The Scruffy Dog Review Blog

We've Moved!

noreply@blogger.com (The Scruffy Dog Review) — Wed, 09 May 2007 23:59:00 +0000

We've moved. Please visit our new and

improved blog at:

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Living By Your Wits

noreply@blogger.com (B. K. Birch) — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:10:00 +0000

I’ve noticed something interesting and rather, in my opinion, hypocritical, in several on-line writer’s forums.

Many of the participants classify writers. Not just the age-old struggle between “literary” writers and “commercial” writers (which, fortunately, in this age of marketing-before-all-especially-before-writing seems to be winding down). But many of these writers consider the only “real” writers to be those who write fiction.

Today, as you go through your day, look around and see how much you read in passing: a newspaper, a billboard, a brochure, information on a website, watch a commercial in between programs. All of these bits were written by someone. Someone who is making a living doing this.

A writer who is walking the walk and making a living by his or her pen.

What’s interesting about the so-called writers who huff and puff and look down their pens at working writers is that most of them aren’t published. Oh, yes, they’re working on a novel, but, you see, there’s really no time, what with the husband or wife, and the children’s activities and all that. But, they’re thinking about the novel they’ll write someday; meanwhile, they’re going to get an agent for it and work on a marketing plan.

Of course, they don’t have to count on their writing in order to live. Either they have a 9-5 job they hate and plan to write “when they get around to it” or they’re living off a spouse’s full-time job.

A writer is someone who writes. Not someone who talks about doing it “when there’s time”, but someone who puts the butt down in the chair and gets it done.

The next phase of that life is to get paid for one’s work. When you have to pay the rent and bills by your pen, you learn quite quickly to get rid of the lack of time or the blocks, or whatever other excuses keep you from doing the work. You sit down and don’t get up until it’s done. You learn to compress the process to fit the deadline. You get the work in on time – and with quality – in order to get the check.

Arthur Miller once told me, “You’ll never be a writer until you have to rely on it for your income” and he was right. Once it’s life-or-death, all the obstacles evaporate – if you’re going to survive.

How many of you have the courage to survive by your pen? Because, in addition to talent and a strong work ethic, courage is the enormous component in the equation. Being a writer is genuinely “living by your wits.”

--Devon Ellington

Rankin To Mix It With Royalty

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 08 May 2007 17:14:00 +0000

Edinburgh-based crime writer, Ian Rankin, was last week appointed one of five new Deputy Lieutenants of Edinburgh.

The honour, announced by Lord Provost Lesley Hinds, means the Rebus author has the responsibility of deputising for Cllr. Hinds during Royal visits to the city when she is unable to attend.

Rankin was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant during a ceremony along with four other high profile people who she felt had made a significant contribution to Edinburgh life. In the past such appointments only went to high-ranking members of the military.

Cllr. Hinds said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to recognise hard working contributors to Edinburgh's community, business and cultural assets. Reinvigorating an ancient tradition in this way makes the point that Edinburgh is a city that can build on its past while looking to the future. This is the face of the 21st century."

Deputy Lieutenants have been appointed in Edinburgh since the year 1569. There are currently 20 active Deputy Lieutenants, each expected to stay in office for 10 years or until they turn 75, which ever comes first.

Speaking of the honour, Rankin said; "When I opened the letter with the offer from the Lord Provost, I didn't even know we had Deputy Lieutenants.

"It’s a great honour to have been offered the role. I was a bit worried when I received a text message from a friend saying I would have to wear a cockade!

Asked if he would be comfortable in the presence of royalty, Rankin continued: "I have met Prince Charles before, as well as Princess Anne and Prince Phillip, but never the Queen. That will be excellent."

Glasgow Art Fair Hailed a Success

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:37:00 +0000

The biggest commercial art event to hit Glasgow took place last week. The 12th annual Glasgow Art Fair opened its doors to the public on Thursday 19th April, showcasing more than 1000 artists from all over the world and smashing all previous sales records into the bargain.

Last year 16,000 visitors packed into a large white tent on George Square, and art lovers spent more than £1million - buying all kinds of art from small £50 works by new graduates to £30,000 pieces by some of the biggest names.

This year 18,000 buyers flocked to view new exhibitors alongside established artists over the four-day event, with the amount of art purchased smashing the £1.1m mark.

