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!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Breaking them rules
Mario here,
I've just finished watching the first season of HBO's Game of Thrones. My first thoughts are that I am jealous of George RR Martin, as the TV show is based on his book series of Medieval inspired intrigue, A Song of Fire and Ice. Typically, a book has to be condensed to fit into the two or so hours of a movie. With this cable series, Martin was given ten hours per book. If you've seen at least one episode, you can appreciate the money budgeted for the set design. Amazing and the source for much of my envy.
Now, all is not perfect. I read every one of the 699 pages in Game of Thrones and reveled in the richness of the prose, only to discover that this doorstop of a novel is a prologue to the story. I've been cautioned by others who've read the next books in the series that, rather than tighten the plot lines, Martin keeps expanding his universe and yanking on the reader's expectations. Plus, he gallops over the no-no's we fiction writers have been indoctrinated to hew to. In both the book and on TV, we see the murder of children (one lives but is left paralyzed), the deaths of major characters (and not always in dramatic ways. one was gored by a wild pig, the other died of an infection), incest, rape, and most shockingly to us Americans, the killing of dogs (huge taboo!) and horses (by graphic beheading and another by having its throat cut). Which proves that you can break any rule in writing as long as you do it well.
I found more rule breaking in Eleanor Brown's wonderful novel, The Weird Sisters, a long way from the spatter of Martin's bloody mayhem, and an engrossing read about three sisters who return home because their mother is dying of cancer. What makes them weird is that they grew up in a family of bookworms where the common language was Shakespeare, and though they each wrestled to escape, they rebound to the nest, broken and ashamed. Brown writes from a first-person plural POV, as in "we," and then yo-yo's into each sister's narrative in third person singular. It's an unusual technique that Brown uses to build an intricate and entertaining story, proving again that you can do anything in a novel as long as you do it well.
My contribution to helping you do things well, or at least better, is in my online class with the Lawson Writer's Academy: Fang It to Me: Writing Vampires, Fantasy, and the How To's of World-Building. Only $30 for a month's worth of advice from me and a host of outstanding authors who include Carol Berg, Stephen Graham Jones, Dakota Cassidy, Jaye Wells, and our own Jeanne Stein. Come learn the rules so you can break them!
I've just finished watching the first season of HBO's Game of Thrones. My first thoughts are that I am jealous of George RR Martin, as the TV show is based on his book series of Medieval inspired intrigue, A Song of Fire and Ice. Typically, a book has to be condensed to fit into the two or so hours of a movie. With this cable series, Martin was given ten hours per book. If you've seen at least one episode, you can appreciate the money budgeted for the set design. Amazing and the source for much of my envy.Now, all is not perfect. I read every one of the 699 pages in Game of Thrones and reveled in the richness of the prose, only to discover that this doorstop of a novel is a prologue to the story. I've been cautioned by others who've read the next books in the series that, rather than tighten the plot lines, Martin keeps expanding his universe and yanking on the reader's expectations. Plus, he gallops over the no-no's we fiction writers have been indoctrinated to hew to. In both the book and on TV, we see the murder of children (one lives but is left paralyzed), the deaths of major characters (and not always in dramatic ways. one was gored by a wild pig, the other died of an infection), incest, rape, and most shockingly to us Americans, the killing of dogs (huge taboo!) and horses (by graphic beheading and another by having its throat cut). Which proves that you can break any rule in writing as long as you do it well.
I found more rule breaking in Eleanor Brown's wonderful novel, The Weird Sisters, a long way from the spatter of Martin's bloody mayhem, and an engrossing read about three sisters who return home because their mother is dying of cancer. What makes them weird is that they grew up in a family of bookworms where the common language was Shakespeare, and though they each wrestled to escape, they rebound to the nest, broken and ashamed. Brown writes from a first-person plural POV, as in "we," and then yo-yo's into each sister's narrative in third person singular. It's an unusual technique that Brown uses to build an intricate and entertaining story, proving again that you can do anything in a novel as long as you do it well.
