How do you feel about the future? Fifty years ago, most views would probably have been rosily optimistic: our faith in science to solve the most pressing problems was mostly untarnished, and our belief in politicians to take wise and beneficent decisions not quite threadbare. Today, the clouds of doubt assail us from every quarter.

Not, though, as far as Bálint Szent-Miklósy is concerned. An unreconstructed optimist, tonight's guest is a distinguished futurist; formerly president of the World Future Society, and the founder of Futurific Leading Indicators Magazine. His forecasts are upbeat but, he says, never wrong - listen and judge for yourself!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the beguiling Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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This special video edition of Litopia After Dark features acclaimed espionage writer and expert, Nigel West. "His information is so precise" writes The Sunday Times "that many people believe he is the unofficial historian of the secret services."

Nigel's controversial books invariably hit the headlines. His greatest coup was tracking down the wartime double agent GARBO, who was reported to have died in Africa in 1949. In fact, Nigel traced him to Venezuela, and they then collaborated on the bestseller GARBO.

Topics covered include the Profumo affair, the bizarre death of MI6 employee Gareth Williams, the KGB and the GRU, the Maastricht treaty, UKIP, Venona, JBS Haldane, Robert Maxwell and "Have I Got News For You". Nigel was awarded the US Association of Former Intelligence Officers' first Lifetime Literature Achievement Award, and you can find more information on all his titles at his website, nigelwest.com

Presented by Peter Cox and featuring the tantalizing Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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In the week that Microsoft bought a fifth of Barnes & Noble’s digital businesses, and we learned that e-books sales grew 360% in the UK last year, we thought at The Naked Book we’d ignore all that - and focus on 'mummy porn'.

Why? Well, it was the public wot did it. Four pence in every pound spent on a book last week went on the adventures of Anastasia Steele and the manipulative billionaire Christian Grey: whose dangerous couplings take place in E L James' Twilight-inspired trilogy Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed. The erotic hits are revitalizing a genre gone flaccid, and prompting publishers to unsheathe their erotic back-list.

Scott Pack, publisher at HarperCollins imprint The Friday Project, was so excited he decided to 'do' the show naked. Dr Brooke Magnanti, formerly known as the blogger and call-girl Belle de Jour, suggested playing a drinking game. Needless to say the innuendos, along with the liquor flowed freely.

The discussion, ably assisted by regulars Sam Missingham and Catherine Neilan was, ahem, deep. Hopefully most of the smut will get past the censors. Maybe some of the insight too. The big Question from the show - we don't like "mummy porn". What shall we call it instead?

Presented by Philip Jones, deputy editor of The Bookseller.

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What with Leveson, Hunt, Murdoch... to say nothing of a double-dip recession... there's way too much bad news around... so enough already! When life gets excessively glum - it's time for us to dig out Litopia's infamous Ant Game... which is exactly what we've done tonight, for your aural bliss.

We're delighted to be joined by Anna Raverat, whose first book Signs of Life is impressing everyone... and Simon Cheshire, too - author of the bestselling Saxby Smart private detective series, and the just-published and highly-recommended You've Got To Read This: A Beginner's Guide To Great Writers And The History Of Books.

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the beguiling Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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Philip Reeve is one of the godfathers of steampunk (although today he's somewhat allergic to that word) with his massively successful Mortal Engines series. One of the most enduringly popular of all YA authors, Philip's fans are everywhere - especially in our chat room tonight, as they bombard him with questions! His most recent book, Goblins, has just been published - and has been snapped up by Hollywood. If you love Philip's books or love steampunk, sci-fi or indeed write it - this show is a classic.

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the beguiling Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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Tonight's show is a real-life thriller: featuring espionage, double-dealing, murder and even a dash of Hollywood. And a British ambassador who sees things he shouldn't - and decides to tell the world. Sounds like the plot of a movie? Craig Murray's amazing story has already been optioned by producers - if you can't wait to see the big-screen version, you can hear him on Litopia After Dark - you'll be riveted!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the beguiling Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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This week we talk about why you shouldn’t expect a check for your Huffington Post blog; why you may never be able to write a cookbook, use your checkbook or book a flight again; why you might be hanged if you’re too uppity on Facebook; how to lose $1 million and still keep your job; a disappearing contract in a publishing suit; and why you should think twice before suing over a bad review. Plus, we’ll be talking about a TV show that hit close to home for Donna and how they got the real-life legal issues wrong.

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

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We love to talk about story here on Litopia After Dark - and in particular, the impact that new media is having on its development, production and consumption. Are we entering a Promised Land full of storytelling richness, fuelled by ubiquitous multimedia devices - or is this merely the beginning of a new Dark Age, when story - and therefore authors - are devalued?

Someone who's taken the bull by the horns on this issue is Andrea Buchanan, no stranger to listeners of Litopia After Dark, whose new work Gift is a feast of storytelling sumptuousness - including not just words, but music and songs, characters' diaries and comics, too. Is this the way of the future? Listen, and decide for yourself!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the immortal Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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She's a scholar of Latin and ancient Greek, and admits to being a recovering stickler. He's a lexicographer and dictionary editor; a profession which ranks as one of the sexiest on Earth (that's what the chat room says, and who are we to disagree?).

Together, Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett host one of the 'net's most venerable public radio shows, A Way With Words - fifty minutes of sheer verbal bliss for anyone who's curious about the language we use.

A Way With Words has recently started to run on Radio Litopia and we think once you've met Martha and Grant, you'll be back for more!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the return of the awesome Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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This week we’ll be talking about an agency that has agreed to stop discriminating against older writers; a big company that has dropped attempts at censorship; a TV show that has copyright issues; allegations of censorship at the London Book Fair; whether Twitter might run afoul of UK libel law; a TV show that a writer claims is stolen; contraband book smuggling; a writer striking back at a big studio; and a legal fight over a Middle-earth pub.

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

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With 270 million copies of his books in circulation, Jeffrey Archer can justly claim to be one of the world's all-time bestselling novelists. From his first book way back in 1976 - rejected by fifteen publishers - to his current worldwide hit The Sins Of The Father - his writer's journey has been a wild ride of extremes. This absorbing in-depth interview, during which Jeffrey fields questions both from our panel and from the live audience in the chat room, is utterly unmissable. No topic is off-limits. Candid, witty and very much the consummate pro, Jeffrey packs a lifetime of advice into sixty spellbinding minutes. If you've ever wanted to attend a masterclass in how to become a bestselling novelist - start listening now.

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the return of the awesome Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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This week we talk about how the world is about to change for ebooks in a big way and why we need to be worried, a presidential candidate who thinks he can use your work without paying, a suit over bogus takedown notices, copyright versus patent lawyers in a major showdown, something you need to do right now if your books are published in France, a new libel superinjunction, and Paypal gets into the censorship game.

Plus - why lawyers who get suspended in your stories should not be celebrating their vacation.

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

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He's worked with Bjorn and Benny from ABBA, orchestrated the music for Inspector Morse, conducted some of the world’s greatest orchestras and his dance music has been played by the likes of Sasha, John Digweed, Paul Oakenfold and Nick Warren. Matthew Slater is a professional composer, and in tonight's fascinating show, he takes us for an intimate look behind the scenes of a sister creative industry to the writing and publishing world. There are many similarities, and indeed, many believe that the music industry is about five years ahead of the publishing business; if you want to know what the future looks like, here it is.

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the return of the awesome Ali Gardiner in the chat room.

