Promo by proxy

Promoting a new book is a tenuous ordeal for authors. You can have a wonderful novel with all the twists and turns of a potential classic. Nonetheless it is still competing among the millions of other literary masterpieces, or so each writer will proclaim. It is especially difficult if you are unable to promote your book in person due to illness. Such is the case of Patry Francis, who is suffering from cancer. Her book The Liar's Diary is out in paperback. Author bloggers are promoting her book by proxy in order to assist this talented writer in her PR campaign. So many books come out everyday that it is difficult for a reader to know what to choose. They depend on the advertising and shameless plugs in order to make the all important decision as to where to put their literary money.

From Publishers Weekly:
A case study in the explosive effects of extreme denial, Francis's debut relies completely on its very unreliable narrator, with mixed results. When local violinist and composer Ali Mather, a very sexy 46, comes to teach music at the Bridgeway high school where narrator Jeanne Cross, a very plain 37, is the secretary, teachers and students alike are abuzz. Ali is separated from her mild husband George, and is soon sleeping with the 31-year-old shop teacher, Brian Shagaury (and also with car dealer Jack Butterfield). Jeanne is married to a buff orthopedic surgeon, Gavin, with whom she has an overweight, dyslexic 16-year-old son, Jamie, who attends the school. An unlikely friendship develops between the seemingly steady Jeanne and acting-out Ali, and Jeanne's purposefully flat narration is effective in doling out disorienting incongruities (as in the offhanded way Jeanne develops a serious pill habit). Ali's provocative lifestyle eventually intersects directly with Jeanne's home life. When tragedy strikes, Jeanne's Stepford routine holds for a while, then becomes a giveaway.
So, there you have it. The Liar's Diary, another thriller/mystery that deserves to sit on top of the heap.

A flowery blanket of fiery softness.

Adjectives, adverbs and repetitive prose can take a great story down a shadowy path. What makes good writing? Well, it's a combination of elements. First off, there must be a good story or subject matter. At the very least, the writing must have some type of audience. The story must evoke a minimal of emotional response. A reader needs to be able to feel that they are part of the story, if only as an observer with their own opinions about the matter at hand. Let's say you have the perfect story, now what? If you want to write about it, then by all means do it. Here comes the tricky part. Depending on what type of genre you're writing about you need the appropriate jargon. Jargon is the language or vocabulary, unique to a particular trade, profession, or group. You may even need to invent new words to use in your imaginary tale.
Ok then, you've got your story and your words, now let's assemble them together into an intelligible book. Here's where some writers become entangled in their own texts. A good writer paints a picture with words. We must remember, however, it is not a painting. Novels leave the reader some room for interpretation. Do you really need to tell the reader that the protagonist's nostrils flared like a bull in heat? Sometimes the emotional background to the scene itself gives the reader enough information. The reader can easily visualize an angry mob without being told what each individual in the mob looked like. A writer should not talk down to his audience. Give your readers credit for having enough brains in their heads to be able to read and actually buy your story.
Imagine vines with beautiful red roses on them. Each crimson rose interspersed between the vine's green leaves. That is a good story. Now imagine the vine overloaded with roses. No green can be seen as the vine is buried beneath. So many roses that you can't tell where one begins and another ends. A story buried in adjectives can be lost in it's own words. A seasoned writer knows how to paint his picture without rubbing the reader's nose in it.

The Wormhole Adventures: Travel Is Relative

Does anyone really understand Einstein's theories? Even when Einstein was alive and being lauded for his remarkable papers in physics, people had trouble understanding them. Nonetheless, he became an icon for genius and as such was embraced into American society. Einstein, being a great thinker, preferred the world of numbers and academics over the world of socializing and public displays. He especially enjoyed the company of unpretentious children who enjoyed life on a different level than most adults.
This children's chapter book portrays Einstein and his theories in a whole new way. His theories are laid out in simple terms that anyone can understand. Three children, Paul, Sebastian and Lynn, meet a talking raven named Barnaby. Barnaby takes the children through a wormhole in time to meet Albert Einstein. In their fascinating exchange Einstein offers the children sage advice. He also explains his ideas to them using analogies such as cookies on a cookie sheet. The reader is able to visualize the concepts in a clear tangible fashion. The story integrates many historical references and concepts on a variety of subjects. The reader will be entertained, informed and left with a desire to read more adventures through the wormhole.
Check out the author's sites. P.M.Russell
The Wormhole Adventures

Cloverfield

Today we show you a sneak preview of a sci-fi, scary movie coming soon to a theater near you. Remember the writers who made this possible.

