Welcome to Biting-Edge, a blog shared by authors and vampire experts, Mario Acevedo and Jeanne Stein. We’ll cover urban fantasy, vampires, pop culture, and all things Joss Whedon. Unlike other fantasy blogs, we don’t insist on body cavity searches (unless you ask politely). Snarkiness is most welcome...though we won't promise not to bite back!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It's so gay...
Mario here:
Happy Pride Day!
But first.
I'm slogging through my revisions for Werewolf Smackdown and I feel like this osprey (which is better than the fish is doing).
Several weeks ago, I had received an invitation for the retirement party of John Zeck, sales rep for HarperCollins, my publisher. The party was yesterday (Sunday) at the Tattered Cover, LoDo. I've met John several times though I didn't know him well. He was roasted during the party and I learned a lot about him and what a great guy he is. Eccentric. Opinionated. Erudite. Fun. Here's John with Cathy Longer, lead buyer for the Tattered Cover (left), and his boss from HarperCollins, Kristin Bowers. John's taking a few weeks off, then he and his wife are off to Europe. Good luck and thanks for your support, John.
Since we are a vampire blog, check out Jason Henderson discussing his first draft process for a forthcoming Van Helsing novel on his Blog of Dracula. Then cruise on over to Vampire News for your fix on undead happenings. Tell 'em we sent you.
Contest...but not yet. Check back on July 4th. Why the Fourth? Well, the contest topic is appropriate for the holiday. Jeanne and I have been squeezing the brain parts to think of cool, new prizes.
On the literary front, this from Publishers Lunch:
Film
"Larry Doyle's forthcoming GO, MUTANTS!, set in an all-American high school whose juvenile delinquents are the offspring of the giant-brained aliens and atomic monsters immortalized in the golden age of Hollywood B-movies, to Universal Pictures, with Brian Grazer at Imagine producing, and Doyle adapting, by CAA and Sarah Burnes at The Gernert Company." I give this three slices of cheese.
UK
"PunkScience.com blogger and science writer Frank Swain's ZOMBOLOGY: The New Science of Zombies, Reanimation and Mind Control, exploring the 100-year scientific quest to control the bodies and minds of fellow humans, tying together seemingly disparate subjects from the most incredible annals of scientific literature - unsuspecting citizens dosed with zombifying drugs by secret agents; Soviet experiments in which organs are kept alive when separated from the body; parasites that force unnatural behaviors, sex changes and suicide; psychologists reducing crime through urban design; doctors treating schizophrenia with antibiotics in Ethiopia - to reveal how, despite our supposed intelligence, we all remain extraordinarily susceptible to manipulation, to Marsha Filion at Oneworld, for publication in Autumn 2010, by Peter Tallack at the Science Factory (UK/Commonwealth, excl. Canada). info@sciencefactory.co.uk" I like this. Stay tuned.
In memoriam:
I won't be telling you anything new but I'd be remiss if I didn't note the passing of these two American pop culture icons.
Farah Fawcett.
When I was in college, even women's dorm rooms had this poster:
And King of Pop Michael Jackson (without mentioning his troubles as Wacko Jacko). A lot of the modern rethinking of zombies from smelly monsters to Dumpster-fashionistas comes from his Thriller video.
And now, PrideFest in City Park. Great weather (no rain, for once). Good place for people watching. Lots of booths, music, and dancing. Women in short skirts, like Jessy and Lucy, are best admired on a pedestal.
Emily caught my eye with her winning smile.
This is for Lori Armstrong and her penchant for men-on-men, gay cowboy, slash fiction.
Lori lives in South Dokata and I assumed, based from talking to her, that she and her husband own a pickup truck, which they don't. I wondered how you can live in the boonies (which includes all of South and North Dakota I've been told) and not own a pick up? Here's how:
Check out the power windows. This bull is riding in style.
See you on the Fourth!
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 9:37 PM
3 comments
Happy Pride Day!
But first.
I'm slogging through my revisions for Werewolf Smackdown and I feel like this osprey (which is better than the fish is doing).
Several weeks ago, I had received an invitation for the retirement party of John Zeck, sales rep for HarperCollins, my publisher. The party was yesterday (Sunday) at the Tattered Cover, LoDo. I've met John several times though I didn't know him well. He was roasted during the party and I learned a lot about him and what a great guy he is. Eccentric. Opinionated. Erudite. Fun. Here's John with Cathy Longer, lead buyer for the Tattered Cover (left), and his boss from HarperCollins, Kristin Bowers. John's taking a few weeks off, then he and his wife are off to Europe. Good luck and thanks for your support, John.
Since we are a vampire blog, check out Jason Henderson discussing his first draft process for a forthcoming Van Helsing novel on his Blog of Dracula. Then cruise on over to Vampire News for your fix on undead happenings. Tell 'em we sent you.
Contest...but not yet. Check back on July 4th. Why the Fourth? Well, the contest topic is appropriate for the holiday. Jeanne and I have been squeezing the brain parts to think of cool, new prizes.
On the literary front, this from Publishers Lunch:
Film
"Larry Doyle's forthcoming GO, MUTANTS!, set in an all-American high school whose juvenile delinquents are the offspring of the giant-brained aliens and atomic monsters immortalized in the golden age of Hollywood B-movies, to Universal Pictures, with Brian Grazer at Imagine producing, and Doyle adapting, by CAA and Sarah Burnes at The Gernert Company." I give this three slices of cheese.
UK
"PunkScience.com blogger and science writer Frank Swain's ZOMBOLOGY: The New Science of Zombies, Reanimation and Mind Control, exploring the 100-year scientific quest to control the bodies and minds of fellow humans, tying together seemingly disparate subjects from the most incredible annals of scientific literature - unsuspecting citizens dosed with zombifying drugs by secret agents; Soviet experiments in which organs are kept alive when separated from the body; parasites that force unnatural behaviors, sex changes and suicide; psychologists reducing crime through urban design; doctors treating schizophrenia with antibiotics in Ethiopia - to reveal how, despite our supposed intelligence, we all remain extraordinarily susceptible to manipulation, to Marsha Filion at Oneworld, for publication in Autumn 2010, by Peter Tallack at the Science Factory (UK/Commonwealth, excl. Canada). info@sciencefactory.co.uk" I like this. Stay tuned.
In memoriam:
I won't be telling you anything new but I'd be remiss if I didn't note the passing of these two American pop culture icons.
Farah Fawcett.
When I was in college, even women's dorm rooms had this poster:
And King of Pop Michael Jackson (without mentioning his troubles as Wacko Jacko). A lot of the modern rethinking of zombies from smelly monsters to Dumpster-fashionistas comes from his Thriller video.
And now, PrideFest in City Park. Great weather (no rain, for once). Good place for people watching. Lots of booths, music, and dancing. Women in short skirts, like Jessy and Lucy, are best admired on a pedestal.
Emily caught my eye with her winning smile.
This is for Lori Armstrong and her penchant for men-on-men, gay cowboy, slash fiction.
Lori lives in South Dokata and I assumed, based from talking to her, that she and her husband own a pickup truck, which they don't. I wondered how you can live in the boonies (which includes all of South and North Dakota I've been told) and not own a pick up? Here's how:
Check out the power windows. This bull is riding in style.
See you on the Fourth!
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 9:37 PM
3 comments
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Happy Birthday, Joss!
Have to begin with this greeting to Joss Whedon. Our boy turned 45 Tuesday, June 23. Happy Birthday and Many Bloody Returns!!
Here's a nice recap of all things Joss.
In keeping with things in the Whedonverse, I’ll continue with something in the scratch-your-head-in-dumbfoundment (if that’s a word)-category. Star Central Mag did a Top 10 Sexiest Vampires of All Time. Angel is # 5—I’ll let you peruse the rest of the list yourself. But Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen is #1????
