The big story in publishing last week was Harlequin announcing it was launching a self-publishing side. Many authors and organizations (including RWA) are not too happy about it.

I have no problem with self-publishing provided that (1) the author has a platform—a sure way to sell the books, and (2) the author really, really, truly understands what he/she is getting into. The majority of the time, an author doesn’t meet both those criteria and things end up going a way they didn’t expect.

Times have been changing, especially with the economy and the Internet, so I think we need to know that these publishing companies are going to be changing as well. We can fight against it all we want (and we should to an extent), but it will still change. As for the companies, I feel they would be better off doing separate names, websites, etc… This would probably help the authors, editors, and the rest of the publishing community not get so upset. I think I did hear that Harlequin was considering changing the name of the new self-publishing imprint.

Book Reviews

“Story of a Girl” by Sara Zarr
2008
Little, Brown

I’m sorry to say that I have just now read my first Sara Zarr book. I have wanted to for awhile. “Story of a Girl” is a poignant tale of a girl who gets caught (by her dad!) having sex with an older guy when she was thirteen. Now, a few years later, she struggles through the pain and those who won’t forgive her (and the fact that she can’t forgive herself). A very fast read with a complex character. I look forward to reading more of Zarr’s books.

“When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead
2009
Random House

I hardly ever read Middle Grade. Actually, come to think of it, I never read MG. But I had heard good things about this one, so I thought I’d check it out. The story takes place in the 70s, and shows a girl dealing with her game show obsessed mom and the loss of her best friend. Along the way strange things are happening, and she starts getting notes from someone. I really enjoyed the mystery in this. It kept the pages turning for me. Compelling book with some good character development and interactions. I can’t tell much about it without giving the plot away. It’s gotten great reviews, and I suspect it will do well.

Is Taylor Swift dating Taylor Lautner? I don’t know, but that would be pretty sweet (we’ll all feel some sort of satisfaction that Edward wasn’t the only one to snag a good girl). Taylor Swift just put out a killer video called “Fifteen.” Go for your dreams girls and forget those boys (unless they’re buying you Starbucks, of course, then give them a few minutes of your time).

I like Beyonce’s song and video too (“Single Ladies” (Put a Ring on It)”), but that was just plain rude and wrong. The poor girl was giving her acceptance speech. She was, however, somewhat vindicated—West was booed by the audience and told to leave the building. Later, when Beyonce won video of the year, she invited Swift up to finish giving her speech (plus, a couple of singers tweeted some choice words about West). He did, though, apologize on his blog today.

The VMAs are known for their controversy (think last year and Brand’s rude comment about the Jonas Brothers purity rings), and their crazy antics (this year Lady Gaga speared herself in fake blood as a testimony of the Paparazzi and what they did to Princess Diana). So, if nothing else, it’s some strange, yet interesting entertainment.

Photo credit: AP | Singer Kanye West takes the microphone from singer Taylor Swift as she accepts the "Best Female Video" award during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

I have to say the “New Moon” clip was awesome. The movie looks better than the first one and I can’t wait.

A new kid in town starts a rock band and they compete in a battle of the bands competition. The movie stars Aly Michalka, Vanessa Hudgens, Lisa Kudrow, and Gaelan Connell.

I think it looks cute! (But I often love teen movies like this). So if you go see it, let me know what you think. Here’s the trailer:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAloQYjWmFI]

My friend Kimberly reminded me of the up-to-date news information you can find at Publisher’s Weekly. You can subscribe to their newsletter for free and one of their options is children’s books (and there is a newsletter for religious books for all my CBA friends): http://www.publishersweekly.com/enewsletter/CA6672758/2788.html

This week PW had a cool article on the expansion of the teen section at Borders: http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6672662.html?nid=2788&source=title&rid=1920529184

One thing that drives me crazy about searching through the YA section on Barnes and Noble online is that the majority of the books they promote are vampire novels. I’m so sick of these that I won’t even look at them! (But don’t worry Bella and Edward…I’ll never leave you!). So I was thankful for this funny comic strip my friend Michelle sent to me today:

She got it off of a hilarious website that I’m just now learning about called Inkygirl.com and WillWriteForChocolate.com.

Happy writing!

So I was one of the first in line to go see the movie. Of course it can never measure up to what’s in your mind—that’s true of most books-turned-movies. But it was great, and I can’t wait to see the second one, New Moon, this fall. Here’s the trailer:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ9afRgToxE]