Perhaps one of the best (and biggest) Book on All Things Publishing

With all the books on writing and publishing, how do you decide which one to pick? There so many factors to consider here: Cost, Who Wrote it, What aspects are covered. Well, to help you navigate though it, let me throw in this suggestion. J.A. Konrath, author of the Jack Daniel's Mystery Series, has recently released Newbie's Guide to Publishing. It may be the name of his blog, but now it's in book form. Covering everything from writing, to querying, to self-promotion (I can't think of another author who does so much in the way of self promotion), it's your one-stop shopping guide to questions you may have about publishing. And the best part? This book is ABSOLUTELY, 100% FREE. Just hop on over to J.A.'s website and download it for free.

Inked

I love books just as much as the next person. My shelves are starting to bow under the weight of the many tomes I've collected over the years. However, I don't think I'm quite as dedicated as some of these people. Talk about wearing your emotions on your sleeve.

Quote of the Week

"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die tomorrow."

--- James Dean

Odds and Ends

Stark's Parker gets 'drawn' out

Richard Stark's (aka Donald Westlake), character Parker is set to be adapted into comic form. Darwyn Cook told fans at this year's Comic-Con that he will be adapting Stark's first four novels (The Hunter (aka Point Blank), The Man with the Getaway Face, The Outfit, and The Mourner) into graphic novels, the first of which is scheduled to be released late in 2009.

Potter's Fairytales
J.K. Rowling announced this past Thursday that she will publish a book of wizarding fairytales. Rowling originally produced only seven copies of "The Tales of Beedle the Bard." Each were bound in Moroccan leather and decorated with silver moonstones. Six were given to people involved with the Potter books while the seventh copy was bought at auction for roughly $4 million.

Saved By the Bell
Joining the ranks of celebrity tell-all books is Dustin "Screech" Diamond. You have to read this one for yourselves, 'cause I really have nothing to say, except yikes.

Quote of the Week

"Someone once told me that every minute a murder occurs, so I don't want to waste your time, I know you want to go back to work."

--- Alfred Hitchcock

Pinter hits "The Mark"

If you have yet to read Jason Pinter's The Mark, the novel that introduces the world to young reporter Henry Parker, you can read it for free, for 11 more days. How you ask? Quite simple. You can go to either Jason Pinter's Website or blog. Trust me, you won't be sorry you did. I personally am anxiously awaiting the release of The Stolen, the third in the Henry Parker series.

Quote of the Week

"Always be yourself... unless you suck."

--- Joss Whedon

Quote of the Week

"All great achievements require time."

--- Maya Angelou

In Disrepair. . .Nevermore

The small cottage in New York where Edgar Allen Poe spent his later years has been closed to the public for renovations. The work is scheduled to begin next spring and should be finished by spring 2010. The estimated cost for these renovations is around $250,000.


Mr. Poe, meet your contractor.

Lennon's Lyrics Auctioned

The hand written lyrics for John Lennon's song "Give Peace a Chance" were auctioned off at Christie's for the tidy sum of $833,654.