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Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

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BJ Harrison is doing what many authors dream of doing; he's made a huge success out of recording and selling audiobooks on the net. What's even more amazing - the texts he reads and sells are public domain and out of copyright. With seven million downloads, he's obviously doing something right. BJ's reading of The Mark of Zorro will start running soon on radio Litopia; prior to that, we're delighted to have him as our guest on tonight's show - there's a lot authors can learn from him.

Back with a bang is Litopia After Dark's very own Donald Trump - Martyn Daniels, to give us a succinct update of the current state of play in the publishing business... where it's old guard versus new guard... and, despite what some may say, how Amazon's deep understanding of the publishing business is paying off...

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and featuring the return of the awesome Ali Gardiner in the chat room. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show!

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It was an iconic murder - pre-dating the mysterious death of British biological warfare expert David Kelly, but bearing uncanny similarities, too.  Rose grower, naturalist, diarist and campaigner against nuclear energy and weapons, Hilda Murrell's murder in 1984 entered the national consciousness and has never left (for Americans - think of her as Britain's Karen Silkwood).

Tonight's show features an in-depth interview with her nephew, former Royal Navy Commander Robert Green. You will find it compelling listening.  Robert's book is available here.

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What with Benedict Cumberbatch’s radical new television interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, and the recent big-screen Guy Ritchie / Robert Downey / Jude Law action movies, the Baker Street seven per-center is enjoying a major revival of interest.

How appropriate, then, that the master scriptwriter of the entire Holmes canon should join us for tonight's Litopia After Dark.  Bert Coules is nearly as legendary as his protagonist in Holmesian circles.  He’s a man who’s had more experience of Sherlock Holmes than almost anyone else, apart from Conan Doyle.  Not only was he head writer on the BBC’s project to dramatise the entire Holmes canon, but he then went on to write The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – original plots based on passing references from Conan Doyle’s oeuvre.

Bert has also adapted several Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael novels, starring Philip Madoc as Cadfael, and has dramatised works by Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Isaac Asimov and other best-selling genre authors.

Whether you're a Holmes fan, an aspiring scriptwriter, or simply interested in great drama, you'll love this show - pass it on to your friends!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram without the awesome Ali in the chat room - she'll be back next week. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show!

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If you enjoy Radio Litopia, please help us to keep going by making a donation!

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

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Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.

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Canadian writer Margaret Atwood once noted that "the Colonies" (i.e. former British posessions) were not places where great literature was supposed to happen. That myopic view is well and truly demolished by tonight's guest: Australian writer Chris Womersley.

Chris's fiction has appeared in Granta, and his second novel Bereft has just been published in the UK by Quercus. Garnering massive praise, it won the Australian Book Industry Award for Literary Fiction, and was short-listed for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, The Age Book of the Year and the Australian Society of Literature Gold Medal. Chris's first book, The Low Road, won the 2008 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction for his novel. We love introducing our listeners to brilliant new talent, and Chris is certainly that - a name to watch in years to come.

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram without the awesome Ali in the chat room - she'll be back next week. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show!

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This week's Litopia After Dark has two legendary guests: Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones, formerly Curator of Art at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, and Kari Herbert, daughter of polar explorer, Sir Wally Herbert. Kari spent the first few years of her life living on a remote island in the Arctic with the Polar Inuit of Northwest Greenland. Her first language was Inuktun, the local dialect of Greenlandic. At the age of four Herbert accompanied her parents on a journey that took them through winter blizzards in a caravan to spend time with the Sami of Lapland. She has continued to travel extensively ever since.

Kari's forthcoming book (available for pre-order on Amazon) is Polar Wives: The Remarkable Wives Behind the World's Most Daring Explorers.

Kari and Huw have jointly written In Search of the South Pole, which is available now. All this plus Litopia's very own Nic Alderton - it's one cool show...!

Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and the awesome Ali in the chat room. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show - it's neoannual!

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]]> Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:25:22 GMT D54F4E3C-9927-44A0-A6EF-04C6A794662D Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 47:30 It's easier to nurture the dream than to risk the reality - take a risk this year! The new year is a time to make dreams come true... and if you could make one authorial wish come true, what might it be? Perhaps you'd like the ultimate rave review from a legendary author such as Stephen King, along these lines: "this one gets the writer's ultimate bit of praise: I wish I had written it". That's exactly what happened to our guest Erin Kelly tonight; her first novel The Poison Tree found its way onto Mr. King's desk, and that is what the great master wrote. With an endorsement like that, who needs reviews? Jill Wolfson's latest YA book, the deeply emotional Cold Hands, Warm Heart is inspiring a similar degree of passion amongst its readers - or should we say, fans. Set in the life-and-death world of organ transplants, and meticulously researched by Jill, the book is a fabulous story about young people who are learning - in extreme circumstances - what's most important in life: love, work, a sense of purpose and community. Philip Jones, deputy editor of The Bookseller and founder of FutureBook, is here to give us an eagle-eyed overview of the state of the publishing business. There are so many contradictory views, so much noise, and so many axes being ground that it's increasingly hard to determine exactly what happening and what's likely to happen this year. Philip is one of the industry's leading commentators, and you'll find his insights both clear and astonishing... it's a must-listen! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6227
His origins were humble; a working-class boy from a small military town in northern Sweden, not far from the Arctic Circle. Today, he is one of the most influential figures in the world of literature, because Peter Englund is Permanent Secretary to the Swedish Academy, the body that awards the Nobel Prize in Literature.
For someone who has within his power the making or breaking of international writing careers, Peter, as you'll hear, is remarkably unassuming. Perhaps one reason for this is that he's still a writer himself; he understands the writing process profoundly, and his own books have been both bestsellers and widely acclaimed. His most recent, just launched in London, is a stunning new approach to the history of the First World War. Subtitled "an intimate history", The Beauty and the Sorrow explores the personal aspects of war: not the grand strategies concocted in the cabinets of Europe, but the experiences of "ordinary" people from around the world, all now unknown - were it not for Peter's deeply moving book.