Among this year's highlights were a show by Glasgow gallery owner Victoria Cassidy, and the chance to buy work by internationally acclaimed artist David Mach. The celebrity art auction fetched over £4000 in aid of the Marie Curie Big Build Appeal to create a new hospice for the City.

Lord Provost Liz Cameron commented: "The Art Fair has been an essential part of Glasgow's thriving cultural life for more than a decade.

"Once more the Art Fair has brought a wide range of galleries to the city presenting a fantastic selection of contemporary art for sale to buyers of every budget.

"I'm delighted to be able to say it is the biggest of its kind in the UK outside London."

Related Links
www.glasgowartfair.com

Edinburgh Author’s are Top of the Books

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:45:00 +0000

Mark Renton, John Rebus, Ruby Lennox, and Harry Potter; four totally different characters from the minds of four totally different authors, yet each have helped in their own way, to confirm the strength of Edinburgh as a top city on the UK's contemporary literary map.

Last week, Waterstone's announced that books by four of the city’s top authors have been voted amongst the best reads of the past 25 years after a poll of the chain’s 5000 stores.

Knots and Crosses by Ian Rankin, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling, Behind the Scenes at The Museum by Kate Atkinson and Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, all made it into a top 100 poll of the chain's 5000 booksellers.

Rankin, put forward for the first book in his Inspector Rebus series, said: "I'm thrilled that Knots and Crosses appears on the list. It was written when I was a 25-year-old student and was never meant to be the beginning of a series. Little did I know it was the start of something big."

Edwin Morgan’s Birthday Party

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 07:33:00 +0000

Due to a major computer error, I've been unable to write a proper post for this week. However, at the last minute I noticed this piece of news that is worthy of notice:

Friday 27 April, 3pm
Edwin Morgan’s Birthday Party and Launch of Beyond the Sun

All are welcome to join the National Poet of Scotland, Edwin Morgan, at the celebration of his birthday and launch of his latest book, Beyond the Sun.

Scotland’s favourite paintings – as discovered through an extensive reader’s poll with The Herald newspaper – are coupled with a corresponding poem penned by Edwin Morgan in this beautiful collection, Beyond the Sun.

Held at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum where five of the top ten paintings are installed, the launch will be a poignant combination of fine art and fine poetry.

Beyond the Sun includes introductory essays by Lesley Duncan, Poetry Editor of The Herald and Alan Riach, Professor of Scottish Literature at Glasgow University, plus an Afterword by Liz Lochhead, Glasgow’s Poet Laureate.

Details
Cost: Free
Location: Glasgow
Venue: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Bookworld Saved!

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:32:00 +0000

Last month it was reported in The Dog Blog, that the famous bookstore chain, BookWorld, BW!, and Bargain Books was to close its doors. We are happy to announce that the firm was recently sold and the chain will survive for now at least.

The Scottish owners of the chain went into administration several weeks ago, and although some branches closed almost at the time, the buyout means that the remaining 160 jobs in Scotland and England are now safe.

The buyout happened when parent company David Flatman Ltd, sold its retail division to The Works, thereby, saving a total of 26 shops across the country.

A separate management buyout team has purchased the company's publishing arm, Lomond Books. Joint administrator, Tom MacLennan, said; “the sale is excellent news for staff, customers, suppliers and creditors. It will mean continuity of employment for 160 staff and a very positive future for the two businesses."

Derek Hine, chief executive of The Works, said; "Bookworld has long been renowned for the quality of its staff and we are pleased to welcome 155 colleagues into the business."

noreply@blogger.com (B. K. Birch) — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 00:05:00 +0000

The Spring 2007 Issue is now online!

A Taste of Not Writing

noreply@blogger.com (The Scruffy Dog Review) — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:44:00 +0000

As you all know, I am a huge advocate of writing every day. No excuses. Like a concert pianist going back to basics, or an athlete staying limber, I believe it’s vitally important to the difference between writing as a profession/vocation or a hobby.

That doesn’t mean one shouldn’t take a day off or a vacation where writing is not the primary focus or even any part of it. We all need downtime to recharge the creative batteries. Sometimes, you have to take a leave of absence from your Muse for awhile, so that when you get back together, you’re glad to see each other and you can dive back in. I plan trips, but I do not have a designated day off. I prefer a floating day – whenever I feel I need a day, provided I’ve stayed on top of deadlines/contracts – I take a day and do whatever I darned well please. Then, the next day, I’m raring to go back to the page.