My contribution to helping you do things well, or at least better, is in my online class with the Lawson Writer's Academy: Fang It to Me: Writing Vampires, Fantasy, and the How To's of World-Building. Only $30 for a month's worth of advice from me and a host of outstanding authors who include Carol Berg, Stephen Graham Jones, Dakota Cassidy, Jaye Wells, and our own Jeanne Stein. Come learn the rules so you can break them!
Labels: Eleanor Brown, Game of Thrones, George RR Martin, Lawson's Writing Academy, The Weird Sisters
¶ posted by Mario Acevedo @ 6:15 AM 2 comments
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Haunted...New Book Cover Unveiled
Here it is, folks...the first look at Haunted, the eighth book in the Anna Strong Chronicles. What do you think?
Okay, facebook pals-- Mario posted a picture of me sleepingat Galaxyfest last weekend. In retaliation, I thought it only fair to include these pics of my roomies in their own bedtime splendor. It's obvious, though, that Mario chose to hide his Star Wars pj's under the covers which is probably what our sartorial challenged Warren Hammond should have done more quickly--hide those green and pink pajama pants. Yikes! What continues to baffle, amaze and astound me, though, is how NO ONE has asked how we came to share a room. But don't ask now. It's too late. My lips are sealed.
Not much to say about the Oscars except that The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore took one!! I previewed it before but here it is in case you missed it… Best Animated Short Film
You might be surprised by this one from Flavorwire
Not sure how I feel about this one--
From Deadline.com
Lucy Liu To Play Watson In CBS’ Modern Sherlock Holmes Pilot ‘Elementary’
The name is Watson, Joan Watson. Lucy Liu is set to play Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick in CBS’ drama pilot Elementary, whose tweaks to Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic include switching Watson’s gender to female. The project, written by Robert Doherty, is set in present day and stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric Brit Sherlock Holmes, a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems led him to a rehab center in New York City. Just out of rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with “sober companion” Joan Watson (Liu), a former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died, while consulting for the NYPD. Michael Cuesta is directing the pilot, produced by CBS TV Studios and Timberman/Beverly. Ally McBeal alumna Liu, who had 2 pilots vying for her, is recurring on the current season of the TNT cop drama Southland and will next be seen in the feature Man With The Iron Fists.
Here it is, folks...the first look at Haunted, the eighth book in the Anna Strong Chronicles. What do you think?
# # # #
Okay, facebook pals-- Mario posted a picture of me sleepingat Galaxyfest last weekend. In retaliation, I thought it only fair to include these pics of my roomies in their own bedtime splendor. It's obvious, though, that Mario chose to hide his Star Wars pj's under the covers which is probably what our sartorial challenged Warren Hammond should have done more quickly--hide those green and pink pajama pants. Yikes! What continues to baffle, amaze and astound me, though, is how NO ONE has asked how we came to share a room. But don't ask now. It's too late. My lips are sealed.
# # # #
Not much to say about the Oscars except that The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore took one!! I previewed it before but here it is in case you missed it… Best Animated Short Film
# # # #
You might be surprised by this one from Flavorwire
Legendary Bad Girls of Literature
# # # #
Not sure how I feel about this one--
From Deadline.com
Lucy Liu To Play Watson In CBS’ Modern Sherlock Holmes Pilot ‘Elementary’
The name is Watson, Joan Watson. Lucy Liu is set to play Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick in CBS’ drama pilot Elementary, whose tweaks to Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic include switching Watson’s gender to female. The project, written by Robert Doherty, is set in present day and stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric Brit Sherlock Holmes, a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems led him to a rehab center in New York City. Just out of rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with “sober companion” Joan Watson (Liu), a former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died, while consulting for the NYPD. Michael Cuesta is directing the pilot, produced by CBS TV Studios and Timberman/Beverly. Ally McBeal alumna Liu, who had 2 pilots vying for her, is recurring on the current season of the TNT cop drama Southland and will next be seen in the feature Man With The Iron Fists.