Who picked? A ten year old?
And where the hell is Spike?????
Coming back to earth, Anthony Head talking about a possible Ripper TV series.
"Ripper is a kind of a - it’s a funny old thing," said Head. "Whether it ever gets made or not... if it does ever get made, I’ll probably be an octogenarian by the time it does. But it is something I actually introduced Joss to [Doctor Who producer] Julie Gardner, who was a producer with the BBC. She has long wanted to do something with the project. There are obviously complications with Ripper because there are lots of tie ins. There’s FOX, there’s the Kazuis. There’s all sorts of stuff that, basically it isn’t just a simple question of Joss making a series that he wants to make as far as anything concerned with Buffy. There are a lot of people down the line that would have a say. And that’s part of the equation."
Full interview here.
Head’s newest Merlin premiered Sunday, June 21st at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC. And I missed it—damn it! Did anyone see it? Comments?
Book biz news:
Brentano’s in Paris closes after 114 years –
Book trade printed the letter posted on the door on June 15—
Dear Friends,
It is with sadness, and astonishment - despite the prolonged agony of these last months - that we inform you of the official closing of Brentano's Bookstore - Paris, Monday, June 15, 2009. We who remained for the final voyage are a skeleton crew. Along with the many cherished former colleagues you have known, we thank you for your vital collaboration and consideration throughout the years. It has been our privilege to be a part of the special world of books and bookselling and a bridge between cultures.
After 114 years at the same address Brentano's - the American Bookstore in Paris, will no longer welcome the curious passer-by and the faithful regular. In these final days many, many customers have expressed sincere disbelief and genuine anguish upon learning that this institution (in their minds invincible) will cease to exist. This testimony to our combined efforts, yours and ours, we take to heart and share with you.
We will miss our unique universe. We are thankful to have had the rare opportunity to know so many good and talented people from many nations and to have lived and worked in the world of books.
Best wishes, Susan Rosenberg and Alain Queval for Brentano's - Paris
I remember visiting this store many years ago. Sad and astonishing, indeed.
Sebastian Faulks will not write another Bond after all—From BookSeller in the UK:
21.06.09 Benedicte Page
The "options are open" on a follow-up to the James Bond hit Devil May Care, agent Simon Trewin has said, though Sebastian Faulks has confirmed that he will not author a second Bond title.
"My contract did offer me a second go, but definitely not," he told The Bookseller. "'Once funny, twice silly, three times a slap', as the nanny saying goes. But I think it would be a good gig for someone to do."
Trewin, of United Agents, manages the literary rights to Bond on behalf of the Fleming estate. He said that no new author had been signed up to write and there were "no firm plans at the moment". But he added: "All options are open."
I'll do it, I'll do it!!!!
I wasn’t sure how to categorize this next one. Maybe things-I-never-thought-I’d-see.
The granddaughter of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara is at the forefront of another revolution _ for vegetarianism.
Lydia Guevara poses semi-nude in a PETA campaign that tells viewers to "join the vegetarian revolution," said PETA spokesman Michael McGraw.
Okay…
It's time again for the annual Writerspace Beach Party, to celebrate summer and find some terrific beach reads for this year's vacation! Join dozens of your favorite authors at the 2009 Beach Party at Writerspace on Sunday, June 28th from 8pm ET to 11pm ET.
Authors will be dropping in to chat all during the evening and we will be giving away 100s of new books and other fantastic prizes --autographed, hard-to-find, advance copies plus special treats like gift baskets and more. We hope to see you Sunday night! You don't have to be present to win, but you must be registered. To register, and for details on all participating authors and the prizes they're giving away, go here.
I’m giving away some books and swag but I don’t know when and if I’ll drop in for a chat. However, lots of great authors are and the chance at a lot of great prizes for simply registering makes it a no-brainer.
Ending with two fun things from pal Lorraine Mark. First a video that needs no explanation. Now, Mario assures me I can do this. We’re about to find out.
And this:
I'm enclosing a picture of my spinning my Galactic Sugary Yumminess at the local 'Bark In The Park' dog show (I wonder how many kids ate sugary dog hair in their cones! LOL) Ewww!
If you’re in the Croton Park NY area and want something novel (ha-ha) for your next party, look Lorraine up! As her banner says: A Spinner Of Galactic Sugary Yumminess!
I could use some sugary yumminess about now!! ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:12 AM 21 comments
Have to begin with this greeting to Joss Whedon. Our boy turned 45 Tuesday, June 23. Happy Birthday and Many Bloody Returns!!
Here's a nice recap of all things Joss.
In keeping with things in the Whedonverse, I’ll continue with something in the scratch-your-head-in-dumbfoundment (if that’s a word)-category. Star Central Mag did a Top 10 Sexiest Vampires of All Time. Angel is # 5—I’ll let you peruse the rest of the list yourself. But Robert Pattison as Edward Cullen is #1????
Who picked? A ten year old?
And where the hell is Spike?????
Coming back to earth, Anthony Head talking about a possible Ripper TV series.
"Ripper is a kind of a - it’s a funny old thing," said Head. "Whether it ever gets made or not... if it does ever get made, I’ll probably be an octogenarian by the time it does. But it is something I actually introduced Joss to [Doctor Who producer] Julie Gardner, who was a producer with the BBC. She has long wanted to do something with the project. There are obviously complications with Ripper because there are lots of tie ins. There’s FOX, there’s the Kazuis. There’s all sorts of stuff that, basically it isn’t just a simple question of Joss making a series that he wants to make as far as anything concerned with Buffy. There are a lot of people down the line that would have a say. And that’s part of the equation."
Full interview here.
Head’s newest Merlin premiered Sunday, June 21st at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC. And I missed it—damn it! Did anyone see it? Comments?
Book biz news:
Brentano’s in Paris closes after 114 years –
Book trade printed the letter posted on the door on June 15—
Dear Friends,
It is with sadness, and astonishment - despite the prolonged agony of these last months - that we inform you of the official closing of Brentano's Bookstore - Paris, Monday, June 15, 2009. We who remained for the final voyage are a skeleton crew. Along with the many cherished former colleagues you have known, we thank you for your vital collaboration and consideration throughout the years. It has been our privilege to be a part of the special world of books and bookselling and a bridge between cultures.
After 114 years at the same address Brentano's - the American Bookstore in Paris, will no longer welcome the curious passer-by and the faithful regular. In these final days many, many customers have expressed sincere disbelief and genuine anguish upon learning that this institution (in their minds invincible) will cease to exist. This testimony to our combined efforts, yours and ours, we take to heart and share with you.
We will miss our unique universe. We are thankful to have had the rare opportunity to know so many good and talented people from many nations and to have lived and worked in the world of books.
Best wishes, Susan Rosenberg and Alain Queval for Brentano's - Paris
I remember visiting this store many years ago. Sad and astonishing, indeed.
Sebastian Faulks will not write another Bond after all—From BookSeller in the UK:
21.06.09 Benedicte Page
The "options are open" on a follow-up to the James Bond hit Devil May Care, agent Simon Trewin has said, though Sebastian Faulks has confirmed that he will not author a second Bond title.
"My contract did offer me a second go, but definitely not," he told The Bookseller. "'Once funny, twice silly, three times a slap', as the nanny saying goes. But I think it would be a good gig for someone to do."
Trewin, of United Agents, manages the literary rights to Bond on behalf of the Fleming estate. He said that no new author had been signed up to write and there were "no firm plans at the moment". But he added: "All options are open."
I'll do it, I'll do it!!!!
I wasn’t sure how to categorize this next one. Maybe things-I-never-thought-I’d-see.
