It’s Sophie Kinsella Week!

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Usually this sort of media flurry means someone has a new book coming out. Lo and behold, she does (Can You Keep A Secret?). And it turns out that our intrepid author has kept more than a few herself. Sophie isn’t her real first name, Kinsella isn’t her real last name (the shock, the horror!). And she doesn’t know where Ohio is — while this unfortunate incident has presumably been rectified, I can say with confidence that I don’t know either. And not to suggest a certain lack of creativity among headlines writers, but: Secrets of a chick-lit queen Confessions […]

Square Pegs

Drink To Your Health

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They got me with the “first drink free” line, but it turns out the event is so much more. MediaBistro is having a little shindig in Los Angeles. First half of the party is for AvantGuild members only, second is for “media professionals.” Don’t ask me what that means because I have no clue. No networking (sure, like a little rule ever stopped anyone). Drinks, food, hip new spot in LA, a launch of national health benefits…wait a minute, this is something I’d actually drink to. Wednesday, April 28 in Hollywood. Invitation: RSVPs are required (is it me, or is

Square Pegs

Oh Joy! Oh Spring!

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Is it me or shouldn’t Spring be a time of renewal and worrying about squeezing into last year’s bathing suit? It seems that while the bees are buzzing and the flowers are making me sneeze, my reading material should reflect a certain, well, joy at being alive. Oops, that was the fantasy world slipping out. Salon has done a Spring reading roundup, and it’s chock full of books that make you want to go out and hug your fellow man. Okay, I’m being a little harsh here — the books sound fascinating. Maybe it’s just that I’m stuck in here

Books/Mags/Blogs

Shoulda Linked to the First Amendment, I Guess

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And then there comes a time when I have nothing to say. Okay, I do. Has this nation gone crazy? It turns out the Academy of Art in San Francisco is expelling writing students (the article doesn’t mention any other medium) for being too edgy. And their teachers are getting the boot as well. That’s America for you. Now, granted, I have no clue what this edgy word means — I’m guessing it’s pretty bad since it gets applied to everything from Harlequin books to, well, Britney Spears (don’t quote me on that last one because I’m too lazy to

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I’m Gonna Have to Buy This Rag

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Normally, I limit my exposure to Star to furtive glances at the headlines while waiting breathlessly for my chance with the grocery store cashier. As we learned yesterday, there’s more to the mag than trash (which, you’ll recall, we decided was a bad thing). Turns out that old habits die hard. It’s the little things, like totally altering the color of someone’s dress to better communicate the story. Okay, sure, it’s no big deal — next thing you know, they’ll be digitally altering real news. Star magazine altered Demi Moore’s dress (Wall Street Journal via Arizona Central)

Books/Mags/Blogs

Mmm, Great Word Rate

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Self wants you. In a good way. Turns out that you too can write for this popular magazine. And the fine folks at MediaBistro have figured out how (all you have to do is read their handy dandy article and follow all the steps). How To Pitch:Self

Books/Mags/Blogs

Seems To Me This Would Be Easier

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Maybe it’s me, but you’d think publisher websites would be a little more, well, useful. Like maybe they could have information that you want. So it turns out that Broadway Books has hired Amy Hertz (now formerly of Riverhead) to edit books on spirituality and that sort of thing. Hopefully writing about this will absolve my guilt for missing my yoga class while I tried to figure out the Random House website. Random House Website: Use At Your Own Peril

Publishers and Editors

Stop The Presses

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According to Variety, the Barbara Walters books sold for only $5 million. Or maybe four. Somewhere in that range. My apologies to those who saw the incorrect figure — remember, that money wasn’t destined for you anyway. Miramax Nabs Walters Book Note: Variety doesn’t give this stuff away for free — Barbara stalkers will need to register for a trial subscription. Personally, I think the headlines to Variety are worth the price, but, then again, I’m easily amused.

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Nothing Like A Little Feud to Keep Your Spirits Up

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Chances are, you don’t know who Nick Denton is. Nor are you au courant on Jason Calacanis. That’s okay — they don’t know who you are, either. But, hey, a public feud is a public feud, and who are we to say we’re too proud to watch from the sidelines? Heck, I’ll even spring for the popcorn. Denton and Calacanis are mini-BlogMoguls in the making (Denton of Gawker and Wonkette fame, Calacanis working his way into the big leagues, starting with engadget.com). They want you to make them richer. But first, they’re having this feud, which, because most of us

Books/Mags/Blogs

Well, It Seemed Like A Good Idea

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Pop star Thalia has decided, as pop stars often do, to launch her own magazine (because she didn’t learn her lesson from Rosie O’Donnell) — look for it on stands everywhere. The title, of course, is Thalia. Lot of market research went into that one. Like all magazines aimed at the young female today, it will cover (sigh) beauty, fashion, advice…the usual, plus celebrity interviews. Because you can’t get enough of those. In an attempt to break out of the already dull young chick mold, the mag will be geared toward young Latina girls., but I suspect you don’t have

Books/Mags/Blogs
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