# # # #
Season 2 of the Game of Thrones starts April 1 -- Here's the new trailer:
# # # #
Here's one we always look forward to-- The Oddest Book Title Contest. Choose among these gems:
A Century of Sand Dredging in the Bristol Channel: Volume Two by Peter Gosson
Cooking with Poo by Saiyuud Diwong
Estonian Sock Patterns All Around the World by Aino Praakli
The Great Singapore Penis Panic: And the Future of American Mass Hysteria by Scott D. Mendelson
Mr. Andoh's Pennine Diary: Memoirs of a Japanese Chicken Sexer in 1935 Hebden Bridge by Stephen Curry and Takayoshi Andoh
A Taxonomy of Office Chairs by Jonathan Olivares
The Mushroom in Christian Art by John A. Rush
I don’t know about you but it would be hard to choose between Cooking with Poo and The Great Singapore Penis Panic…. You can vote here
A Century of Sand Dredging in the Bristol Channel: Volume Two by Peter Gosson
Cooking with Poo by Saiyuud Diwong
Estonian Sock Patterns All Around the World by Aino Praakli
The Great Singapore Penis Panic: And the Future of American Mass Hysteria by Scott D. Mendelson
Mr. Andoh's Pennine Diary: Memoirs of a Japanese Chicken Sexer in 1935 Hebden Bridge by Stephen Curry and Takayoshi Andoh
A Taxonomy of Office Chairs by Jonathan Olivares
The Mushroom in Christian Art by John A. Rush
I don’t know about you but it would be hard to choose between Cooking with Poo and The Great Singapore Penis Panic…. You can vote here
# # # #
Rowling's First Adult Novel Is Coming, From Little, Brown
In response, the Huffington Post came up 10 Potential Titles For Her Upcoming 'Adult' Book. Among them is this one:
The entire tongue-in-cheek list here
# # # #
# # # #
Rowling's First Adult Novel Is Coming, From Little, Brown
Little, Brown has world English rights to the first novel for adults by JK Rowling, the company announced Thursday morning. Little Brown UK publisher David Shelley will serve as Rowling's editor and Michael Pietsch will oversee publication in the US. All other details--title, pub date "and further details about the novel will be announced later in the year." But one important element has been settled: While the world waits for Pottermore and the Harry Potter ebooks, Little, Brown promises they will publish "both in print and ebooks."
In response, the Huffington Post came up 10 Potential Titles For Her Upcoming 'Adult' Book. Among them is this one:
The entire tongue-in-cheek list here
# # # #
Boingboing always has the best stuff—Dirty words of 1811 from Francis Grose's "Dictionary in the Vulgar Tongue," a compleat look at all the dirty cussin' of the early 1800s.
It's free and available here
It's free and available here
# # # #
And here's a chance to catch Mario in action yourself:
Class: Vampires & World Building
Instructor: Mario Acevedo
4-week class March 1-31 $40
Please Register by February 28, 2012
Class Description: Vampires & World-Building
Undead bloodsuckers have evolved from monster, to empathetic villain, to
outright revenant hero. No need to explain the fascination with vampires,
just explain the rules. And what are the rules? You decide. Every novel begins
with the suspension of disbelief and it’s up to you to build a compelling
world that fits your story, be it paranormal, fantasy, or historical. What
are the elements of world-building? The physical? People and customs? What
about magic? How much detail is needed? We’ll review vampires and other
supernatural creatures and use exercise prompts to study how to use the
elements of world-building.
Go here for more info or to register.
