Have We Discussed Synergy Recently?

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Perhaps we spent too much time in the entertainment industry, but when it comes to branding and synergy and maximizing product and all that, we usually think “bad.” Yes, it’s probably a knee jerk reaction after seeing so many lofty plans plummet to the ground. But, we will say, a string of failures doesn’t stop anyone from pressing forward. In this instance, the BBC and Penguin have joined hands to, you guessed it, monetize the hell out of the BBC’s library of lovable characters. We eagerly await the first Teletubby memoir. Perhaps we’ll finally understand what’s up with that baby/sun […]

Publishers and Editors

Pants on Fire

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We rather like this PW story about an author’s deal being cancelled due his stretching the truth about his background. Possibly because we believe everyone fibs on occasion. But mostly because we like the fact that it took so long for Seven Stories Press to cut the cord. We understand due diligence and all that (oh, do we), but this seems to be a long time coming. Seven Stories Cancels Book Over Author’s False Claim

Publishers and Editors

It’s Evolution, Man

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Last week, we found ourselves musing about authors who shun convention and offer their work for free in various manners. We felt there was a nice confluence of things we’ve noticed recently. While Boing Boing doesn’t exactly discuss this interesting trend, they have a few posts on copyright and open source writing (in which the critique group takes on the wiki — we’d suggest drinks beforehand). Open Source Bookwriting 21-year-old essay on copyright just as fresh today

Square Pegs

Envelopes, II

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PEN American Center has announced their 2004 PEN Literary Awards. A very long list, lots of names. We won’t bore you with details — that’s what the website is for. Yes, we’re a little disappointed to see that one of our favorites (Reading Lolita in Tehran) didn’t run away with the prize. But we’ll recover. 2004 PEN Literary Awards

Square Pegs

Envelope Please, I

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Have we mentioned that awards are in the air? It seems everytime we check our mail, there is yet another winner touting his or her success. In a very humble way, we might add. The Agatha awards, presented by the fun loving folks at Malice Domestic, Ltd (limited to what, we wonder), were announced this past weekend. Malice Domestic Website

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Now That Algebra Class Makes Sense

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Most writers float through the world convinced the algebra they suffered through will never, ever, not once be of any use to them. Au contraire, mon frere! As writers closely following the negotiations between the WGA and Hollywood studios have realized, a working knowledge of algebra (but not calculus — that remains a total waste of brain cells) is required to understand the major sticking point in negotations. We felt it was important to bring this issue to light — and to gently remind print authors that algebraic equations lurk deep inside their royalty statements as well. We believe it

Square Pegs

In a Sea of Sharks…

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Our visit to the SFWA website reminded us of a very important service provided by this organization. Shocking as it may seem to seasoned industry veterans, there are unscrupulous editors, publishers, and agents out there, waiting to prey on the naive and/or desperate. SFWA collects information on these, to quote our president, evil doers. Practice safe publishing — check this site early and often. We’ve also included a link to the Preditors and Editors section at Another Realm — clicking on agents or book publishers or just about any other link will provide useful decision-making information. Writer Beware Preditors and

Agents, Publishers and Editors, Tools and Craft

Awards Season All Year Long

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We nearly forgot to mention the winners of the 2003 Nebula Awards. Truly, it was at the tip of our fingers and, what with one thing leading to another, the annnouncement slipped away. Visit the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website for all the fun details. 2003 Nebula Awards Winners

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And We Think We’re Such a Refined Animal

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Some believe it is our unending fondness for bodily function jokes that separates us from beasts. Those some are right. CNN.com covers the enthusiasm of children for all things flatulence, but we believe this article could have targeted grown men just as easily. Poop fiction big hit with kids

Books/Mags/Blogs

Do They Really Call It Edgar Week?

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We admit we don’t get out much, so it was a small surprise to discover that the Mystery Writers of America celebrate their annual awards all week long (contrast with the Romance Writers of America who devote a paltry evening to their awards). The winners of the 2004 awards (we hear the ceremony was very nice) have been announced and feted. Now on to the arduous process of next year’s ceremony — we hear they’re going for Edgar month. 2004 Edgar Award Winners Mystery Writers of America Eligibility Rules for Edgar® 2005 Awards for Works Published in 2004 Romance Writers

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