiobook in their collection. Big caveat: You need an account with OverDrive or an OverDrive partner. For many authors, that will be The Authors Guild.

NEXT ONLINE CLASS

Jan. 4: How to Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2024 with Jane Friedman

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In partnership with Writer’s Digest: This intensive and information-filled 120-minute live webinar helps you think like an industry insider who makes decisions every day on what work merits print publication. You’ll get practical advice and tools to help you develop strong pitch letters and proposal materials for both fiction and nonfiction—plus back-door methods for networking with agents and editors. Don’t embark on the submission process in 2024 without being fully educated about how the industry works.

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Your turn: ergonomic keyboards

In the last issue, I asked you to share your favorite ergonomic keyboards. Here’s what you had to say:

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• My top favorite ergonomic keyboard is Kinesis Advantage2. I have been using a Kinesis Advantage keyboard for more than 20 years; it helped reverse RSI, and it is the most comfortable keyboard I’ve used, and allows me to type the fastest. It has wells that allow your fingers to relax, keys placed so you’re not stretching as far, and you can easily switch to using DVORAK for your layout if you prefer (I use that, again, for ergonomics, instead of the more traditional layout). The keys are also super easy to press, and not stiff like some keyboards. It can take some getting used to. The keyboards are very expensive, so I’ve bought mine used on eBay, which made them affordable. I have tried a bunch of other keyboards, but this one works the best for me, especially when I type up long documents like my own manuscripts. —Cheryl Rainfield
• I don’t normally brag about stuff, but I really love my Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Keyboard. I use it every day, all day, and it seems to have eliminated wrist and finger strain. —Ramona Gault
• I have three Periboard 512s around my house, for wherever I take my MacBook Pro. I would not be without them. I used to swear by the Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, but I ended up not being able to find them. —Lee Hopkins
• The Logitech K380 keyboard is a dream. I was using the extra-long Apple keyboard with the number pad on the right, and got so tired of it slipping around and not being able to intuitively set my hands on the J and F—the keys are too shallow to get a good feel. The small Logitech is perfect for my smaller hands, with keys just high enough to give me a great typing experience. It also stays put! At less than $40, it’s also a great value. —Renee Enna
• I have the Freestyle Edge RGB. I prefer the low latency of a wired keyboard, the tactile feel of a mechanical keyboard, a few customizable buttons, and a good ergonomic split. The customizable lights are fun, but not really necessary. I occasionally miss the 10 key. —Derrick
• I know people will cover the keyboards, and I feel that mice are critical to saving hands and wrists, so here’s my vote: RollerMouse is an entirely different mouse setup that uses roller bars to move the cursor. Anker mouse is what I use on the road. I could not keyboard without these! —Amy Halloran

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Next question: What new author (new to you) did you discover in 2023 that you want others to know about? Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.

Free resources featuring Jane

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• Video: Growing a Fiction Platform​
• Jan. 21: Developing Your Author Brand (live Zoom session)

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Upcoming online classes

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• ​Get Published: Land a Book Deal in 2024 with Jane Friedman, Jan. 4
• ​Compelling Query Letters for Novel/Memoir with Jane Friedman, Jan. 13
• ​Analyze Story Like an Editor with Tiffany Yates Martin, Jan. 24
• ​10 Steps to a Nonfiction Book Proposal with Jane Friedman, Jan. 27
• ​How AI Is Changing the Writing World with Jane Friedman, Feb. 4
• ​Establish/Improve Your Email Newsletter with Jane Friedman, Feb. 8
• ​Find the Memoir Structure That Works for You with Lisa Cooper Ellison, Feb. 21
• ​From Anxious to Savvy: How Every Author Can Build a Lifetime Book Marketing Foundation with Jane Friedman, March 23

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Meet Jane at an event

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• ​Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop (Dayton, Ohio), April 4–6, 2024
• ​Craft & Publishing Voyage (cruise ship!), April 28–May 5, 2024
• ​Write to Publish (Chicago), June 11–14, 2024
• ​Book Proposal Bootcamp (Maine), July 1–5, 2024

“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan

Created by Jane Friedman I report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram | Discord​ P.S. I have a paid newsletter, too.

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