We recall how easy it is to get into Canada, and how nice it was once we were safely across the border. And we regret that circumstances prevent us from attenting BookExpo Canada. As it turns out, we have other plans for the June 11 – 14, 2004 timeframe. For those who can make the trip to Toronto, registration is now open. Dig out your credit card and visit the BookExpo Canada website. BookExpo Canada
For the record, we have chosen not to follow the travails of Bill Clinton as he races to meet his deadline. There are plenty of gossip columns out there with the time and energy to do this story justice. We would, however, like to reassure all authors out there that the former President of the United States handles deadline pressure in the same way many of us do. He procrastinates by calling friends and complaining about his looming deadline. We would like to say we envy his editor the long, late hours which will be necessary to get this apparently
As we once explained to our much younger sister, we love lists, we love countdowns, we love things in orderly order. This somewhat explains our fascination with weekly bestseller lists — despite the fact we rarely have a moment to read anything more arduous than the pictures in the magazines piled around us. But we have high hopes and carefully memorize chart positions like they were our horoscope. We once again turn to the Powell’s list because, quite frankly, it has our new favorite title Eats, Shoots and Leaves in the top five (it’s number one, but we wanted you
First, let us say that some people are so sensitive. Second, let us say that poor behavior fascinates us — we were raised to be polite in public. However, taking author Christopher Byron’s behavior (storming out right before an interview is always classy) as the publicity stunt he clearly desired, we’ll go ahead and give him a little mention here, even if we don’t think it shows him in the best light. Or perhaps it’s that he identifies too closely with his subject matter? We can’t say for sure. “CEOs Gone Wild” writer ups & goes (Lloyd Grove, second item)
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
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
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
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
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
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
