This Girl Walks Into A Bar

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We admit it: we have a hard time separating our fiction novels from our non-fiction novels. Where is the line? Isn’t that what makes creative non-fiction so compelling? Is it any wonder we’re of a certain age and still trying to figure out where we fit into the world? We like the B.J. Robbins Literary Agency (and associate Missy Pontious) because they’re located in a place we know and understand — North Hollywood (we lived there once upon a time, and it’s really not like regular Hollywood, though the Mexican food is excellent). We like the fact that they consider […]

Agents

On Relativity, Also On Making It Big in Hollywood

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“The publishing business isn’t as bad as the movies — publishers usually don’t bring in someone to rewrite your book — but you still don’t have control over design and marketing,” says Justin [Heimberg], who has had a hand in writing humor books. “So we decided to do it all on our own.” You, too, can write a screenplay! From idea to action with ‘Movie Plot Generator’

Quote of the Week

Booksigning Nightmares Revisited

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I was going to call this blog “Insert Your Own Subject” to describe my first booksigning. I had quite a few ideas: Glad I didn’t waste the 18 bucks (see previous blog about manicure) No Reason For Shoe Buffs (again, see previous blog about mother’s nightmare) Upside to Booksigning: No Bathroom Directions Given But when it comes right down to it, Booksigning Nightmares Revisited is the true title. This past Saturday was my first ever booksigning. For years I have attended the booksignings of my fellow romance writers, so I had a pretty good idea of how things worked. Table

Jill's First Blog

We’re All Excited

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Yes, yes, it doesn’t take much to get us all worked up — but this time, we have a good reason*. A few weeks ago, we participated in The Emerging Writers Network’s second interview with literary bloggers (hard to believe we fooled someone like Dan Wickett, but there you go). If you’re wanting a behind-the-scenes look at blogging, well, you’ll get some of that, but, more importantly, you’ll get many thoughtful answers and few that aren’t to everything from our ages to our technology to our secret desires. Oh, and our thoughts on how litblogs fit into the big picture.

Books/Mags/Blogs

If You’re Reading This, You Already Know Some Of The Answers

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As it turns out, the Internet is good for artists (it also turns out that the folks at Pew have bought into Wired’s decision to make the I lowercase; we have not yet made that leap). Artists use the online world for networking, reaching the general public, research, and inspiration (not the same thing as stealing). On the other hand, artists are concerned about free and easy sharing of art. And they should be. Ignorance is not bliss. Not surprisingly, many artists feel copyright laws benefit distributors over artists. Hmm, does this surprise anyone? The results of the survey are

Square Pegs

Another Disappointing Headline

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We don’t ask much from our online news — frequent updates, intriguing stories, and good headlines. We don’t care that a man is planning to sell his collection of inscribed books, presumably it’s the first sign of incipient madness. They have fairly decent health care in Canada; he should be fine (though why he simply doesn’t get a larger home intrigues us). What people do in their personal lives is not our concern. Now, what they do with free review copies, that makes us blink and think. In our past, we reviewed books with very official looking language about the

Square Pegs

Insert Comment About Savage Love Here

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If we were the literary non-fiction type (and we suspect we aren’t), we’d definitely add Elizabeth Wales to our potential agent list. Wales Literary is definitely a small agency with a decidedly political bent — but without a geographical bias. The agency is based in Seattle, good because: The distance from New York, Wales says, is actually an advantage. “We’ve had enough success that when I go to New York, editors know me, and expect me to have discovered some interesting new talent,” she explains. Get the whole scoop at MediaBistro Contacting the agency: Wales Literary Agency, Inc., PO Box

Agents

Booksigning Nightmares

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My mom called me this morning at 8:30. I could tell by the tone of her voice that she’s been up worrying since around 2. “Jill, I really think you need to get a manicure before your booksigning.” Just so you know where I am on this – I haven’t had a manicure since 1994. I do the obligatory daughter groan. “There’s a place just down the street from you that will do a full set of nails for 18 bucks.” At this point she’s lost me. At first, I was thinking hand massage, orange stick, maybe a light coral

Jill's First Blog

My true first “Offical” Blog

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**Okay, I know I did a mini-blog earlier, but that was more of a test run. This one is the real deal.** My dear friend at Booksquare has told me the importance of getting my own blog. My theory – why go to all the work when Booksquare’s done so much legwork? Errr, fingerwork. The truth of the matter is that I’m very, very shy. Okay, I realize this isn’t public speaking, but it’s still being out there. My fingers freeze on the keyboard at the very thought someone may actually read my words. I’m sensing as I type this

Jill's First Blog

Blogs and Readers

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Dan Wickett of the Emerging Writers Network recently posed a question about the role of litblogging (more on this discussion in the future, but we’re wondering if this variation of blog will make the next version of the Merriam-Webster dictionary). This was something that made us think. Blogs have great advantages over print media and traditional websites, including immediacy and intimacy. For authors (such as Jill, hint, hint) and publishers, blogs provide a big opportunity. For readers, the benefits are even greater. Publishers, who don’t seem to get this Internet thing on a grand scale, are realizing the power of

Square Pegs, Tools and Craft
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