Month: October 2006

Halloween Bats

As I was swamped with work over the last couple of weeks, I must admit that I fell behind in my blog-reading activites. Hell, let’s be honest, I fell behind in most everything. But I’m starting to catch up. After this morning’s shower, that’s one task off my list. Shaving is next. ANYWAY (as Chuck…

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Learn the Lingo

Speaking of such illicit matters, do you know what a gaffus is? How about a schmecker? Soon-to-be author Mr. Escobar probably knows. And you would too, if you read Talk the Talk: The Slang of 65 American Subcultures. This cool little book has more than 3,500 slang terms in the vernacular of everything from punk…

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Now This is What You Call a Platform

  Aspiring authors are often stumped when they see agents and editors recommend a “platform” as part of pitching a book. A few people have emailed me, wondering what exactly this platform business is all about. First of all, platforms are relevant for nonfiction projects. So for those of you rushing to finish your zombie gorefest slasher…

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Welsh and Coffee Shops

  I finally got around to reading Irvine Welsh’s The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs over the weekend. I’m not sure about the almost magical plot twist that appears midway through the book, and I’m not sure about the ending. But overall, I thought the novel was an interesting continuation in his body of work.…

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Manbug Week Begins

  As we did last week with Sideshow, the Litblog Co-Op will spend the next several days discussing George Ilsey’s ManBug. This was the second of three choices for Autumn’s Read This! selection will certainly generate some lively discussion throughout the week.  

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