Class: Vampires & World Building
Instructor: Mario Acevedo
4-week class March 1-31 $40
Please Register by February 28, 2012
Class Description: Vampires & World-Building
Undead bloodsuckers have evolved from monster, to empathetic villain, to
outright revenant hero. No need to explain the fascination with vampires,
just explain the rules. And what are the rules? You decide. Every novel begins
with the suspension of disbelief and it’s up to you to build a compelling
world that fits your story, be it paranormal, fantasy, or historical. What
are the elements of world-building? The physical? People and customs? What
about magic? How much detail is needed? We’ll review vampires and other
supernatural creatures and use exercise prompts to study how to use the
elements of world-building.
Go here for more info or to register.
# # # #
That's all for this week, folks...see you next Thursday. Same bat time...Same bat channel
Labels: Game of Thrones, haunted house, JK Rowling, Lucy Liu, Mario Acevedo, Oscars, Warren Hammond
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 6:50 AM 10 comments
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Still Digesting?
One big holiday down, how many more to go? 'Tis the season.
Three things before I share some tidbits from my web perusing this week--
First, Mario's blog entry on Monday got an A+ from me. Good job, pal!
Second, our mutual friend and fellow Leaguer , Stacia Kane , is recovering from a horrific couple of months in a UK hospital. It's good to have you back, Stacia. We missed you.
And third, pal Cherie Priest's Boneshaker is headed for the big screen. Details here from Variety.
Congratulations, Cherie!!
New episodes return in April.
Three things before I share some tidbits from my web perusing this week--
First, Mario's blog entry on Monday got an A+ from me. Good job, pal!
Second, our mutual friend and fellow Leaguer , Stacia Kane , is recovering from a horrific couple of months in a UK hospital. It's good to have you back, Stacia. We missed you.
And third, pal Cherie Priest's Boneshaker is headed for the big screen. Details here from Variety.
Congratulations, Cherie!!
# # # #
HBO's first look at Season 2, Game of Thrones
New episodes return in April.
# # # #
A sad note from Shelf Awareness:
Anne McCaffrey, author of nearly 100 books, co-author of more than 30 and best known for the Dragonriders of Pern series, died on Monday ( Nov. 21) at her home in Ireland. She was 85.
McCaffrey was the first woman to win a Hugo Award (in 1968) and the first woman to win a Nebula (in 1969). She was the daughter of an army colonel, was born in Cambridge, Mass., and grew up in Montclair, N.J. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006.
There was an interesting article in yesterday's WSJ about rethinking the book signing. Readings are out. Evidently, readers want to be entertained with power point presentations and stand up routines. What do you think? I do know I've come to realize after eight books that I must have some remarks prepared before each signing--which can be a challenge since I'm basically a pretty dull girl. The good people who come to see me every time deserve my best effort and new material.
So I put the question to you out there: what do you want to see/hear at a signing?
A sad note from Shelf Awareness:
Anne McCaffrey, author of nearly 100 books, co-author of more than 30 and best known for the Dragonriders of Pern series, died on Monday ( Nov. 21) at her home in Ireland. She was 85.
McCaffrey was the first woman to win a Hugo Award (in 1968) and the first woman to win a Nebula (in 1969). She was the daughter of an army colonel, was born in Cambridge, Mass., and grew up in Montclair, N.J. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006.
# # # #
There was an interesting article in yesterday's WSJ about rethinking the book signing. Readings are out. Evidently, readers want to be entertained with power point presentations and stand up routines. What do you think? I do know I've come to realize after eight books that I must have some remarks prepared before each signing--which can be a challenge since I'm basically a pretty dull girl. The good people who come to see me every time deserve my best effort and new material.
So I put the question to you out there: what do you want to see/hear at a signing?
# # # #
And another topic near and dear to a writer's heart-- rejection. Flavorwire offers up some of the harshest rejections sent to the likes of Gertrude Stein, Ursula LeGuin, Kurt Vonnegut, Vladimir Nabokov, and my personal favorite—Hunter S .Thompson’s note to his biographer, William McKeen :
McKeen, you shit-eating freak. I warned you not to write that vicious trash about me Now you better get fitted for a black eyepatch in case one of yours gets gouged out by a bushy-haired stranger in a dimly-lit parking lot. How fast can you learn Braille? You are scum. HST
So see, my writer friends,no matter the rejection-- it could be worse!