This extended and intimate interview with Peter England reveals a wise and thoughtful author, unaffected by success, still driven to pursue his writing journey to its ultimate destination.
]]> Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:42:25 GMT 41E08E23-B2FD-4316-85A5-13CBA07304AB Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:00 The intoxication of thinking to pieces and thinking together His origins were humble; a working-class boy from a small military town in northern Sweden, not far from the Arctic Circle. Today, he is one of the most influential figures in the world of literature, because Peter Englund is Permanent Secretary to the Swedish Academy, the body that awards the Nobel Prize in Literature. For someone who has within his power the making or breaking of international writing careers, Peter, as you'll hear, is remarkably unassuming. Perhaps one reason for this is that he's still a writer himself; he understands the writing process profoundly, and his own books have been both bestsellers and widely acclaimed. His most recent, just launched in London, is a stunning new approach to the history of the First World War. Subtitled "an intimate history", The Beauty and the Sorrow explores the personal aspects of war: not the grand strategies concocted in the cabinets of Europe, but the experiences of "ordinary" people from around the world, all now unknown - were it not for Peter's deeply moving book. This extended and intimate interview with Peter England reveals a wise and thoughtful author, unaffected by success, still driven to pursue his writing journey to its ultimate destination. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6218
What's it like to receive 300 books to review for a major national newspaper - every week? That is but one of the more-or-less impossible tasks that befalls a typical literary editor - which is what Sam Leith did as Literary Editor of the Daily Telegraph.
Highly regarded in the publishing business, Sam talks with us today about good reviews and bad reviews, about publishing and publishers, and about the future of the newspaper business. In fact, Sam is the scion of a newspaper dynasty. Grandson of Sir John Junor (editor of the Sunday Express for 32 years) and son of journalist and author Penny Junor, Sam rose through the ranks to become Literary Editor: until, that is, things suddenly changed.
Today, he's crossed the floor to become an author (an interesting experience for a former literary editor). The author of two previous non-fiction titles, Dead Pets and Sod's Law and one novel, The Coincidence Engine, Sam has now written a book about rhetoric, You Talkin' To Me?- a witty and elegant enquiry into the art of persuasion.
Sam is a fascinating conversationalist - you'll enjoy this romp of a discussion that ranges from Barak Obama to Kerry Katona... by way of Plato and Kate Moss. And a dash of Evelyn Waugh, too!
]]> Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:49:09 GMT 8AD39695-07F7-49DD-AC3B-135FBE732C9C Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 53:00 Professional reviewers read so many bad books in the course of duty that they get an unhealthy craving for arresting phrases What's it like to receive 300 books to review for a major national newspaper - every week? That is but one of the more-or-less impossible tasks that befalls a typical literary editor - which is what Sam Leith did as Literary Editor of the Daily Telegraph. Highly regarded in the publishing business, Sam talks with us today about good reviews and bad reviews, about publishing and publishers, and about the future of the newspaper business. In fact, Sam is the scion of a newspaper dynasty. Grandson of Sir John Junor (editor of the Sunday Express for 32 years) and son of journalist and author Penny Junor, Sam rose through the ranks to become Literary Editor: until, that is, things suddenly changed. Today, he's crossed the floor to become an author (an interesting experience for a former literary editor). The author of two previous non-fiction titles, Dead Pets and Sod's Law and one novel, The Coincidence Engine, Sam has now written a book about rhetoric, You Talkin' To Me?- a witty and elegant enquiry into the art of persuasion. Sam is a fascinating conversationalist - you'll enjoy this romp of a discussion that ranges from Barak Obama to Kerry Katona... by way of Plato and Kate Moss. And a dash of Evelyn Waugh, too! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6211
When we asked John Simopoulos, Founding Fellow and Dean of Degrees at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, to read Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner last year, we had an overwhelming response from listeners wanting to hear more from him.

We're thrilled to welcome John back to present this special new year's "mixed bag of prose, poetry and century" that is certain to delight and inspire you... happy new year!

John reads and discusses:

• Meditation 17 by John Donne
• "The Little Black Boy" by William Blake
• "The Tiger" by William Blake
• Samuel Johnson's letter to Lord Chesterfield
• "Those Winter Sundays" By Robert Hayden
• "Heraclitus" by William Johnson Cory
• "On The Coast Of Coromandel" by Osbert Sitwell
• "The Owl And The Pussy Cat" by Edward Lear

Music in the programme is available for purchase from magnatune.com ]]> Sun, 01 Jan 2012 12:47:33 GMT AA662929-BC97-4B0F-9F08-AB538D788B0F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:00 A mixed bag of prose, poetry and century to kick off your new year When we asked John Simopoulos, Founding Fellow and Dean of Degrees at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, to read Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner last year, we had an overwhelming response from listeners wanting to hear more from him. We're thrilled to welcome John back to present this special new year's "mixed bag of prose, poetry and century" that is sure to delight and inspire you... happy new year! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6203
We're journeying to the heart of Italy for our festive bash tonight as we hook up with writers Michael Jacob & Daniela DeGregorio live from their kitchen in the ancient Umbrian city of Spoleto. Michael and Daniela write together under the pen name Michael Gregorio. Their first book, described by Publishers Weekly as "a stellar debut", introduced the world to a young rural Prussian magistrate, Hanno Stiffeniis, who receives a royal summons to Königsberg to take over the search for a serial killer. Critique of Criminal Reason was followed by Days of Atonement and A Visible Darkness. "Admirers of quality intellectual fiction should embrace this book" raved PW, "with its pitch-perfect period detail and psychologically complex protagonist."
Oliver Harris has equally fervent praise for his first book, The Hollow Man. "A pitch-perfect portrait of contemporary London", enthuses the legendary crime writer Val McDermid, "and a beguiling bastard of a hero - what a recipe for a great read."
It's our traditionally unpredictable end-of-year show tonight - anything may happen, ranging from post-structuralist philosophy to the Mafia by way of the Ant game.
Have a great new year's eve - and a wonderful 2012!
Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and the awesome Ali in the chat room.
Join us in the chat room for next week's live show - it's neoannual! ]]> Sat, 31 Dec 2011 15:45:27 GMT B7B02D63-1035-41FE-8689-B5755326AF2F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 55:00 Felice Anno Nuovo! We're journeying to the heart of Italy for our festive bash tonight as we hook up with writers Michael Jacob & Daniela DeGregorio live from their kitchen in the ancient Umbrian city of Spoleto. Michael and Daniela write together under the pen name Michael Gregorio. Their first book, described by Publishers Weekly as "a stellar debut", introduced the world to a young rural Prussian magistrate, Hanno Stiffeniis, who receives a royal summons to Königsberg to take over the search for a serial killer. Critique of Criminal Reason was followed by Days of Atonement and A Visible Darkness. "Admirers of quality intellectual fiction should embrace this book" raved PW, "with its pitch-perfect period detail and psychologically complex protagonist." Oliver Harris has equally fervent praise for his first book, The Hollow Man. "A pitch-perfect portrait of contemporary London", enthuses the legendary crime writer Val McDermid, "and a beguiling bastard of a hero – what a recipe for a great read." It's our traditionally unpredictable end-of-year show tonight - anything may happen, ranging from post-structuralist philosophy to the Mafia by way of the Ant game. Have a great new year's eve - and a wonderful 2012! Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram and the awesome Ali in the chat room. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show - it's neoannual! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6195
The Google Book Settlement has been abandoned - but like some monstrous zombie rising from the dead, the litigation continues. Attorneys for the Authors Guild have filed a motion for class certification, the first step towards a ruling that might decide whether Google’s book scanning amounts to copyright theft.
Also - when is a blogger not a journalist? Avatar filmmaker James Cameron faces charges of idea appropriation... for heaven's sake, don't Tweet anything bad about the king of Thailand... and are publishers cracking down on book bloggers?
Peter raves about a new (to the UK) service called NetGalley... and if e-books become more interactive, including embedded product links and all that kind of non-wordy stuff... are they still books?
Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.


