We knew a woman who bragged that her editor didn’t edit her. No really — she thought this was a good thing; being the type to investigate on our own, we read her book. It was a bad thing. Editors may be doing less (and less) hardcore editing these days, but they do continue to serve as a reality check for writers. While the year has been filled with self-publishing success stories, we find that we’re growing increasingly wary of the concept. We still believe it’s a valid choice for some authors, but continue to worry about the lack of […]

We imagine there are first-time authors out there who sell their books, negotiate their contracts, undergo the editing process, build websites, acquire agents, and stare at their first covers without us. But not Jill. She has helpfully included us in every moment of her first book experience. Even when she knows full well that calling us at the crack of (our) dawn never works — we’re the oldest of seven…we’ve ignored louder, more irritating things than ringing phones. Jill has remained our friend despite our differences when it comes to the most basic beliefs. When confronted with a choice to

There is an interesting phenomenon: literacy leads to increased book consumption. Probably someone with advanced degrees can draw helpful charts to explain why this is so, but we don’t need that information right now. If there is a cause that authors should strongly support (in addition to health care, etc), it is literacy. Without eager readers, you cannot achieve what we believe to be your goals. Pitney Bowes is celebrating Literacy Month with a special eBay auction. From September 22 – 29, celebrity-decorated and designed envelopes will be auctioned. Proceeds go to four literacy charities, including ProLiteracy Worldwide. Pitney Bowes

Okay, fine, it’s mostly the allergies. Love, love, love fall in SoCal. It’s when our investment in certain brand name tissues pay off. Stephen Fry is our kind of guy: tone deaf. His failures mirror ours. His successes do not. But that’s another issue entirely. For your amusement (and that’s what makes us so giving), we offer a glimpse into our soul — as portrayed by another human’s failure to hit a note. Any note. Rock me Amadeus: At school, when it came to playing two or more notes in tune, he had problems. Which partly explains why Stephen Fry