Firmin Up the Week’s Schedule
Over at the Litblog Co-Op, the week’s discussion of Firmin: Adventures of a Metropolitan Lowlife by Sam Savage is off to a rousing start. Savage’s book was named the Fall 2006 Read This! selection by the LBC members and it’s an intriguing book that begs a simple question: Is Firmin really a rat?
continue readingHalloween 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…
continue readingLearn 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…
continue readingNow 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…
continue readingWelsh 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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