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]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:20:14 GMT 95A76121-D6E5-4E7B-9EC1-B87C6C124B94 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 22:00 With his healthy longevity, King Bhumibol Adul- yadej has marked yet another milestone in his glorious reign More news, ruminations and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6185
Last week's show featured renowned illustrators / comic book artists Patrice Aggs and John Aggs. This week, we're continuing delve into the world of images as we welcome legendary illustrator-turned-author Ian Beck. Ian learnt his craft from some of the greatest contemporary British illustrators, including Raymond Briggs and John Vernon Lord, then went on to design and illustrate album covers - most notably, the iconic cover to Elton John's best and most popular album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Subsequently, Ian made the transition to writing and his latest book, The Haunting of Charity Delafield, has just been published in the UK by Random House.
Chris Ewan is a British crime and mystery writer best known for his Good Thief series of travelling adventures featuring Charlie Howard, a thief and author. His first novel, The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam, won the Long Barn Books First Novel Award - another author who got his start from the inspirational Susan Hill - and currently he's published by Simon & Schuster in the UK, and by St. Martin's Press in the United States.
Royal insider John Spencer (aka Spencer Carstairs) is our third guest; his new title Someone To Watch Over Me has just been published in the US - it's too hot, apparently, to be published in the UK!
It's a terrific panel and an inspired chat room under the aegis of the ever-vigilant Ali. Apart from the usual wit and wisdom, the chat room tonight solves the problem of how to finance Britain's public libraries... McDonald's will take them over! Grendel burgers, anyone? Or maybe you'd like a Great Gatsby with Cheese?
Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show - it's tattyfilarious! ]]> Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:52:57 GMT 09B9BFB7-B56C-447A-A0ED-1CA061D56B7F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 52:00 Westminster Council redefines the meaning of the word "library" Last week's show featured renowned illustrators / comic book artists Patrice Aggs and John Aggs. This week, we're continuing delve into the world of images as we welcome legendary illustrator-turned-author Ian Beck. Ian learnt his craft from some of the greatest contemporary British illustrators, including Raymond Briggs and John Vernon Lord, then went on to design and illustrate album covers - most notably, the iconic cover to Elton John's best and most popular album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Subsequently, Ian made the transition to writing and his latest book, The Haunting of Charity Delafield, has just been published in the UK by Random House. Chris Ewan is a British crime and mystery writer best known for his Good Thief series of travelling adventures featuring Charlie Howard, a thief and author. His first novel, The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam, won the Long Barn Books First Novel Award - another author who got his start from the inspirational Susan Hill - and currently he's published by Simon & Schuster in the UK, and by St. Martin's Press in the United States. Royal insider John Spencer (aka Spencer Carstairs) is our third guest; his new title Someone To Watch Over Me has just been published in the US - it's too hot, apparently, to be published in the UK! It's a terrific panel and an inspired chat room under the aegis of the ever-vigilant Ali. Apart from the usual wit and wisdom, the chat room tonight solves the problem of how to finance Britain's public libraries... McDonald's will take them over! Grendel burgers, anyone? Or maybe you'd like a Great Gatsby with Cheese? Presented by Peter Cox with Dave Bartram. Join us in the chat room for next week's live show - it's tattyfilarious! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6174
Not really - but the English lawyer he plays in "The Good Wife" certainly is... another stupefyingly ballsy case of plagiarism... copyright is failing to feed artists... and Donna has some terrific personal news - all in this action-packed episode of the net's No.1 real-life legal drama!

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. ]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:46:34 GMT 689781DF-307E-4A04-8CD6-E9592FE745F1 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 20:00 Don't force my hand by forcing me to put it in the hands of lawyers! More news, ruminations and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6164

It's a crime-free show tonight (Magenta Delicious will be back next week!) with three of the most interesting and thought-provoking guests on the planet.
Professor Russell Potter is here to tell us about his new cross-species collaboration Pyg: The Memoirs of a Learned Pig (Canongate) - an extraordinary simulacrum of a late eighteenth century picaresque novel, based around the true story of Toby the Sapient Pig. Toby's friends included Samuel Johnson, Anna Seward, William Blake and Robert Burns - and after tonight's show, you'll probably be one, too!
Patrice Aggs is one of the most talented illustrators working in British publishing. She has illustrated more than 50 children's books, worked in pre-computer animation (including "the Snowman") and produced etchings and watercolours now in collections in Europe, The USA and Japan. Her lifelong passion is comics, particularly American newspaper strips.
Patrice and John Aggs (her son) have just collaborated to produce The Boss (David Fickling Books), part of the growing DFC Library that showcases top comic book writing and illustrating talent. John started out in webcomics, and won the Grand Prize in the TokyoPop Rising Stars of Manga awards for his story "Knives". He's also drawn John Blake, written by Philip Pullman.

It's a classic Litopia After Dark show - entertaining, enlightening and excessive in every way!

With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.

Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:12:38 GMT 84AE5E68-2050-45C0-AD02-23FEBB3B761B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 47:00 From Pygmalion to... Don Pigote and the Windmills of your Rind It's a crime-free show tonight (Magenta Delicious will be back next week!) with three of the most interesting and thought-provoking guests on the planet. Professor Russell Potter is here to tell us about his new cross-species collaboration Pyg: The Memoirs of a Learned Pig (Canongate) - an extraordinary simulacrum of a late eighteenth century picaresque novel, based around the true story of Toby the Sapient Pig. Toby's friends included Samuel Johnson, Anna Seward, William Blake and Robert Burns - and after tonight's show, you'll probably be one, too! Patrice Aggs is one of the most talented illustrators working in British publishing. She has illustrated more than 50 children's books, worked in pre-computer animation (including "the Snowman") and produced etchings and watercolours now in collections in Europe, The USA and Japan. Her lifelong passion is comics, particularly American newspaper strips. Patrice and John Aggs (her son) have just collaborated to produce The Boss (David Fickling Books), part of the growing DFC Library that showcases top comic book writing and illustrating talent. John started out in webcomics, and won the Grand Prize in the TokyoPop Rising Stars of Manga awards for his story "Knives". He's also drawn John Blake, written by Philip Pullman. It's a classic Litopia After Dark show - entertaining, enlightening and excessive in every way! yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6154

Yet another ingestion of intellect, information and insurrection on tonight's show! Can literature have a civilizing effect on young offenders? At what age do women's thoughts turn away from romance and towards crime? And most importantly, what the heck is happening to Johnny and Priscilla in this week's impromptu episode of Magenta Divine? Here to enlighten and enliven us ce soir are:


• Penny Grubb, author of The Jawbone Gang, The Doll Makers and Like False Money - Penny is also chair of the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society, the largest writers’ organization in the world - if you're a UK author, you should join!


• Born in Glasgow by a Scots father and Dutch mother, Dirk Robertson is a trained Shakespearian actor, a lecturer and consultant in Social Welfare and Media Studies - and also an author. He's taught creative writing and drama to young offenders, and is currently in Virginia, USA, where he's developing literary projects for young people involved in gangs, delinquency and criminal behaviour. Dirk's books include Highland T'ing, Bad Day For A Fat Boy, and Deep Powder .


• An enthusiastic writer since the age of nine, James McCreet's publishing debut was The Incendiary’s Trail, was begun in 2006 and written entirely in Harrogate. Success soon followed with The Vice Society and The Thieves’ Labyrinth. He has recently finished the fourth book in the series, which will be published in 2012.

With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.

Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:18:55 GMT 253137DB-5A85-4D0F-A958-2D7C7C987910 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 45:04 At a certain age, a woman's thoughts turn away from romance and towards crime Yet another ingestion of intellect, information and insurrection on tonight's show! Can literature have a civilizing effect on young offenders? At what age do women's thoughts turn away from romance and towards crime? And most importantly, what the heck is happening to Johnny and Priscilla in this week's impromptu episode of Magenta Divine? Here to enlighten and enliven us ce soir are: Penny Grubb, author of The Jawbone Gang, The Doll Makers and Like False Money - Penny is also chair of the Authors Licensing and Collecting Society, the largest writers’ organization in the world - if you're a UK author, you should join! Born in Glasgow by a Scots father and Dutch mother, Dirk Robertson is a trained Shakespearian actor, a lecturer and consultant in Social Welfare and Media Studies - and also an author. He's taught creative writing and drama to young offenders, and is currently in Virginia, USA, where he's developing literary projects for young people involved in gangs, delinquency and criminal behaviour. Dirk's books include Highland T'ing, Bad Day For A Fat Boy, and Deep Powder . An enthusiastic writer since the age of nine, James McCreet's publishing debut was The Incendiary’s Trail, was begun in 2006 and written entirely in Harrogate. Success soon followed with The Vice Society and The Thieves’ Labyrinth. He has recently finished the fourth book in the series, which will be published in 2012. With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6144

