*Snork*

Vanity press "PublishAmerica", (even though they claim they aren't), posts a nasty diatribe against SF/F writers, saying that: "A second caveat is that science-fiction and fantasy writers have it easier. It's unfair, but such is life. As a rule of thumb, the quality bar for sci-fi and fantasy is a lot lower than for all other fiction. Therefore, beware of published authors who are self-crowned writing experts. When they tell you what to do and not to do in getting your book published, always first ask them what genre they write. If it's sci-fi or fantasy, run. They have no clue about what it is to write real-life stories, and how to find them a home. Unless you are a sci-fi or fantasy author yourself.."

So a batch of 30 SF/F writers all sit down and, over the course of a weekend, hammer out a chapter each of the worst tripe they can. They then add typos and an entire chapter of computer-generated nonsense, and send the results, a mess called "Atlanta Nights" off to "PublishAmerica"

Which then sends them a publishing contract

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb202277.htm

To make it even funnier, when the writers then publically announced the hoax, PublishAmerica then withdrew said offer. *chuckle*

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006041.html
http://coldground.typepad.com/cold_ground/2005/01/atlanta_nights_.html
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/general.html#PA
http://www.sfwa.org/news/atlantanights.htm

*Snork*

Vanity press "PublishAmerica", (even though they claim they aren't), posts a nasty diatribe against SF/F writers, saying that: "A second caveat is that science-fiction and fantasy writers have it easier. It's unfair, but such is life. As a rule of thumb, the quality bar for sci-fi and fantasy is a lot lower than for all other fiction. Therefore, beware of published authors who are self-crowned writing experts. When they tell you what to do and not to do in getting your book published, always first ask them what genre they write. If it's sci-fi or fantasy, run. They have no clue about what it is to write real-life stories, and how to find them a home. Unless you are a sci-fi or fantasy author yourself.."

So a batch of 30 SF/F writers all sit down and, over the course of a weekend, hammer out a chapter each of the worst tripe they can. They then add typos and an entire chapter of computer-generated nonsense, and send the results, a mess called "Atlanta Nights" off to "PublishAmerica"

Which then sends them a publishing contract

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb202277.htm

To make it even funnier, when the writers then publically announced the hoax, PublishAmerica then withdrew said offer. *chuckle*

http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/006041.html
http://coldground.typepad.com/cold_ground/2005/01/atlanta_nights_.html
http://www.sfwa.org/beware/general.html#PA
http://www.sfwa.org/news/atlantanights.htm

Primates are primates are primates.......

What happens when someone decides to spend a week living on nothing but pelletized "Primate Dry Diet Animal Food"

The Monkey Chow Diaries

Primates are primates are primates.......

What happens when someone decides to spend a week living on nothing but pelletized "Primate Dry Diet Animal Food"

The Monkey Chow Diaries

There are good jobs.....

And then there's this. Journalism Internship on Molokai, where you're lead reporter, copyeditor, lead photographer, and lead designer.

Job Bank: Journalism Internship - Molokai, Hawaii, Kaunakakai

Pay: $40.00 a week for food.
Time: 40-50 hours a week.
Requirements: BA in journalism, Mac/PC literate, 5-6 month commitment, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign.
Employer provides: Car or moped, shared room with other intern
Employee provides own: Laptop computer, Camera, recommends that employee also provide own voice recorder, cell phone, hiking, camping, riding, and/or beach gear.

There are good jobs.....

And then there's this. Journalism Internship on Molokai, where you're lead reporter, copyeditor, lead photographer, and lead designer.

Job Bank: Journalism Internship - Molokai, Hawaii, Kaunakakai

Pay: $40.00 a week for food.
Time: 40-50 hours a week.
Requirements: BA in journalism, Mac/PC literate, 5-6 month commitment, Adobe Photoshop, InDesign.
Employer provides: Car or moped, shared room with other intern
Employee provides own: Laptop computer, Camera, recommends that employee also provide own voice recorder, cell phone, hiking, camping, riding, and/or beach gear.

Nice little surprise......

I don't remember having seen this in the version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" that was in the theatres here in Doha.

But I found on the DVD a nice surprise about 30 sec-1 minute into the credits.

:-)

Nice little surprise......

I don't remember having seen this in the version of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" that was in the theatres here in Doha.

But I found on the DVD a nice surprise about 30 sec-1 minute into the credits.

:-)

Idiots on parade......

Because Gods forbid that anyone who dances ever look like anything other than a starving 11 year old boy......

Body Suit - She Grew in Her Career as a Dancer, Maybe Too Much. Cue the Lawyers.

"Alyse claims that her generous breast size got her fired from the cast of "Movin' Out," the Broadway show choreographed by Twyla Tharp to songs by Billy Joel. Alyse was an ensemble dancer in the national tour until her bra size "naturally increased" from a C cup to a D, according to her lawsuit against the production company. The growth spurt happened while she was on leave last year with an injured big toe; the 29-year-old says she neither gained weight nor got implants. When she returned to the show, she needed new bras sewn into her costumes, and for this, she alleges in her 42-page complaint, she was sexually harassed, verbally abused and wrongfully dismissed.

