Science fiction novelist Matthew Mather led our Science Fiction Self-Published Bestsellers list with CyberStorm this month (he also spoke at our course for indie authors).

Our weekly self-published bestsellers list is often dominated by the popular genres of romance and erotica. In an effort to help GalleyCat readers find other kinds of independent authors, we will offer regular genre-focused bestseller lists for other kinds of indie writers.

To keep the list fresh, we’ve highlighted three top books from four different marketplaces. If you are an author, check out our new online course–finish your book with the help of bestselling independent authors.

Read more

Five writers have already been selected as candidates for the 2013 Nobel Prize, the permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy revealed via a Twitter dispatch today. Who do you think made the top secret list of finalists?

The Nobel Prizes in other disciplines will be revealed between October 7 and October 14. “According to tradition,” the Nobel Prize for Literature date will be revealed at some point in the future. Here is the short and sweet tweet:

5 candidates have been selected for 2013 #NobelPrize in #Literature according to Permanent Secretary of the Swedish Academy.

Read more

For your weekend reading pleasure, here are our top stories of the week.

They included how The Great Gatsby changed Haruki Murakami’s life, a steamy book cover that generated strong sales and a viral bookstore sign (embedded above).

1. This Is a Bookshop Sign Goes Viral

2. The Cover That Launched a Thousand iBookstore Sales

3. Why Haruki Murakami Translated The Great Gatsby

4. Author Gives Fake Writing Assignments to Online Cheaters

5. Hyperbole and a Half Author Returns with Illustrated Essay on Depression

6. Free Sites To Promote Your Book

7. Successful query letters for literary agents

8. Bret Easton Ellis Addresses David Foster Wallace Comments

9. Tsundoku: Illustrated Definition of a Book Lover’s Problem

10. Best Writing Music of 2013, So Far

Pearson has laid off 19 employees, part of the publishing company’s ongoing shift.

When asked about the cuts, the company offered this statement:

Pearson’s businesses continue to shift from traditional print models to digital products and services. As our business needs have shifted, we’ve had to make difficult but necessary decisions about staffing. This week, we notified 19 employees that their positions will be ending with Pearson in the next month.  Thirteen of these employees are based in Upper Saddle River. We know that this is a challenging situation and we’ll be doing all that we can to support them through this transition.

Ever since we launched our directory of people looking for writers groups, we have found hundreds of writers looking for different kinds of writing support.

These invaluable groups can motivate you to write more, critique your work or even help you publicize your work.

To help our readers find support, we will occasionally spotlight a writers group looking for new members. If you are looking for an online writing group, you could try Australian Writers Rock! a giant writing community on Facebook.

Read more

New York Times senior staff editor John Williams will write a new column for the paper’s Book Review called “Open Book,” providing “a window onto the literary landscape.”

You can also follow Williams on Twitter.

This column will replace the weekly “Up Front” column, but the magazine will include occasional pieces about the magazine’s writers and online material.

Read more

A teenaged writer in Ireland has been published on stamps around his country. We’ve embedded the special stamp above, containing a complete 224-word story.

Composed by then 17-year-old writer Eoin Moore, the short short story was created in Dublin’s Fighting Words program for young writers.  Kids in the program submitted their work, trying to convey “the essence of Dublin” with just 224 words.

The stamp celebrates “Dublin’s permanent designation as UNESCO City of Literature.” You can purchase the stamp at this link.

Read more

To help readers share stories, tips and secrets anonymously, the New Yorker will use a new tool called Strongbox.

Co-developed by the late Internet activist Aaron Swartz, the open-source code could help more journalists communicate with confidential sources. AppNewser has all the details:

The New Yorker has introduced a new online receptacle where sources can share documents and messages with the magazine anonymously. The tool is called Strongbox and it is accessible using the Tor network, a private and secure online network. The publication will not record the I.P. address or any browsing information from people who share documents on Strongbox. It will also not try to access your computer or operating system, and they will not add cookies to your browser.

Can you self-publish a movie?

When releasing Upstream Color this month, director and writer  Shane Carruth opted to to take the DIY distribution route. The film opened in theaters in 20 markets around the country, followed by a wide range of platforms from iTunes to YouTube to Netflix to DVD. Carruth explained his choice:

As a filmmaker you try to make a compelling case for an audience to stick around minute by minute with what is on the screen … By also crafting the marketing we’re still doing that, still storytelling, but we’re trying to make a case for an audience to show up. Hopefully for viewers, framing the film this way and staying true to the film’s intent makes it a bit more of an intimate relationship.

Read more

Trying to sell your screenplay? If you donate to a worthy cause, a production company manager will consider your script.

Screenwriter Joe Nienalt and Benderspink manager Daniel Vang have launched a campaign to raise money for heart disease and stroke research. Vang as offered to ”consider you for representation” in exchange for a donation to their cause. Last year the duo raised $45,000 and helped a set of writers start their career. Check it out:

If you donate $25, Daniel will read the first ten pages of your script. If you donate $50, Daniel will read the first 50 pages (if it’s great, he won’t want to put it down after 10 or 50 pages). If you donate $100, Daniel will read your entire script (good or bad) … Numerous writers have obtained representation through our past campaigns including one talented writing team last year … You WILL hear back one way or another once you donate and submit. It may take awhile but you will definitely hear back one way or another. It may take awhile so be patient but again, you will hear back so feel free to follow up with me every so often once you submit.

(Link via)