Browsing All Posts filed under »Books & Writing«

Why Amazon’s Review System Needs to Change

March 31, 2011 by

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A lot of lifeblood goes into the publishing of a book, from a lot of different people. I had no idea how many until recently. Well, okay, I had some idea, but it was a little overwhelming when — through various publishing blogs — I began to really conceptualise the sheer number of people who […]

Judging Quality

March 28, 2011 by

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For those of you who wish to read more about my opinions on the Amanda Hocking and DexRaven conversation, I have more to say on the subject, but I’d like to discuss the idea of quality a bit first. at the start of things… across the stars far away from our own planet not just […]

Amanda Hocking & DexRaven – Part 1

March 27, 2011 by

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Amanda Hocking is a wildly successful, industry-challenging e-book author. DexRaven is an unpublished writer. The online publishing community is so very small; there are a lot of blogs out there but only a few seem to have the right mixture of humour and expertise that appeals. A humming cloud of small-time and unpublished writers hovers […]

Good Morning – A Very Brief Personal Essay

March 24, 2011 by

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After an all-night writing session, I am entitled to my coffee. I ponder the problem, early-rising cats frothing about my ankles. The grinder is empty and, gourmand that I am, I have only whole beans. Oh, but I can’t do it to them — they were so good and went to sleep at sensible times. […]

Flash Fiction – “Moira’s Bathroom”

March 13, 2011 by

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I went into the lobby bathroom and there was this girl sitting under the sink. I said, “Hey, are you okay?” She nodded, so I went into a stall and sat down. But after I’d locked the door: “Hey, uh…do you think you could wait to take a shit until I’m gone?” “Lady,” I said, […]

Alice’s Top-Secret Editing Procedure – We’re Here to Help YOU

March 10, 2011 by

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I’m not particularly egotistical. I love what I do, and I think perhaps I might be good at it. Perhaps in a handful of years, if my career takes off, I might be persuaded to cautiously label myself “a good writer”. Perhaps. Most likely under the influence of a few G&Ts. This is because even […]

Music and Writing – Two

March 10, 2011 by

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Stress! It is very stressful! Some things have been going on. One of which is that we’ve decided to submit Maybe to Kirkus Reviews, so we’ll have to have the manuscript in perfect shape about oh, three months earlier than expected in time to allow for a Kirkus quote in the printed copies. Herewith, I […]

Music and Writing

March 8, 2011 by

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Sometimes I write a chapter and I know exactly where it came from. Late in the book, my main character (a 20-something coke addict named Maybelle) gives in to her addiction under the pressure of anxiety and consumes more drugs than she can handle. I have tried, throughout the book, to fashion a parallel between […]

“Delirium” Might Perhaps Miss the Whole Damn Point

March 3, 2011 by

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I was shopping for bog rolls and washing up liquid last night at a box store. I always go past the book sections in box stores because I want to keep an eye on what’s selling. I ended up buying Lauren Oliver’s “Delirium” after a few minutes of the excuses I tell myself when I impulse-buy: […]

1:30 p.m. Adrenaline Fuel (Vegetarian)

February 28, 2011 by

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Packs a pretty wallop. Psychologist-approved to help production of adrenaline before afternoon sluggishness takes hold. ~~~~~~~ – 2 slices multigrain brown bread (not that fake brown shit, REAL brown, with chewy bits and seeds in) – 1/2 avocado – sea salt – black pepper – fresh goat cheese (about 1 tbsp) – light-coloured honey (wildflower […]