What's new in your world?
McKeen, you shit-eating freak. I warned you not to write that vicious trash about me Now you better get fitted for a black eyepatch in case one of yours gets gouged out by a bushy-haired stranger in a dimly-lit parking lot. How fast can you learn Braille? You are scum. HST
So see, my writer friends,no matter the rejection-- it could be worse!
What's new in your world?
Labels: Anne McCaffrey, Cherie Priest, Game of Thrones, Stacia Kane
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 11:30 AM 15 comments
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Lots of "New's"
New trailer for George R. R. Martin's long awaited Game of Thrones:
From Deadline. com :
HBO will air a 15-minute sneak peek of the first episode of new series Game of Thrones on Sunday, April 3, ahead of the fantasy series' premiere on April 17. Part Three of HBO's miniseries Mildred Pierce, which was scheduled for 9 PM that night, will now start at 9:15 PM. Following the one-time-only play, the Game of Thrones preview will be available online and on demand.
New stamps for Great Britain--Features some of the world's greatest wizards, wtiches and enchanters. Full gallery here .
What? Where's Harry?
Speaking of Daniel Radcliffe. What new roles would you like to see him take on?
Variety reports the actor will star in the indie comedy The Amateur Photographer based on Christopher Monger’s novel of the same name (he’ll also write the screenplay and direct himself). In the film, which takes place in 1970, Radcliffe will play a young man who’s drafted to be a photographer for the people of a small New England town, capturing all their most intimate moments while at the same time discovering his artistic calling.
New Trailer for True Blood, Season Four with spoilers here .
New and innovative way to amuse your baby with your old rejection letters:
From the people who brought you NaNoWriMo, a new opportunity - Script Frenzy
Script Frenzy is the Office of Letters and Light's springtime writing escapade. Our goal: writing a movie, play, or graphic novel in April. Partnering is encouraged. All kinds of scripts are allowed, including adaptations of your NaNoWriMo novel. The t-shirts are stunning! No experience is necessary! Script Frenzy's Scriptwriting How-To's will teach you everything you need to know. We even have a machine on the Script Frenzy homepage that generates Oscar-ready plots 24 hours a day.
And I'll finish with an announcement about a new signing I'm doing with Lizzie T. Leaf and Melissa Mayhue:
CondorCon pics not in yet so that will have to be for another time. Hope this was enough new stuff to keep you all busy for the week.
What's new in your world?
XO Jeanne
From Deadline. com :
HBO will air a 15-minute sneak peek of the first episode of new series Game of Thrones on Sunday, April 3, ahead of the fantasy series' premiere on April 17. Part Three of HBO's miniseries Mildred Pierce, which was scheduled for 9 PM that night, will now start at 9:15 PM. Following the one-time-only play, the Game of Thrones preview will be available online and on demand.
New stamps for Great Britain--Features some of the world's greatest wizards, wtiches and enchanters. Full gallery here .
What? Where's Harry?
Speaking of Daniel Radcliffe. What new roles would you like to see him take on?
Variety reports the actor will star in the indie comedy The Amateur Photographer based on Christopher Monger’s novel of the same name (he’ll also write the screenplay and direct himself). In the film, which takes place in 1970, Radcliffe will play a young man who’s drafted to be a photographer for the people of a small New England town, capturing all their most intimate moments while at the same time discovering his artistic calling.
New Trailer for True Blood, Season Four with spoilers here .
