The Litopia podcasts, from Litopia Writers’ Colony, are the 'net's original and foremost podcasts for writers. There are currently two strands: LITOPIA DAILY and LITOPIA AFTER DARK. LITOPIA DAILY is a quick-but-essential daily briefing for writers: between 5 to 10 minutes of the hottest news and comment, plus regular features that are as stimulating as your morning cup of Java. LITOPIA AFTER DARK is a weekly international panel discussion hosted by literary agent Peter Cox. Recorded every Friday in front of a live audience on UStream (see the website for details: http://podcast.litopia.com). Guests are drawn very widely: from the titans of the publishing business to neophyte novelists - everyone gets a crack if they have something significant to say and a witty way of saying it. We look forward to your company! http://www.litopia.com/podcast/ (c) 2009 All Rights Reserved http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Wed, 1 Jul 2009 03:06:59 +0100 podcast@litopia.com Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:48:13 +0100 podcast@litopia.com FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.9) http://www.feedforall.com The Net’s Favorite & Foremost Podcasts For Writers The Litopia podcasts, from Litopia Writers’ Colony, are the 'net's original and foremost podcasts for writers. There are currently two strands: LITOPIA DAILY and LITOPIA AFTER DARK. LITOPIA DAILY is a quick-but-essential daily briefing for writers: between 5 to 10 minutes of the hottest news and comment, plus regular features that are as stimulating as your morning cup of Java. LITOPIA AFTER DARK is a weekly international panel discussion hosted by literary agent Peter Cox. Recorded every Friday in front of a live audience on UStream (see the website for details: http://podcast.litopia.com). Guests are drawn very widely: from the titans of the publishing business to neophyte novelists - everyone gets a crack if they have something significant to say and a witty way of saying it. We look forward to your company! Litopia Writers' Colony Peter Cox podcast@litopia.com writing, literature, getting published, books, television, films, authors no no http://www.litopia.com/podcast/media/lwp.png http://www.litopia.com/podcast/ Peter Cox hosts the Litopia podcast 140 140 In our family”, wrote Ann Morrow Lindbergh, “an experience was not finished, nor truly experienced, unless written down and shared with another.” Today, we’re considering the difference between diaries and autobiographies – which one is the more truthful? And which the more self-serving? Do you keep a journal? Is it an inviolably private matter (to go with you to the grave) or do you subscribe to Mae West’s dictum – “Keep a diary and one day it’ll keep you”? http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2504 AE9B0E33-F983-430A-A467-2371B1E94473 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:48:13 +0100 Journal writing is a voyage to the interior In our family”, wrote Ann Morrow Lindbergh, “an experience was not finished, nor truly experienced, unless written down and shared with another.” Today, we’re considering the difference between diaries and autobiographies – which one is the more truthful? And which the more self-serving? Do you keep a journal? Is it an inviolably private matter (to go with you to the grave) or do you subscribe to Mae West’s dictum – “Keep a diary and one day it’ll keep you”? 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no "The greatest American novelist of the 20th century" says Oxford don John Simopoulos of Willa Cather, the author who grew up in Nebraska and is best known for her depictions of frontier life. John recommends Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927) "nothing short of magical" he says, and when John says that, you can take it as gospel. He also suggests you read Shadows on the Rock (1931), a novel set in 17th century Quebec describing the quiet, isolated life of Cecile Auclair and her father, the town apothecary, and The Professor's House (1925), set around an ancient cliff city in New Mexico. “There isn’t such a thing as a dud Willa Cather” – say John. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2504 BD33D8E6-9032-4377-8A19-2D8A372A697A Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:32:39 +0100 There isn’t such a thing as a dud Willa Cather "The greatest American novelist of the 20th century" says Oxford don John Simopoulos of Willa Cather, the author who grew up in Nebraska and is best known for her depictions of frontier life. John recommends Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927) "nothing short of magical" he says, and when John says that, you can take it as gospel. He also suggests you read Shadows on the Rock (1931), a novel set in 17th century Quebec describing the quiet, isolated life of Cecile Auclair and her father, the town apothecary, and The Professor's House (1925), set around an ancient cliff city in New Mexico. “There isn’t such a thing as a dud Willa Cather” – say John. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no It’s the Monday after the Friday night before… we’re still recovering from the very first “Litopia After Dark: Face to Face” that took place last Friday evening. Eve is still travelling back to Scotland, so there’s no Eve’s Salmagundi Club today – instead, we’re looking at our new podcast website.. what do you think of it? And if you’re interested in helping out behind the scenes, do get in touch – there’s plenty of work for willing volunteers, on whom we depend. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2521 3154B5EA-2B20-4BE5-BEC8-7156D43AA0A3 Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:56:23 +0100 Fora? Forae? Four-eye??? It’s the Monday after the Friday night before… we’re still recovering from the very first “Litopia After Dark: Face to Face” that took place last Friday evening. Eve is still travelling back to Scotland, so there’s no Eve’s Salmagundi Club today – instead, we’re looking at our new podcast website.. what do you think of it? And if you’re interested in helping out behind the scenes, do get in touch – there’s plenty of work for willing volunteers, on whom we depend. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no "So that’s what you look like!" was one of the most commonly-heard exclamations at London’s Poetry Café on Friday evening, as the cast of LITOPIA AFTER DARK made a little bit of Litopian history – yes, we finally met, face-to-face, in the flesh, and bereft of the horny carapace of electronic pseudonymity. We recorded two shows back-to-back – this is the first, totally live and completely unedited. The format is a little different to the usual LAD sweet-and-sour melange – we decided to use this occasion to launch the first of this year’s Summer Entertainments... you’ll find that over the next few weeks, both LAD and Litopia Daily will kick back a bit, ratchet the intensity level down a few notches, and concentrate on providing you with fun listening for what we hope will be a spectacular summer for you. Panellists tonight were Eve Harvey, Richard Howse, Donna Ballman and Amanda Lees. Peter attempted to keep some semblance of order (and failed miserably), and we were delighted to be joined on air by Andrew Gillman ,the genius who normally exercises his Svengali-like influence behind the scenes, polishing, prodding and generally raising the production values to the high level we currently enjoy. Many, many thanks to all the above for making this such a great evening – and a huge “thank-you” to our loyal audience, both those who came along in person, and those who listen via the internet – we couldn’t do it without you! http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2513 CA50A5D1-0EA3-47F5-B1DE-64AFEE2D391C Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:49:05 +0100 So that's what you look like! "So that’s what you look like!" was one of the most commonly-heard exclamations at London’s Poetry Café on Friday evening, as the cast of LITOPIA AFTER DARK made a little bit of Litopian history – yes, we finally met, face-to-face, in the flesh, and bereft of the horny carapace of electronic pseudonymity. We recorded two shows back-to-back – this is the first, totally live and completely unedited. The format is a little different to the usual LAD sweet-and-sour melange – we decided to use this occasion to launch the first of this year’s Summer Entertainments... you’ll find that over the next few weeks, both LAD and Litopia Daily will kick back a bit, ratchet the intensity level down a few notches, and concentrate on providing you with fun listening for what we hope will be a spectacular summer for you. Panellists tonight were Eve Harvey, Richard Howse, Donna Ballman and Amanda Lees. Peter attempted to keep some semblance of order (and failed miserably), and we were delighted to be joined on air by Andrew Gillman ,the genius who normally exercises his Svengali-like influence behind the scenes, polishing, prodding and generally raising the production values to the high level we currently enjoy. Many, many thanks to all the above for making this such a great evening – and a huge “thank-you” to our loyal audience, both those who came along in person, and those who listen via the internet – we couldn’t do it without you! 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no There's a strong digital theme in this week's news. In the future, Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader will display more book formats beyond its own and we should expect to see Kindle books on a lot more devices. A US Court has ruled against text message promotion of books. Following Apple’s claim to have sold more than one million iPhone 3G S units last weekend, ScrollMotion announced a partnership to bring content from scores of major book, magazine and newspaper publishers to the iPhone. And a picture of the typical e-book reader is beginning to emerge via the sales rankings. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2506 C91E50AE-B16F-4F4C-9F31-88DA576E9B00 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:15:51 +0100 Michael Jackson goes digital There's a strong digital theme in this week's news. In the future, Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader will display more book formats beyond its own and we should expect to see Kindle books on a lot more devices. A US Court has ruled against text message promotion of books. Following Apple’s claim to have sold more than one million iPhone 3G S units last weekend, ScrollMotion announced a partnership to bring content from scores of major book, magazine and newspaper publishers to the iPhone. And a picture of the typical e-book reader is beginning to emerge via the sales rankings. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Does going to the library make you want to pee? If so, then you may be subject to the Library-Relaxation-Syndrome... a sure sign that you need to take a break. But - do you know how to? Can you relax when you need it most? Today, we’re talking about ways to relax. Many (most?) writers never relax – and that’s a big mistake. We drive ourselves to the edge – and then some more. The result is a burnt-out writer –no use to man nor beast. So here are a few ideas for de-stressing this summer. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2498 A7DB2FD0-1B10-44AF-BA61-B7730697427C Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:20 +0100 Librarians' sphincter control - ace! Does going to the library make you want to pee? If so, then you may be subject to the Library-Relaxation-Syndrome... a sure sign that you need to take a break. But - do you know how to? Can you relax when you need it most? Today, we’re talking about ways to relax. Many (most?) writers never relax – and that’s a big mistake. We drive ourselves to the edge – and then some more. The result is a burnt-out writer –no use to man nor beast. So here are a few ideas for de-stressing this summer. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Non-fiction publishing has been the hardest-hit of all publishing sectors by the advent of the internet: not many books in this area have been able to withstand the impact of free, up-to-date information that the web provides. This has disastrous news for countless authors, publishers, printers and everyone else employed in the business – but has there been an upside? Today, Peter considers this issue and comes to some disturbing conclusions. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2493 95FCC358-9F1E-46EE-968D-4E4205DEF4CD Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:04:07 +0100 The net kills another area of traditional publishing Non-fiction publishing has been the hardest-hit of all publishing sectors by the advent of the internet: not many books in this area have been able to withstand the impact of free, up-to-date information that the web provides. This has disastrous news for countless authors, publishers, printers and everyone else employed in the business – but has there been an upside? Today, Peter considers this issue and comes to some disturbing conclusions. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no We're back with another in our occasional summer series of Books That Matter, chosen and discussed by John Simopoulos, Dean of Degrees of St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Today, we’re talking about “a sublime monster”, as John describes him - Elias Canetti, the Bulgarian-born novelist who wrote in German and won the Nobel Prize in Literature. While some of Canetti’s works are relatively inaccessible, The Voices of Marrakesh is an ideal introduction to the work of one of the major intellectual figures of the 20th century. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2486 C196ED61-E8F5-4EA6-8717-440F7B04780A Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:38:50 +0100 Wagner = rape music We're back with another in our occasional summer series of Books That Matter, chosen and discussed by John Simopoulos, Dean of Degrees of St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Today, we’re talking about “a sublime monster”, as John describes him - Elias Canetti, the Bulgarian-born novelist who wrote in German and won the Nobel Prize in Literature. While some of Canetti’s works are relatively inaccessible, The Voices of Marrakesh is an ideal introduction to the work of one of the major intellectual figures of the 20th century. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no "To be a successful short story writer, you have to be utterly vulnerable on the page, and utterly ruthless in revision." Perceptive words that set our agenda this week on Eve’s Salmagundi Club. Commercially neglected for far too long, we’re increasingly bullish on the prospects for the short story. If you’re not a natural short story-teller – well, you ought to be. Now’s your opportunity to hone those skills, and get a march on the way the publishing market will soon develop, we believe. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2476 22632C9D-659C-4393-94B1-D4463C934024 Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:14:14 +0100 Life is a handful of short stories, pretending to be a novel "To be a successful short story writer, you have to be utterly vulnerable on the page, and utterly ruthless in revision." Perceptive words that set our agenda this week on Eve’s Salmagundi Club. Commercially neglected for far too long, we’re increasingly bullish on the prospects for the short story. If you’re not a natural short story-teller – well, you ought to be. Now’s your opportunity to hone those skills, and get a march on the way the publishing market will soon develop, we believe. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Crystal shards of penetrative ideological shrapnel tonight from a spunky panel – we’re looking at things as they are, things as they were supposed to be, and things as they probably will be. Our guests include Richard Howse, currently studying at Britain’s National Academy of Writing, and one half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s rocking the publishing world on Litopia. From Edinburgh, Scotland we're delighted to welcome back the doyenne of Eve’s Salmagundi Club on Litopia Daily - Eve Harvey. Nicholas Booth's latest book ZIGZAG has been optioned for film by Tom Hanks - and a we're pleased to welcome a newcomer to the panel this week, advertising guru and Jon Hamm-a-like, Jamie Mollart. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Melvin Burgess's latest controversial book is dropped by his publisher * A Christian group sues for right to burn a gay teen novel * Police detective and heretofore anonymous blogger 'Jack Night' has been unmasked by The Times, leading to disciplinary action by his employers * Is social media really just the advertising equivalent of vanity publishing? * Beckah Beushausen lies about her terminally ill baby and reveals the truth about fiction * The first moon landing celebrates its 40th anniversary on July 20th this year - are we still in love with the romance of space? http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2462 D9342D3E-A548-47F0-A418-00B0B7B9941B Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:32:17 +0100 Two words that should never go together - electric & bath Crystal shards of penetrative ideological shrapnel tonight from a spunky panel – we’re looking at things as they are, things as they were supposed to be, and things as they probably will be. Our guests include Richard Howse, currently studying at Britain’s National Academy of Writing, and one half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s rocking the publishing world on Litopia. From Edinburgh, Scotland we're delighted to welcome back the doyenne of Eve’s Salmagundi Club on Litopia Daily - Eve Harvey. Nicholas Booth's latest book ZIGZAG has been optioned for film by Tom Hanks - and a we're pleased to welcome a newcomer to the panel this week, advertising guru and Jon Hamm-a-like, Jamie Mollart. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Melvin Burgess's latest controversial book is dropped by his publisher * A Christian group sues for right to burn a gay teen novel * Police detective and heretofore anonymous blogger 'Jack Night' has been unmasked by The Times, leading to disciplinary action by his employers * Is social media really just the advertising equivalent of vanity publishing? * Beckah Beushausen lies about her terminally ill baby and reveals the truth about fiction * The first moon landing celebrates its 40th anniversary on July 20th this year - are we still in love with the romance of space? 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no Donna is still away, so it falls to Peter to attempt to cover a round-up of this week’s news – and there’s lots happening. The Romance Writers of America have decided that ebook publication doesn’t qualify an author for membership. Bloomsbury Publishing is being sued by the estate of children's writer Adrian Jacobs over claims that J K Rowling "copied" his work in one of her Harry Potter books. Simon & Schuster has reached an agreement with Scribd under the terms of which the social networking site will sell S&S ebooks in the Scribd Store. And ReadingGroupGuides.com recently conducted a survey of book club members and found that 83% of groups read both hardcovers and paperbacks. Many thanks to David Bridger for his magnificent monitoring and summary of this week’s headlines – couldn’t have done it without you, David! http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2457 E3799E6E-F89F-4C2B-B80A-3E56195F68DB Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:22:56 +0100 Python in the potty! Donna is still away, so it falls to Peter to attempt to cover a round-up of this week’s news – and there’s lots happening. The Romance Writers of America have decided that ebook publication doesn’t qualify an author for membership. Bloomsbury Publishing is being sued by the estate of children's writer Adrian Jacobs over claims that J K Rowling "copied" his work in one of her Harry Potter books. Simon & Schuster has reached an agreement with Scribd under the terms of which the social networking site will sell S&S ebooks in the Scribd Store. And ReadingGroupGuides.com recently conducted a survey of book club members and found that 83% of groups read both hardcovers and paperbacks. Many thanks to David Bridger for his magnificent monitoring and summary of this week’s headlines – couldn’t have done it without you, David! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no It’s a worry that often plagues new authors – how can you protect your precious ideas from being stolen? Today, Peter addresses two listeners’ questions: is there anything you can do to make your ideas copy-proof? And should you pay for an editor to go over your manuscript before you submit it to agents or publishers? Both great questions – but not particularly easy answers. If you’ve got a burning issue or question you want to ask peter, feel free to post it in the “Ask The Agent” area in the Colony. Tomorrow – the week’s news. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2452 70230209-0827-478C-A1E0-5B5424654AC9 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:15:25 +0100 And should I employ a copy editor? It’s a worry that often plagues new authors – how can you protect your precious ideas from being stolen? Today, Peter addresses two listeners’ questions: is there anything you can do to make your ideas copy-proof? And should you pay for an editor to go over your manuscript before you submit it to agents or publishers? Both great questions – but not particularly easy answers. If you’ve got a burning issue or question you want to ask peter, feel free to post it in the “Ask The Agent” area in the Colony. Tomorrow – the week’s news. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no John Simopoulos, Dean of Degrees of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, is with us again today in an occasional but delightful series we’re running this summer that we’re calling “Books That Matter”. Featuring books and authors you may not necessarily have come across, but which will amply repay your attention. Today, we present Remnants of a Quiet Life – a book of thirteen elegant stories about academic life behind the dreaming spires of Oxford, told by Sir Henry Harris, Regius Professor Emeritus of Medicine. And if you’ve ever wondered what a “don” is – pace Mario Puzo – the answer lies within... http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2447 4C3E5301-527D-46F6-8E9B-1070EDACEB9F Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:34:45 +0100 That sweet city with her dreaming spires, she needs not June for beauty's heightening John Simopoulos, Dean of Degrees of St Catherine’s College, Oxford, is with us again today in an occasional but delightful series we’re running this summer that we’re calling “Books That Matter”. Featuring books and authors you may not necessarily have come across, but which will amply repay your attention. Today, we present Remnants of a Quiet Life – a book of thirteen elegant stories about academic life behind the dreaming spires of Oxford, told by Sir Henry Harris, Regius Professor Emeritus of Medicine. And if you’ve ever wondered what a “don” is – pace Mario Puzo – the answer lies within... 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Today we’re discussing writers’ style... no, not the sort of style you may be thinking about... but the sort of style that counts in public. How can a financially-challenged writer dress with style- where do you find great clothes at affordable prices... and what sort of fashion statement should you make? Tweed jackets and leather elbow patches are OUT... but what’s in? A writer’s public image has never been more important than it is today: ignore it at your peril! http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2428 F44CCA45-EAB3-4265-B3E8-E78EA2072419 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:50:46 +0100 Only great minds can afford a simple style Today we’re discussing writers’ style... no, not the sort of style you may be thinking about... but the sort of style that counts in public. How can a financially-challenged writer dress with style- where do you find great clothes at affordable prices... and what sort of fashion statement should you make? Tweed jackets and leather elbow patches are OUT... but what’s in? A writer’s public image has never been more important than it is today: ignore it at your peril! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Stories sprinkled liberally with words like "striate", "strafe", "rime", "rinse"; stories with labored prose, instead of simply saying, "I remembered", it's "My brain rolled up into a tube and my childhood rushed through it...". Is this good writing? Or self-conscious, imitative pap? Bloodless, technically competent, and dammed by Salman Rushdie. In Eve's Salmagundi Club today, we’re focusing on a provocative blog post that suggests that the MFA industry (aka creative writing courses) may be leading thousands of would-be writers down the garden path… to nowhere. The facts alone are disturbing: in 1982, there were 79 creative writing programs in the United States; today there are 822 - 150 of which are MFA programs! Also - Eve brings out attention to a cry for help on the net from a writer that was answered – proving the power of having a big-name author on your side. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2421 46DFE515-F58F-4415-9295-654249BD02D2 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:09:53 +0100 Too many single middle-aged white women feeling lonely Stories sprinkled liberally with words like "striate", "strafe", "rime", "rinse"; stories with labored prose, instead of simply saying, "I remembered", it's "My brain rolled up into a tube and my childhood rushed through it...". Is this good writing? Or self-conscious, imitative pap? Bloodless, technically competent, and dammed by Salman Rushdie. In Eve's Salmagundi Club today, we’re focusing on a provocative blog post that suggests that the MFA industry (aka creative writing courses) may be leading thousands of would-be writers down the garden path… to nowhere. The facts alone are disturbing: in 1982, there were 79 creative writing programs in the United States; today there are 822 - 150 of which are MFA programs! Also - Eve brings out attention to a cry for help on the net from a writer that was answered – proving the power of having a big-name author on your side. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no It’s a vintage show tonight - an intense blend of wisdom, provocation, information and hilarification - you’ll want to listen more than once to catch everything. The title comes from our discussion about the quicksilver-like quality known as a writer’s "voice"... what is it, exactly? Why do publishers prize it most highly and – how do you go about developing it? Making a long overdue return is our special guest Dr. Susan O’Doherty; writer, clinical psychologist and the author of Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman's Guide to Unblocking Creativity. She’s joined from England’s West country by writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from Edinburgh, Scotland, comes Eve Harvey, doyenne of Eve’s Salmagundi Club on Litopia Daily... and from London, novelist, journalist, actress and broadcaster, Amanda Lees. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * The millionth word has been added to the English language – and its a really crap one… we are being encouraged never to leave our computers... and this really is the end of civilization as we know it... * Who owns the story? A review of Karl Taro Greenfeld’s Boy Alone: A Brother’s Memoir poses some thought-provoking questions * Is the Brit Lit scene lowbrow? Jonathan Burnham claims that London book launches are "more sexually active" than New York ones... where, Jonathan, where? * Canongate’s Jamie Byng on writing that permeates the brain And don't forget that we’ll be making a little bit of Litopia history in a couple of weeks’ time when we do our inaugural LITOPIA AFTER DARK – Face to Face. This will be the very first time that many of panelists have actually met each other – and it’s going to take place on Friday 26th June, at the Poetry Café in London’s Covent Garden. The venue is restricted in size, so we can only invite Full Members of the Colony along. If you’re a full member, and you’re in the London area at that time, do pop in and say hello – it kicks off at 6:30pm. You’ll find full details posted in Café Life inside the Colony. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2394 D26474C6-C555-41B1-9154-2A81969AFBF2 Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:04:58 +0100 Special appearance by Baron Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett Dunsany It’s a vintage show tonight - an intense blend of wisdom, provocation, information and hilarification - you’ll want to listen more than once to catch everything. The title comes from our discussion about the quicksilver-like quality known as a writer’s "voice"... what is it, exactly? Why do publishers prize it most highly and – how do you go about developing it? Making a long overdue return is our special guest Dr. Susan O’Doherty; writer, clinical psychologist and the author of Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman's Guide to Unblocking Creativity. She’s joined from England’s West country by writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from Edinburgh, Scotland, comes Eve Harvey, doyenne of Eve’s Salmagundi Club on Litopia Daily... and from London, novelist, journalist, actress and broadcaster, Amanda Lees. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * The millionth word has been added to the English language – and its a really crap one… we are being encouraged never to leave our computers... and this really is the end of civilization as we know it... * Who owns the story? A review of Karl Taro Greenfeld’s Boy Alone: A Brother’s Memoir poses some thought-provoking questions * Is the Brit Lit scene lowbrow? Jonathan Burnham claims that London book launches are "more sexually active" than New York ones... where, Jonathan, where? * Canongate’s Jamie Byng on writing that permeates the brain And don't forget that we’ll be making a little bit of Litopia history in a couple of weeks’ time when we do our inaugural LITOPIA AFTER DARK – Face to Face. This will be the very first time that many of panelists have actually met each other – and it’s going to take place on Friday 26th June, at the Poetry Café in London’s Covent Garden. The venue is restricted in size, so we can only invite Full Members of the Colony along. If you’re a full member, and you’re in the London area at that time, do pop in and say hello – it kicks off at 6:30pm. You’ll find full details posted in Café Life inside the Colony. 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2357 546AA0BE-5E33-416A-A607-640B0ADED242 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100 And it was so If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2353 DE5ECEE7-C83A-405E-9179-E18229BA1845 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:50:28 +0100 I should slow down If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2349 8CAB92AE-D907-405E-99B1-7A6346DF675A Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:51:37 +0100 The force that keeps two magnets apart If you like listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat every day this week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries. Asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no If you likely listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat – today, and every day for the rest of the week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries... asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2347 0A0D2665-D4C4-4B81-ABB9-370561A2B7DE Mon, 8 Jun 2009 21:25:15 +0100 Sometimes a dog's life is better than a human's life If you likely listening to short stories, you’re in for a treat – today, and every day for the rest of the week. The recent “Flash Fiction” contest in Litopia Writers’ Colony has produced a cornucopia of entries... asked to write no more than one thousand words on the subject of “The First Twin” (a topic inspired by our recent interview with #1 bestselling Italian author Paolo Giordano) Colonists have really excelled themselves. Four very different short stories are on the shortlist – listen every day and work out which one you’d choose to be the winner. Continues tomorrow. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Do you doodle? Ever wanted to know what they mean? Wonder no more - in this edition of Eve's Salmagundi Club, we learn that our aggressively ambitious hostess draws fishtanks... what meaning can they possibly have? And as for Peter's obsession with jets... we'll draw a discrete veil over that. Seriously, doodling is now believed to be a very healthy trait for creative people. Plus - exciting news concerning our "Flash Fiction" contest! http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2362 4A0AB73F-6841-47D4-862C-DCCE18777988 Sun, 7 Jun 2009 21:28:27 +0100 Aeroplanes of all kinds are said to be evidence of a strong sex drive Do you doodle? Ever wanted to know what they mean? Wonder no more - in this edition of Eve's Salmagundi Club, we learn that our aggressively ambitious hostess draws fishtanks... what meaning can they possibly have? And as for Peter's obsession with jets... we'll draw a discrete veil over that. Seriously, doodling is now believed to be a very healthy trait for creative people. PLus - exciting news concerning our "Flash Fiction" contest! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no So what does it all mean, then? Or to paraphrase, what’s it all about, Author? This week on the world’s favorite podcast for writers we ponder some of the great imponderables. Should a book have some meaning in order to have value? What's the point and meaning of the world's book fairs? Why did the BBC call Monty Pythons’ humor "nihilistic, cruel and disgusting"? And what is HarperCollins going to do about it all then, Rupert? Questions, questions. On this week's interrogatory yet waterboarding-free show we ask the big ones - and even answer a few of them. Holding their stress positions with magnificent fortitude are... leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman - from England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram - from London, it’s Richard Howse, a student at Britain’s National Academy of Writing and half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s recently been launched on Litopia -and tonight’s ultra-special guest - Martyn Daniels one of the most highly respected consultants in the publishing business. He blogs for the Booksellers’ Association at bookseller-association.blogspot.com - it’s one of the industry’s must-reads. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Is it enough to write a page turner - or should a story have a real meaning? * Augustus John famously had an accident when he dived off cliffs to go swimming and as a result became a master draughtsman. History seems to have repeated itself... * What is the future of the book fair do Frankfurt, London, BEA and the others really justify the cost, effort and hype? * HarperCollins UK restructures but does it just prove that the publishing industry is still banging its head against the digital wall? * Are your book sales being counted properly? * "Hi, I’m Donna and I’m a bookaholic..." At least if the book industry has its way... http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2337 18BF941E-E576-4FED-9D3E-103CDC180F0B Sat, 6 Jun 2009 12:42:30 +0100 Nihilistic, cruel and disgusting So what does it all mean, then? Or to paraphrase, what’s it all about, Author? This week on the world’s favourite podcast for writers we ponder some of the great imponderables. Should a book have some meaning in order to have value? What's the point and meaning of the world's book fairs? Why did the BBC call Monty Pythons’ humor “nihilistic, cruel and disgusting”? And what is HarperCollins going to do about it all then, Rupert? Questions, questions. On this week's interrogatory yet waterboarding-free show we ask the big ones - and even answer a few of them. Holding their stress positions with magnificent fortitude are... leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… from England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from London, it’s Richard Howse, a student at Britain’s National Academy of Writing and half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s recently been launched on Litopia… and tonight’s ultra-special guest - Martyn Daniels one of the most highly respected consultants in the publishing business. He blogs for the Booksellers’ Association at bookseller-association.blogspot.com – it’s one of the industry’s must-reads. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Is it enough to write a page turner - or should a story have a real meaning? * Augustus John famously had an accident when he dived off cliffs to go swimming and as a result became a master draughtsmen. History seems to have repeated itself... * What is the future of the book fair do Frankfurt, London, BEA and the others really justify the cost, effort and hype? * HarperCollins UK restructures but does it just prove that the publishing industry is still banging its head against the digital wall? * Are your book sales being counted properly? * "Hi, I’m Donna and I’m a bookaholic...” At least if the book industry has its way... 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no It's Friday - so it's the first new-style edition of THE WRITE REPORT with our own Donna Ballman. J.D. Salinger is suing to stop publication of an unauthorized sequel to "The Catcher in the Rye". But will the famous recluse actually show up for a deposition? And is that really what this is about - to pull him out of seclusion? Also, Amazon and Hachette resolve the standoff that had Hachette's “buy” buttons removed from Amazon's store... and e-books are accused of being elitist. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2328 92BCC51E-7985-4972-BC20-A75FCA587302 Thu, 4 Jun 2009 17:23:24 +0100 I may only exist in the minds of all my acquaintances....I may be an orange peel It's Friday - so it's the first new-style edition of THE WRITE REPORT with our own Donna Ballman. J.D. Salinger is suing to stop publication of an unauthorized sequel to "The Catcher in the Rye". But will the famous recluse actually show up for a deposition? And is that really what this is about - to pull him out of seclusion? Also, Amazon and Hachette resolve the standoff that had Hachette's “buy” buttons removed from Amazon's store... and e-books are accused of being elitist. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Choices are made in a few seconds and paid for in the time that remains... Paolo Giordano's The Solitude of Prime Numbers was Italy's top selling title last year and the winner of the country's premier literary award, the Premio Strega (Italy's equivalent of the Booker prize). Today is our last conversation with Paolo, fresh from his debut at Britain's Hay Festival. What has the past year’s tumultuous success been like for him personally? And what considerable pressures and expectations does he now feel for his second book? Essential listening. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2318 76410BEE-5160-4092-BE99-8A8AFC3F0BC2 Wed, 3 Jun 2009 18:33:49 +0100 Last conversation with Paolo Giordano Choices are made in a few seconds and paid for in the time that remains... Paolo Giordano's The Solitude of Prime Numbers was Italy's top selling title last year and the winner of the country's premier literary award, the Premio Strega (Italy's equivalent of the Booker prize). Today is our last conversation with Paolo, fresh from his debut at Britain's Hay Festival. What has the past year’s tumultuous success been like for him personally? And what considerable pressures and expectations does he now feel for his second book? Essential listening. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Paolo Giodano's first novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, took Italy by storm last year: selling over a million copies and becoming the year's top selling title. Today we talk to Paolo, fresh from his debut at the Hay Festival, about the process of writing. “Writing a novel is like tearing a piece out of [the author’s] past, present and future”, he says. How can you create deep emotional truth in your writing? What is the relationship between the author and his characters? And – what has particle physics got to do with it? Another inspiring interview today with a writer who many are already calling a genius. http://www.litopia.com/podcast/?p=2308 6B0792FC-6444-43E6-B140-E97DBBDB5601 Tue, 2 Jun 2009 19:33:53 +0100 When characters come alive Paolo Giodano's first novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, took Italy by storm last year: selling over a million copies and becoming the year's top selling title. Today we talk to Paolo, fresh from his debut at the Hay Festival, about the process of writing. “Writing a novel is like tearing a piece out of [the author’s] past, present and future”, he says. How can you create deep emotional truth in your writing? What is the relationship between the author and his characters? And – what has particle physics got to do with it? Another inspiring interview today with a writer who many are already calling a genius. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Paolo Giodano was just 25 when his first novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, took Italy by storm last year... selling over a million copies and becoming the year's No. 1 bestselling title. It has been translated into twenty languages and will be filmed by Italian director Saverio Costanzo. How did the idea for the book arise? What's it like to have your first novel become such a breathtaking international success? And - how do you cope with all the pressures and expectations this kind of success brings? Listen to this fascinating conversation as Paolo talks to Peter about every writer’s fantasy – all week! http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2303 7BB8EEEF-16A3-41C5-A2DF-33646C86D9DA Tue, 2 Jun 2009 06:27:41 +0100 The Solitude of Prime Numbers Paolo Giodano was just 25 when his first novel, The Solitude of Prime Numbers, took Italy by storm last year... selling over a million copies and becoming the year's No. 1 bestselling title. It has been translated into twenty languages and will be filmed by Italian director Saverio Costanzo. How did the idea for the book arise? What's it like to have your first novel become such a breathtaking international success? And - how do you cope with all the pressures and expectations this kind of success brings? Listen to this fascinating conversation as Paolo talks to Peter about every writer’s fantasy – all week! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no It's Monday, so it's time to (warily) open the doors to Eve's Salmagundi Club - today, we're looking at the latest incarnation of the e-book reader... this one's in color... and a site that collects personal messages written in ink (or pen or marker or crayon or grape jelly) inside books. Then we bring you publishing's latest buzz-word: you heard it here first, folks, and who knows? It might just swing that next book proposal of yours. And - news of the latest writing competition in the Colony. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2299 BD4ED338-49AA-4805-BC1B-671D85444202 Mon, 1 Jun 2009 05:59:29 +0100 A big buzzword in publishing It's Monday, so it's time to (warily) open the doors to Eve's Salmagundi Club - today, we're looking at the latest incarnation of the e-book reader... this one's in color... and a site that collects personal messages written in ink (or pen or marker or crayon or grape jelly) inside books. Then we bring you publishing's latest buzz-word: you heard it here first, folks, and who knows? It might just swing that next book proposal of yours. And - news of the latest writing competition in the Colony. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no In the week that mother-of-three Claire Allen (36) from Rhondda, South Wales found the image of Jesus on a Marmite jar lid, we ask - are these the end times? The evidence is strong. With hundreds of millions of users, Twitter still can't figure out how to make money. Book publishers are following the suicidal example of their newspaper cousins and flirting with the idea of giving it all away for free online. And the US Department of Homeland Security is retaining 40 science fiction writers to help it dream up even more nightmarish scenarios of death and destruction. If those aren’t imminent portents of the rapture, we’d like to know what is. Attempting to forestall the day of reckoning, our panel tonight includes an international selection of eschatologists, otherwise known as... leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… from England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from the heart of Scotland, it’s the vivacious Eve Harvey who you know and love from Litopia Daily's Eve’s salmagundi Club… and tonight’s ultra-special guest - award-winning children's author and expert media commentator on the children’s and young adult publishing market, from London, it’s Graham Marks! Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Publishers rush to hurl themselves lemming-like off the fatal cliff of free content – are free e-books going to finally crush the life out of publishing? * 21st century boys: a danger to themselves and to others? Or just badly misunderstood? * The Department of Homeland Security retains science fiction writers * Musicians man the barricades, Les Misérables style - should authors do the same? http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2283 5024BC89-BF90-4C88-9609-60EB188A9BA8 Sat, 30 May 2009 11:42:46 +0100 "He’s never appeared in my food before" In the week that mother-of-three Claire Allen (36) from Rhondda, South Wales found the image of Jesus on a Marmite jar lid, we ask – are these the end times? The evidence is strong. With hundreds of millions of users, Twitter still can't figure out how to make money. Book publishers are following the suicidal example of their newspaper cousins and flirting with the idea of giving it all away for free online. And the US Department of Homeland Security is retaining 40 science fiction writers to help it dream up even more nightmarish scenarios of death and destruction. If those aren’t imminent portents of the rapture, we’d like to know what is. Attempting to forestall the day of reckoning, our panel tonight includes an international selection of eschatologists, otherwise known as... leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… from England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from the heart of Scotland, it’s the vivacious Eve Harvey who you know and love from Litopia Daily's Eve’s salmagundi Club… and tonight’s ultra-special guest - award-winning children's author and expert media commentator on the children’s and young adult publishing market, from London, it’s Graham Marks! Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Publishers rush to hurl themselves lemming-like off the fatal cliff of free content – are free e-books going to finally crush the life out of publishing? * 21st century boys: a danger to themselves and to others? Or just badly misunderstood? * The Department of Homeland Security retains science fiction writers * Musicians man the barricades, Les Misérables style - should authors do the same? 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no Big changes afoot to Litopia Daily's format - all good, all intended to make the show more useful and entertaining for you! Peter runs through some of them today. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that the plight of Salt Publishing (previously covered on Eve's Salmagundi Club) is ameliorating... thanks to their Just-One-Book campaign on the net. And giving books away - can it ever make sense? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that compares writers to exhibitionists - what do you think about that, pensters? http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2263 EC837BA8-A463-4748-9C34-5BFAD48D0836 Fri, 29 May 2009 08:44:05 +0100 Taking your thing out Big changes afoot to Litopia Daily's format - all good, all intended to make the show more useful and entertaining for you! Peter runs through some of them today. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that the plight of Salt Publisghing (previously covered on Eve's Salmagundi Club) is ameliorating... thanks to their Just-One-Book campaign on the net. And giving books away - can it ever make sense? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that compares writers to exhibitionists - what do you think about that, pensters? 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no What are the most common mistakes writers make when submitting their work? What's the outlook for today’s aspiring YA author? And what exactly does the expression “crabbit old bat” mean? In this, sadly our last conversation with Nicola Morgan ( author of some 90 books and the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland) all this - and more - will be revealed! Nicola's book Sleepwalking won the Scottish Children’s Book of the Year award, and her very latest – Deathwatch – is published next week. If you've enjoyed our time with Nicola this week, check out her blog, her highly-rated advice site for authors, Help! I NEED a Publisher! (And Maybe an Agent ...?) and additionally, her FaceBook Fair Reading campaign. We hope she comes back soon! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Paranormal Romance is still a very hot genre indeed – and any manuscript with supernatural elements is considered part of this major trend. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that promises to reveal All About Eve. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2263 458423F2-DB95-479F-884D-278E0CADEA73 Thu, 28 May 2009 04:48:52 +0100 Not crabbit, not old. nor a bat What are the most common mistakes writers make when submitting their work? What's the outlook for today’s aspiring YA author? And what exactly does the expression “crabbit old bat” mean? In this, sadly our last conversation with Nicola Morgan ( author of some 90 books and the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland) all this - and more - will be revealed! Nicola's book Sleepwalking won the Scottish Children’s Book of the Year award, and her very latest – Deathwatch – is published next week. If you've enjoyed our time with Nicola this week, check out her blog, her highly-rated advice site for authors, Help! I NEED a Publisher! (And Maybe an Agent ...?) and additionally, her FaceBook Fair Reading campaign. We hope she comes back soon! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Paranormal Romance is still a very hot genre indeed – and any manuscript with supernatural elements is considered part of this major trend. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that promises to reveal All About Eve. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, Nicola Morgan is also one of the most experienced authors for children & young adults in the country. Her latest book, Deathwatch, has been written with the close involvement of a panel of schoolchildren, and it's just about to be launched with "The Deathwatch Dash" - a flying visit to six schools by Nicola in six hours! If you are involved in visiting schools, or plan to be, this show is essential listening - Nicola reveals the secrets of successful school visits and in particular, how to talk to a hall full of teenagers. We also consider the question of risk and our evolutionary need for it - could we be doing today's children a disservice by protecting them from risk too hermetically? In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Hachette has drawn a line in the sand on the subject of book piracy. And Homeland Security enlists the help of sci-fi writers... dreaming up new nightmares to fight, perhaps? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that asks, "is it OK to run an illegal library from my locker at school?" http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2256 19514DA9-0F99-4BF0-828D-67FEC8B51A56 Wed, 27 May 2009 10:20:10 +0100 Is it OK to run an illegal library from my locker at school? Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, Nicola Morgan is also one of the most experienced authors for children & young adults in the country. Her latest book, Deathwatch, has been written with the close involvement of a panel of schoolchildren, and it's just about to be launched with "The Deathwatch Dash" - a flying visit to six schools by Nicola in six hours! If you are involved in visiting schools, or plan to be, this show is essential listening - Nicola reveals the secrets of successful school visits and in particular, how to talk to a hall full of teenagers. We also consider the question of risk and our evolutionary need for it - could we be doing today's children a disservice by protecting them from risk too hermetically? In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Hachette has drawn a line in the sand on the subject of book piracy. And Homeland Security enlists the help of sci-fi writers... dreaming up new nightmares to fight, perhaps? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that asks, "is it OK to run an illegal library from my locker at school?" 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Apart from being the author of ninety (count 'em!) books for children and young adults - her latest book, Deathwatch, is just about to be published - Nicola Morgan is also the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland. And with market conditions the way they are now, authors have seldom needed its help more. PLR (public lending right) is one such issue - did you know that authors receive a small amount each time you borrow their book from a library? But when you buy a second-hand book, the author receives zilch. "Fair Reading" is a new concept that could just make all the difference. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that TinTin leads the pack in Harry Potter replacement movies... audiences today are looking for family experiences, say the studios. And the latest idea in publishing from those wacky Japanese? Books on toilet paper! It could be big - don't poo-poo it... In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that declares: "too long have we suffered in silence under the tyranny of idiocy!" Too true. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2238 11B41F62-05C1-4ADD-B977-918B053D8EA3 Mon, 25 May 2009 21:33:51 +0100 Stupid Filter saves the net from Eternal September Apart from being the author of ninety (count 'em!) books for children and young adults - her latest book, Deathwatch, is just about to be published - Nicola Morgan is also the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland. And with market conditions the way they are now, authors have seldom needed its help more. PLR (public lending right) is one such issue - did you know that authors receive a small amount each time you borrow their book from a library? But when you buy a second-hand book, the author receives zilch. "Fair Reading" is a new concept that could just make all the difference. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that TinTin leads the pack in Harry Potter replacement movies... audiences today are looking for family experiences, say the studios. And the latest idea in publishing from those wacky Japanese? Books on toilet paper! It could be big - don't poo-poo it... In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that declares: "too long have we suffered in silence under the tyranny of idiocy!" Too true. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Who better than Nicola Morgan for Litopia Daily’s first week-long interview with a young adult author? Nicola has written 90 books, is the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, and regularly speaks at festivals, conferences and school events. Her writing has won two Scottish Arts Council Awards, including The Scottish Children’s Book of the Year for her book Sleepwalking. On the eve of publication of her next YA book – Deathwatch – we kick off a week-long look at this burgeoning section of the publishing business – how do you crack it? And most importantly, why is Peter obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine? In addition to her blog, Nicola also runs a highly-rated advice site for authors, Help! I NEED a Publisher! (And Maybe an Agent ...?). In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals the seamy underbelly of the traditional British literary establishment... what’s being known as the “Oxford Poetry Sex Scandal” has taken another surprising twist... could it be anything to do with our own LiToon’s lampooning of same? And William Morris Agency lays off agents... hard times ahead for the fifteen percenters? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that exposes in sad detail the attempt of one literary publisher to keep going... you can help by buying just one book from them. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2228 67E454D0-0EE8-4A9B-8A29-EA14DE71252F Mon, 25 May 2009 10:30:19 +0100 The literary knives are out Who better than Nicola Morgan for Litopia Daily’s first week-long interview with a young adult author? Nicola has written 90 books, is the Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, and regularly speaks at festivals, conferences and school events. Her writing has won two Scottish Arts Council Awards, including The Scottish Children’s Book of the Year for her book Sleepwalking. On the eve of publication of her next YA book – Deathwatch – we kick off a week-long look at this burgeoning section of the publishing business – how do you crack it? And most importantly, why is Peter obsessed with Thomas the Tank Engine? In addition to her blog, Nicola also runs a highly-rated advice site for authors, Help! I NEED a Publisher! (And Maybe an Agent ...?). In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals the seamy underbelly of the traditional British literary establishment... what’s being known as the “Oxford Poetry Sex Scandal” has taken another surprising twist... could it be anything to do with our own LiToon’s lampooning of same? And William Morris Agency lays off agents... hard times ahead for the fifteen percenters? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that exposes in sad detail the attempt of one literary publisher to keep going... you can help by buying just one book from them. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no There’s more than a whiff of revolution in the air tonight, and it’s not all coming from our special guest, Alan Gibbons, prolific children’s author and instigator of Britain’s national campaign to stop library closures. While pompous British politicians decide that public money should be spent on their private country estates and duck houses (yes, that’s houses – for their own, personal ducks), public libraries and school libraries face wholesale closure to save scarce public funds. The splendid councillors of Swindon vote themselves an increase in allowances from the public treasury of £29,000... meantime, Old Town Library is slated for closure … to save £23,000. Hypocrisy? Crass selfishness? Criminal abuse of public trust? Well, you decide as you listen to our scintillating panel who are in fine fettle this evening. Joining Alan tonight are leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… From England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… and one half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the beyond-brilliant cartoon strip that’s just been launched on Litopia - Richard Howse. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Why Stephen King wanted to hurt his kids – and why he wrote about it - so it wouldn’t happen * Why jaded American tourists are flocking to Britain’s Deptford * Naturally, we’re going to conserve some duck-house money by closing school libraries - but kids can still be forced to study with a convict-style ball and chain clamped to their ankle, available online for a reasonable £75 * And Amazon’s threat to the traditional publishing business materializes And as for the Commissioning Meeting - well, let's just say that Richard thinks that Alan's sex is on fire, the seafaring petomane strikes again and - horror on horror's head - Mrs. Slocombe's pussy has escaped yet again, the pesky varmint. This week's titles are: “The Varmint” By Owen Johnson, 1878-1952 “Vanity, All Is Vanity - A Lecture On Tobacco And Its Effects” By J. J. Cranmer “A Voyage with Captain Dynamite” By Charles Edward Rich “Vegetable Teratology: An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants” By Maxwell T. Masters http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2215 B51B3899-855F-4079-A598-EEF74DF980B2 Sat, 23 May 2009 11:32:09 +0100 Close the libraries! Build the duck houses! There’s more than a whiff of revolution in the air tonight, and it’s not all coming from our special guest, Alan Gibbons, prolific children’s author and instigator of Britain’s national campaign to stop library closures. While pompous British politicians decide that public money should be spent on their private country estates and duck houses (yes, that’s houses - for their own, personal ducks), public libraries and school libraries face wholesale closure to save scarce public funds. The splendid councillors of Swindon vote themselves an increase in allowances from the public treasury of £29,000... meantime, Old Town Library is slated for closure … to save £23,000. Hypocrisy? Crass selfishness? Criminal abuse of public trust? Well, you decide as you listen to our scintillating panel who are in fine fettle this evening. Joining Alan tonight are leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… From England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… and one half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the beyond-brilliant cartoon strip that’s just been launched on Litopia - Richard Howse. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Why Stephen King wanted to hurt his kids – and why he wrote about it - so it wouldn’t happen * Why jaded American tourists are flocking to Britain’s Deptford * Naturally, we’re going to conserve some duck-house money by closing school libraries - but kids can still be forced to study with a convict-style ball and chain clamped to their ankle, available online for a reasonable £75 * And Amazon’s threat to the traditional publishing business materializes And as for the Commissioning Meeting - well, let's just say that Richard thinks that Alan's sex is on fire, the seafaring petomane strikes again and - horror on horror's head - Mrs. Slocombe's pussy has escaped yet again, the pesky varmint. This week's titles are: “The Varmint” By Owen Johnson, 1878-1952 “Vanity, All Is Vanity - A Lecture On Tobacco And Its Effects” By J. J. Cranmer “A Voyage with Captain Dynamite” By Charles Edward Rich “Vegetable Teratology: An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants” By Maxwell T. Masters 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no Operation Black Biscuit reaches its climax - undercover agent Jay Dobyns achieves his aim of being the first officer ever to penetrate the dark heart of the Hells Angels... but then, instead of a successful major prosecution, the problems really begin. Jay’s gripping story has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels" - it's a gripping read. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that a website has re-written the European Constitution... in verse. Really. And The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones fails to find a UK publisher - moderates zero, extremists one? Or maybe, the prose simply isn't very good? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that... finds sites for writers. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2153 CB2081A0-6834-4C97-BFB9-9B3D23763A43 Fri, 22 May 2009 04:48:05 +0100 Triumph - and betrayal Operation Black Biscuit reaches its climax - undercover agent Jay Dobyns achieves his aim of being the first officer ever to penetrate the dark heart of the Hells Angels... but then, instead of a successful major prosecution, the problems really begin. Jay’s gripping story has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels" - it's a gripping read. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that a website has re-written the European Constitution... in verse. Really. And The Jewel of Medina by Sherry Jones fails to find a UK publisher - moderates zero, extremists one? Or maybe, the prose simply isn't very good? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that... finds sites for writers. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Two murders - one faked (see photo) in order to give undercover agent Jay Dobyns credibility with the Hells Angels - and another, all too real. Jay’s gripping story has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that some agents are delaying submitting new manuscripts to publishers - some publishers are wondering where all those proposals are. And JD Salinger's legal team express interest in the latest book-a-like. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that is truly breathtaking. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2151 13855696-44B3-4D10-9A73-DF9B7BF0F5FA Thu, 21 May 2009 10:11:15 +0100 Paper creases and folds make incredible art Two murders - one faked (see photo) in order to give undercover agent Jay Dobyns credibility with the Hells Angels - and another, all too real. Jay’s gripping story has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that some agents are delaying submitting new manuscripts to publishers - some publishers are wondering where all those proposals are. And JD Salinger's legal team express interest in the latest book-a-like. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that is truly breathtaking. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no They're part of American mythology: OMGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) are uniquely American in origin, and indeed the country’s only indigenous organized crime movement. Today, in the company of former undercover agent Jay Dobyns, we take a close-up look at the culture and astounding international growth of the Hells Angels. The story of Jay's extraordinary two year undercover operation just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Peter Osnos is proposing that e-books should be bundled with "traditional" books. How will authors feel about this? And for the first time ever, the growth of print-on-demand book publishing has surpassed its older sister. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that provides you with provocative prompts to stimulate your writing glands. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2149 767FEF4B-BD88-4E05-9002-4DD90A52B2B8 Wed, 20 May 2009 09:11:01 +0100 Do something truly nasty with a liposuction device They're part of American mythology: OMGs (outlaw motorcycle gangs) are uniquely American in origin, and indeed the country’s only indigenous organized crime movement. Today, in the company of former undercover agent Jay Dobyns, we take a close-up look at the culture and astounding international growth of the Hells Angels. The story of Jay's extraordinary two year undercover operation just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Peter Osnos is proposing that e-books should be bundled with "traditional" books. How will authors feel about this? And for the first time ever, the growth of print-on-demand book publishing has surpassed its older sister. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that provides you with provocative prompts to stimulate your writing glands. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Less than a week into his new job at the ATF and Jay Dobyns is critically injured, shot in a botched hostage operation. Yet far from discouraged, Jay elects to go undercover - creating a new identity as a debt collector and firearms dealer, and allowing his contacts in the "One Percenters" to think that he might be available for the occasional murder contract. At this point, the grand plan is formulated - Jay will be the first agent to penetrate the Hells Agents - at the highest level. Jay's account of his extraordinary two years undercover has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that large print books are booming - thanks to the baby boomers... who now need glasses. Maybe a case for the Kindle? And Woody Allen successfully enforces his IP rights against American Apparel. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that gives sane, but not hysterical, advice about vanity publishing. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2147 B43815F0-B37D-4BBA-816B-DE52A6EEAA96 Tue, 19 May 2009 06:03:50 +0100 The One Percenters Less than a week into his new job at the ATF and Jay Dobyns is critically injured, shot in a botched hostage operation. Yet far from discouraged, Jay elects to go undercover - creating a new identity as a debt collector and firearms dealer, and allowing his contacts in the "One Percenters" to think that he might be available for the occasional murder contract. At this point, the grand plan is formulated - Jay will be the first agent to penetrate the Hells Agents - at the highest level. Jay's account of his extraordinary two years undercover has just been published and is already a New York Times bestseller - "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that large print books are booming - thanks to the baby boomers... who now need glasses. Maybe a case for the Kindle? And Woody Allen successfully enforces his IP rights against American Apparel. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that gives sane, but not hysterical, advice about vanity publishing. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no "I’m going to die here, in the dirt and the dust and the grime... and I haven’t even been on the job for a week!" Jay Dobyns’ own words as he talks to Peter about his time as an undercover agent with the ATF: an intense, hair-raising and moving story that Jay has now written about in the New York Times bestseller "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week: his compelling autobiography is a classic of the genre, on par with the stories of Frank Serpico, Joe Pistone (a.k.a. Donnie Brasco) and Joaquin Garcia (a.k.a. Jackie Falcone). In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Random House are removing the text-to-speech function from at least 40 titles currently on the Kindle. Good for Random House, we say. And more dire news of book banning - this time, it's Alice Walker and Toni Morrison who have offended the delicate sensibilities of the citiziens of Muskegon, MI. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she reveals that UK television personality Jonathan Ross is starting his own Twitter book club - is this competition for his sister-in-law's highly successful Richard & Judy's Book Club? http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2143 3CE8E4AE-A448-4FEF-9CC2-347E4D60BCD0 Mon, 18 May 2009 07:20:44 +0100 Alice Walker? Ban her! Toni Morrison? Ban her! "I’m going to die here, in the dirt and the dust and the grime... and I haven’t even been on the job for a week!" Jay Dobyns’ own words as he talks to Peter about his time as an undercover agent with the ATF: an intense, hair-raising and moving story that Jay has now written about in the New York Times bestseller "No Angel: My Undercover Journey to the Heart of the Hells Angels". Jay is our guest on Litopia Daily all week: his compelling autobiography is a classic of the genre, on par with the stories of Frank Serpico, Joe Pistone (a.k.a. Donnie Brasco) and Joaquin Garcia (a.k.a. Jackie Falcone). In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Random House are removing the text-to-speech function from at least 40 titles currently on the Kindle. Good for Random House, we say. And more dire news of book banning - this time, it's Alice Walker and Toni Morrison who have offended the delicate sensibilities of the citiziens of Muskegon, MI. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she reveals that UK television personality Jonathan Ross is starting his own Twitter book club - is this competition for his sister-in-law's highly successful Richard & Judy's Book Club? 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no We have a scintillating international panel for your entertainment and enjoyment tonight. Leading lawyer, author and Litopia Daily’s newshound Donna Ballman is back from her travels and ready to dispense some authorial wisdom. She's joined by writer and regular Litopia panelist Dave Bartram, from England’s West country. From New York, and making his debut appearance on Litopia After Dark, is a real publishing legend - in his time at Times Books, Crown, Avalon Publishing Group and Sterling Publishing, Philip Turner has been responsible for some of the best non-fiction of the past few decades. His credits include books by Barack Obama and Senator George Mitchell, the iconic bestseller IBM and the Holocaust, Susan MacDougal’s book The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk: Why I Didn't Testify Against the Clintons and What I Learned in Jail, and the massively controversial book by Ambassador Joseph Wilson The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies that Put the White House on Trial and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity. And from the icy tundra of extreme Saskatchewan (yes, there's still snow on the ground!) comes Canadian author Mary W. Walters. You’ve heard Mary recently on Litopia Daily, talking about her seminal critique of what literary agents do for authors – and comparing it to what they ought to do - it ignited a firestorm of controversy. Mary writes fiction, non-fiction and drama - she’s has published two novels and a collection of short stories, and won a Writers Guild of Alberta Award for Excellence in Writing. She’s also written and narrated two programs for CBC’s Ideas series. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Elephant art - creativity is not a solely human occupation - YouTube Video * Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang is published * Publishing "houses" - do they still offer a virtual home for authors? * What makes fiction go ‘stale’? "Revolutionary Road" by Richard Yates feels timeless, but Alan Moore's "Watchmen" already feels old hat - why? And as for the Commissioning Meeting - well, things are looking even worse than last week, if that's possible. The president of Litopia Big Publishing Corp has been accused of fiddling his expenses - he makes a robust on-air defence for claiming costs involved in moat cleaning, various personal stress relief consultants and miscellaneous Emperors Club VIP facilities. "These are all legitimate business expenses", he declares, "essential to the unique function I perform in this company." The panel seem less than impressed. Nevertheless, it's back to dear old Project Guttenberg to cheerfully plunder a few more out-of-copyright manuscripts. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=1915 4CEE5E02-E5F6-4A12-9889-DFC3F4309941 Sat, 16 May 2009 11:12:35 +0100 Elephants can paint We have a scintillating international panel for your entertainment and enjoyment tonight. Leading lawyer, author and Litopia Daily’s newshound Donna Ballman is back from her travels and ready to dispense some authorial wisdom. She's joined by writer and regular Litopia panelist Dave Bartram, from England’s West country. From New York, and making his debut appearance on Litopia After Dark, is a real publishing legend - in his time at Times Books, Crown, Avalon Publishing Group and Sterling Publishing, Philip Turner has been responsible for some of the best non-fiction of the past few decades. His credits include books by Barack Obama and Senator George Mitchell, the iconic bestseller IBM and the Holocaust, Susan MacDougal’s book The Woman Who Wouldn't Talk: Why I Didn't Testify Against the Clintons and What I Learned in Jail, and the massively controversial book by Ambassador Joseph Wilson The Politics of Truth: Inside the Lies that Put the White House on Trial and Betrayed My Wife's CIA Identity. And from the icy tundra of extreme Saskatchewan (yes, there's still snow on the ground!) comes Canadian author Mary W. Walters. You’ve heard Mary recently on Litopia Daily, talking about her seminal critique of what literary agents do for authors – and comparing it to what they ought to do - it ignited a firestorm of controversy. Mary writes fiction, non-fiction and drama - she’s has published two novels and a collection of short stories, and won a Writers Guild of Alberta Award for Excellence in Writing. She’s also written and narrated two programs for CBC’s Ideas series. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Elephant art - creativity is not a solely human occupation - YouTube Video * Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang is published * Publishing "houses" - do they still offer a virtual home for authors? * What makes fiction go ‘stale’? "Revolutionary Road" by Richard Yates feels timeless, but Alan Moore's "Watchmen" already feels old hat - why? And as for the Commissioning Meeting - well, things are looking even worse than last week, if that's possible. The president of Litopia Big Publishing Corp has been accused of fiddling his expenses - he makes a robust on-air defence for claiming costs involved in moat cleaning, various personal stress relief consultants and miscellaneous Emperors Club VIP facilities. "These are all legitimate business expenses", he declares, "essential to the unique function I perform in this company." The panel seem less than impressed. Nevertheless, it's back to dear old Project Guttenberg to cheerfully plunder a few more out-of-copyright manuscripts. 53:47 Litopia Writers' Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing yes no Concluding our insider's guide to "those other" pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – we're looking at dedications, prefaces, introductions, footnotes, indices and appendices. Phew! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that a sequel has been published to Catcher in the Rye... but it's not official, and this time, JD is a character in the novel too. Awfully self-referential - but will it drag Mr. Salinger out of his hermithood long enough to issue a lawsuit? It's all pretty murky, but Donna sheds some surprising illumination. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that creates mini-plots from the words on book spines... see it to believe it! http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2126 84EF8BCC-D6D9-4FBD-A9C8-7570C38B3FDB Fri, 15 May 2009 10:02:28 +0100 Haruki Murakami's practical joke? Concluding our insider's guide to "those other" pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – we're looking at dedications, prefaces, introductions, footnotes, indices and appendices. Phew! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that a sequel has been published to Catcher in the Rye... but it's not official, and this time, JD is a character in the novel too. Awfully self-referential - but will it drag Mr. Salinger out of his hermithood long enough to issue a lawsuit? It's all pretty murky, but Donna sheds some surprising illumination. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that creates mini-plots from the words on book spines... see it to believe it! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no All next week on LITOPIA DAILY... read the enclosed pdf for first news of this exciting scoop! http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2121 A5C7292E-23DE-4226-9CB5-8196608EF0A5 Thu, 14 May 2009 17:31:29 +0100 Advance news about something very special! All next week on LITOPIA DAILY... read the enclosed pdf for first news of this exciting scoop! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Continuing our insider's guide to "those other" pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – what can your learn (professionally) from the table of contents and the acknowledgements? A heck of a lot, says Peter - listen and learn. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that NY Times columnist Thomas Friedman was paid $75,000 for a speech (from the people of Los Angeles)... an uncomfortable revelation for a journalist, leading to the return of the fee. And Donna's prediction that Amazon would get into the publishing business is coming true... says hello to Amazon Encore. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that quizzes you whether your plot is character-driven or action-driven. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2121 70E2BFAC-6950-467C-A0C6-E59744912350 Thu, 14 May 2009 10:06:22 +0100 Publishers, be very afraid Continuing our insider's guide to "those other" pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – what can your learn (professionally) from the table of contents and the acknowledgements? A heck of a lot, says Peter - listen and learn. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that NY Times columnist Thomas Friedman was paid $75,000 for a speech (from the people of Los Angeles)... an uncomfortable revelation for a journalist, leading to the return of the fee. And Donna's prediction that Amazon would get into the publishing business is coming true... says hello to Amazon Encore. In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that quizzes you whether your plot is character-driven or action-driven. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no Those other pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – what do the mean? And what information can you gain from them? Today... we present for your enlightenment... the Colophon! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Harlan Ellison has turned down a lifetime achievement award... because he didn't want to pay for his traveling and hotel expenses nor did he want to restrict his acceptance speech to three minutes. Allegedly. And another writing legend, Derek Walcott, withdraws his name from consideration for another top accolade after a smear campaign against him is launched. What on earth is going on in the rarefied and apparently rather bitchy… world of haute literature? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that advice on onomatopoeia - how to write the sound of things. Peter goes for the gutter. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2113 46E9BC1C-3520-4FBA-ACBB-AFAEDC1319B9 Wed, 13 May 2009 06:17:25 +0100 Gas attack Those other pages in a book – the ones that authors don’t write – what do the mean? And what information can you gain from them? Today... we present for your enlightenment... the Colophon! In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that Harlan Ellison has turned down a lifetime achievement award... because he didn't want to pay for his traveling and hotel expenses nor did he want to restrict his acceptance speech to three minutes. Allegedly. And another writing legend, Derek Walcott, withdraws his name from consideration for another top accolade after a smear campaign against him is launched. What on earth is going on in the rarefied and apparently rather bitchy… world of haute literature? In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that advice on onomatopoeia - how to write the sound of things. Peter goes for the gutter. 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no "Every story is a new Heaven" says Brian Eno of Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman - our guest this morning. The connection between good science and good writing is closer than you might think. And listen out for David's definition of "good writing" - it's eye-opening! Neuroscience offers untold possibilities for understanding the human mind, but with this powerful knowledge comes the potential for untold manipulation and control. What does the future hold? You'll hear it here first. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that the Google Book Settlement is attracting attention from State Attorney Generals... the main concern is said to be the way in which "orphan" works will be handled. And research shows that being able to tell stories increases your chance of getting a job in this competitive day and age. So get plotting! In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that offers a directory of free (yes, as in beer) writing courses online. No catches! http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2094 0475768D-5813-4038-AA75-38B201B5D23C Tue, 12 May 2009 09:07:56 +0100 Impulse control "Every story is a new Heaven" says Brian Eno of Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman - our guest this morning. The connection between good science and good writing is closer than you might think. And listen out for David's definition of "good writing" - it's eye-opening! Neuroscience offers untold possibilities for understanding the human mind, but with this powerful knowledge comes the potential for untold manipulation and control. What does the future hold? You'll hear it here first. In today’s Write Report, Donna reveals that the Google Book Settlement is attracting attention from State Attorney Generals... the main concern is said to be the way in which "orphan" works will be handled. And research shows that being able to tell stories increases your chance of getting a job in this competitive day and age. So get plotting! In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds a site that offers a directory of free (yes, as in beer) writing courses online. No catches! 13:23 Litopia Writers' Colony writing, publishing, books no no This gorgeously produced, wee sliver of a book packs an enormous punch” says one reviewer on Amazon, and they’re not wrong (Philip Pullman is a big fan, too). Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman is intelligent, speculative fiction – easy enough to read a few pages on the way to work, but provocative enough to set you thinking all day long about the themes it raises. David’s own background is unusually broad – by day, he heads the Eagleman Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine – and by night, he writes. Listen, and you’ll see why Brian Eno set twelve of of David’s “Sums” to music. First part of David’s interview runs today - more tomorrow. In today’s Write Report, Donna that Amazon is getting right up publishers' noses again. What are they playing at? And Oxford University bans step ladders from their libraries - students will now have to travel to London to check out inaccessible tomes - Health and Safety gone crazy! In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds that young literary agent Nathan Bransford has blogged that authors should, to paraphrase him, get a life. Predictably, quite a few authors are less than impressed to be compared to stamp collectors. Peter thinks that maybe Nathan ought to get a life - or at least, a different job. http://podcast.litopia.com/?p=2065 A0524C12-85E6-4077-B42A-FF9869E7F00B Sun, 10 May 2009 22:37:59 +0100 Career advice for Nathan Bransford This gorgeously produced, wee sliver of a book packs an enormous punch” says one reviewer on Amazon, and they’re not wrong (Philip Pullman is a big fan, too). Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives by David Eagleman is intelligent, speculative fiction – easy enough to read a few pages on the way to work, but provocative enough to set you thinking all day long about the themes it raises. David’s own background is unusually broad – by day, he heads the Eagleman Laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine – and by night, he writes. Listen, and you’ll see why Brian Eno set twelve of of David’s “Sums” to music. First part of David’s interview runs today - more tomorrow. In today’s Write Report, Donna that Amazon is getting right up publishers' noses again. What are they playing at? And Oxford University bans step ladders from their libraries - students will now have to travel to London to check out inaccessible tomes - Health and Safety gone crazy! In Eve's Salmagundi Club, she finds that young literary agent Nathan Bransford has blogged that authors should, to paraphrase him, get a life. Predictably, quite a few authors are less than impressed to be compared to stamp collectors. Peter thinks that maybe Nathan ought to get a life - or at least, a