This is, quite simply, one of our best shows to date. Our panelists are:
Ernesto Mallo whose two most recent books are Needle in a Haystack and Sweet Money, both published in English by Bitter Lemon Press.
Redmond Szell whose first book ,Blind Trust, is out now.
James Davis, whose first book, Noho, is published by Wild Wolf Publishing.
With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.
Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 13:30:10 GMT 3FE24174-6309-420E-88DD-B3B067BE9476 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:04 A warning from Argentina This is, quite simply, one of our best shows to date. Our panellists are: Ernesto Mallo whose two most recent books are Needle in a Haystack and Sweet Money, both published in English by Bitter Lemon Press. Redmond Szell whose first book ,Blind Trust, is out now. James Davis, whose first book, Noho, is published by Wild Wolf Publishing. With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6136

Yet more news, scrutiny and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. ]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:43:33 GMT 16064C40-5B7A-4064-9F13-BE73C81C7D12 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 20:00 OK - who signed the dummy contract? More news, ruminations and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6127

News, ruminations and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. ]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:32:53 GMT B9B2C50A-6B47-41BE-8797-1B5F8DAFA67B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 20:00 Plagiarism is no crime. Wait - actually, it is! More news, ruminations and legal shenanigans for writers - presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6111

Litopia's Crime Wave season is thickening nicely. Überauthor Peter James kicked it all off two weeks ago; last week, writers Barbara Nadel, Roger Silverwood and Chris Nickson drew us into the first chapter... and tonight, we're going very hardcore indeed - with one author who specializes in real-life murder and other unspeakable crimes... and a brace of authors whose works are set in that cradle of criminology - Mother Russia herself. Delicious!

Linda Stratmann has written numerous non-fiction books about real-life rimes, their perpetrators and their methods. Her works include the definitive guide to chloroform as well as many tomes on 18, 19th and 20th century crimes célèbres. And now she's branching out into fiction, too: The Poisonous Seed is the first in a series of Victorian mysteries - expect great authenticity and fabulous research.

Equally obsessive about research is R.N. Morris, whose Porfiry Petrovich detective novels (sounds familiar? Petrovich is the investigating magistrate from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment) are based in and around St Petersburg, circa 1875. Roger's books include A Gentle Axe, A Vengeful Longing, A Razor Wrapped in Silk and The Cleansing Flames - all critically acclaimed and most award-winning.

Our third panellist is a rising star in the firmament of quality crime writers, already being compared to the likes of Martin Cruz Smith and John Le Carré. William Ryan's two books are also set in Russia, although in the Stalinist era, which is about 60 years after Roger's epoch. The Holy Thief put both William and his protagonist, Captain Alexei Korolev of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Militia, on the map. The Times Literary Supplement called it " whodunit heaven" and the Irish Independent named it one of their books of the year.

With such an eminently talented panel, you should expect fireworks, revelations, and thrills galore... and you won't be disappointed!

With the indefatigable Ali in the chat room, Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.

Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:37:05 +0100 9A6F4D83-38F3-43B4-B52F-A1B6667F0628 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:04 Why writers need cats Litopia's Crime Wave season is thickening nicely. Überauthor Peter James kicked it all off two weeks ago; last week, writers Barbara Nadel, Roger Silverwood and Chris Nickson drew us into the first chapter... and tonight, we're going very hardcore indeed - with one author who specializes in real-life murder and other unspeakable crimes... and a brace of authors whose works are set in that cradle of criminology - Mother Russia herself. Delicious! Linda Stratmann has written numerous non-fiction books about real-life rimes, their perpetrators and their methods. Her works include the definitive guide to chloroform as well as many tomes on 18, 19th and 20th century crimes célèbres. And now she's branching out into fiction, too: The Poisonous Seed is the first in a series of Victorian mysteries - expect great authenticity and fabulous research. Equally obsessive about research is R.N. Morris, whose Porfiry Petrovich detective novels (sounds familiar? Petrovich is the investigating magistrate from Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment) are based in and around St Petersburg, circa 1875. Roger's books include A Gentle Axe, A Vengeful Longing, A Razor Wrapped in Silk and The Cleansing Flames - all critically acclaimed and most award-winning. Our third panellist is a rising star in the firmament of quality crime writers, already being compared to the likes of Martin Cruz Smith and John Le Carré. William Ryan's two books are also set in Russia, although in the Stalinist era, which is about 60 years after Roger's epoch. The Holy Thief put both William and his protagonist, Captain Alexei Korolev of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Militia, on the map. The Times Literary Supplement called it " whodunit heaven" and the Irish Independent named it one of their books of the year. With such an eminently talented panel, you should expect fireworks, revelations, and thrills galore... and you won't be disappointed! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6101



Crime writer / Überlord Peter James set the scene for us in last week's Litopia After Dark, and tonight we raise the curtain on Radio Litopia's CRIME WAVE - a season of shows focussed on this most prolific and expansive of genres: one that accounts for a quarter of all books sold.
Three terrific, working writers for your entertainment and edification this evening. First, there's Barbara Nadel, queen of oriental mystery. "Oriental" as in Istanbul, where her very successful Inspector Çetin İkmen series is based, but also east as in East London, the scene for her forthcoming series about a private detective agency run by a typical east end 'bloke' and a covered Muslim woman... can't wait to see how that works out.
Our most senior panellist tonight is Roger Silverwood - author of some 24 titles including the long-running 'Inspector Angel Mysteries'. Roger's first book was published in 1971 and his most recent March 2011.
A comparative newcomer to the genre is our third guest, Chris Nickson. A music journalist - he spent eight years as a regular music commentator on NPR's All Things Considered - Chris has returned to his native Albion to write about murder most foul in the English city of Leeds... in the 18th century. His passion for the city and its people is infectious, and his work is attracting just the sort of readers' enthusiasm that marks him out for an outstanding career in this genre.
But that's not all you're getting tonight. Peter springs a surprise on our doughty panel and challenges them to construct a brand new crime novel... live, unscripted and on-air! The result is Magenta Delicious... and it will be continued next week, with a brand new panel of guests. Unmissable, or what?
With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox..
Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:05:37 GMT 1A200E5A-A87B-4A55-917D-671C3C6F9889 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:04 The Romance of Leeds Crime writer / Überlord Peter James set the scene for us in last week's Litopia After Dark, and tonight we raise the curtain on Radio Litopia's CRIME WAVE - a season of shows focussed on this most prolific and expansive of genres: one that accounts for a quarter of all books sold. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6089