New and innovative way to amuse your baby with your old rejection letters:
From the people who brought you NaNoWriMo, a new opportunity - Script Frenzy
Script Frenzy is the Office of Letters and Light's springtime writing escapade. Our goal: writing a movie, play, or graphic novel in April. Partnering is encouraged. All kinds of scripts are allowed, including adaptations of your NaNoWriMo novel. The t-shirts are stunning! No experience is necessary! Script Frenzy's Scriptwriting How-To's will teach you everything you need to know. We even have a machine on the Script Frenzy homepage that generates Oscar-ready plots 24 hours a day.
And I'll finish with an announcement about a new signing I'm doing with Lizzie T. Leaf and Melissa Mayhue:
CondorCon pics not in yet so that will have to be for another time. Hope this was enough new stuff to keep you all busy for the week.
What's new in your world?
XO Jeanne
Labels: Daniel Radcliff, Game of Thrones, Lizzie t.Leaf, Melissa Mayhue, Script Frenzy, True Blood
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 5:10 AM 5 comments
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Game Begins
Trailer for HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones leads this week's movie and book news.
HAPPY 30th Birthday Buffy!!!
Trailer for HBO’s adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones leads this week's movie and book news.
# # # #
Then onto a couple of articles about one of my favorite literary and movie characters: James Bond.
First, from the Huffington Post :
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new international airport for private jets and small commercial aircraft was unveiled in northern Jamaica on Wednesday, named after the British thriller writer who invented the literary and cinematic super spy James Bond.
Ian Fleming International Airport is close to the scenic retreat where the late author reportedly wrote all 14 of his books about the elegant, crafty spy. The property is now an exclusive resort owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who is credited with introducing reggae great Bob Marley's music to the world.
Followed by this from the BBC :
The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche.
The title and cover were unveiled in Dubai where parts of the book are set.
US writer Deaver said the novel - to be published in the UK on 26 May - posed "the looming question of what is acceptable" in security matters.
Sebastian Faulks and John Gardner are among other authors to have written officially-sanctioned Bond novels since creator Ian Fleming's death in 1964.
Deaver, 60, whose best-seller The Bone Collector was made into a 1999 film starring Denzel Washington, said giving an agent carte blanche on a mission "comes with an enormous amount of trust and constantly tests both personal and professional judgement".
First, from the Huffington Post :
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A new international airport for private jets and small commercial aircraft was unveiled in northern Jamaica on Wednesday, named after the British thriller writer who invented the literary and cinematic super spy James Bond.
Ian Fleming International Airport is close to the scenic retreat where the late author reportedly wrote all 14 of his books about the elegant, crafty spy. The property is now an exclusive resort owned by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, who is credited with introducing reggae great Bob Marley's music to the world.
Followed by this from the BBC :
The new James Bond book, written by thriller author Jeffery Deaver, will be called Carte Blanche.
The title and cover were unveiled in Dubai where parts of the book are set.
US writer Deaver said the novel - to be published in the UK on 26 May - posed "the looming question of what is acceptable" in security matters.
Sebastian Faulks and John Gardner are among other authors to have written officially-sanctioned Bond novels since creator Ian Fleming's death in 1964.
Deaver, 60, whose best-seller The Bone Collector was made into a 1999 film starring Denzel Washington, said giving an agent carte blanche on a mission "comes with an enormous amount of trust and constantly tests both personal and professional judgement".
# # # #
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm also a tremendous Sherlock Holmes fan. I found this on the ebookseller site:
Orion is to publish a new full-length Sherlock Holmes novel, written by Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz, after he was selected by the Conan Doyle Estate...
Further details about the title, to be published in September, are still to be revealed, though it will be "a brilliant mystery novel, stripped back to the original style of Conan Doyle", according to the publisher.
Brilliant, huh? We'll be the judge of that!
Orion is to publish a new full-length Sherlock Holmes novel, written by Alex Rider author Anthony Horowitz, after he was selected by the Conan Doyle Estate...
Further details about the title, to be published in September, are still to be revealed, though it will be "a brilliant mystery novel, stripped back to the original style of Conan Doyle", according to the publisher.
