Blogs, Ooligan Press

University Presses: Innovating in the Digital Age

University presses have tended to be slow to change, mirroring the incremental pace of change of their host institutions. However, as their traditional revenue streams have dried up, and as digitization has upended the publishing industry, university presses have been under pressure to innovate to keep up with changing times.
Alt-text: Interior of the Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington. The library is lined with bookshelves, has students studying, and features gothic architecture.

Ampersand Versus And: When are They Appropriate?

The ampersand (&) is sometimes used in place of the word and in informal writing, like in lists and brand or company names (Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Barnes & Noble, etc.). Where you don’t generally see ampersands in the place of the word and is in formal writing, like books. So when is it appropriate to use an ampersand, and when should you spell out and?

Tips for Writing Author Queries

When you’re editing a manuscript, there are an abundance of reasons why you might want to pose a query. For example, if you’re copyediting, you may want to point out a spelling you’ve found that’s inconsistent, ask for clarification about ambiguous wording, or find out more about an author’s intended meaning, just to name a few. Although the best method of query writing may vary by author based on what they respond well to, there are a few best practices when it comes to writing effective author queries.

Common Young Adult (YA) Fiction Conventions

Young adult (YA) fiction captivates readers with its relatable themes of first love, heartbreak, and self-discovery, all while addressing pressing social issues like mental health and discrimination. Through its unique narrative style and diverse genres, YA fiction offers a transformative reading experience.

Creating a Captivating Sales Video

A well-crafted sales video doesn’t just tell potential readers what the story is about, it makes them feel the story before they’ve even turned the first page and helps them get established with the author on a personal level. This is a step-by-step guide on how to create a compelling video to capture readers early on.

What is THEMA? (And Why Does It Matter?)

THEMA is a system used for categorizing books by their subject matter. Like Book Industry Standards and Communications (BISAC) or Book Industry Communication (BIC), THEMA codes classify book subjects, making the process of classifying titles simpler. Unlike BISAC or BIC, these codes are not solely used in a specific region like Europe or North America. Due to THEMA being a multilingual system, it can be utilized on an international level.

What Is Your Query?

Ooligan strives to handle every manuscript with care and to take into account every aspect, and angle, of the potential of each one that comes our way. It is an anxious time waiting for a publisher to get back to you about your story that has been worked on for years. That is not something that we take lightly.

How Spotify is Impacting the Book Publishing Industry

Less than one year into Spotify’s new US literary foray, and already, we can track its effects on the book publishing industry, both positive and negative.

Blogging with Purpose: How Ooligan Press Plans Its Content

AJ Adler
December 23, 2024
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Digital / Inside Ooligan / Manager Monday
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Blogs were put on hold for about a year while the website was being updated. Since all of the managers in Ooligan Press are part of the book publishing master’s program at Portland State University, the life expectancy in any given position of the press is also about a year. That is to say, I had never even written a blog post for Ooligan Press when I was put in charge of managing them. But that’s ok. As someone smart once said, “Confusion is a Learning State.” I learned how to manage blogs, and I can teach you as well.

How Much Will We Really Use AI in Publishing?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been present in our lives for the past few years now. You can find it on social media, writing tools, and even in search engines. Its ever-looming presence begs the question: are we going to lose our jobs to AI?

A Recipe for Delegating

If you have ever looked at the production timeline for a book, you know how overwhelming it is. If you haven’t seen one before, imagine an intense excel spreadsheet with a hundred different deadlines, many of which can’t be adjusted or lenient. When you first see it, you might think, “How on earth do I navigate this?”

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