The granddaughter of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara is at the forefront of another revolution _ for vegetarianism.
Lydia Guevara poses semi-nude in a PETA campaign that tells viewers to "join the vegetarian revolution," said PETA spokesman Michael McGraw.
Okay…
It's time again for the annual Writerspace Beach Party, to celebrate summer and find some terrific beach reads for this year's vacation! Join dozens of your favorite authors at the 2009 Beach Party at Writerspace on Sunday, June 28th from 8pm ET to 11pm ET.
Authors will be dropping in to chat all during the evening and we will be giving away 100s of new books and other fantastic prizes --autographed, hard-to-find, advance copies plus special treats like gift baskets and more. We hope to see you Sunday night! You don't have to be present to win, but you must be registered. To register, and for details on all participating authors and the prizes they're giving away, go here.
I’m giving away some books and swag but I don’t know when and if I’ll drop in for a chat. However, lots of great authors are and the chance at a lot of great prizes for simply registering makes it a no-brainer.
Ending with two fun things from pal Lorraine Mark. First a video that needs no explanation. Now, Mario assures me I can do this. We’re about to find out.
And this:
I'm enclosing a picture of my spinning my Galactic Sugary Yumminess at the local 'Bark In The Park' dog show (I wonder how many kids ate sugary dog hair in their cones! LOL) Ewww!
If you’re in the Croton Park NY area and want something novel (ha-ha) for your next party, look Lorraine up! As her banner says: A Spinner Of Galactic Sugary Yumminess!
I could use some sugary yumminess about now!! ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:12 AM 21 comments
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Check out the peepers
Mario here:
Both Jeanne and I are on deadline death march. I'm neck deep in revisions for my new Felix Gomez book. Got the cover. Whatta ya think? Here's the freaky part. Compare it to the original cover for Jeanne's first book.
Once Jeanne and I catch our breath after deadline, we'll post an awesome contest, the most exciting ever. Get your thinking caps on and set them to KA-ZAM! But the subject remains a secret to keep you type A's from jumping the gun.
In the meantime, to satisfy your contest jones, check this contest from RudyG about this anthology on La Bloga.
"Needles & Bones is a collection of poems and short fiction by a double handful of brilliantly creative artists-with-words. It begins gently, with fairy tales, but its tendrils of surreality spread from the stories of our childhood, into our adult world, and on to places beyond our own. We visit heaven, and hell, and places we might never imagine, peopled by creatures who are only sometimes like us."
"RudyG contributed Memorabilia, the crazy story of Tomás Chaneco Martinez, a near-immortal Aztec shaman-sorcerer, who finds himself in contemporary, rural, northern New Mexico. He's gotta clean out decades' worth of knick-knacks that somehow found their way into his adobe. It seems that his nemeses, some ancient dragons, have taken possession of the things and are threatening to disturb more than his sleep. What starts out as a spring housecleaning turns into a series of fantastical encounters that Harry Potter would never have survived. Anyway, if you enjoy fantasy, dragons, azteca lore, No. New Mexico, and maybe a little humor, I expect you'll like this one."
Fellow critiquer Terry Wright has updated his website. One of his new features is to spotlight his favorite authors and our own Jeanne Stein is on stage.
The fabulous Lit Fest is over. Last Friday, Lighthouse Writers Workshop hosted the final party that made you feel smart and beautiful just being there. (Yes, even me.) Here is Executive Director Michael Henry emceeing the ceremony for the Beacon Award, given to the best faculty member, which this year was screenwriter Alexandre Philippe.
SIGNING ALERT! Jeanne and I, along with Warren Hammond, will be signing this Tuesday, June 23, noon-2pm, at the Barnes & Noble, Arapahoe Marketplace 8555 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80112.
And our favorite young adult vampire author, Richelle Mead, continues on her path for world domination. From Publishers Lunch:
Foreign rights to Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY, FROST BITE, and SHADOW KISS, to Agave Konyek in Hungary, by Blanka Daroczi at Andrew Nurnberg Associates; at IBIS in Bulgaria, by Kamelia Emilova at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, at auction; and to Mladinska Knjiga in Slovenia, by Jitka Nemeckova at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, on behalf of Lauren Abramo at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
labramo@dystel.com
¶ posted by Mario Acevedo @ 9:10 PM 25 comments
Both Jeanne and I are on deadline death march. I'm neck deep in revisions for my new Felix Gomez book. Got the cover. Whatta ya think? Here's the freaky part. Compare it to the original cover for Jeanne's first book.
Once Jeanne and I catch our breath after deadline, we'll post an awesome contest, the most exciting ever. Get your thinking caps on and set them to KA-ZAM! But the subject remains a secret to keep you type A's from jumping the gun.
In the meantime, to satisfy your contest jones, check this contest from RudyG about this anthology on La Bloga."Needles & Bones is a collection of poems and short fiction by a double handful of brilliantly creative artists-with-words. It begins gently, with fairy tales, but its tendrils of surreality spread from the stories of our childhood, into our adult world, and on to places beyond our own. We visit heaven, and hell, and places we might never imagine, peopled by creatures who are only sometimes like us."
"RudyG contributed Memorabilia, the crazy story of Tomás Chaneco Martinez, a near-immortal Aztec shaman-sorcerer, who finds himself in contemporary, rural, northern New Mexico. He's gotta clean out decades' worth of knick-knacks that somehow found their way into his adobe. It seems that his nemeses, some ancient dragons, have taken possession of the things and are threatening to disturb more than his sleep. What starts out as a spring housecleaning turns into a series of fantastical encounters that Harry Potter would never have survived. Anyway, if you enjoy fantasy, dragons, azteca lore, No. New Mexico, and maybe a little humor, I expect you'll like this one."
Fellow critiquer Terry Wright has updated his website. One of his new features is to spotlight his favorite authors and our own Jeanne Stein is on stage.
The fabulous Lit Fest is over. Last Friday, Lighthouse Writers Workshop hosted the final party that made you feel smart and beautiful just being there. (Yes, even me.) Here is Executive Director Michael Henry emceeing the ceremony for the Beacon Award, given to the best faculty member, which this year was screenwriter Alexandre Philippe.
SIGNING ALERT! Jeanne and I, along with Warren Hammond, will be signing this Tuesday, June 23, noon-2pm, at the Barnes & Noble, Arapahoe Marketplace 8555 East Arapahoe Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80112.
And our favorite young adult vampire author, Richelle Mead, continues on her path for world domination. From Publishers Lunch:
Foreign rights to Richelle Mead's VAMPIRE ACADEMY, FROST BITE, and SHADOW KISS, to Agave Konyek in Hungary, by Blanka Daroczi at Andrew Nurnberg Associates; at IBIS in Bulgaria, by Kamelia Emilova at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, at auction; and to Mladinska Knjiga in Slovenia, by Jitka Nemeckova at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, on behalf of Lauren Abramo at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.
labramo@dystel.com
¶ posted by Mario Acevedo @ 9:10 PM 25 comments
Thursday, June 18, 2009
TidBits
Hi all—
Short and sweet this week, I am focused on finishing this sixth book. And I’m SO close. The weekend in Fairplay put me over the top—I wrote 20,000 words in two and a half days. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have someone taking care of your every need… (well, not EVERY need, but Michael comes close.)
My pal Susan Smith took some pics and I’m hoping she sends them on so I can post them here.
Got my Comic Con schedule for those who may be attending: Thursday, July 23, I sign at the Penguin Booth at 11 AM
Saturday I’m on a Bram Stoker Panel: Bram Stoker: The Joss Whedon of his Day? Room 5AB 11:30 Am with autograph session to follow
Love the topic – if any of you have any comments or suggestions, send them on!