Brilliant, huh? We'll be the judge of that!
# # # #
Let's see, what's next?
Now THIS is an interesting twist. From ereads :
HarperCollins authors – have you read your Ten Commandments lately? How about the Seven Deadly Sins? You’d better bone up on them. It seems there’s a morals clause in your publisher’s contract. Not moral rights, mind you… We mean morals. Your morals.
New language in the termination provision of the Harper’s boilerplate gives them the right to cancel a contract if “Author’s conduct evidences a lack of due regard for public conventions and morals, or if Author commits a crime or any other act that will tend to bring Author into serious contempt, and such behavior would materially damage the Work’s reputation or sales.” The consequences? Harper can terminate your book deal.
Not only that, you’ll have to repay your advance. Harper may also avail itself of “other legal remedies” against you.
If this is true, Mario, you'd better be on your best behavior!! Especially since you keep finding little gems like this to send me... I could rat on you.
Besides, why he sends things like this to me, I have no idea.... I am the most even-tempered, tolerant person I know. You all agree, right? RIGHT?????
Now THIS is an interesting twist. From ereads :
HarperCollins authors – have you read your Ten Commandments lately? How about the Seven Deadly Sins? You’d better bone up on them. It seems there’s a morals clause in your publisher’s contract. Not moral rights, mind you… We mean morals. Your morals.
New language in the termination provision of the Harper’s boilerplate gives them the right to cancel a contract if “Author’s conduct evidences a lack of due regard for public conventions and morals, or if Author commits a crime or any other act that will tend to bring Author into serious contempt, and such behavior would materially damage the Work’s reputation or sales.” The consequences? Harper can terminate your book deal.
Not only that, you’ll have to repay your advance. Harper may also avail itself of “other legal remedies” against you.
If this is true, Mario, you'd better be on your best behavior!! Especially since you keep finding little gems like this to send me... I could rat on you.
Besides, why he sends things like this to me, I have no idea.... I am the most even-tempered, tolerant person I know. You all agree, right? RIGHT?????
# # # #
Lot's of statistics floating around this week. Sisters in Crime commissioned a study on the public's mystery/crime fiction book buying habits. Highlights here from Shelf Awareness:
Bricks-and-mortar stores still lead the way in mystery/crime fiction sales, and women over 45 constitute the majority of buyers in the genre, according to a collaborative study, "The Mystery Book Consumer in the Digital Age," released this week by Sisters in Crime. The survey was designed to offer an overview of the mystery/crime fiction book-buying landscape, using research based on publishing industry data gathered and interpreted by Bowker's PubTrack division.
The study found that the majority of mystery/crime fiction buyers are women (68%) over the age of 45 (66% ). Buyers in the 18-to-44 demographic purchase 31% of the mysteries sold. Some 48% live in the suburbs, 27% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The South accounts for 35% of sales, followed by the West (26%), Midwest (20%) and Northeast (19%). Bricks-and-mortar stores sell 39% of all mysteries, with library borrowing accounting for approximately 20% and online purchases 17%.
The full report can be found here
USA TODAY listed it's 100 top sellers for 2010 here . No real surprises.
And Nora Roberts is the latest author to enter the Kindle Million Club, joining Stieg Larsson and James Patterson as the third writer to surpass a million paid copies in Amazon's Kindle Store.
Twilight fans, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will host a special International Fan Event to coincide with the April release of The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. Little, Brown will select one fan from the U.S. and one from Canada, and is partnering with the Twilight Saga publishers in Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Taiwan and the U.K. to find each country's lucky Twilight fan. The 10 winners will receive an advance copy of The Official Illustrated Guide and have the opportunity to talk extensively with Meyer. The official rules for the sweepstakes to select a fan from the U.S. as well as one from Canada) can be found here .