I had a taste of the non-writing life in February and March—working on a full Broadway schedule, battling two illnesses, and the infamous flood in our town, where I lost my car, ten families lost everything, we were without power, hot water, and heat, and a small group of us worked hauling generators, running lines, etc., trying to get things going.

I’m not so dependent on the computer that I wouldn’t write without it. We’ve had many a power failure in this place, and I’ve written by candlelight. And I managed to keep on top of all the paid, contracted deadlines.

But I didn’t do any of my own, undeadlined work. I didn’t scan the job boards. I didn’t research markets and try to see if I had something that would fit or if I was inspired to write something to fit.

Most days, I couldn’t even read – be it from illness or exhaustion.

I’ll tell you something: I didn’t like it.

Beyond the dis-ease being ill gave me, I felt fractured, I felt dull, I felt out of sorts. The colors in the world seemed less vibrant. Not only did I feel less interesting as an individual, I felt less interested in the world.

Being a writer engages me in everything that goes on around me. Writing is like breathing to me, and, even though on many levels I’m a rather shy and reticent person, the writing encourages me to ask questions, explore, and learn about everything around me. I often joke that I’m interested in everything except math and anchovies, and even anchovies have a place in a Caesar salad.

I’ve had non-writers or “hobby writers” cluck on about how writers who write every day are dis-engaged from life – life is too full, too important, there’s too much to do (the old “no time” excuse again) to sit down and write anything.

I disagree. Not writing made me more dis-engaged than I ever was when writing. It made me feel like the world was passing me by and I was a spectator instead of a participant. Which is odd, because so often writers are characterized as being on the outside looking in, perpetual observers. When I write as I live (not necessarily what I live) – my life and the lives of my characters not only make more sense, there’s more color in the world in general. Instead of a palette of storm grays and dull beiges, there’s a vibrant rainbow of life.

--Devon Ellington

Glasgow's Lost Book Returned After 400-Year Absence

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 17:08:00 +0000

Four hundred years ago, the Vita St Kentigern disappeared from its home in Glasgow Cathedral. Ever since then, investigators have come and gone, all of them as equally baffled as the last over its mysterious disappearance. The book, which tells the story of the city's patron saint, is the most historic in Glasgow’s long existence.

Last month, the velum-bound tome was handed back to the city in a ceremony at Glasgow Cathedral and is tipped by city experts to spark a mini tourist boom after it goes on display at the city’s Mitchell Library.

The life story of St Kentigern, or St Mungo as he is more commonly known, was commissioned way back in the year 1180. The completed book was then lodged in the cathedral where it remained for almost four centuries before it was stolen, by culprits unknown.

300 years ago, Archbishop Marsh of Dublin acquired a copy for his library, and it has been there ever since. Glasgow's Local History and Archaeology Working Group reawakened interest in the city's origins when it was formed two years go, and interest began to grow, and questions asked.

The pages of the historic manuscript were photographed using modern techniques, and the resulting images used to create four replica copies of the book, each containing a full translation of the medieval Latin script.

One copy will remain in Glasgow Cathedral, a second copy to the Glasgow Archdiocese, and a third to the Marsh Library in Dublin.

Borders Threat to Quit Scotland

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 06:20:00 +0000

Bookshop giant Borders last week threatened to close all of its stores in Scotland and the UK.

The surprise announcement, which potentially threatens up to 2000 jobs across the country, could see the sale of one of the most important book chains who have bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow city centre.

The US-based company has had its flagship store at the former Royal Bank of Scotland site in Glasgow’s Buchanan Street since 1998, and the prospect of the store disappearing from the A-listed building will be a massive blow to Glasgow.

They also have a store in Fort Kinnaird on the outskirts of Edinburgh, as well as four other smaller stores around Scotland.

The threat to sell off the 71 chain of UK stores follows an announcement in February that Borders' overseas arm - 70% of which is concentrated in the UK - lost over a quarter of a million pounds in the last trading year, against a profit of £6million the previous year.

The company said it was considering the sale as part of a "strategic review" brought on by the "challenging retail environment".

The news also comes after HMV, which owns Waterstone's, issued its second profits warning since the start of the year and announced a rescue plan to try to boost flagging sales, which could see the closure of up to 30 Waterstone's outlets.