Another reason to attend this year:
Before the cult hit (Dollhouse) returns (filming begins next month !), fans can get their fill of the dolls at San Diego’s Comic-Con. The unaired 13th episode from season one, titled “Epitaph One,” will remain off FOX broadcasting channels, but fans will be lucky enough to see the episode — and Whedon and star Eliza Dushku — during a two-hour panel.
Kris, are you seeing this?
A Video game based on the show is apparently in the works.
New season premieres Friday Sept 9
One more TV bit: Nathan Fillion - "Castle" Tv Series - ABC announces fall premiere date for Season 2
Monday Sept 21 following Dancing With the Stars
Dorchester is taking the cell craze to a higher level—
Dorchester is behind another innovative contest for unpublished writers. Authors ages 18 and older are invited to participate in America’s Next Best Celler, a literary challenge that pairs the emergent cellular generation with the traditional publishing model. The contest will award a guaranteed publishing contract with Dorchester.
Details here.
Mentioned Salinger suing the author of 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye. Well, guess what?
Publisher of Sweden's Nicotext Fredrik Colting has now admitted that he wrote 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye and invented the pseudonym JD California. (A photo that ran in the Telegraph depicted a friend of Colting's who is an actor.)
Colting claims not to have understood he was echoing Salinger's name with his pseudonym: "Somehow, John David California sounded like JD. I didn’t think about that actually. I just thought it sounded cool. Of course afterwards, I see the resemblance."
Right…. Full article here.
And this, just in from the AP:
US District Judge Deborah Batts issued a temporary restraining order preventing publication for at least the next 10 days of "JD California" (Frederik Colting's) book (originally called a sequel to Catcher in the Rye), finding "substantial similarities" to the original novel. She said "I'll issue a written decision as quickly as I can."
Batts was highly dubious in the initial hearing that Colting's book offers any protected commentary or parody. "Let me be clear," she said. "I am having difficulty seeing that it exists" at all. Colting's attorney Edward Henry Rosenthal "did not dispute that the character is meant to be Caulfield years later."
Batts indicated that she does believe the Holden Caulfield character is "sufficiently defined and delineated" to have copyright protection: "It would seem that Holden Caulfield is copyrighted."
See, I said short but sweet. Promise more pics and stuff next week. Mario explained in great detail how to post videos so I will be on the lookout to see if I can find one to experiment on because we all know, anything he can do I can do better…..
PS Tuesday, June 22 at noon, Mario, Warren Hammond (Gina, alert) and I will be signing at the Barnes and Noble in Greenwood Village: 8555 East Arapahoe Road
PPS – Didn’t get a chance to play last week, so I have to make a couple of comments here about Mario’s post
1. Captain Satan looks nothing like Mario—Captain Satan is taller, built better and has more hair
2. Here’s my idea of Satan--
3. Gina, you can run but you can’t hide… ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:14 AM 14 comments
Short and sweet this week, I am focused on finishing this sixth book. And I’m SO close. The weekend in Fairplay put me over the top—I wrote 20,000 words in two and a half days. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you have someone taking care of your every need… (well, not EVERY need, but Michael comes close.)
My pal Susan Smith took some pics and I’m hoping she sends them on so I can post them here.
Got my Comic Con schedule for those who may be attending: Thursday, July 23, I sign at the Penguin Booth at 11 AM
Saturday I’m on a Bram Stoker Panel: Bram Stoker: The Joss Whedon of his Day? Room 5AB 11:30 Am with autograph session to follow
Love the topic – if any of you have any comments or suggestions, send them on!
Another reason to attend this year:
Before the cult hit (Dollhouse) returns (filming begins next month !), fans can get their fill of the dolls at San Diego’s Comic-Con. The unaired 13th episode from season one, titled “Epitaph One,” will remain off FOX broadcasting channels, but fans will be lucky enough to see the episode — and Whedon and star Eliza Dushku — during a two-hour panel.
Kris, are you seeing this?
A Video game based on the show is apparently in the works.
New season premieres Friday Sept 9
One more TV bit: Nathan Fillion - "Castle" Tv Series - ABC announces fall premiere date for Season 2
Monday Sept 21 following Dancing With the Stars
Dorchester is taking the cell craze to a higher level—
Dorchester is behind another innovative contest for unpublished writers. Authors ages 18 and older are invited to participate in America’s Next Best Celler, a literary challenge that pairs the emergent cellular generation with the traditional publishing model. The contest will award a guaranteed publishing contract with Dorchester.
Details here.
Mentioned Salinger suing the author of 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye. Well, guess what?
Publisher of Sweden's Nicotext Fredrik Colting has now admitted that he wrote 60 Years Later: Coming Through the Rye and invented the pseudonym JD California. (A photo that ran in the Telegraph depicted a friend of Colting's who is an actor.)
Colting claims not to have understood he was echoing Salinger's name with his pseudonym: "Somehow, John David California sounded like JD. I didn’t think about that actually. I just thought it sounded cool. Of course afterwards, I see the resemblance."
Right…. Full article here.
And this, just in from the AP:
US District Judge Deborah Batts issued a temporary restraining order preventing publication for at least the next 10 days of "JD California" (Frederik Colting's) book (originally called a sequel to Catcher in the Rye), finding "substantial similarities" to the original novel. She said "I'll issue a written decision as quickly as I can."
Batts was highly dubious in the initial hearing that Colting's book offers any protected commentary or parody. "Let me be clear," she said. "I am having difficulty seeing that it exists" at all. Colting's attorney Edward Henry Rosenthal "did not dispute that the character is meant to be Caulfield years later."
Batts indicated that she does believe the Holden Caulfield character is "sufficiently defined and delineated" to have copyright protection: "It would seem that Holden Caulfield is copyrighted."
See, I said short but sweet. Promise more pics and stuff next week. Mario explained in great detail how to post videos so I will be on the lookout to see if I can find one to experiment on because we all know, anything he can do I can do better…..
PS Tuesday, June 22 at noon, Mario, Warren Hammond (Gina, alert) and I will be signing at the Barnes and Noble in Greenwood Village: 8555 East Arapahoe Road
PPS – Didn’t get a chance to play last week, so I have to make a couple of comments here about Mario’s post
1. Captain Satan looks nothing like Mario—Captain Satan is taller, built better and has more hair
2. Here’s my idea of Satan--
3. Gina, you can run but you can’t hide… ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:14 AM 14 comments
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I'm so bad, it's good
Mario here:
Over at Biting-Edge world headquarters, along with selected miscreants at the League of Relunctant Adults, we were kicking around a proposal for a workshop about villains and evil. Okay, we're supposed to be against the bad guys, but really, don't scoundrels make life interesting? It's the eternal struggle between good and evil, light and dark, plain versus crunchy. I mean, who cares about the suburban PTA mom? Unless she's a swinger bisexual serial killer and now you've got our attention.
So we've got to give the Devil his due. The measure of a hero is the villain he, or she, has to defeat. Second-rate villains breed second-rate heros. Nasty, super villains demand a real super hero. Batman doesn't waste his time with shoplifters. But there are complications. You want a great villain, he, or she, can't be one dimensional. After all, every villain is the hero of his story.
Tell us, what villains ring your chimes?
The Joker, Attila the Hun, Dick Cheney?
Catching those villains takes some brain power so check out real-life P.I. Colleen Collins-Kaufman and her thoughts on Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes.
Let's take time to give ex-cop and demon expert Diana Rowland her props at Bitten-by-Books.
Lit Fest is going pedal-to-the-metal. Last Friday's salon featured screen writer Alexandre Pilippe and choreographer Garrett Ammon discussing My Obsession.
This Thursday I'll be joining authors Carleen Brice and Bill Henderson in our salon, In & Out of the Niche at the Wynkoop brewery. Free. Plenty of booze available. (It is a brewery.)
