Friday Links

Happy Friday! We’re in the midst of a rain storm here in Los Angeles, getting some much needed moisture to help fight off the recent drought. Weather like this makes me want to snuggle up with a good book, so I’m particularly excited that it’s supposed to last all weekend. I have a date with my couch and my to-read pile.

But first, I bring you links! I hope they appeal and keep you informed and entertained. Wishing you all a great weekend, filled with books and writing time and adventures (or maybe an Oscar-viewing party). Enjoy!

13 Wonderful Old English Words We Should Still Be Using Today – Fun list. I may have to incorporate a few of these into my vocabulary.

The Nebula Award Nominees (That You Can Read Online) – Catch up with some of your award-worthy reading.

28 Books You Should Read If You Want To – A great alternative to those “read these before you die” book lists.

Are the New “Golden Age” TV Shows the New Novels? – Two writers discuss modern attitudes toward the small screen vs. the big book.

Everybody in Almost Every Language Says “Huh”? – I kind of wish we could eliminate it in English, but it’s not looking likely.

Opportunities for Writers: March and April 2014 – A list of contests, calls for submissions, etc.

 

Happy Book Day!

WhisperofSinNovella

Happy Book Day to Nalini Singh, whose novella Whisper of Sin is out today as a stand-alone e-novella. This Psy-Changeling story previously appeared as part of the Burning Up anthology, and this is the first time it has appeared on its own for anyone not interested in purchasing the entire collection. Check out Whisper of Sin today!

San Francisco is under threat from a violent gang…a gang that has no idea who they’re challenging. The DarkRiver pack of leopard changelings has already claimed the city as their territory, and they will fight with wild fury to protect its residents. Emmett, a lethally trained leopard soldier, isn’t about to let outsiders muscle in on his home ground—especially when they target a human named Ria.

Emmett has one word for the smart stranger with her curvy body and tough spirit: mine.

Possessive, dominant, unyielding in his demands and desires, Emmett is unlike anyone Ria has ever before met. But while the sexy leopard changeling makes her body ignite, his kisses molten and his touch addicting, she’s no pushover and she has a few demands of her own. This leopard has met his match…

Friday Links

TGIF! I hope you’ve all had a lovely week and that your weekend looks to be even better. I’ve had a busy run of it over here, but things seem to be slowing down a tad, so I’m looking forward to actually prying myself away from my desk for a bit.

I come bearing this week’s links. I hope you find them fun and useful; I think there’s a little something for everyone here. And next week I’m hoping to get back to offering up a little more substance on the blog overall. In the meantime, happy writing, happy reading, and enjoy!

How These Six Highly Productive Bloggers Get So Much Done – Looking to expand your social media platform? Need more writing time? Figure out how to put your goals first with these handy tips.

The Writer’s RoomThe New York Times checks out the work spaces of a number of professional writers.

Is Amazon Bad for Books? – George Packer takes a long, hard look at the e-retailer.

Black Balloon Publishing’s Top 10 Favorite Literary Blogs – You may already be familiar with a handful of these, but there are also a few lesser known blogs mentioned that are well worth checking out.

Literary Prizes Make Books Less Popular, Study Finds – This seems a chicken-or-egg scenario. (Do they give prizes to books that are overly highbrow and unreadable? Or do readers simply perceive prize-winning books to be uninteresting?)

Art, Race, and Capitalism with Juno Diaz

I promised a few weeks ago that there would be more discussions on here about the role and treatment of women and people of color in the publishing world, and I have a new post in the works along those lines. Unfortunately, I’m still laboring under the work landslide and so, in lieu of my own thoughts, I offer up this wonderful video of a talk by Dominican-American author Juno Diaz. As the title suggests, he looks at how race and money war in the world of artistic endeavors. It’s long — over an hour — but well worth setting aside some time to watch.

Friday Links: Valentine’s Day Edition

valentines-day-clip-art-7Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I’m mostly of the opinion that it’s a Hallmark holiday, but at the same time I’m all for a little love and romance, so whatever makes your heart go pitter pat. Wishing you all a wonderful day, whether its spent with a significant other, family, friends, or in quiet enjoyment of your favorite activity.

And with that I bring you this week’s links. They’re pretty writer-centric today, but I hope that you all enjoy them regardless. Enjoy, and happy writing!

Style Sheet: A Conversation with My Copyeditor – Edan Lepucki tries to demystify the copyediting process. Great not just for the explanation of the copyediting shorthand, but for the interview that follows.

13 Writing Tips from Chuck Palahniuk – Originally posted around Christmas time, but I thought I’d adopt them for the hearts-and-flowers holiday instead. They work all year ’round.

How and Why to Use Whom in a Sentence – Fun little cartoon reference.

Why Writers Are the Worst Procrastinators – An interesting look at writerly habits.

TV and Film Boost Sales of Library of America Classics – A peek at how these volumes have gotten a hand from recent programming.

Valentines: Love Letters to the Best Poetry of 2013 – An appropriate set of mini essays.

 

 

Friday Links

This week flew by and I’m still zipping about, so I have a short-but-sweet set of links for you today. I hope you find them useful and fun, and that you all have a spectacular weekend. Happy reading and writing!

Denigrate Your Enemies, Shakespeare Style – Some of the greatest insults in the English language. You know, just in case you’re pissed off at someone…

February Books: A Reading List for Love and Late-Winter Gloom – Title says it all.

8 Steps to Start a Writing Habit that Sticks – For anyone struggling to build some momentum.

Slush I Read – Courtesy of Jim C. Hines, because it’s that sort of week, and also, more Dr. Seuss (sort of).

14 Short Story Competitions in 2014 – Because goals are good. Shoot for one.