Bookworld, BArgain Books, and BW are also closing branches throughout Scotland, as reported here a couple of weeks ago, as the industry by the whole attempts to stave off competition from online book outlets.

Harry Potter Immortalised on Postage Stamps

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:18:00 +0000

Scottish author JK Rowling has had her popular Hogwarts characters immortalised on postage stamps in France.

The collection of ten stamps featuring Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger, were unveiled at La Fete du Timbre et de l'Ecrit 2007 (Festival of Stamps and Writing), which runs for the month of March in 118 cities and villages around France.

The release of the stamps comes during the build up to the next Harry Potter instalment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which is due for release on July 21st. The stamps are the result of collaboration between Warner Bros. Consumer Products and La Poste, the French Postal.

"To be immortalized on a postal stamp ranks among the highest of honours," said Brad Globe, WB Consumer Products supremo.

The Harry stamp can be used for domestic priority mail, the Ron Weasley stamp for slow domestic mail, and the Hermione Granger stamp for international mail.

The Harry Potter images will also appear on other stationary material, such as Harry Potter writing paper, a correspondence kit and a stamp album.

The stamps will only be available for a limited time from participating post offices in France. They cost 6.18 Euros (£4.20).

Glasgow Art Fair Set to Break Records

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:53:00 +0000

Glasgow will see its biggest ever Art Fair event to be held in the city this year. A record number of galleries have applied to showcase work, at what is now widely considered to be the most prestigious contemporary art fair outside London.

The event, which takes place from April 19th to 22nd, has already sold advance tickets via the Internet for the first time.

Forty-three galleries, including eleven from Glasgow, will be exhibiting work from over 1000 artists. Nine galleries will be showing for the first time in a specially erected tented village in George Square.

Last year a record 16,000 visitors attended the event, run by Glasgow City Council, to admire and purchase original pieces of art. More than 1200 pieces of art totalling £1.1million were sold.
Organisers say the increase in exhibitors last year was proof of the popularity of the event with galleries as well as buyers. Lord Provost Liz Cameron said: "The Glasgow Art Fair has been an essential part of Glasgow's thriving cultural life for more than a decade now."

Related Links
www.glasgowartfair.com

Pride and Prejudice Voted UK’s Top Read

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:23:00 +0000

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, the classic Jane Austen novel, has been voted the nation’s favourite in a UK poll mark the recent World Book Day,

The Jane Austen novel was chosen by 20% of the 2000 people surveyed online, and it proved popular with almost every age group. The under-18’s voted it second to the Harry Potter series.

In second place came Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien with 17% of the vote, and in third, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte with 14%.

The Harry Potter novels came in overall fifth with under 12% of the total, while Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird totalled less than 10%. The Bible ranked sixth in the list, although it ranked fourth by both the 43-60 and over 60’s age groups. It was placed 19th by the under 18’s and came in two places above Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, considered by many to be of an anti-religious theme, which came in eighth with 6%.

Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights was voted seventh with 8.5 %, while His Dark Materials and George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four tied for eighth place.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens completed the top ten list.
Other contemporary books that featured in the top 100 include Bridget Jones's Diary (68), Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children (69), Sebastian Faulks's Birdsong (17), and Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code (42). Celebrity biographies fail to register in the top 100.

Male voters picked The Lord of the Rings as their favourite book, with Pride and Prejudice at number six, while Jane Austen was placed as number one by women, who voted The Lord of the Rings fifth.

Sue Horner, of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said: "All these books have a timeless quality, whenever they were written. It is likely that many of them are lasting favourites, first encountered at school."

Other People's Careers

noreply@blogger.com (The Scruffy Dog Review) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:54:00 +0000

Because writing is such a solitary profession, and we’re all making it up as we go along, we seek others in our field. We feel less alone through the sharing of information. Deep down, we feel that everyone else has a special secret we don’t. If we learn the secret, if we learn how to unlock whatever it is that makes it work for them, everything will be all right.

The truth is that we can observe, learn, and brainstorm for everyone around us, but because we are individual, we still have to adapt it to something that works for us. We have to decide where we are willing to compromise with time, people, and subject matter. We have to decide WHY we’re doing what we do. We can’t have a career just like Writer X, because we aren’t Writer X. We are unique, even when we share similarities.