This last weekend was one of the premier Denver art festivals, the Art Students League Show. Holly Buchan showed off her awesome hat, and her delicious ceramic props.
Meanwhile, on the subject of villains and ne'er-do-wells, artist and provocateur Jennifer Mosquera, staged her rogue show right next to the Arts Students League Show. Check out her new line of designer wear, Robots and Rockets ties.
Bad girl Jen gives an editorial comment about the fed's new ruling on
the dangers of tobacco.
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 7:44 PM
7 comments
Over at Biting-Edge world headquarters, along with selected miscreants at the League of Relunctant Adults, we were kicking around a proposal for a workshop about villains and evil. Okay, we're supposed to be against the bad guys, but really, don't scoundrels make life interesting? It's the eternal struggle between good and evil, light and dark, plain versus crunchy. I mean, who cares about the suburban PTA mom? Unless she's a swinger bisexual serial killer and now you've got our attention.
So we've got to give the Devil his due. The measure of a hero is the villain he, or she, has to defeat. Second-rate villains breed second-rate heros. Nasty, super villains demand a real super hero. Batman doesn't waste his time with shoplifters. But there are complications. You want a great villain, he, or she, can't be one dimensional. After all, every villain is the hero of his story.
Tell us, what villains ring your chimes?
The Joker, Attila the Hun, Dick Cheney?
Catching those villains takes some brain power so check out real-life P.I. Colleen Collins-Kaufman and her thoughts on Guns, Gams, and Gumshoes.
Let's take time to give ex-cop and demon expert Diana Rowland her props at Bitten-by-Books.
Lit Fest is going pedal-to-the-metal. Last Friday's salon featured screen writer Alexandre Pilippe and choreographer Garrett Ammon discussing My Obsession.
This Thursday I'll be joining authors Carleen Brice and Bill Henderson in our salon, In & Out of the Niche at the Wynkoop brewery. Free. Plenty of booze available. (It is a brewery.)
This last weekend was one of the premier Denver art festivals, the Art Students League Show. Holly Buchan showed off her awesome hat, and her delicious ceramic props.
Meanwhile, on the subject of villains and ne'er-do-wells, artist and provocateur Jennifer Mosquera, staged her rogue show right next to the Arts Students League Show. Check out her new line of designer wear, Robots and Rockets ties.
Bad girl Jen gives an editorial comment about the fed's new ruling onthe dangers of tobacco.
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 7:44 PM
7 comments
Friday, June 12, 2009
PS - True Blood Season 2
Forgot to mention something very important:
From USA TODAY: The 12-episode second season of HBO's True Blood, based on the series by Charlaine Harris "about vampires gingerly entering society after the discovery of synthetic blood eliminates the need--if not always the desire--to feed on humans," debuts this Sunday. According to USA Today, "Season 2 roughly follows Harris's second Sookie Stackhouse novel, Living Dead in Dallas."
Harris, who loved the first season, noted that her readers are quick to express their opinions: "A certain percentage believe the show is pornographic. A huger percentage love it and are very anxious for their favorite scenes from the books to be re-created in the show."
In tune with the "popcorn for smart people" label that creatorAlan Ball once assigned the show, he promises a second season of "just more — sexier, hotter, funnier, scarier, more violent."
"Nakeder," too, saysAnna Paquin , who plays Stackhouse.
¶
posted by Jeanne Stein @ 5:11 AM
3 comments
Forgot to mention something very important:
From USA TODAY: The 12-episode second season of HBO's True Blood, based on the series by Charlaine Harris "about vampires gingerly entering society after the discovery of synthetic blood eliminates the need--if not always the desire--to feed on humans," debuts this Sunday. According to USA Today, "Season 2 roughly follows Harris's second Sookie Stackhouse novel, Living Dead in Dallas."
Harris, who loved the first season, noted that her readers are quick to express their opinions: "A certain percentage believe the show is pornographic. A huger percentage love it and are very anxious for their favorite scenes from the books to be re-created in the show."
In tune with the "popcorn for smart people" label that creator
"Nakeder," too, says
Thursday, June 11, 2009
S.H.I.T.
So Happy It's Thursday--
Why, you ask? Because I am SO looking forward to this weekend—I’m off with pal Susan Smith to Fairplay for a writers’ retreat. Goal—finish first draft of my sixth book: Retribution. Three days of nothing to think about except writing. The manager of the place (The Hand Hotel) cooks breakfast for us, puts out wine and goodies in the afternoon and prepares dinners to die for. I always get the same room and though I was at first leery of a room called "Trapper", it's the best. The hotel is charming, warm and has wireless! What more does anyone need?
On one of my loops someone posted a question about a rumor Charlaine Harris may make an appearance on True Blood. Her reply: It's a possibility, depending on timing and a lot of other things.
How cool would that be?
I imagine by now you’ve seen this pic of Mars looking as big as the moon with the caption that on August 27, the closest encounter between Mars and the Earth will occur.
A once in a lifetime event. Unfortunately, this 'once in a lifetime event' already came and went. In 2003. Another of those urban legends you love to hate -- what are your favorites?
Talked a few weeks ago about movie remakes. Here’s your chance to vote on who you’d like to see as the new Lara Croft. Candidates are:
Alison Carroll
Erica Durance
Summer Glau
Kristin Kreuk
Rhona Mitra
Michelle Ryan
Jessica Stroup
Olivia Wilde
Other (?)
What do you think?
Some book news:
J.D. Salinger Tries to Block 'Sequel' to 'Catcher in the Rye'
By ROBERT KAHN
(CN) - Reclusive author J.D. Salinger claims a man writing under the name of J.D. California is about to publish an unauthorized sequel of "The Catcher in the Rye," violating Salinger's copyright in the novel and its main character, Holden Caulfield. Salinger also sued London-based Windupbird Publishing, Sweden-based Nicotext, and SCB Distributors, of Gardena, Calif. Salinger calls the new book "a rip-off pure and simple."
Salinger says the cover of the new book describes it as a "sequel to one of our most beloved classics."
His complaint in Manhattan Federal Court continues: "The sequel's author, 'J.D. California,' explains that 'Just like the first novel, he leaves, but this time he's not at a prep school, he's at a retirement home in upstate New York. ... It's pretty much like the first book in that he roams around the city, inside himself and his past.'"
One other book tidbit—Janet Evanovich and her daughter are working on a graphic novel for Dark Horse Comics based on the “Metro Girl” series about a NASCAR race driver.
Ever heard of a BBC program called Being Human? From a BBC website:
..Being Human is about George, Mitchell and Annie, three seemingly normal flatmates struggling to keep their dark secrets from the world, and follows their struggle to fight both their curses and the enemies who want to bring them down.
Screener Elaine Bergstrom on LitVamp has this to say:
…it has an odd premise that just may appeal to Buffy fans. A vampire and a werewolf are roomies. What they have in common is that they are trying very hard not to hurt anyone. The werewolf does the Oz thing and locks himself in places when he turns. The vampire is going cold turkey managing to not kill very often. And their apartment is haunted by a young woman ghost who, in their supernatural presence, can now be seen by others though not the one person she want to have see her. I liked the blend of humor and tragedy. Nicely done.
Since BBC is not offered on my cable system (don’t ask), I’ll be counting on you to watch and let me know what you think.
A lead from Gina—an article about next season’s Dollhouse.
It gets odder and odder—David Caradine apparently was playing one of those games when he died.
Different strokes, people. Has always been my motto—but publishing death photos is too much. Evidently a Thai newspaper did that. You can find it if you want, it’s easy enough. Ironic that last night on a program called Mental, he was the guest star.
