Hey, look at this, a blog post about Other Things. Have I mentioned how much calmer I feel after just three days back into the routine of early morning writing? I LOVE the book I'm working on (though also heart-clenching terror I won't be able to do it justice, etc., as per usual). So all to the good. But now closing some tabs:
- I know I'm constantly saying what a great literary culture Lexington has–and particularly how fortunate we are in terms of bookstores and booksellers–but now I have proof I can point you to. Author Holly Goddard Jones is doing some interviews with some of our most fabulous bookstore people about what makes Lexington so special, as well as their experience in terms of events, the importance of handselling, etc. So far she's talked with Brooke Raby from Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Wyn Morris from Morris Book Shop. I adore them both. (Next up is Crystal Wilkinson from the Wild Fig–who's not only a bookstore owner, but an amazing writer.) These interviews are must-reads for authors, I think, or anyone who cares about books, really. I would have told you, pre-book coming out how important I thought booksellers are in the whole literary continuum, and that would have been EXTREMELY…but now having had a book come out, even still in the early stages, I realize they are Even More Important Than That. All the love for you, booksellers.
- If you haven't checked out Sara Zarr's podcast on and called The Creative Life, well, why not? Also, give her a nice ranking while you're at it. She'd like to expand to include artists and creative peeps from other disciplines, but she needs to establish a bigger following first.
- Andrew Karre saying very smart things–as usual–about the YA boom from an editorial perspective over at Mitali Perkins' blog. Snippet: "For me, genres are campfires around which artists gather, not ways of understanding an audience for art or entertainment."
- io9 covers The Great Geek Sexism Debate. Nora Jemisin also has a fantastic post. See also: Genevieve gives an important update on the fallout post-Readercon harassment; I am so proud this woman is my friend. She rocks.
- Catherine Linka on the importance of hooks. In stories, not clothing, natch.
- A tour de force piece of fashion writing from Movie Star Makeover on the pencil skirt. I loved this.
- Flying Parisian Houses at Messy Nessy Chic.