Learn as much as you can. Talk as much as you can. But figure out what is your special process, pattern, and desire for your career. Don’t write something because someone else sold something like it. Write it because it is the story you yearn to tell. Don’t set up a blog or a website like someone else’s because someone else did so. Do it because it’s something you want and need to do.

Decide how much of your writing time you are willing to sacrifice to marketing and networking. Just because someone else finds it useful to spend 85% of his time marketing and 15% of his time writing, it doesn’t mean you need to subscribe to the same ratio.

Remember, we’re all making this up as we go along: writers, editors, agents, publishers.

Sometimes, we just get lucky.

And what isn’t made from luck is crafted from dedication.

Devon Ellington

Edinburgh Bookshops Under Threat

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 07:06:00 +0000

Edinburgh-based David Flatman Ltd, the firm behind the bookstore chains Bargain Books, Bookworld and bw has gone into administration. It blamed competition from the internet and supermarkets for its decision to shed over 40 jobs and place a threat over another 360.

A spokesman said that sustained competition had “made it increasingly difficult to maintain its large network of high street stores.”

The job losses meant eight of the firms existing fifty book stores closed immediately upon announcement, four at the end of February, with the threat of more if a suitable buyer cannot be found, although there has already been substantial interest from possible buyers.

The company, which still has its headquarters in Edinburgh, has a current turnover of around £30m. After its creation in 1977 the business made its name by selling established authors and titles at competitive prices.

But huge increases in online book sales from sites like Amazon, has put pressure on the Bargain Books and it’s sister stores. Amazon remains dominant with around 75% of the UK online book sales market.

Joint administrator Tom MacLennan said: "Bookworld, Bargain Books and bw are long-established brands in the UK book retailing sector. The business has almost single-handedly developed the market for high street discount book selling."

Whilst competition from the internet and supermarkets has triggered the administration, a turnover of £30m clearly indicates that there is strong demand for discount stores on the high street.

The stores up for immediate closure include Dumfries, Greenock, Stirling, Inverness, Edinburgh Princes Mall, Harrow, Tunbridge Wells and Romford.

Those being closed at the end of February are in Glasgow, Bristol, Perth and Manchester.

The news comes hot on the heels of Waterstone's owner, HMV, announcing it has been struggling to fend off competition from the internet and superstores.

Related Links
www.bbwbooks.co.uk

Leith FM Attempts to Nab Pirate Ship

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:17:00 +0000

Community radio station, Leith FM, is to make an audacious attempt to bring the home of pirate radio to the town’s docklands area. Radio Caroline, which once upon a time broadcast from the ship, Ross Revenge, and which launched the careers of such household names as Tony Blackburn and Johnnie Walker, could soon be moved from its current home in the Thames, to Leith Docks.

The cost of such a project is said to be around £50,000, but if successful, it is said would not only provide the local station with magnificent new broadcasting studios, but also deliver a tourism boost for Leith as it would be moored close to the Royal Yacht Britannia, already a major tourist destination.

The chairman of Leith FM, Stewart Lochhead, said; "If we were to get the Radio Caroline boat, not only would it do Leith FM good, but it would give the area a bit more of a bohemian edge, bringing a different kind of tourist to the area.

"I remember the days of Radio Caroline in the 60s and this would be a great move for the station," he continued. "Our current offices are a touch cramped and to broadcast from the Radio Caroline ship would be something very special.”

Raising the funding for such a project could be difficult, however. Leith FM was only recently awarded a five-year broadcast licence and is not expected to be on air full-time until May 2007 when the annual Leith Festival begins.

Ross Revenge, which is currently lying unused on the Thames, would have to be towed north. It is maintained and owned by the Radio Caroline Support Group, who in the past have stated their intention to move the boat to a permanent quayside location in the UK.

Radio Caroline still broadcasts online and digitally from on-land studios in Maidstone, Kent. Proprietor, Peter Moore, said; “The ideal solution would be to keep the boat in the south of England, but if a good enough offer came along we would have to listen.

"It's an expensive business moving such a vessel all the way to Edinburgh, and I've not been approached by anyone from Leith FM about this as of yet."

Relevant Links
www.radiocaroline.co.uk
www.leithfm.co.uk

Edinburgh Festival Loses Another Director

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 10:54:00 +0000

The director of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the most successful arts festival in the world, is to leave the post to work in direct competition with his current employers.

Paul Gudgin, a director since 1999, is to step down and will work on developing a festival in South Korea, and possibly with others in Australia, Canada and elsewhere in the UK. He is the latest in a line of high profile directors to leave one of the city's famous festivals.

Sir Brian McMaster, the artistic director of the main Edinburgh International Festival, recently left after 15 seasons, and over at the International Film Festival, Hannah McGill was also installed recently as a new director.

Mr Gudgin who was a key figure in warning that the "thundering hooves" of other festivals, fears of which are now enshrined in an official report, will soon be rivals to the annual event.

Published last year, the Thundering Hooves report, backed by all the city's festivals, warned that the millions of pounds they attract to Scotland's economy were at risk from new arts festivals in Britain and abroad.

However, the annual festival of comedy, theatre, music and drama, had the most successful festival in its 60-year history under Gudgin, selling 1.5 million tickets in 2006, the fourth year in a row it has passed the million-ticket mark.

Mr Gudgin will remain with the Fringe until the launch of the 2007 programme on June 7. It is anticipated that the post of director of the Fringe will be advertised in the next few weeks.

A Book to get Excited About!

noreply@blogger.com (B. K. Birch) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 18:45:00 +0000

FINN, a Novel by Jon Cinch

Not since Harry Potter have I been so excited about a new book release. But, the buzz on the publishing streets says this one is going to be big - very big. Available on February 20th from Random House and Recorded Books.

About the book (from Amazon.com):

In this masterful debut by a major new voice in fiction, Jon Clinch takes us on a journey into the history and heart of one of American literature’s most brutal and mysterious figures: Huckleberry Finn’s father. The result is a deeply original tour de force that springs from Twain’s classic novel but takes on a fully realized life of its own.

Finn sets a tragic figure loose in a landscape at once familiar and mythic. It begins and ends with a lifeless body–flayed and stripped of all identifying marks–drifting down the Mississippi. The circumstances of the murder, and the secret of the victim’s identity, shape Finn’s story as they will shape his life and his death.

Along the way Clinch introduces a cast of unforgettable characters: Finn’s terrifying father, known only as the Judge; his sickly, sycophantic brother, Will; blind Bliss, a secretive moonshiner; the strong and quick-witted Mary, a stolen slave who becomes Finn’s mistress; and of course young Huck himself. In daring to re-create Huck for a new generation, Clinch gives us a living boy in all his human complexity–not an icon, not a myth, but a real child facing vast possibilities in a world alternately dangerous and bright.

Finn is a novel about race; about paternity in its many guises; about the shame of a nation recapitulated by the shame of one absolutely unforgettable family. Above all, Finn reaches back into the darkest waters of America’s past to fashion something compelling, fearless, and new.

Mr. Cinch has created this very unique Official FINN Website which is utterly brilliant.

But it certainly takes more than some flashy website to attract readers. And since I wasn't privy to an advance copy, I'll take to take everyone elses word for it. Here's what the industry players are saying:

"A memorable debut, likely to make waves...A few incidents duplicate those in Twain, but the novels could not be more different; instead of Huck's unlettered child's voice, we have an omniscient narrative, grave, erudite, and rich in the secretions of adult knowledge; terse dialogue acts as an effective counterpoint. All along, Clinch's intent is to probe the nature of evil."-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Clinch lyrically renders the Mississippi River's ceaseless flow, while revealing Finn's brutal contradictions, his violence, arrogance and self-reproach. If Clinch's debut falls short of Twain's achievement, it does further Twain's fiction." --Publishers Weekly starred review

FINN is a Booksense Pick for March.

FINN has garnered praise from other wonderful authors like Sara Gruen, Robert Hicks and Mary Gaitskill. And you gotta take Bookslut seriously!

What else could you ask for? I expect to see everyone at their local bookstore this month, picking up their copy of this much anticipated novel.

Stevenson Classic to Inspire Scots Youngsters

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:40:00 +0000

THOUSANDS OF FREE COPIES of a classic Robert Louis Stevenson novel were handed out across Edinburgh last week.

Around 25,000 copies of Kidnapped, first published in 1886 and set in 1751 during one of Scotland’s most turbulent periods, were distributed to libraries, schools, cafes and community centres in a scheme to get more Scottish people reading.

The tale of teenager Davie Balfour's adventures was chosen for the ‘One Book - One Edinburgh’ campaign because of its appeal to children and adults, as well as its strong ties with Edinburgh. It is the biggest literary project organised in the city since it became the world's first Unesco City of Literature in 2004.

Organisers hope the books, which are being left in public places to read and pass on, and monitored on the internet, will boost the city's literary heritage profile. The project has been backed by best-selling crime writer Ian Rankin and First Minister Jack McConnell.

Mr McConnell said: "It is our aspiration to enable all children to develop their capacities as successful learners, but we also want children to enjoy the pleasure of reading for fun too.

"I am confident that One Book - One Edinburgh will encourage more local youngsters to be interested in books and other publications."

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Lesley Hinds said: "It is wonderful that one book can bring the city together to read."

The £70,000 project has been funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the National Lottery, Edinburgh Council and other private sponsors. The campaign is a flagship project for the Edinburgh Unesco City of Literature Trust.

How to Support Your "Favorite" Writer

noreply@blogger.com (Devon Ellington) — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 15:20:00 +0000

This post was inspired by a chapter in Terry Brooks’s wonderful book on writing, Sometimes the Magic Works.

”Sometimes, when you are a professional writer, when you have successfully published and no longer have to worry about breaking down doors, you still have to make the occasional hard choice, and one of the hardest is choosing between writing what compels you and writing what makes money.” (p.169)

Buy the books. If you can afford it, buy them as soon as they come out. Also, when you “discover” or are turned on to a new writer by someone else, buy as much of the backlist as possible. These sales impact whether or not a writer gets another contract, and whether or not you’ll get to read another book.

Talk/write about the books you like. If a book truly excites you, start a buzz about it on the internet.

If an author whose work you like makes an appearance near you, make the time to attend the event. We never “have” the time to do anything any more. That’s how we’re kept in line – make ‘em fight to stay alive and barely get through the day and they won’t have any energy left to make the world a better place.

You have to wrestle the time from something else.

The writer cared enough to write the book. Shouldn’t you care enough to respond? Especially if you go around saying you’re a fan?

Allow your favorite writer to try something new. Read it with an open mind. If you like it, be vocal about it. If you don’t, at least don’t punish the writer for experimentation. Not every book is going to work. A writer needs the room to expand, grow, and try new things, even if they don’t work.

There’s a difference between being a fan of a writer, which means you support the entire body of work, and being a fan of one particular storyline. Make sure you know the difference, own it and take responsibility for it.

If you were told you could only watch football and NEVER watch another sport again, how would you feel? Or that you could only wear green shoes, and never another color? Or only ever eat in the same restaurant and never try anything new?

Why shouldn’t a writer stretch creative wings? If you are a genuine fan, you’ll go along with it – even when it doesn’t work. Now, if the writer decides to go down a road book after book that appalls you, you have no obligation to go along. But at least give the writer a chance.

Demanding repetition isn’t being a fan. It’s being a prison guard. Is that the mark you want to leave on the world?

Scottish Author Second Only To Oprah

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:23:00 +0000

Scottish author, JK Rowling, came second in a survey to establish the The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment. According to Forbes Magazine, Rowling is now worth £507m ($1bn), second only to Oprah Winfrey with an estimated fortune of £700m ($1.5bn).

Edinburgh-based Rowling, who wrote the first Harry Potter book with the aid of a Scottish Arts Council grant in a Leith cafe, now rakes in millions of dollars in royalties, and millions more in merchandising from the incredibly successful film adaptations of her books.

Lea Goldman, an editor with Forbes, said: "These days just about any lip-smacking starlet can land a cable reality show or become You Tube's flavour of the week. But fame's 15 fleeting minutes can elapse quicker than it takes to refresh a web page.

"Only a bona fide superstar can parlay a moment's stardom into a long and lucrative career. And even that's not enough to land a coveted spot on our first listing of the 20 Richest Women in Entertainment. For that, you'd need a minimum net worth of £23m ($45m)."

To compile the list, Forbes scoured all corners of the entertainment industry, from television, film, music, and publishing. Only those female celebrities who over time and have amassed the greatest fortunes were considered. It ruled out non-working celebrities who live off royalties, as well as "old Hollywood" types such as Elizabeth Taylor.

Sometimes, You Just Can't Help

noreply@blogger.com (Devon Ellington) — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:29:00 +0000

Writers, especially working writers, are among the most generous bunch of beings on the planet. They’re constantly putting down their own work to help someone else – with a critique, to help finding a better word or a new source.

But some of these wanna-bes who float in and out of the forums, bulletin boards, and discussion groups are thoroughly toxic, and a writer needs to learn to detach from these parasites before they suck the life out of you like vampires.

We all start knowing very little. We all need mentors. We all need to ask questions.

However, if nothing replaces doing the actual work.

If you want to be a writer, you have to sit your butt down in the chair and write. You have to research markets ON YOUR OWN, read the submission guidelines, and figure out what’s the best match.

Sure, another writer can guide you on a query letter and give feedback – but don’t expect another writer to do the work FOR you unless you’re paying said writer to ghost.

A working writer is under no obligation to walk a stranger into his editor or publisher, simply because the writer’s working and you’re starting out. You have to earn the respect and admiration that makes the writer OFFER to recommend you. You have to care enough to read the newbie mags, scour Writer’s Market, and learn basic grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. That is YOUR job. And, it’s in addition to crafting a piece so intelligent, creative, and lively that it pulls ahead of the pack.

Writers, when faced with such a lazy newbie, answer the first question kindly and point the person towards a source of information. Then, if the nagging persists and no learning curve is demonstrated, walk away. The wanna-be is never going to be satisfied, no matter how much you do for the person, and will suck you dry.

Save your energy for your own work and for emerging writers who EARN your respect.

International Author Discovers Brother

noreply@blogger.com (Colin) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 18:15:00 +0000

International author, Ian McEwan, had the surprise of his life last week, when he discovered he had a brother he never knew existed.

Dave Sharp, an Oxford brick-layer, had been spending his spare time tracing his family history when he made the startling discovery. Adopted when he was younger, he found out he had been given away by his mother, Rose McEwan nee Wort.

Given Away

Rose became pregnant after a wartime affair with, David McEwan, but wanted to give the child away before her partner returned from overseas. Rose put an advertisement in the local paper and her baby was handed over to Rose and Percy Sharp at Reading railway station in Berkshire.
Unfortunately Rose's partner was killed in action, so she married David McEwan, who then went on to father Ian six years after Mr Sharp was born. Ironically both men grew up without knowing of the other's existence, and for 20 years the two men lived just 15 miles from one another.

Mr Sharp, now 64, went on to work in the building industry in south-east corner England.

Mr McEwan, 58, attended a private school, then a university and later achieved international acclaim for novels such as Atonement, The Cement Garden and Enduring Love. He was also awarded the CBE.

Reunited

With the help of the Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service, Mr Sharp first traced Mrs McEwan's children with her first husband. This then led him to be able to track down his brother Ian. Mrs McEwan died in 2003.

Of their first meeting, Mr Sharp recalls that he had "no idea" of his brother's fame until autograph hunters interrupted them in the pub.

He said: "I had never heard of him. Of course, I've read all of his books now, but whether he's a road-sweeper or an author is immaterial. He's just my brother to me."

Mr Sharp has now turned author himself, and is writing a book, Complete Surrender, about his experiences, aided by ghost-writer John Parker.

What Makes A Good Short Story?

noreply@blogger.com (B. K. Birch) — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:45:00 +0000

Well, certainly, I’m no expert as I too have yet to crack Glimmertrain (but I will dang it!), but after a year of reading short stories submitted to The Scruffy Dog Review, I’m getting to see a familiar formula in the accepted work.

With a short story, even one as long as three-thousand words, you have less room to tell the story in order to wrap it up as neat as possible. So, creative and complex characters have to be fleshed out quicker, the plot needs to explode within the first few paragraphs and you have to use the most appropriate words to paint the story in the mind of the reader.

Many stories we read and reject start too slowly. If I, as the editor, cannot get interested in the story by the fourth paragraph at the latest, I probably won’t read much further. Most of the stories tell a great tale, but get too bogged down in the details. I need only enough to paint the picture and no more. The skill is to balance the movement and detail to give me the right mix.

Fresh and unique storylines that are well-written are most certainly going to hold our attention. Our editors are very picky and with odds are stacked even greater when compared to the sheer volume of submissions we receive.

It is the opinion of this editor that stories which snap from the pages, make us shiver or cry or leave a lingering image in our minds are the stories that are going to get published both here at the Scruffy Dog Review and all other publications!

Good luck and get writing!