March 2017 – Slushpile

Is celebrity more important than fighting racism?

By Scott McKenzie March 28, 2017 In Rants 0 No tags 0

Sometimes pop culture just breaks your heart.

I like to believe that I’m not an old fogey who spends all his time on the porch bitching about kids today.

Are you sure Papa done it this way?

By Scott McKenzie March 27, 2017 In General, Writing & Submitting Tips 0 No tags 0

Business Insider linked to a video where bestselling author Tim Ferriss shares tips for creating habits.

In the piece,

Slushpile Reads: Blitzed: Drugs in the Third Reich

By John Biggs March 25, 2017 In Slushpile Reads 0 books, german 0

Strapline:

A look at the complex – and dangerous – connection between drugs and the rise of the Third Reich.

Mullally & Offerman get rights to Saunders novel

By Scott McKenzie March 24, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

In 1995, I was working at a bookstore and a new short story writer came for a signing. Everyone was incredibly excited for the visit and raved about the story collection.

New book deal sums up why I don’t read parenting stuff

By Scott McKenzie March 22, 2017 In Deals, News 0 No tags 0

Either I’m a horrible parent or parenting writing is too predictable.

I recently wrote about how I don’t read any parenting blogs.

Slushpile Reads: Breakout: How Atari 8-Bit Computers Defined a Generation

By John Biggs March 22, 2017 In News, Slushpile Reads 0 atari, slushpile reads 0

Strapline:

A charming little book about the best computers in the world, the Atari 400 and 800.

Why We Love It:

Atari has been given short shrift in the history of computing but their early home computers were some of the best around and they were emminently fun and usable.

Is He Really Making a Grand a Day?

By Scott McKenzie March 21, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

It’s damn near impossible to get an accurate gauge of writing finances. As a whole, writing isn’t a highly paid profession.

No Vikings in Hawaii

By Scott McKenzie March 21, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

Wells Tower exploded onto the literary scene with his 2010 short story publication Everything Ravaged, Everything Burned that featured mundane domestic trivialities set in unusual locations and time periods.

Atkins and White Team Up for Workshop

By Scott McKenzie March 20, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

Okay, so I’m biased here.

But Ace Atkins has been a longtime favorite around these parts, and since I originally crossed paths with the former newspaperman,

Sad Weekend for Rockers

By Scott McKenzie March 20, 2017 In General 0 No tags 0

This past weekend was a somber one for guitar fans.

First, on Saturday, news came about the passing of Chuck Berry.

Continents for Your Comparable Title are Running Out

By Scott McKenzie March 16, 2017March 17, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

In the publishing world (and movies, music, theater, and elsewhere I would imagine), books are often pitched by referring to a popular title and then putting a spin on it.

Proposed Budget Zeroes Out Arts Funding

By Scott McKenzie March 16, 2017March 17, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget was released this morning. And, as bookish folks feared, it’s not pretty for the arts.

Most Expensive Books Available

By Scott McKenzie March 15, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

For giggles, I periodically check out different sites to look for the most expensive books available.

Living Writers with Most Film Adaptations

By Scott McKenzie March 15, 2017 In News 0 No tags 0

I had no idea the 2004 film Christmas with the Kranks was connected to John Grisham.

Review: The Art of Invisibility

By Scott McKenzie March 14, 2017 In Book Reviews 0 No tags 0

Given the recent media attention paid to surveillance, technology, wire tapping, and technical tomfoolery, we should all strive to improve our security practices.