BSP—short for Better Speaking Program? Badly Spoiled Prom? Butter Squash Pumpkin? Blissfully Stupid Politician? No, as unlikely as it may seem, BSP stands for Blatant Self Promotion. And in the crime fiction field, it seems as though indulging in BSP, is a badge of honor, or rite of passage for an author. Almost every writer … Read more
by Jas Faulkner The Southern US as it exists in the minds of anyone who lives elsewhere is a collection of tortured memories of required texts from high school, stereotypes that have been perpetuated by the media, and assumptions of regressive attitudes towards everything. Thinking, reading, writing southerners everywhere know that there is more … Read more
by Jas Faulkner At a recent gathering of writers in Nashville, the conversation turned to the recent popularity of E. L. James’ Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy. Everyone weighed in on their ability to write erotica and whether they felt it would hurt or hinder a writer’s credibility. During the conversation, Trisha, who was one … Read more
While reading about Bezos and his acquisition of Avalon books, I came across a story I somehow missed, although how, I can’t imagine, since it involves robots. Amazon bought Kiva Systems, an company who makes giant orange machines that scuttle around warehouses fulfilling the millions of orders you, and I, well, you–make. Wow! Bezos must … Read more
Another ABE e-mail came my way and I was surprised to see it was about the illustrator of children’s books, Kate Greenaway. Her work is everywhere-that’s what public domain can do for a long dead artist. I knew nothing about her life, the article at ABE sheds some light on it, and the fact … Read more
by Jas Faulkner The love of learning, the sequestered nooks… I wanted to find a place to sit and look through the books that intrigued me while browsing the stacks. My choices were pretty limited: Taking the armload of books I was deciding upon to the coffee shop area was a non-starter. I wasn’t about … Read more
When I saw the cover of June 10th’s ‘Parade Magazine’ with Nathan Fillian chest deep in water holding Jaws, I had to explore what the heck the point of this photo was. Turns out the actor who plays the title role of Richard Castle on the TV detective series, is a reader. A real one—not … Read more
Diane Plumley has had numerous ‘careers’ throughout her ancient life, but bookselling remains as the high point. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she worked as cashier and then book buyer/bookseller at a store no longer in existence, (nothing new there) called Lorry’s Book Company. Many moons later, she managed Foul Play, another store, … Read more
