New Media Reviews
When I saw Jason Kottke's post on new rules for reviewing, I thought FTC. No. He has noticed something I thought was my personal problem: reviewing based on the quality of the media product. If the TOC in an ebook isn't linked to the chapter titles, the book falls in my estimation. If I find too many typos or outright errors in the printing--or any of a dozen other irritations--I may pan the product.
Kottke's point is that we are more often turning a blind eye and ear to the content. It's all about format. I disagree with him, though, that purchasers pay no attention to, say, the story and buy a format. If you have a Kindle, do you buy books just because they are in the Kindle Store? It's not like climbing a mountain just because it's there.
If I focus on the quality of the product, it's because I didn't find glaring errors in the content or the story didn't disappoint. I'm reading a hard cover of short stories right now. The book is nice, the cover attractive. The heft and feel of the product is pleasant. The stories suck. I thought the same of this author's last novel. She writes depressing tales of disillusionment and despair that simply peter out. You're glad to reach the end, emotionally exhausted from waiting for something good to happen.
However, rather than waste my time and readers', I probably will skip reviewing this book I didn't want to receive in the first place. Why give more free publicity to something just to tell you don't bother buying it? I'd rather tell you to not bother buying this particular edition of a useful/pleasing book. Just because my reviews appear mostly in "new media" (in digital format) doesn't mean I'm not a "traditional" reviewer, either. I'd say or do the same if my reviews appeared in print. Listen to this article
Kottke's point is that we are more often turning a blind eye and ear to the content. It's all about format. I disagree with him, though, that purchasers pay no attention to, say, the story and buy a format. If you have a Kindle, do you buy books just because they are in the Kindle Store? It's not like climbing a mountain just because it's there.
If I focus on the quality of the product, it's because I didn't find glaring errors in the content or the story didn't disappoint. I'm reading a hard cover of short stories right now. The book is nice, the cover attractive. The heft and feel of the product is pleasant. The stories suck. I thought the same of this author's last novel. She writes depressing tales of disillusionment and despair that simply peter out. You're glad to reach the end, emotionally exhausted from waiting for something good to happen.
However, rather than waste my time and readers', I probably will skip reviewing this book I didn't want to receive in the first place. Why give more free publicity to something just to tell you don't bother buying it? I'd rather tell you to not bother buying this particular edition of a useful/pleasing book. Just because my reviews appear mostly in "new media" (in digital format) doesn't mean I'm not a "traditional" reviewer, either. I'd say or do the same if my reviews appeared in print. Listen to this article
posted by Georganna Hancock M.S. | 11:28 AM
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1 Comments
telling people how they can get this program free and "rent" my material in their own accounts. Except blogs are not available yet. My bad. Sorry, you have to have the real Kindle device to subscribe to the blog, and you can't get it with Kindle for PC.
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. I had suspected I'd had migraines until menopause, but reading about them seems to be bringing them back--at least while I'm vicariously experiencing Levy's rough ride. His search for a solution brings resolution of his relationship with a painful Other living within his head.
by Kamran Pasha, tells the story through the eyes of "Aisha, the youngest and most beloved wife of the Prophet." Although the author's first novel, it is the product of a successful Pakistani-American Hollywood screenwriter, contributing to lush descriptions and intense characterizations that make this one closer to a "beach read."
by Katharine McMahon
by Julie Hecht
by Lorie Tharps
I looked into 
just the cutest outfit?
Most advice for writers says to read. Seldom does it say what or how. Yeah, reading everything that passes before your eyes is helpful, because you can learn from others' mistakes (if you notice them and can analyze what they've done wrong). For those with limited reading time, it is crucial to focus on reading items that will enhance a career and improve writing.
? Here's some details:
Notice the title is not "parents reading TO children" for a change. On "Today", First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna discussed what the Bush parents did to encourage their children to read. Jenna mentioned that her parents read rather than watching TV. Then she advocated that all parents should read
Those interested in how books are marketed and sold, might like to read, well, OK, try to wade through, a scholarly initial look at the early history of the 
Much of the buzz about reading books revolves these days around "readers", the electronic devices that can store books available in an electronic format. Readers, of course, want to know about them (and argue). Writers want to know if: they should be considering releasing their books in an electronic format, what about the rights, how must should one cost? And publishers want to know if people will buy these products (reading devices and ebooks). Visionaries are all over the spectrum as to whether or not ebooks and readers will replace tree books. Some of us see a place for both in the future. The trick is to make both forms economically attractive. I've asked Sam Warren, owner of 
Hockney front cover to all 152 pages crammed with new pieces by the likes of:
subscriptions are available through Amazon.
At this time of year, traditional material for regular nonfiction writers are either "Top or Best ..." or "Resolutions". I try to live just one day at a time, instead of proclaiming annual resolutions . If I am in a change process, that's about as long as I can focus or handle. I do, however, believe in setting 
When you have Writer's Block, especially the "no idea at all!" type, treat yourself with a dose of reading. Read anything and everything, not necessarily about writing. Reading something from which you learn is especially helpful, but whatever you choose, it should be an enjoyable experience. One method to accomplish this has a bonus: visit a big book store, the type that also has a newsstand. Read some of the books, but also look through a few magazines. Maybe buy a different newspaper and read all of it. Leads for articles or bookish thoughts will creep insidiously into your mind and wrap themselves around your creativity, waking it from slothful slumber.
Phil Gerbyshak, ringleader, oops! I mean 
In a forum recently someone asked, "How do you judge poetry?" I sensed an explosive topic immediately, probably posted by a frustrated poet . Frustrated at not getting work published, not winning a contest and most likely not appreciating someone else's poem that won a contest. I didn't step into the fray, feeling that critiquing poetry is even more intensely personal than writing a book review. As Nancy Breen points out in her 
My real-life book club met yesterday to discuss Debra Ginsberg's 
The USA Today folks have pulled together their list of 
David Kipen, former San Francisco Chronicle book editor and critic, hopes the current campaigns to save newspaper book reviews will restore reading to the heart of American life. He claims, from his current lofty position of the NEA's director of literature:
