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…
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.…
continue readingManbug 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.
continue readingAhhhh, So That’s What She Was Doing With Her Time
So I lost my bet on when Michiko Kakutani’s trashing of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road would appear. Still no word on road tripping from the critic. Now we know how she’s been spending her time. Instead of sharpening her claws for McCarthy, it’s another inevitable skewering of a Knopf novel. This time, Kakutani reviews Richard…
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