He's a crime boss - but perhaps not as you expect. British writer Peter James was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of his ongoing contribution to the arts, which tells you something of his significance to writing and publishing generally.
The Daily Mail called him a cross between Stephen King and Michael Crichton, and with sales of his 25 titles running into the multi-millions, he's a serious force in commercial publishing.
Crime is one of the biggest of all publishing genres; it accounts for about a quarter of all books sold. In tonight's extended show, we get under the surface of both the writer himself and the whole genre - what does it take to succeed in this area?
Peter, who is also chair of the Crime Writers Association, is clearly the best man to ask. Peter's latest book Perfect People has just been published in the UK, and his most recent paperback, Dead Man's Grip, has just gone to the No. 1 position in the paperback charts (knocking off Jamie Oliver!).
With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.
Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:24:25 GMT 05EB0DBF-96CA-482B-A5A4-68310976D9DF Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:04 Crime can pay Crime is one of the biggest of all publishing genres; it accounts for about a quarter of all books sold. In tonight's extended show, we get under the surface of both the writer himself and the whole genre - what does it take to succeed in this area? Peter, who is also chair of the Crime Writers Association, is clearly the best man to ask. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6081
We sent out a call for new talent - and this is the rather splendid result. Three brave writers, none of whom have ever appeared on Litopia After Dark before, right at the beginning of their writing careers. We asked each of them to nominate a title for our "alternative Booker", and then to pitch it to the other panellists. Then, we asked them questions about wet badgers. Thankfully, they all survived!
Litopia After Dark has always been a show by and from the people ; we certainly feature some of the biggest names in writing today, but we're also always on the lookout for up-and -coming talent... if you'd like the experience of appearing on the 'net's first and foremost literary salon, simply join the Colony and let us know!
Featuring Margaret L. Turley who nominated Just One Wish by Janette Rallison, Callum Mackay who nominated the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks, and Eliabeth Hawthorne who nominated Farsighted by Emlyn Chand. With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox.
Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - do arrive early! ]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:16:39 +0100 9192DF07-7F73-46EA-A6B5-3E0996C92868 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:04 Ceci n'est pas un blaireau! We sent out a call for new talent - and this is the rather splendid result. Three brave writers, none of whom have ever appeared on Litopia After Dark before, right at the beginning of their writing careers. We asked each of them to nominate a title for our "alternative Booker", and then to pitch it to the other panellists. Then, we asked them questions about wet badgers. Thankfully, they all survived! Litopia After Dark has always been a show by and from the people ; we certainly feature some of the biggest names in writing today, but we're also always on the lookout for up-and -coming talent... if you'd like the experience of appearing on the 'net's first and foremost literary salon, simply join the Colony and let us know! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6074
A new and frightening way of limiting our free speech... How Barney got into a copyright mess... Why you should never sing Happy Birthday... and the inside poop on jury nullification.  All this and more on this week's show!

Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. ]]> Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:28:09 +0100 4112A66B-FDD5-40EC-84E9-C6E79A40949C Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 20:00 This is going to be legend...wait for it....dary A new and frightening way of limiting our free speech... How Barney got into a copyright mess... Why you should never sing Happy Birthday... and the inside poop on jury nullification. All this and more on this week's show! Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5991 "
I liked the idea of having a front-row seat at the making of history. I felt myself move into another gear when I hit a war zone. And sometimes be not a terribly nice person."
Martin Bell - "the man in the white suit" - is a British institution. Just as Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America", so Martin Bell represents journalistic integrity and straight-talking to several generations of Britons. In this extended show, we talk to Martin about his life, his war experiences, the experience of being a politician, and... his poetry! It's a treat - don't miss it.
Martin's book of light and dark verse, For Whom The Bell Tolls, has just been published. ]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:37:06 +0100 8E0EEE3F-534C-468A-B712-6D5C560EB45B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:00 We talk to a British institution "I liked the idea of having a front-row seat at the making of history. I felt myself move into another gear when I hit a war zone. And sometimes be not a terribly nice person." Martin Bell - "the man in the white suit" - is a British institution. Just as Walter Cronkite was "the most trusted man in America", so Martin Bell represents journalistic integrity and straight-talking to several generations of Britons. In this extended show, we talk to Martin about his life, his war experiences, the experience of being a politician, and... his poetry! It's a treat - don't miss it. Martin's book of light and dark verse, For Whom The Bell Tolls, has just been published. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6057
The merest soupçon of a smidgen of a taster of Radio Litopia's weekly compendium of word games and general eccentricity... Open House. It's a live event - not really a recorded show, and rarely if ever issued as a podcast  - so you've got to be in the chat room to take part. Or miss it for ever!
Join us every Sunday at 6pm UK , 1pm Eastern, 10am Pacific.
Open House is first and foremost a live event - you'll enjoy it most if you can join us in the chat room for next week's show - full details here!]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:49:00 +0100 0CEE6B9E-49A6-4F49-B1C4-7416A26FABE7 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 20:00 The obverse of wit The merest soupçon of a smidgen of a taster of Radio Litopia's weekly compendium of word games and general eccentricity... Open House. It's a live event - not really a recorded show - so you've got to be in the chat room to take part. Join us every Sunday at 6pm UK , 1pm Eastern, 10am Pacific. yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6037
Orange Prize shortlister Ellen Feldman is one of our specials guests tonight; her latest book, Next To Love, has just been published and before she flies home to New York, she popped into our London studio to tell us about the book, about her life and about the writing process.
Our other special guest, comedienne Theresa Holcombe, tells us about Robin Williams, UFOs, and... goats. Meanwhile, the chatroom is up to its neck in cocktails... In vino veritas... All this together with Dave Bartram and Ali in the chatroom! Were you there? Well, if you weren't - at least you can listen to the recording. But...don't miss out next week! ]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:51:50 +0100 F0DA345C-B341-4C9B-BA30-AFF6FA383CB9 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:04 War, next to love, has most captured the world's imagination Orange Prize shortlister Ellen Feldman is one of our specials guests tonight; her latest book, Next To Love, has just been published and before she flies home to New York, she popped into our London studio to tell us about the book, about her life and about the writing process. Our other special guest, comedienne Theresa Holcombe, tells us about Robin Williams, UFOs, and... goats. Meanwhile, the chatroom is up to its neck in cocktails... In vino veritas... All this together with Dave Bartram and Ali in the chatroom! Were you there? Well, if you weren't - at least you can listen to the recording, here. But...don't miss out next week! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6030
More great news you need and enlightening analysis from the confluence of writing and the law. Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:01:35 +0100 3B1576DA-7760-4110-86C4-841471EDB3E7 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 20:00 Why Sarah Palin is like Julian Assange More great news you need and enlightening analysis from the confluence of writing and the law. Presented by leading lawyer Donna Ballman with literary agent Peter Cox. Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5994
In this brief video podcast (yes, really - a unique opportunity to assess Peter's outré taste in headgear) all we really want to convey is the important news that Litopia After Dark is permanently moving to Sundays.
We're doing this to enable more of our listeners around the world to join us for the live show... listening to the recording is (we hope!) stimulating, but it's nothing like being in the chat room while the show is being broadcast!
Sundays now become Radio Litopia's "live" day.
We kick off at 6:00pm UK time (1:00pm EST / 10:00am Pacific) with Open House, and then at 8:00pm (3:00pm EST/ noon Pacific) it's Litopia After Dark.
So now you've got no excuse at all... we've made it easier for you to take part, no matter where in the world you happen to be.
See you in the chat room!

If you use a calendar or scheduling program such as Outlook, you can add Litopia After Dark to your calendar simply by clicking here!