Let's leave aside, for the moment, questions about what other factors might have been behind Alyse's dismissal (which we can't really answer, because the show's management won't tell us its side) and whether a woman can continue to develop well past puberty. Musical theater is an entertainment outlet that routinely depicts women as sexpots, curvy dimwits and window dressing -- so if you believe Alyse's account, the hypocrisy is evident. Allegedly getting fired for the prudish-sounding sin of busting out of one's costume is even more surprising given that Tharp's all-dance spectacular bumps and grinds from start to finish. With Joel's rock-and-roll framing a Vietnam-era loss-of-innocence tale, the show rides on an orgy of go-go.

But the dance world doesn't necessarily view such firing decisions as hypocritical; they are merely business as usual. The Body Police enforce specifications that have nothing to do with the ability to perform. Some women have resorted to breast reduction to conform with the slim standards of ballet. Anastasia Volochkova, a leading ballerina at Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet, made headlines two years ago over a similar issue, when she was fired for being too fat (at a reported weight of 110 pounds). She sued for damages and was unsuccessful, though she did get her job back."

Idiots on parade......

Because Gods forbid that anyone who dances ever look like anything other than a starving 11 year old boy......

Body Suit - She Grew in Her Career as a Dancer, Maybe Too Much. Cue the Lawyers.

"Alyse claims that her generous breast size got her fired from the cast of "Movin' Out," the Broadway show choreographed by Twyla Tharp to songs by Billy Joel. Alyse was an ensemble dancer in the national tour until her bra size "naturally increased" from a C cup to a D, according to her lawsuit against the production company. The growth spurt happened while she was on leave last year with an injured big toe; the 29-year-old says she neither gained weight nor got implants. When she returned to the show, she needed new bras sewn into her costumes, and for this, she alleges in her 42-page complaint, she was sexually harassed, verbally abused and wrongfully dismissed.

Let's leave aside, for the moment, questions about what other factors might have been behind Alyse's dismissal (which we can't really answer, because the show's management won't tell us its side) and whether a woman can continue to develop well past puberty. Musical theater is an entertainment outlet that routinely depicts women as sexpots, curvy dimwits and window dressing -- so if you believe Alyse's account, the hypocrisy is evident. Allegedly getting fired for the prudish-sounding sin of busting out of one's costume is even more surprising given that Tharp's all-dance spectacular bumps and grinds from start to finish. With Joel's rock-and-roll framing a Vietnam-era loss-of-innocence tale, the show rides on an orgy of go-go.

But the dance world doesn't necessarily view such firing decisions as hypocritical; they are merely business as usual. The Body Police enforce specifications that have nothing to do with the ability to perform. Some women have resorted to breast reduction to conform with the slim standards of ballet. Anastasia Volochkova, a leading ballerina at Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet, made headlines two years ago over a similar issue, when she was fired for being too fat (at a reported weight of 110 pounds). She sued for damages and was unsuccessful, though she did get her job back."

Ooooh, pretty plane....

I think this is a SAAB Draken.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/1/6/8/1058861.jpg

Ooooh, pretty plane....

I think this is a SAAB Draken.

http://photos.airliners.net/photos/photos/1/6/8/1058861.jpg

And this is news HOW???

Romance Novels Growing Steamier

"Graphic sex talk has ignited sales. Major publishers are introducing new, spicier romance lines. Even harlequin is getting into the game.

“Romance is getting younger and younger audience, and they are looking for stories that push the edge a little bit, that pushes the boundaries.”

Authors and publishers are quick to point out that this is not porn, that these sexy tales have romance and a story as well."

Since I remember a friend of mine that worked at a romance book store calling them "Soft-core porn" years ago, I just wonder what's this "growing steamier" stuff? They've been pretty racy for a LONG time now.

And this is news HOW???

Romance Novels Growing Steamier

"Graphic sex talk has ignited sales. Major publishers are introducing new, spicier romance lines. Even harlequin is getting into the game.

“Romance is getting younger and younger audience, and they are looking for stories that push the edge a little bit, that pushes the boundaries.”

Authors and publishers are quick to point out that this is not porn, that these sexy tales have romance and a story as well."

Since I remember a friend of mine that worked at a romance book store calling them "Soft-core porn" years ago, I just wonder what's this "growing steamier" stuff? They've been pretty racy for a LONG time now.

Moment of geekery.....

While watching the library scene in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", was I the ONLY person who saw this scene and thought: "all that library needs is an Orangutang.........."

Moment of geekery.....

While watching the library scene in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire", was I the ONLY person who saw this scene and thought: "all that library needs is an Orangutang.........."