Since Mario and I had a long discussion about Caradine at group last Tuesday, we did some research and if you are interested, found a couple of articles on auto-erotic asphyxia. Here and here (this one from Mario as if you couldn't tell from the subject.) Is it me, or is this a stupid way to die?
And if you are curious about what an interview with Mario and I would be like, here’s your chance to find out. ARE (All Romance Ebooks) interviewed us at RT. It’s the third of a three parter ( about 42 minutes in) but first is Lorelei James (AKA Lori Armstrong). Her stuff as Lorelei is HOT.
I am going to try this video thing one more time-- U.G.L.Y. A Buffy Video by Jasmin
And once more, it didn't work. If you're curious, go here. ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 4:58 AM 8 comments
Why, you ask? Because I am SO looking forward to this weekend—I’m off with pal Susan Smith to Fairplay for a writers’ retreat. Goal—finish first draft of my sixth book: Retribution. Three days of nothing to think about except writing. The manager of the place (The Hand Hotel) cooks breakfast for us, puts out wine and goodies in the afternoon and prepares dinners to die for. I always get the same room and though I was at first leery of a room called "Trapper", it's the best. The hotel is charming, warm and has wireless! What more does anyone need?
On one of my loops someone posted a question about a rumor Charlaine Harris may make an appearance on True Blood. Her reply: It's a possibility, depending on timing and a lot of other things.
How cool would that be?
I imagine by now you’ve seen this pic of Mars looking as big as the moon with the caption that on August 27, the closest encounter between Mars and the Earth will occur.
A once in a lifetime event. Unfortunately, this 'once in a lifetime event' already came and went. In 2003. Another of those urban legends you love to hate -- what are your favorites?
Talked a few weeks ago about movie remakes. Here’s your chance to vote on who you’d like to see as the new Lara Croft. Candidates are:
Alison Carroll
Erica Durance
Summer Glau
Kristin Kreuk
Rhona Mitra
Michelle Ryan
Jessica Stroup
Olivia Wilde
Other (?)
What do you think?
Some book news:
J.D. Salinger Tries to Block 'Sequel' to 'Catcher in the Rye'
By ROBERT KAHN
(CN) - Reclusive author J.D. Salinger claims a man writing under the name of J.D. California is about to publish an unauthorized sequel of "The Catcher in the Rye," violating Salinger's copyright in the novel and its main character, Holden Caulfield. Salinger also sued London-based Windupbird Publishing, Sweden-based Nicotext, and SCB Distributors, of Gardena, Calif. Salinger calls the new book "a rip-off pure and simple."
Salinger says the cover of the new book describes it as a "sequel to one of our most beloved classics."
His complaint in Manhattan Federal Court continues: "The sequel's author, 'J.D. California,' explains that 'Just like the first novel, he leaves, but this time he's not at a prep school, he's at a retirement home in upstate New York. ... It's pretty much like the first book in that he roams around the city, inside himself and his past.'"
One other book tidbit—Janet Evanovich and her daughter are working on a graphic novel for Dark Horse Comics based on the “Metro Girl” series about a NASCAR race driver.
Ever heard of a BBC program called Being Human? From a BBC website:
..Being Human is about George, Mitchell and Annie, three seemingly normal flatmates struggling to keep their dark secrets from the world, and follows their struggle to fight both their curses and the enemies who want to bring them down.
Screener Elaine Bergstrom on LitVamp has this to say:
…it has an odd premise that just may appeal to Buffy fans. A vampire and a werewolf are roomies. What they have in common is that they are trying very hard not to hurt anyone. The werewolf does the Oz thing and locks himself in places when he turns. The vampire is going cold turkey managing to not kill very often. And their apartment is haunted by a young woman ghost who, in their supernatural presence, can now be seen by others though not the one person she want to have see her. I liked the blend of humor and tragedy. Nicely done.
Since BBC is not offered on my cable system (don’t ask), I’ll be counting on you to watch and let me know what you think.
A lead from Gina—an article about next season’s Dollhouse.
It gets odder and odder—David Caradine apparently was playing one of those games when he died.
Different strokes, people. Has always been my motto—but publishing death photos is too much. Evidently a Thai newspaper did that. You can find it if you want, it’s easy enough. Ironic that last night on a program called Mental, he was the guest star.
Since Mario and I had a long discussion about Caradine at group last Tuesday, we did some research and if you are interested, found a couple of articles on auto-erotic asphyxia. Here and here (this one from Mario as if you couldn't tell from the subject.) Is it me, or is this a stupid way to die?
And if you are curious about what an interview with Mario and I would be like, here’s your chance to find out. ARE (All Romance Ebooks) interviewed us at RT. It’s the third of a three parter ( about 42 minutes in) but first is Lorelei James (AKA Lori Armstrong). Her stuff as Lorelei is HOT.
I am going to try this video thing one more time-- U.G.L.Y. A Buffy Video by Jasmin
And once more, it didn't work. If you're curious, go here. ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 4:58 AM 8 comments
Sunday, June 07, 2009
The Sounds of Summer
Mario here:
We've been talking a lot about books and movies but nothing about that other art form: music!
Why is it we can hear a song and it takes us back to a specific time and place?
In my house, the radio was set to the Juarez station XELA so I grew up listening to Mexican tunes. It wasn't until I was in junior high that I was exposed to American pop music.
One of the first songs that wowed me was I Got A Line On You, by Spirit. A really cool tune and their only real hit. It's the kind of song that still sounds fresh though only if I listen to it every five years.
Whenever I hear Steppenwolf or Led Zeppelin it takes me back to skipping Sunday school and hanging out at my friends' house listening to the Devil's music.
Back in 1973, the year I got out of high school, I was hooked on Tubular Bells though I despised The Exorcist. Back then, the composer Mike Oldfield was hailed as the vanguard artist of a music genre so new it didn't have a name. Ten years later that genre became known as Music for a New Age and has since been re-labeled as ambient (wallpaper) music. As much as I liked Tubular Bells, I get bored whenever I listen to it now. Give me Australasia instead.
The 70s. Bleah. REO Speedwagon. Elton John. Bread (points if you remember them) Everytime I hear BTO's Taking Care of Business, I'm back in summer army training. The humidity. The mosquitos. Raccoons finding contraband candy bars hidden in our bunks. A guy in our barracks had an 8-track player, and I must've heard that song fifty times on any given day.
The Cars. One of my all-time favorite albums. Whenever I'm blue, I put this on the play list and I'm 25 again and strolling the Monterey Bay pier.
We detour into big band. I hear Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade and it's 1979. I can hear the song cooing out the speakers of this awesome card store in Cannery Row. I'd be admiring these
beautiful cards from Paper Moon Graphics (featuring work from the phenomenal airbrush artist Peter Lloyd who did this cover for Rod Stewart). The store was one of the first places to bring neon back, snazzy glowing shapes on the walls and ceiling. The music, the art, the ambience, everything seemed to fit so perfectly together. Wish the rest of my life was like that.
I can peg other moments to songs of that time. The B52s--it's 4am and I'm at the airfield in flight school. Gary Numan, Cars--Austin, TX: beer and BBQ.
The World of Private Music. Big change in my life. I'm out of the army and hooking up with artists in Dallas, TX. I was listening to this cassette while we were hanging an art show inside a warehouse.
A silly, silly tune yet it celebrates another change. I've escaped Fresno, CA, and have settled in Denver. So dance with Dee-Lite.
Another album I love. Portishead's Dummy. The lyrics make little sense but who cares with Beth Gibbon's ethereal voice? These songs, plus Cake's Never There, and Falco's Der Kommisar bring back dreamy times in San Francisco.
What tunes shape your memories?
Busy weekend.
Friday. The Lighthouse Lit Fest has begun. The festivities kicked off with the kick-off party. Co-director Andrea Dupree documents my alibi.