Picture  by photoman356 ]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:55:44 +0100 755C858D-5315-4F2C-B42C-D2D303545808 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 45 Coffee and oranges in a sunny chair, and the green freedom of a cockatoo upon a rug In this brief video podcast (yes, really - a unique opportunity to assess Peter's outré taste in headgear) all we really want to convey is the important news that Litopia After Dark is permanently moving to Sundays. We're doing this to enable more of our listeners around the world to join us for the live show... listening to the recording is (we hope!) stimulating, but it's nothing like being in the chat room while the show is being broadcast! Sundays now become Radio Litopia's "live" day. It kicks off at 6:00pm UK time (1:00pm EST / 10:00am Pacific) with Open House, and then at 8:00pm (3:00pm EST/ noon Pacific) it's Litopia After Dark. So now you've got no excuse at all... we've made it easier for you to take part, no matter where in the world you happen to be. See you in the chat room! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5982
He's the quintessential international man of mystery: Julian Assange has surprised the world again by (a) suddenly and secretly publishing his autobiography, and (b) immediately denouncing it and his publishers, Canongate! What happens under these circumstances? Listen to the latest Debriefer to find out...
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.]]> Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:17:09 +0100 A3191C3A-232C-488F-8DC3-A282726C3CFB Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 17:00 His own secrets revealed to the world against his wishes... He's the quintessential international man of mystery: Julian Assange has surprised the world again by (a) suddenly and secretly publishing his autobiography, and (b) immediately denouncing it and his publishers, Canongate! What happens under these circumstances? Listen to the latest Debriefer to find out... http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5964
"Inspiring" is a pretty good word to use about tonight's show.  Andi Buchanan had a great idea for The Daring Book For Girls ... two million copies later (to say nothing of a video game, a Burger King kids meal and a film deal!) she's here to tell us - and inspire us with - her story.  Erik Deckers has been writing for 24 years, 17 years as a humor columnist, eight as a playwright, and now three as a book author.  The author of Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself as well as the forthcoming No Bullshit Social Media!, Erik knows a thing or two about how authors should use social media... it's inspiring, too!  Equally inspirational is Philip Jones, managing editor of The Bookseller and co-founder of FutureBook.net... in certain cultures, Philip would be a veritable god - but tonight (more prosaically with us) he's telling us about Waterstones' plans for an e-reader.
]]> Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:24:31 +0100 B38AF25A-2212-48DC-8D26-EAEAE224B1D8 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:04 Zero to two million in just a flash! "Inspiring" is a pretty good word to use about tonight's show. Andi Buchanan had a great idea for The Daring Book For Girls ... two million copies later (to say nothing of a video game, a Burger King kids meal and a film deal!) she's here to tell us - and inspire us with - her story. Erik Deckers has been writing for 24 years, 17 years as a humor columnist, eight as a playwright, and now three as a book author. The author of Branding Yourself: How to Use Social Media to Invent or Reinvent Yourself as well as the forthcoming No Bullshit Social Media!, Erik knows a thing or two about how authors should use social media... it's inspiring, too! Equally inspirational is Philip Jones, managing editor of The Bookseller and co-founder of FutureBook.net... in certain cultures, Philip would be a veritable god - but tonight (more prosaically with us) he's telling us about Waterstones' plans for an e-reader. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5967
The First Sale Doctrine says that if you possess a copy of a book that you bought legally, then you have the right to resell it after you're done with it. This allows second-hand bookstores to exist - and also allows libraries to buy and then lend out books.
Now, a legal ruling has narrowed the scope of First Sale Doctrine so that it only applies to books made and distributed in the US.
The effect?  If your book was printed in Canada, be sure not to list it on eBay or Half.com and make sure it doesn't show up at your yard sale. Did you order from Amazon UK?  If so, you are now not allowed to resell that book! And if your local library stocks books from the UK -then they can no longer lend those books!  Crazy? Listen to the show and decide.
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:09:32 +0100 6B4DBF93-A199-4271-8BC8-E39A8D2F1265 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, donna ballman, publishing, books, writing 17:00 Publishers have convinced the US Court of Appeals to ban libraries, almost The First Sale Doctrine says that if you possess a copy of a book that you bought legally, then you have the right to resell it after you're done with it. This allows second-hand bookstores to exist - and also allows libraries to buy and then lend out books. Now, a legal ruling has narrowed the scope of First Sale Doctrine so that it only applies to books made and distributed in the US. The effect? If your book was printed in Canada, be sure not to list it on eBay or Half.com and make sure it doesn't show up at your yard sale. Did you order from Amazon UK? If so, you are now not allowed to resell that book! And if your local library stocks books from the UK -then they can no longer lend those books! Crazy? Listen to the show and decide. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5943
He was there when Tony Blair became Prime Minister of the UK - and carefully documented his rise and fall. As a television journalist, he campaigned against injustices such as the Birmingham Six convictions - six innocent Irishmen sentenced to life imprisonment for the Birmingham pub bombings. As a Member of Parliament, he's taken on the full might of the Freemasons. He observed and documented the Machiavellian machinations of Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell. This week's guest, Chris Mullin, has seen history at first hand, and carefully preserved it in his diaries. Published this week, his book A WALK-ON PART reveals what really happened during a crucial period of recent British history. And, by the way, he's currently a judge for the Man Booker Prize, 2011 - can you pick up a clue as to how it's going to go? Listen and be amazed! ]]> Sat, 10 Sep 2011 20:33:55 +0100 E0713248-FF23-4EB7-AB91-582BBB60FC27 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 1:04:00 Mesmerized by power He was there when Tony Blair became Prime Minister of the UK - and carefully documented his rise and fall. As a television journalist, he campaigned against injustices such as the Birmingham Six convictions - six innocent Irishmen sentenced to life imprisonment for the Birmingham pub bombings. As a Member of Parliament, he's taken on the full might of the Freemasons. He observed and documented the Machiavellian machinations of Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell. This week's guest, Chris Mullin, has seen history at first hand, and carefully preserved it in his diaries. Published this week, his book A WALK-ON PART reveals what really happened during a crucial period of recent British history. And, by the way, he's currently a judge for the Man Booker Prize, 2011 - can you pick up a clue as to how it's going to go? Listen and be amazed! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5932
Joanna Nadin is the bestselling UK "Queen of Teen" author who new YA book,PARADISE, is winning widespread adulation - but not everyone knows that in a former life, Jo has been a special adviser to the former Prime Minister Tony Blair - and has written speeches for most of the former cabinet. What was life really like in the British equivalent of The West Wing? "I got into politics", says Jo, "with a huge sense that we were going to change the world... I came out of it feeling we'd changed very little..."
Scott Nicholson is the horror writer whose book LIQUID FEAR soared to the #1 position on Amazon's Kindle... and he's now been offered a publishing contract by Amazon's newly-formed publishing venture!
All this together with Dave Bartram and Ali in the chatroom! Were you there? Well, if you weren't - at least you can listen to the recording.
But...don't miss out next week! ]]> Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:07:21 +0100 F7007A70-6E80-4058-803E-A9AFE3D9743A Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:00 Way too much taking and not enough giving Joanna Nadin is the bestselling UK "Queen of Teen" author who new YA book, PARADISE, is winning widespread adulation - but not everyone knows that in a former life, Jo has been a special adviser to the former Prime Minister Tony Blair - and has written speeches for most of the former cabinet. What was life really like in the British equivalent of The West Wing? "I got into politics", says Jo, "with a huge sense that we were going to change the world... I came out of it feeling we'd changed very little..." Scott Nicholson is the horror writer whose book LIQUID FEAR soared to the #1 position on Amazon's Kindle... and he's now been offered a publishing contract by Amazon's newly-formed publishing venture! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=6081
We sent out a call for new talent - and this is the rather splendid result. Three brave writers, none of whom have ever appeared on Litopia After Dark before, right at the beginning of their writing careers. We asked each of them to nominate a title for our "alternative Booker", and then to pitch it to the other panellists. Then, we asked them questions about wet badgers. Thankfully, they all survived!
