Recap: Meet the Authors in Hong Kong

  1. AAJA in Hong Kong hosted a discussion panel about writing and publishing for journalists. The panel was diverse, with perspectives from the world of fiction, non-fiction and publishing. Meet the authors…
    Michelle Yu, coauthor, with Blossom Kan, of “Young, Restless and Broke” and “China Dolls”
    Cameron Dueck, author of “The New Northwest Passage,” due out April 10
    Pete Spurrier, publisher of Blacksmith Books and author of “The Leisurely Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong” and “The Serious Hiker’s Guide to Hong Kong”
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    Mon, Apr 02 2012 16:52:17
  3. Above, from left: Michelle Yu, Cameron Dueck, moderator Wendy Tang, Pete Spurrier
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    #aajabooks gets started @wwtang moderates and introduces our authors http://pic.twitter.com/h6kI1Jz8
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:05:45
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    #aajabooks @petespurrier is publisher of local publisher Blacksmith Books. @OPEsailing is a writer and explorer who has been thru the arctic
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:07:46
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    Tue, Apr 03 2012 21:16:41
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    #aajabooks @MichelleYuSNY is the first Asian American sports anchor in ny. She is author of China Dolls
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:08:44
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    Tue, Apr 03 2012 21:17:32
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    Really diverse and interesting panel of speakers at @AAJAAsia Meet the Authors event #aajabooks
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:28:04
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    One of the authors speaking at @AAJAAsia event is SNY anchor @michelleyusny. I can finally talk to someone about them #Mets! #aajabooks
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:47:58
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    #aajabooks what inspired you? @petespurrier started with hiking column in @SCMP_News. He has published several hiking guides
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:11:04
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    Mon, Apr 02 2012 16:52:58
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    #aajabooks what inspired you? @OPEsailing found interesting story in the artic esp as al gore’s inconvenient truth just came out
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:12:51
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    #aajabooks what inspired you? @MichelleYuSNY Cowrote book with cousin blossom. Pitched idea at writers conference. “It’s like speed dating”
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:16:26
  16. Q What’s the process like, from pitch to the final product?
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    #aajabooks from pitch to product: @MichelleYuSNY told that need a niche: Asian chick lit. Focus on stories you know best.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:21:06
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    Mon, Apr 02 2012 16:52:17
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    #aajabooks from pitch to product: @OPEsailing not a lot of changes. Prob cuz more journalistic. Diff process. Had strong center/story
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:22:51
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    #aajabooks what is a good pitch: @petespurrier those that grab me with cover letter. I dont read further is cov letter confuses. Need hook
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:25:24
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    #aajabooks what’s a good pitch: @OPEsailing got publisher thru journalism prof. Stay off the slush pile. Personal intro good
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:26:42
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    #aajabooks good pitch: @MichelleYuSNY for fiction, think of what will be hot next year. You want a twist. Don’t write what’s in now
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:28:47
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    #aajabooks @petespurrier I publish local stories and there’s a demand. Don’t have to be on trend
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:30:31
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    #aajabooks finding writing voice: @OPEsailing voice in bk changes. But stay true to journalism and didn’t want to turn into climate activist
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:36:40
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    #aajabooks @OPEsailing tells story about Inuit of arctic. Climate change story not so black and white. http://pic.twitter.com/Q4NXTOw2
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:38:54
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    Tue, Apr 03 2012 21:16:41
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    #aajabooks book agent: @MichelleYuSNY you want something who supports and loves the work.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:42:14
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    #aajabooks book agent: @OPEsailing have to have agent if approaching big publishers
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:43:11
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    #aajabooks agents: @petespurrier I deal directly with publishers. Agents not a big part of scene in Asia
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:44:37
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    #aajabooks @OPEsailing I recommend hiring a media lawyer
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:46:11
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    #aajabooks self publishing? @petespurrier problem is that authors resist editing cuz in love too close to work. The work suffers
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:47:16
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    Tue, Apr 03 2012 14:39:58
  33. Above: AAJA members and guests
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    #aajabooks self publishing: @OPEsailing it’s like blogging. You don’t have that filter. A bit more of a gamble. I resisted it
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:48:59
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    #aajabooks self publish: @MichelleYuSNY I feel people take you less seriously. Need editor to push you
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:49:47
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    #aajabooks ebooks: @petespurrier I’m trying them. But prob, don’t know how to promote. @OPEsailing mine has iPad app. See Author % going up
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:53:52
  37. Q Do you have any advice for journalists who want to publish a book?
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    #aajabooks advice: @MichelleYuSNY keep writing! If you have idea, put it down.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:59:07
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    #aajabooks advice @OPEsailing be ready that people will laugh. You prob onto something
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 08:59:52
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    #aajabooks advice @petespurrier know your audience. Write what you think will sell.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:00:35
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    #aajabooks publishers more risk averse? Blossom says yes @petespurrier yes – with ebooks risk is higher. But I do it for unpredictability.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:09:50
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    #aajabooks where do best writing? @MichelleYuSNYy my best writing came when I was angry at my day job :). But usu go with the flow
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:11:53
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    #aajabooks writing process: @OPEsailing best writing in early morning before breakfast or anything– in my boxers
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:13:39
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    #aajabooks how much of bk needs to be written before go to publisher? @petespurrier first chapters is good. Just a query letter not enough
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:19:41
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    #aajabooks @OPEsailing for nonfiction should have very detailed outline before approach pub
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:21:38
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    #aajabooks blossom: for fiction, need to have full manuscript before approach pub
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:22:46
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    #aajabooks contract process: @OPEsailing find out if author % is of cover price or list price
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:20:38
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    #aajabooks publicizing book: @MichelleYuSNY cant rely on publisher. Need to reach out Looked at target audience and orgs. Eg: women’s orgs.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:25:29
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    #aajabooks publicizing: @OPEsailing it’s up to the author. I target yacht clubs etc. I got 95% of reviews by doing the legwork myself.
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:29:28
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    #aajabooks @OPEsailing you have to take control of publicity. Guerilla marketing. I put a book trailer together
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:30:43
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    Cameron Dueck – Open Passage Expedition and Climate Change
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 21:16:28
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    #aajabooks thanks @MichelleYuSNY @OPEsailing @petespurrier and blossom for the great discussion! And @wwtang for moderating!
    Tue, Apr 03 2012 09:35:31

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