Monday Randomness

Sunday I got to attend the book launch of BECAUSE I AM FURNITURE by my dear friend, Thalia Chaltas. This is her first book, a YA novel in poetry, and let me tell you, it is one powerful book! A must read. There were two highlights of the launch: seeing her face alight as this dream finally became a reality, and her adorable daughter singing Happy Launch Day to her (sung to the tune of Happy Birthday.) This child had so much poise and presence and heart. I was in awe!

I have been working on copy edits for the past week, not my favorite thing. (Let me be clear--the copy editor is brilliant, I am the frack up.) This mss was a tad worse than usual, I'm guessing because of the stacked up deadlines. Thank god the copy editor uses green pencil instead of red pen, or I might have to kill myself. And double thank god there is no letter grade associated with the project!

Someone, I can't remember who and I'm too lazy to go back and search through the comments, asked which blogs I read regularly. The fact is, in the last year I've really tried to cull down my blog reading, for a couple of reasons.

1. All the marketing and industry chatter can be very distracting. I think it is essential when you're shopping a manuscript or looking for an agent or editor, and for general education, but at a certain point it just becomes so much static, pulling your attention from other things.
2. Blogs can be a very deceptive time sink--they make you feel like you're working (Hey! It's about writing--nearly as good as producing pages, right? Not!) when in fact they are taking time away from your work.

PubRants - good general industry information, but also educational, a good all purpose, all stage of one's career blog.
Nathan Bransford - I already have an agent that I'm very happy with, but I enjoy this blog for a couple of reasons, (1) A lot of his posts have to do with craft and the balance between creativity and commercial endeavors, and (2) I love his voice. Seriously. He has one of the best blog voices out there. In fact, it's a great example of voice in general, so check it out some time. Plus, he kind of reminds me of my nephew who is graduating from law school this week.
Taming the Muse - Full disclosure--this is written by one of my best buddies, Mary Hershey, and is a great combination of inspiration, creativity, and a (gentle!) kick in the pants. Great when you need a reality check or a perspective shift or feel like laughing (she is one of the funniest people I know.)
Cynsations, by Cynthia Leitich Smith - THE go to blog on the children's book industry. If you visit only one industry blog, let it be this one.
Bookends, another great combination of marketing and craft (as seen through the eyes of an agent)
Editorial Ass because she cracks me up and I enjoy her insights and anecdotes of publishing from her side of the desk.
Writer Unboxed - an amazing array of interviews, craft information, interviews, promotional stuff. Almost like a literary magazine, only in blog form.

And then there are a couple of author blogs I follow, just because I either like their writing or their books or for general voyeurism's-sake. (I'm a writer--of course I'm a voyeur...)