Support Writers

Check out fans4writers.com to see how you can support the writer's strike. You don't have to belong to the Writer's Guild to support the writer's cause. Its all about the creative pie and how its doled out. I record my favorite shows on my DVR. Lately I've noticed the list is getting shorter. I miss the new run shows. I don't even watch that much t.v., but I do enjoy a select few. I gravitate towards comedy and specialty type programming. I can still get my fill of the old classic movies and such.
I'm not sure how the powers that be can justify taking such a large percentage of money from the talent that creates it. Sure, I realize it's a symbiotic relationship. Since it is, the monies should be shared at an equitable rate. Let's see how the media can get along without writers who can make people laugh, cry and just watch something for more that twenty minutes. It isn't an easy task. With the new technologies getting the writer's work to millions of people, shouldn't the creators enjoy some of the benefits? The media mogul provided the means for the entertainment to get out there but the mogul did not create it. There would be nothing to distribute in the first place, hence no money in the mogul's pocket, if it had not been for the creators. The writer's brain is the source for all this media income, is it not?
I realize that the machine needs all its parts to work. Each part has a purpose and needs its share of the oil in order for the machine's optimum function.
Imagine Leonardo DaVinci paints a masterpiece. He sells it for money to an individual. Does he deserve a royalty if the new owner makes millions of prints off his painting and makes himself rich? In today's world, he sure would. Now, let's say that by some inter-dimensional fluke the Internet and i-pods were introduced into Leonardo's world. Would he deserve a share of the money made from the downloads of his prints? With any new technology, new precedents need to be made. If he deserved a royalty from his prints then it would only stand to reason he would deserve a royalty from the downloads. Now it gets complicated. What percentage would he deserve? That's where we need to call in King Solomon to help decide the matter. Hmmm, maybe he would tell the mediators to split the download in half and give each one an equal share.
That's where Leonardo would come in and exclaim, "No, wait! I cannot bear to see my beloved art destroyed. Give it all to the painting owner."
As Leonardo covers his tearful face with his hands, King Solomon would rise and say, "Since Leonardo is so passionate about this work of art, give him all of it."
And so it is done....in a perfect world.

Born Standing Up: A Comic's Life

Steve Martin is not only a comedian but also a writer. He has written screen plays and produced his own movies. He has even created his own independent artsy films where he takes on dramatic roles. He is versatile and well known for his wild and crazy humor. Unlike many celebrity biographies, he writes his own insightful book. Only Martin could tell his story the way it should be told. He lets the reader know how he really feels. Being funny is not an easy task. He lived through the sixties and is able to relate historical events within the context of his own life. It is always interesting to read different perspectives of major events. Martin describes the Kennedy assassination and how it affected him. He lets the reader know that life is never easy and how you react to it makes all the difference. He refuses to deny the national controversies surrounding him. He has opinions and insights and conveys them eloquently. From his "King Tut" dance to his hosting of the Oscars in 2003, Steve Martin is and always will be one of the good ones. He has something to say, and say it he does. This book is fascinating, yet poignant. Here's to many more years of Martin's crazy, embracing humor!

Back with a list

Ok, we've compiled a list of book ideas that were submitted without accompanying graphics.

We've grouped these together due to the subject matter.
1001 things to do after a funeral. -Thanks Judy!
1001 foods to serve at a wake. -Thanks Ben!
1001 things to do at a funeral. -Thanks Dave!
uh, we're pretty sure that's an untapped market.

Dog tricks for lazy people and dogs. -Thanks Carl!
Like, "play dead" ?

Funny things to do at church. -Thanks Betty!
I can think of some unfunny things to do.

The book of yo-yo collecting. --Thanks Jason!
There are books for yo-yo tricks, not so sure about collecting.

The King Jame's Bible translated into hip hop -Thanks Tristan!
I see potential issues here due to the varying meanings of many hip hop slang. How about a pig latin translation? Ok, just joking, sheeesh.

Cooking for three. -Thanks Jared!
There are cooking for two books, but three? Interesting.

Funny things to write in a will. -Thanks Dexter!
Yes it's similar to the funeral genre, but unique nonetheless. I can't wait to read this one.

This is all for now. Keep the ideas coming. We won't be doing this forever. This is a book review blog, isn't it?