A note from Jane
I’ve been watching Ken Burns’ documentary on Benjamin Franklin, where I learned he declined to patent his inventions. That is truly remarkable given how many things he invented that were popular at the time—not just lightning rods, but the Franklin Stove, bifocals, and glass armonica. (To be fair, the US only passed a federal patent act shortly before Franklin’s death.)
In his autobiography, Franklin explained why he never sought exclusive rights to his inventions: “That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously.” Of course, he had already amassed considerable wealth, mainly from his printing business.
His words reminded me of a lecture from Alan Watts, where he says, “We seldom realize … that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society.”
And that connects to a book I’ve recently picked up, We the Platform: How the Internet Changed Twenty-First Century Literature by Aarthi Vadde, which examines how everyone today is a writer as well as a reader. One academic summarizes its key argument: “Today, whether we are on the internet or publishing printed books, we write within a world defined by Web 2.0, the transformation of the internet into a platform for sharing user-generated content, from social media to Wikipedia. When literacy was defined by print, there were readers and writers: two groups that overlapped, but could be distinguished. With Web 2.0, everyone is a writer as well as a reader … younger writers, in particular, no longer think of reading as an activity that precedes publication, but one that occurs in tandem with it.”
I know some writers despair in this evolution, especially since it makes earning a living harder than ever. Vadde believes authorship will survive, as do I. However writing and publishing evolves, I like to remember I have grown out of this world and can hardly hold myself separate from the people, ideas, and platforms I encounter.
Jane
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Jane’s Electric Speed List
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Reader recommendation: Fantastical
After I wrote about my search for a date reminder app, Lary Kirchenbauer wrote in, “I use one of the most popular and fully featured applications for Apple products: Fantastical. I have a similarly perverse tendency keep track of a lot of obscure dates—thankfully, not for a divorce—but for many other ‘bookends’ related to events that offer some perspective on what I deem noteworthy events. It allows multiple notifications whenever you want them and gives you a lot of flexibility. Examples on my calendar? The debut of Amazon’s website, August 16, 1995.”
In case you want a cardboard cutout standee 🥳
I’m preparing for a birthday party next month, and I had an idea for a cardboard cutout standee that I wasn’t sure any company would produce. I was very lucky to stumble on the fine folks at Cardboard Cutout Standees. I submitted my insanely awkward image shape, and they made it work within a standard template they could still snail mail. It requires light assembly on my part, but no problem.
I’m sure you’re now curious what this cutout looks like. Here it is.
My husband is into Block Therapy
I’m familiar with trigger point therapy and myofascial release, but I had never heard of Block Therapy for fascia decompression until my husband started it. The therapy makes use of strangely alluring wooden blocks. I still use therapy balls most of the time, but occasionally I’ll swap them out for one of these blocks.
Freelance editors: do you need to update your contract language to deal with AI?
Longtime editor and former literary agent Mary Kole has written an article for my site about how she’s modified her client contract to account for potential AI use. She generously shares the contract language that you can adapt for your own use. Take a look.
Next online class: Mastering the Art of the Synopsis
- Taught by: Jessica Strawser, career novelist and former editorial director of Writer’s Digest
- Ideal for: Anyone pitching their first novel or memoir
- Jane says: I haven’t yet met a writer who likes writing a synopsis, but Jessica offers guidance that lessens the pain.
- When: Wednesday, September 16, 1:00–2:30 p.m. EDT, or wait for the recording
Your turn: favorite smartwatch apps
In the last issue, I asked if those of you with smartwatches have a favorite app you consistently use, aside from the health and fitness apps. Here’s what you said: you love the timer!
- Timers, keeps me on track and mindful for many tasks. Medications, much better compliance! —Michelle Rau
- I love the Sports app. During the World Cup it kept me knowing the scores, and I can keep track of my favourite teams in general. It’s subtle, I set it to vibrate. And they’re always adding leagues. Now I can follow all the women’s sports too. —Heather Button
- By far my most used app is the native Timer app. I have ADHD and often leave laundry in the machine, let steeping cups of tea get cold …basically anything I need to do in a set amount of time longer than 30 seconds and I need a timer. I love the Timer app because I can have multiple timers running at once and I can ask Siri to create one, which makes me feel like Agent 99 talking into my watch. —Melanie
- The only app I use with any consistency is the Timer app. I keep it on silent, then, when I’m working with an hourly client, or timing a portion of a presentation, or setting a cook time for something when I’ll be away from the kitchen, the haptics on my watch silently vibrate to keep me on track, with people around me (or in the meeting or coaching session) being none the wiser. —Marni Penning
- I’ve only seen it on Garmin: they offer a year-long view of your past average heart rate. My mother-in-law looked at it after having a heart attack and noticed that her average had been rising for a few months. Now she knows to be on the watch for that! —Abigail Welborn
- The app I most consistently use is the Spotify app. Whether in my car, kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else, it’s usually easier to tap the Spotify app on my watch than on my iPhone. —Nancy Thompson
- I use the Timer on my watch all the time. Grandkids at the park and time to go? Tell them five minutes and set a timer on the watch. Watering the lawn? Set a timer. Time for a break from writing? Get on the treadmill with a timer. —Blaine Kruizetech Kruizenga
Next question: Is there a debut author you’ve read this year who you recommend? Hit reply and let me know.
Do you have a tools or resources question you would like me to ask all readers? Offer up your suggestion, and I might feature it.
Free resources featuring Jane
Upcoming online classes
Meet Jane at an event
- Romance Writers of Australia (Darwin, Australia), Aug. 21–23, 2026
- Queensland Writers Centre (Brisbane, Australia), Aug. 24–25, 2026
- AALA People of Publishing (NYC), Sept. 30, 2026 (reporting)
- Author Nation (Las Vegas), November 10–13, 2026
- AWP Bookfair & Conference (Chicago), March 17–20, 2027
“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan
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Created by Jane Friedman
I report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. My newsletter that helps pay the bills is The Bottom Line, which recently discussed influencer marketing.
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