The fine agents of the Donald Maas Literary Agency reveal what books they'd like to see. From Donald Maas himself:

A science fiction novel that is really a dynastic epic set on another world, with grand characters, secret cabals, betrayal, outcasts, economic conflict, drugs and arms, previously unknown creatures and enormous destinies played out on a huge scale. The next Dune.

A fantasy set in the world of tunnels and homeless colonies beneath Grand Central Station.

A pyrotechnic fantasy set in a world like 16th Century London (with magic) about rival fireworks makers, culminating in the Great Fire.

I could see really cool books arising from any of the above ideas, or any of the other ones listed on the page. I'm not writing anything resembling them, but I'm hoping my agent will like the book I'm currently writing, because I'm entering the dreaded middle-of-the-book with all the usual despair and gnashing of teeth. A book sale would help me replace my enamel.

***

The 1,000 True Fans concept has been popping up on various blogs over the last few days. Very briefly, a "True Fan" is someone who will buy everything an artist produces and is willing to spend one day's income per year on that artist's work. An artist with 1,000 True Fans can make a living.

I don't think it works for a writer like me, pursuing the traditional publishing model, in which I make a small amount of money for every book I sell (once my book has earned back the advance), and in which I depend on a publisher to get my book in the hands of readers. For someone like Wil Wheaton, who assumes all the risks and reaps all the rewards of self-publishing, though, it sounds like a reasonable model. Wheaton reckons that right now he has between 300-500 True Fans. That's after years of building an audience through his hugely popular blog, and after having attracted an audience to his blog partially by starting off with a recognizable name and a built-in curiosity factor. That's not to detract from Wheaton's determination and hard work, nor his talent for engaging his readers. But even with his considerable audience, he's still got a lot of work to do before he achieves that 1,000 True Fan target. (Also, like Wheaton, I dislike the term "True Fan.")

In my case, not even my own mom is a True Fan. Still, it's fodder for thought. I wonder how a writer following a traditional publishing model can benefit from the 1,000 True Fan concept.

***

The Journey is a short, nicely done animation explaining that turning off the tap while brushing your teeth not only saves water, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions (via Drawn! The Illustration and Cartooning Blog).