Saturday. La Piazza chalk art festival in Larimer Square. Jennifer Mosquera hard at work bringing oohs and aahs.
Sunday. Chicago author Daniel Smith was in town, touring his book, One The Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department. Our chapter of the Mystery Writers of America hosted a party for him at Bonnie Ramthun's house. (Bonnie, left, Daniel, Chris Goff). Awesome buffet. Awesome wine. Awesome time. Funny as I can't remember any of the music.
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 8:22 PM
12 comments
We've been talking a lot about books and movies but nothing about that other art form: music!
Why is it we can hear a song and it takes us back to a specific time and place?
In my house, the radio was set to the Juarez station XELA so I grew up listening to Mexican tunes. It wasn't until I was in junior high that I was exposed to American pop music.
One of the first songs that wowed me was I Got A Line On You, by Spirit. A really cool tune and their only real hit. It's the kind of song that still sounds fresh though only if I listen to it every five years.
Whenever I hear Steppenwolf or Led Zeppelin it takes me back to skipping Sunday school and hanging out at my friends' house listening to the Devil's music.
Back in 1973, the year I got out of high school, I was hooked on Tubular Bells though I despised The Exorcist. Back then, the composer Mike Oldfield was hailed as the vanguard artist of a music genre so new it didn't have a name. Ten years later that genre became known as Music for a New Age and has since been re-labeled as ambient (wallpaper) music. As much as I liked Tubular Bells, I get bored whenever I listen to it now. Give me Australasia instead.The 70s. Bleah. REO Speedwagon. Elton John. Bread (points if you remember them) Everytime I hear BTO's Taking Care of Business, I'm back in summer army training. The humidity. The mosquitos. Raccoons finding contraband candy bars hidden in our bunks. A guy in our barracks had an 8-track player, and I must've heard that song fifty times on any given day.
The Cars. One of my all-time favorite albums. Whenever I'm blue, I put this on the play list and I'm 25 again and strolling the Monterey Bay pier.We detour into big band. I hear Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade and it's 1979. I can hear the song cooing out the speakers of this awesome card store in Cannery Row. I'd be admiring these
beautiful cards from Paper Moon Graphics (featuring work from the phenomenal airbrush artist Peter Lloyd who did this cover for Rod Stewart). The store was one of the first places to bring neon back, snazzy glowing shapes on the walls and ceiling. The music, the art, the ambience, everything seemed to fit so perfectly together. Wish the rest of my life was like that.I can peg other moments to songs of that time. The B52s--it's 4am and I'm at the airfield in flight school. Gary Numan, Cars--Austin, TX: beer and BBQ.
The World of Private Music. Big change in my life. I'm out of the army and hooking up with artists in Dallas, TX. I was listening to this cassette while we were hanging an art show inside a warehouse.A silly, silly tune yet it celebrates another change. I've escaped Fresno, CA, and have settled in Denver. So dance with Dee-Lite.
Another album I love. Portishead's Dummy. The lyrics make little sense but who cares with Beth Gibbon's ethereal voice? These songs, plus Cake's Never There, and Falco's Der Kommisar bring back dreamy times in San Francisco.What tunes shape your memories?
Busy weekend.
Friday. The Lighthouse Lit Fest has begun. The festivities kicked off with the kick-off party. Co-director Andrea Dupree documents my alibi.
Saturday. La Piazza chalk art festival in Larimer Square. Jennifer Mosquera hard at work bringing oohs and aahs.Sunday. Chicago author Daniel Smith was in town, touring his book, One The Job: Behind the Stars of the Chicago Police Department. Our chapter of the Mystery Writers of America hosted a party for him at Bonnie Ramthun's house. (Bonnie, left, Daniel, Chris Goff). Awesome buffet. Awesome wine. Awesome time. Funny as I can't remember any of the music.
¶
posted by Mario Acevedo @ 8:22 PM
12 comments
Thursday, June 04, 2009
More female villains..
Great post on female villains—Mario and talked about it at critique group and we added Sharon Stone’s character from Basic Instinct.
A couple off the top of my head, Famke Janssen as Phoenix in X-Men
Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada
Natalie Davis the Miniature Killer on CSI
And Sarah Corvus of BSG.
Well, I guess that was four actually.
I think Photographer Leia summed it up best when she said: As for myself I try to avoid things with female villains b/c they can out creep/ out evil the guys in a heartbeat.
Amen to that. It’s that maternal instinct—when it goes bad, it goes VERY bad.
Our basket on Brenda Novak’s auction for Diabetes research went for $250.00!!!! Way to go, guys!
Something from the truth being stranger than fiction files:
Iran arrests 'Agatha Christie serial killer'
Woman accused of drugging, suffocating and robbing her victims was inspired by classic crime novels, police claim
And come to think of it, this may also qualify:
"Buffy The Vampire Slayer" Movie Remake - It’s more than a rumor
A new incarnation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" could be coming to the big screen.
"Buffy" creator Joss Whedon isn’t involved and it’s not set up at a studio, but Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment are working with original movie director Fran Rubel Kuzui and her husband, Kaz Kuzui, on what is being labeled a remake or relaunch, but not a sequel or prequel.
While Whedon is the person most associated with "Buffy," Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the "Buffy" script from then-unknown Whedon. She developed the script while her husband put together the financing to make the 1992 movie, which was released by Fox.
Kuzui later teamed with Gail Berman, then president of Sandollar Television, bringing back Whedon to make the TV series, which was produced by Fox TV and launched on the WB in 1997. Kuzui and Sandollar received executive producer credits on "Buffy" and its spinoff, "Angel."
The new "Buffy" film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching "Star Trek."
One of the underlying ideas of "Buffy" allows Vertigo and Kuzui to do just that: that each generation has its own vampire slayer to protect it. The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential.
The parties are meeting with writers and hearing takes, and later will look for a home for the project. The producers do not rule out Whedon’s involvement but have not yet reached out to him. Speaking from Tokyo, Fran Kuzui said the company is constantly approached not only about sequels but theater, video games and foreign remakes for "Buffy." When Vertigo’s Lee contacted them, they were intrigued.
"It was Roy’s interest in taking Buffy into a new place that grabbed us," she said, noting that original exec producer Sandy Gallin also was consulted. "It was based on our respect for what he does, and his particular sensitivity to Asian filmmakers, that we wanted to work with him."
Kuzui, who is prepping do direct a movie in Japan in the fall, added: "Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this."
A Buffy movie without any of the Scooby gang? I just can’t see it.
And neither, evidently, does Anthony Head. Here’s his take in a nice interview done on the Who’s News Blog.
Doing a Buffy movie without Whedon? “I wouldn’t want to see it, no,” Head admits. “The Kuzuis didn’t do a great job on the movie the first time around. It was Joss’ script at the age of 19, but they changed a lot of it. They said, ‘Look, we know best and we know how to make this movie,’ and it became quite schlocky and high camp.” Head recalls the time when he went to audition for the Buffy series because he loved Whedon’s pilot script so much, and his agent advised him to watch the movie to get the tone of the show before his screen test. “So I did and I went, ‘Oh, that’s not it at all.’ I went in and saw Joss and said, ‘I watched the movie last night!’ And he went, ‘Oh. Did ya?’ I just put it out of my mind. The bottom line is if a movie was ever to be made, it should be made with Joss Whedon, whether it’s a retrospective or not. But it would be madness to do it without him. [The Kuzuis] have the rights to because they have the rights to the original movie, but it should be interesting to see. It may be a bit like watching a car wreck.”
