We Suffer So You Reap

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Have we mentioned how irritating the Los Angeles Times website is? Especially when it comes to articles in the Calendar section? The Times does not want people to read them — of that we are convinced. Setting aside the registration hurdles, there are costs associated with accessing Calendar content. Why, we cannot say — most days we barely glance at anything more than the headlines when we read the section. This is really a shame, because every now and then we find something we want to share. Normally we resist the urge — why put another human through our unique […]

Square Pegs, Tools and Craft

Stopping Short of a Strip Tease (Pun, Alas, Intended)

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This writing thing we do, for most, comes with a goal. Have you considered it? Yes, yes, we know you want to be published, but that’s a step toward the goal. The winning moment comes when someone reads you. Picks up your books, drags out a twenty or two from a crowded wallet, and walks away, saying cheerfully, “I don’t need a bag. I’m starting this one right now.” MJ Rose’s blog at Publisher’s Marketplace, Buzz, Balls & Hype, focuses on publicity and writing. Earlier this week (last week — we can never be sure what with the dates changing

Books/Mags/Blogs

Well, We Couldn’t Let It Pass

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After having our fun at the expense of fine young men trying to find their literary niche, we must balance our karma a bit. Not a lot — we stopped and let a group of pedestrians cross the street this morning. Thus, we share with you an excerpt from the upcoming book Lads. For those hoping to peer inside the male soul, this particular section won’t do it for you. For those who’ve always wanted to know how magazines really come together, we suspect your suspicions will be validated. Excerpt: Lads – A former Maxim editor’s memoir recalls the frenzied,

Books/Mags/Blogs

A Name, A Title, That’s It

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Finally, at Warner Books, Melanie Murray has been named assistant editor. The grapevine does not mention her favorite sports or hobbies, though we suspect she’s partial to women’s fiction. That’s it. We’re going shopping! Time Warner Bookmark

Publishers and Editors

Never Use Ink on These Things

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Keeping up with editorial moves can be a full-time job. And messy. MIRA books has done some shuffling as well, so take notes. Martha Keenan is senior editor. Miranda Stecyk and Susan Pezzack are editors. Other acquiring editors include Margaret Marbury (executive editor) and Sasha Bogin (editorial assistant). Harlequin/Silhouette Editorial Addresses

Publishers and Editors

Following Breadcrumbs

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Harlequin Mills & Boon has added Sarah Ritherdon as an acquiring editor. Lesley Stonehouse, alas, is no longer acquiring. Because the Harlequin website follows the standard confusing pattern of most publisher sites (it’s a bit like schizophrenia — what is my purpose on the web?), we’re taking you directly to the editorial office addresses. You can find your own way from there. Harlequin/Silhouette Editorial Office addresses

Publishers and Editors

Org Charts on Fire

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We’d love to linger over org chart updates this week, but, frankly, we have a credit card tapping its little toes, reminding us we have a date with a bookstore this morning. We have to spend some quality time together — she’s already jealous that we’ve scheduled another date (with a pool and a book) this afternoon. We’re popular, what can we say? So read fast as time’s a wasting: Manie Barron is ditching William Morris and joining the Claudia Menza Literary Agency. Good for him. He’ll focus on street literature and works targeting black urban men. As always, we

Agents

Readers Against Unfair Buzz

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We don’t get excited easily*, but sometimes we get caught up in buzz to the point we tingle. In a good way. At least that’s what the doctor said. Damn…why don’t we get ARCs anymore? Right. We no longer review.** Privileges were revoked when we couldn’t refrain from pointing out that we could write the whole thing better, had we the time. Now we regret our actions because the buzz is building and we’re feeling like the kid without a Razor. Yeah, we’re looking for someone to put us out of our misery. Either that, or we’re voting in favor

Square Pegs

A Big, Fat Thank You

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We’d really like to thank Gena Showalter for her time and candor this week. Now, originally, we’d planned to throw a final barrage of questions at her, but she was in a car accident this morning. Now while she swears she’s fine and will dragged her bruised, airbag attacked body to her computer as soon as possible, we’ll give her a break. Just this once. Besides, it’s Labor Day, and the one thing we learned in our former career is that one never puts in a full day before three day weekend (which is why we can’t explain the stream

Wrapped Up In Books

Off Topic: Public Safety Alert

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We know more than a few of our readers enjoy music, so we feel compelled to bring this cautionary tale to their attention: loud music can be bad for you. The article contains the gory details, but, if you value your life, you’ll turn down the volume. Save “eleven” for only the most special of songs. It makes us thankful we escaped that long-ago Sugar show with only a powerful appreciation for the ability of sound to move heavy objects. Music Fans, Beware the Big Bass /ul>

Square Pegs
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