Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.​

A note from Jane

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At this point in my career, it’s safe to say my medium of choice is the email newsletter. So it was a delight recently to have a conversation with someone else who’s focused on email.

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A week ago, I talked with Isaac Saul about the business of his paid newsletter, Tangle, which covers politics and current events. I’ve been a subscriber since 2022 and have recommended Tangle in the past in Electric Speed. I was eager to hear from Saul about some of the business choices he’s made—especially how most of his newsletter is available to subscribers whether they pay or not. When I asked about this generous policy, here’s what he said:

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This answer aligns with the values that Saul often expresses in Tangle, so I can imagine his readers nodding right along with him.

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What keeps me coming back to Tangle, and Saul’s commentary more specifically, is intellectual rigor combined with generosity of spirit. He’s not interested in taking cheap shots or criticizing others to make himself look good. His genuine openness to other points of view, without denigrating those points of view, make his publication unique in the current political landscape.

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So I think it’s no surprise that people pay to subscribe when they don’t have to, and put money in the Tangle tip jar when he sends out a particularly outstanding piece of commentary.

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Jane

P.S. Most popular blog post this month: ​Double-Edged Sword of List-Building Promotions​

​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.)

Learn about book signing events, for authors & readers alike

I’ve noticed that multi-author book signings—the kind hosted in convention centers, almost like a fan convention—are becoming a thing now. So much so there’s a service called Beventi to help authors with pre-orders for these signing events. The site also maintains a list of such events if you’re interested in meeting favorite authors or learning about new ones. H/t Gala Russ.

How publishers are using AI tools right now

When I attended the US Book Show on Wednesday, I listened to a terrific presentation by Keith Riegert at Ulysses Press (and Perfect Bound), who demonstrated how he’s now using AI tools to support his business. His tutorials are easy to understand and fantastic. Take a look.​

Alternative to MyFitnessPal for nutrition tracking

I’m not into counting calories, but my husband was doing it for a brief period, and recently I wanted see how much protein and fiber I was consuming as part of my usual diet. So I started using the app he bought, MyNetDiary. I can’t really compare it to other market leaders, but it’s intuitive, works well, and has the customizations I’m looking for. Thumbs up.

I came to this show much later than everyone else

I finally started watching Mindhunter on Netflix; it’s about the early days of criminal psychology and profiling at the FBI. I find the show impressive in how it’s about exceptionally violent people but avoids viscerally violent scenes. That said, the opening scene of the first episode does showcase a gruesome moment, plus there’s a consistent parade of disturbing photographs and conversations. But much of it is intellectualized. I was sad to learn that two seasons will likely be the full run of the show.

NEXT ONLINE CLASS

May 29: Writer Mind, Marketing Mind with Allison K Williams

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Selling your book means marketing, even with a Big Five deal and more so with a small or hybrid press. But the good news? Organically and personally connecting with your audience can focus your writing, help you finish your book, and even be fun! This 90-minute class will teach novelists, memoirists and nonfiction writers the mindset shift from “ugh, sales” to “wow, this reader needs me,” so that marketing and selling become an extension of your mission and an expression of your integrity. Learn how to make evangelists for your work, get reviews that count, and bring your words to the readers who need them most.

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Your turn: Favorite protein bars

In the last issue, I asked you to share your favorite protein bars. Here’s a selection of what you said:

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• Atkins Chocolate Almond Caramel Bar. It’s great for many categories of the health-conscious. In addition to 15 grams of protein, it’s less than 200 calories (180), high in fiber (10g), and has only 1g of sugar. Most importantly, it doesn’t taste like a slab of Soylent Green. Not that I would know. —Alisa Board
• I’ve tried many but my go-to is Quest. The boxes we buy at Costco feature their chocolate chip cookie dough and cookies and cream selections. High protein without the chalky taste. —Brian Rendell
• I’ve been eating peanut butter chocolate ZonePerfect Bars for like, 20 years. They’re not the healthiest protein bar out there for sure, but I justify the sugar because it satisfies cravings and is a much better snack alternative. Plus, they’ve tasted the same all this time. It’s comforting. If everything else today goes to hell, at least the Zone Bar I have for breakfast will be normal! —Anna Hedges
• Mosh bars. Especially the lemon white chocolate and peanut butter chocolate crunch. A portion of the proceeds fund women’s Alzheimer’s research. Pricey, but so worth it. —Deb Bailey
• After years of disappointments with protein bars, I recently landed on Mid-Day Squares. They’re just the right size for a quick pick-me-up when a mid-afternoon slump or the munchies hits. I’m partial to their Brownie Batter version. —Lana Christian
• Aloha Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. By far the best. No gritty aftertaste and they are plant based. —Christine Johnson
• Since I am a sinner I need something to sound bad for me so I can eat it, I am naturally fond of just about any protein bar that has the word cookie in it. However, the refrigerated Perfect Bar is a delight to eat even if it isn’t the cookie dough flavor. Something about that cool but not too chewy sensation when you eat it is a lot more palatable for me than a lot of the other protein bars I find chalky. —Marlan
• GoMacro, oatmeal/chocolate chip or lemon are my current favorites. It’s a mother-daughter operation producing soft but firm snack bars for those who are trying to avoid many allergens. —Julie Barton

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Next question: Tell me about the most recent author or book you discovered because of the library. Hit reply to this message, or head over to Discord to share.

Free resources featuring Jane

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• The Literary Mama podcast: I discuss not having children​
• Video: Conversation with Isaac Saul about paid newsletters
• June 7: Humorist Bob Eckstein explains his rise and fall in publishing
• For those curious about the QM2 writing retreat that took place earlier this month, you can learn about the experience here—plus you’ll find links to additional pieces that attendees wrote about their time onboard.

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Upcoming online classes

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• ​Writer Mind, Marketing Mind with Allison K Williams, May 29
• ​Write Compelling Queries for Novel & Memoir with Jane Friedman, May 30
• ​The Psychology of Character Development for Memoirists with Lisa Cooper Ellison, June 19
• ​Writing & Pitching Hybrid Memoir in Today’s Market with Courtney Maum, June 26
• ​How Authors Can Unlock Brand Recognition with Andrea Guevara, July 3​
• ​Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot with Jane K. Cleland

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Meet Jane at an event

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• ​Write to Publish (Chicago), June 11–14, 2024
• ​Midwest Writers Workshop (Muncie, Ind.), July 11–13, 2024
• ​Willamette Writers Hybrid Conference (virtual), July 31–August 4, 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 | Threads | Discord​ P.S. I have a paid newsletter, too.

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