sandramcdonald (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} sandramcdonald) wrote,@ 2008-04-09 08:59:00 |
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Lust and filing cabinets
This week's reading includes HOUSE LUST, by Daniel McGinn -- a fascinating look at Americans and their houses over the last few decades, including the rise of HGTV (house porn), real estate agents, Zillow and more, and how the average square footage per home built has tripled, quadrupled, basically soared. It was written just before the subprime blowout but it's an easy, fun read, and definitely worth looking at if you're house shopping now.
I'm also reading Suzanne Brockman's ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, and here's a story about that. Recently I met Ms. Brockman at the local RWA conference, but I felt awkward because I hadn't read her work and really had just stopped by to say hi to my friend Terry O. At the library a few days later I saw this novel by her on the shelf and picked it up. Some girl named Jules, an FBI agent, was getting married in Boston, and wacky hijinks ensue, and there's something about SEALS, and okay, that's worth a second look. And then I realized Jules was guy! Marrying another guy! Somehow I missed the phenomenon of NYT bestselling romance writers publishing slash. This is a prime example of how my expectations of about romance writing can be confounded by actually reading romance instead.
Terry O. was also telling me about the Harlequin NASCAR romances, which can involve no on-page sex at all and are not allowed to use the names of real racers. She said she learned a lot about racing, though.
I saw the Harper Collins things about not paying advances to writers, and can't see how this could ever be an acceptable deal for authors. Advances are often the only money some writers see, even if a book sells through. I know writers in my field who have never seen royalty statements from their small press publishers, despite numerous requests. When people ask me how my books are selling, I cast runes. The only royalty statement I've ever seen was for the period ending June 07, and it was on display at the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard." * But this is not unique situation; it's a problem that spans the industry.
In other news, Grant's favorite new toy is a half-full roll of toilet paper that he chases down, kicks with his back feet, and then carries around like the injured prey that it is. Right now it's under the kitchen table. If it tries to roll off on its own, Grant will pounce on it immediately. My brave warrior kitty.
*thank you, Douglas Adams. I miss you.
This week's reading includes HOUSE LUST, by Daniel McGinn -- a fascinating look at Americans and their houses over the last few decades, including the rise of HGTV (house porn), real estate agents, Zillow and more, and how the average square footage per home built has tripled, quadrupled, basically soared. It was written just before the subprime blowout but it's an easy, fun read, and definitely worth looking at if you're house shopping now.
I'm also reading Suzanne Brockman's ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, and here's a story about that. Recently I met Ms. Brockman at the local RWA conference, but I felt awkward because I hadn't read her work and really had just stopped by to say hi to my friend Terry O. At the library a few days later I saw this novel by her on the shelf and picked it up. Some girl named Jules, an FBI agent, was getting married in Boston, and wacky hijinks ensue, and there's something about SEALS, and okay, that's worth a second look. And then I realized Jules was guy! Marrying another guy! Somehow I missed the phenomenon of NYT bestselling romance writers publishing slash. This is a prime example of how my expectations of about romance writing can be confounded by actually reading romance instead.
Terry O. was also telling me about the Harlequin NASCAR romances, which can involve no on-page sex at all and are not allowed to use the names of real racers. She said she learned a lot about racing, though.
I saw the Harper Collins things about not paying advances to writers, and can't see how this could ever be an acceptable deal for authors. Advances are often the only money some writers see, even if a book sells through. I know writers in my field who have never seen royalty statements from their small press publishers, despite numerous requests. When people ask me how my books are selling, I cast runes. The only royalty statement I've ever seen was for the period ending June 07, and it was on display at the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying "Beware of the Leopard." * But this is not unique situation; it's a problem that spans the industry.
In other news, Grant's favorite new toy is a half-full roll of toilet paper that he chases down, kicks with his back feet, and then carries around like the injured prey that it is. Right now it's under the kitchen table. If it tries to roll off on its own, Grant will pounce on it immediately. My brave warrior kitty.
*thank you, Douglas Adams. I miss you.