Bricks-and-mortar stores still lead the way in mystery/crime fiction sales, and women over 45 constitute the majority of buyers in the genre, according to a collaborative study, "The Mystery Book Consumer in the Digital Age," released this week by Sisters in Crime. The survey was designed to offer an overview of the mystery/crime fiction book-buying landscape, using research based on publishing industry data gathered and interpreted by Bowker's PubTrack division.
The study found that the majority of mystery/crime fiction buyers are women (68%) over the age of 45 (66% ). Buyers in the 18-to-44 demographic purchase 31% of the mysteries sold. Some 48% live in the suburbs, 27% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The South accounts for 35% of sales, followed by the West (26%), Midwest (20%) and Northeast (19%). Bricks-and-mortar stores sell 39% of all mysteries, with library borrowing accounting for approximately 20% and online purchases 17%.
The full report can be found here
USA TODAY listed it's 100 top sellers for 2010 here . No real surprises.
And Nora Roberts is the latest author to enter the Kindle Million Club, joining Stieg Larsson and James Patterson as the third writer to surpass a million paid copies in Amazon's Kindle Store.
Twilight fans, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers will host a special International Fan Event to coincide with the April release of The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. Little, Brown will select one fan from the U.S. and one from Canada, and is partnering with the Twilight Saga publishers in Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Taiwan and the U.K. to find each country's lucky Twilight fan. The 10 winners will receive an advance copy of The Official Illustrated Guide and have the opportunity to talk extensively with Meyer. The official rules for the sweepstakes to select a fan from the U.S. as well as one from Canada) can be found here .
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Found this via Publisher's Lunch:
Lynn Hirschberg offers an "exclusive first look" of the making of David Fincher's version of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO for W Magazine . According to the piece, Steven Zaillian's script departs considerably from the book: "Blomkvist is less promiscuous, Salander is more aggressive, and, most notably, the ending--the resolution of the drama--has been completely changed. This may be sacrilege to some, but [scriptwriter] Zaillian has improved on Larsson--the script's ending is more interesting."
Mara has the right look, that's for sure, but I get a little nervous when they start talking about a more "interesting" ending. Salander is MORE aggressive? How much more aggressive could they make her? I'm not at all sure about this one.
I guess that's it for this week. I must admit, though, I'm very disappointed we haven't had any bad sex entries yet. You can't tell me every sex scene you've ever read has been wonderful. Remember, I'm not talking about your personal sex life. I know the old saying, the worst sex I've ever had was... wonderful....but surely, you've read a sex scene in a book and came away shaking your head at the absurdity. If you can't remember the book to look up the exact phrasing, paraphrase. We'll accept it. We're easy.
Lynn Hirschberg offers an "exclusive first look" of the making of David Fincher's version of THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO for W Magazine . According to the piece, Steven Zaillian's script departs considerably from the book: "Blomkvist is less promiscuous, Salander is more aggressive, and, most notably, the ending--the resolution of the drama--has been completely changed. This may be sacrilege to some, but [scriptwriter] Zaillian has improved on Larsson--the script's ending is more interesting."
Mara has the right look, that's for sure, but I get a little nervous when they start talking about a more "interesting" ending. Salander is MORE aggressive? How much more aggressive could they make her? I'm not at all sure about this one.
I guess that's it for this week. I must admit, though, I'm very disappointed we haven't had any bad sex entries yet. You can't tell me every sex scene you've ever read has been wonderful. Remember, I'm not talking about your personal sex life. I know the old saying, the worst sex I've ever had was... wonderful....but surely, you've read a sex scene in a book and came away shaking your head at the absurdity. If you can't remember the book to look up the exact phrasing, paraphrase. We'll accept it. We're easy.
Labels: Anthony Horowitz, Carte Blanche, Game of Thrones, George RR Martin, Ian Fleming, James Bond, Jeffrey Deaver, Rooney Mara, Sherlock Holmes, Sisters in Crime, Twilight
¶ posted by Jeanne Stein @ 5:20 AM 1 comments