Now that Terminator SCC has been cancelled, Summer Glau is out of work. But maybe not for long. From WhedonInfo:
IN JANUARY, Warner Bros and producer Dan Lin announced plans to relaunch the Tomb Raider series. Lin has now elaborated on the proposed reboot. He told About.com: "It’s a great origin story that we’re going to tell. A very character-oriented, I would say more realistic, [film] than the past Lara Croft movies. "It is an origin story so it is a younger Lara Croft. I would say it’s like Terminator - character-driven action. I think for me the Lara Croft games and movies have gone a little too action-oriented. I wanted to have action, but with character. You want to honor the existing mythology but at the same time bring in new fans." As it’s a reboot that automatically means no Angelina Jolie, who played Croft in the previous two movies.
Earlier speculation that Megan Fox would be the new star was dismissed and Lin says there has not yet been any casting for the new movie. But who would you like to see strap holsters to their thighs and play the next Tomb Raider action-woman?
Among names put forward is Summer Glau, who played cyborg Cameron in the just-cancelled Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Glau, 27, is pictured here striking an amazingly similar pose to Jolie’s Lara Croft, in a montage courtesy of Underwire.
Another suggestion is 32-year-old British actress Rhona Mitra, who was the body model for the video game character and has appeared in the films Doomsday and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Among other candidates on fan wishlists are: Lena Headey, 35, from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Model Teresa Noreen, 32; Olga Kurylenko, the 29-year-old Bond girl in Quantum of Solace; and former EastEnders actress and Bionic Woman star Michelle Ryan, 25.
Or how about 35-year-old Kate Beckinsale from the first two Underworld movies; Malin Ackerman, 31, from superhero movie Watchmen; or Smallville stars Erica Durance, 30, or Kristin Kreuk, 26? A further name that’s been suggested is TV’s House actress Olivia Wilde, 25, who was recently at the top of Maxim’s Hot 100 list.
What do you think?
One last thing—here is a website that has full-length episodes of most TV shows. I’m sure there are others out there, too, but if you want to try before you buy a season, this is a great idea.
See you next week. Mario and I are working on another contest so stay tuned! And let us know what's going on in your world... ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:15 AM 17 comments
A couple off the top of my head, Famke Janssen as Phoenix in X-Men
Meryl Streep in the Devil Wears Prada
Natalie Davis the Miniature Killer on CSI
And Sarah Corvus of BSG.
Well, I guess that was four actually.
I think Photographer Leia summed it up best when she said: As for myself I try to avoid things with female villains b/c they can out creep/ out evil the guys in a heartbeat.
Amen to that. It’s that maternal instinct—when it goes bad, it goes VERY bad.
Our basket on Brenda Novak’s auction for Diabetes research went for $250.00!!!! Way to go, guys!
Something from the truth being stranger than fiction files:
Iran arrests 'Agatha Christie serial killer'
Woman accused of drugging, suffocating and robbing her victims was inspired by classic crime novels, police claim
And come to think of it, this may also qualify:
"Buffy The Vampire Slayer" Movie Remake - It’s more than a rumor
A new incarnation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" could be coming to the big screen.
"Buffy" creator Joss Whedon isn’t involved and it’s not set up at a studio, but Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment are working with original movie director Fran Rubel Kuzui and her husband, Kaz Kuzui, on what is being labeled a remake or relaunch, but not a sequel or prequel.
While Whedon is the person most associated with "Buffy," Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the "Buffy" script from then-unknown Whedon. She developed the script while her husband put together the financing to make the 1992 movie, which was released by Fox.
Kuzui later teamed with Gail Berman, then president of Sandollar Television, bringing back Whedon to make the TV series, which was produced by Fox TV and launched on the WB in 1997. Kuzui and Sandollar received executive producer credits on "Buffy" and its spinoff, "Angel."
The new "Buffy" film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching "Star Trek."
One of the underlying ideas of "Buffy" allows Vertigo and Kuzui to do just that: that each generation has its own vampire slayer to protect it. The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential.
The parties are meeting with writers and hearing takes, and later will look for a home for the project. The producers do not rule out Whedon’s involvement but have not yet reached out to him. Speaking from Tokyo, Fran Kuzui said the company is constantly approached not only about sequels but theater, video games and foreign remakes for "Buffy." When Vertigo’s Lee contacted them, they were intrigued.
"It was Roy’s interest in taking Buffy into a new place that grabbed us," she said, noting that original exec producer Sandy Gallin also was consulted. "It was based on our respect for what he does, and his particular sensitivity to Asian filmmakers, that we wanted to work with him."
Kuzui, who is prepping do direct a movie in Japan in the fall, added: "Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this."
A Buffy movie without any of the Scooby gang? I just can’t see it.
And neither, evidently, does Anthony Head. Here’s his take in a nice interview done on the Who’s News Blog.
Doing a Buffy movie without Whedon? “I wouldn’t want to see it, no,” Head admits. “The Kuzuis didn’t do a great job on the movie the first time around. It was Joss’ script at the age of 19, but they changed a lot of it. They said, ‘Look, we know best and we know how to make this movie,’ and it became quite schlocky and high camp.” Head recalls the time when he went to audition for the Buffy series because he loved Whedon’s pilot script so much, and his agent advised him to watch the movie to get the tone of the show before his screen test. “So I did and I went, ‘Oh, that’s not it at all.’ I went in and saw Joss and said, ‘I watched the movie last night!’ And he went, ‘Oh. Did ya?’ I just put it out of my mind. The bottom line is if a movie was ever to be made, it should be made with Joss Whedon, whether it’s a retrospective or not. But it would be madness to do it without him. [The Kuzuis] have the rights to because they have the rights to the original movie, but it should be interesting to see. It may be a bit like watching a car wreck.”
Now that Terminator SCC has been cancelled, Summer Glau is out of work. But maybe not for long. From WhedonInfo:
IN JANUARY, Warner Bros and producer Dan Lin announced plans to relaunch the Tomb Raider series. Lin has now elaborated on the proposed reboot. He told About.com: "It’s a great origin story that we’re going to tell. A very character-oriented, I would say more realistic, [film] than the past Lara Croft movies. "It is an origin story so it is a younger Lara Croft. I would say it’s like Terminator - character-driven action. I think for me the Lara Croft games and movies have gone a little too action-oriented. I wanted to have action, but with character. You want to honor the existing mythology but at the same time bring in new fans." As it’s a reboot that automatically means no Angelina Jolie, who played Croft in the previous two movies.
Earlier speculation that Megan Fox would be the new star was dismissed and Lin says there has not yet been any casting for the new movie. But who would you like to see strap holsters to their thighs and play the next Tomb Raider action-woman?
Among names put forward is Summer Glau, who played cyborg Cameron in the just-cancelled Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Glau, 27, is pictured here striking an amazingly similar pose to Jolie’s Lara Croft, in a montage courtesy of Underwire.
Another suggestion is 32-year-old British actress Rhona Mitra, who was the body model for the video game character and has appeared in the films Doomsday and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.
Among other candidates on fan wishlists are: Lena Headey, 35, from Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Model Teresa Noreen, 32; Olga Kurylenko, the 29-year-old Bond girl in Quantum of Solace; and former EastEnders actress and Bionic Woman star Michelle Ryan, 25.
Or how about 35-year-old Kate Beckinsale from the first two Underworld movies; Malin Ackerman, 31, from superhero movie Watchmen; or Smallville stars Erica Durance, 30, or Kristin Kreuk, 26? A further name that’s been suggested is TV’s House actress Olivia Wilde, 25, who was recently at the top of Maxim’s Hot 100 list.
What do you think?
One last thing—here is a website that has full-length episodes of most TV shows. I’m sure there are others out there, too, but if you want to try before you buy a season, this is a great idea.
See you next week. Mario and I are working on another contest so stay tuned! And let us know what's going on in your world... ¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:15 AM 17 comments