Litopia After Dark has always been a show by and from the people ; we certainly feature some of the biggest names in writing today, but we're also always on the lookout for up-and -coming talent... if you'd like the experience of appearing on the 'net's first and foremost literary salon, simply join the Colony and let us know!
Featuring Margaret L. Turley who nominated Just One Wish by Janette Rallison, Callum Mackay who nominated the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks, and Eliabeth Hawthorne who nominated Farsighted by Emlyn Chand. With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox. ]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2011 23:30:36 +0100 348522EB-BDBB-41EA-A2A9-DE4F2AD3DAB5 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 50:00 This is an otter, not unlike a wet badger We sent out a call for new talent - and this is the rather splendid result. Three brave writers, none of whom have ever appeared on Litopia After Dark before, right at the beginning of their writing careers. We asked each of them to nominate a title for our "alternative Booker", and then to pitch it to the other panellists. Then, we asked them questions about wet badgers. Thankfully, they all survived! Litopia After Dark has always been a show by and from the people ; we certainly feature some of the biggest names in writing today, but we're also always on the lookout for up-and -coming talent... if you'd like the experience of appearing on the 'net's first and foremost literary salon, simply join the Colony and let us know! Featuring Margaret L. Turley who nominated Just One Wish by Janette Rallison, Callum Mackay who nominated the Night Angel trilogy by Brent Weeks, and Eliabeth Hawthorne who nominated Farsighted by Emlyn Chand. With Dave Bartram and Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5917
An author who will be familiar to listeners of Radio Litopia's Between The Lines show has got himself into trouble. We interviewed Nicolai Lilin a year ago, and found his first book, Siberian Education, very powerful. But his second, Free Fall: a Sniper's Story is attracting controversy over its veracity. Ostensibly a brutal first-person account of fighting in the Russian army in the Chechen war, critics are now saying that it's nothing but a fake memoir.  Listen to our previous show with Nicolai - and to our discussion here - and decide for yourself.
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox. ]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:44:54 +0100 481CF97B-3A68-459C-BB1C-6B5B38DAB237 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 27:00 "I write about how a person feels in war, that is my experience" An author who will be familiar to listeners of Radio Litopia's Between The Lines show has got himself into trouble. We interviewed Nicolai Lilin a year ago, and found his first book, Siberian Education, very powerful. But his second, Free Fall: a Sniper's Story is attracting controversy over its veracity. Ostensibly a brutal first-person account of fighting in the Russian army in the Chechen war, critics are now saying that it's nothing but a fake memoir. Listen to our previous show with Nicolai - and to our discussion here - and decide for yourself. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5899
Laura Harrington is a playwright, a lyricist, a librettist - and now, she's become a novelist, with the publication of her first book,ALICE BLISS. An accomplished dramatist - she teaches theater arts at MIT - the prospect of learning a new craft didn't faze her. "I wrote a novel in order to be a beginner again", she says. "I wanted to do something that I’d never done before and certainly did not know how to do."
It's a more-than-welcome return for New York writers therapist, Dr. Susan O'Doherty. Dr. Sue has some wise words of advice for writers caught up in the maelstrom that is today's publishing business. Feeling inadequate / anxious / apprehensive? Dr. Sue will sort you out in a trice!
All this together with Dave Bartram, Donna Ballman and Wordsmith in the chatroom! Were you there? Well, if you weren't - at least you can listen to the recording, here. But...don't miss out next week! ]]> Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:09:37 +0100 633EF022-D51A-40DB-9D22-0FD1C613D755 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 47:00 I know How To Impersonate An Extrovert Laura Harrington is a playwright, a lyricist, a librettist - and now, she's become a novelist, with the publication of her first book, ALICE BLISS. An accomplished dramatist - she teaches theater arts at MIT - the prospect of learning a new craft didn't faze her. "I wrote a novel in order to be a beginner again", she says. "I wanted to do something that I’d never done before and certainly did not know how to do." It's a more-than-welcome return for New York writers therapist, Dr. Susan O'Doherty. Dr. Sue has some wise words of advice for writers caught up in the maelstrom that is today's publishing business. Feeling inadequate / anxious / apprehensive? Dr. Sue will sort you out in a trice! All this together with Dave Bartram, Donna Ballman and Wordsmith in the chatroom! Were you there? Well, if you weren't - at least you can listen to the recording, here. But...don't miss out next week! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5860
It's a truly exceptional show ce soir; inasmuch as we have three celebrated guest panellists at the top of their game... all of them exceptional writers. Megan Abbott is the Edgar-winning author of the novels Die a Little, The Song Is You, Queenpin and Bury Me Deep, which was nominated for six awards: the 2010 Edgar Award, Hammett Prize, the Macavity, Anthony and Barry Awards and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Her latest novel, The End of Everything, has just been published.
British writer Dorothy Koomson is another inspiring phenomenon: her first book, The Cupid Effect, was published in 2003; by the time her third book (My Best Friend's Girl) was published in 2006, Dorothy was selling over half a million copies! Her current title, The Woman He Loved Before, is already barnstorming up the charts.
MJ Rose is a name that has passed into internet folklore - she became the first writer to successfully self-published a novel (Lip Service) which then went on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house, and was also chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club. She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She runs two popular blogs; Buzz, Balls & Hype and Backstory. ]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:31:55 +0100 9703C5A7-CD47-4320-B98E-904B8CE4B08B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 47:00 Le Noir et Le Rouge It's a truly exceptional show ce soir; inasmuch as we have three celebrated guest panellists at the top of their game... all of them exceptional writers. Megan Abbott is the Edgar-winning author of the novels Die a Little, The Song Is You, Queenpin and Bury Me Deep, which was nominated for six awards: the 2010 Edgar Award, Hammett Prize, the Macavity, Anthony and Barry Awards and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Her latest novel, The End of Everything, has just been published. British writer Dorothy Koomson is another inspiring phenomenon: her first book, The Cupid Effect, was published in 2003; by the time her third book (My Best Friend's Girl) was published in 2006, Dorothy was selling over half a million copies! Her current title, The Woman He Loved Before, is already barnstorming up the charts. MJ Rose is a name that has passed into internet folklore - she became the first writer to successfully self-published a novel (Lip Service) which then went on to be published by a mainstream New York publishing house, and was also chosen by the LiteraryGuild/Doubleday Book Club. She is a founding member and board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She runs two popular blogs; Buzz, Balls & Hype and Backstory. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5855
The Debriefer is back from our Summer hols... and our agenda is full to bursting with the Apple price fixing suit... why Harper Lee didn't write again... What The UK riots mean for bookstores... yet another book banning... the (law) Force is not with George Lucas... and Memphis Beat gets it wrong!
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.]]> Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:13:39 +0100 5146E772-3ABD-491C-9E77-A141C4C2381F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 25:00 Mr. Lucas loses the Force The Debriefer is back from our Summer hols... and our agenda is full to bursting with the Apple price fixing suit... why Harper Lee didn't write again... What The UK riots mean for bookstores... yet another book banning... the (law) Force is not with George Lucas... and Memphis Beat gets it wrong! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5826
Aloha! We're back after our summer sabbatical ce soir, and it's a true classic: Christopher Moore, Tee Morris, The Bookseller's Philip Jones, Dave Bartram, and Catwake in the (packed out) chatroom... it's sheer literary nirvana.
Were you there? Don't miss out next week! Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - there are only 25 seats maximum - so arrive early!]]> Fri, 05 Aug 2011 23:50:38 +0100 06861F1D-5079-4DF2-951C-EDCB77B0A95B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 57:00 It's all over and I'm going to die homeless and alone in a cardboard box Aloha! We're back after our summer sabbatical ce soir, and it's a true classic: Christopher Moore, Tee Morris, The Bookseller's Philip Jones, Dave Bartram, and Catwake in the (packed out) chatroom... it's sheer literary nirvana. Were you there? Don't miss out next week! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5809
Nicola Morgan - the genius behind the Help I Need A Publisher blog that's helped thousands of writers - has written a book intended to... help writers. In an online world where there's no shortage of advice for writers - much of it a bit dubious - Nicola's latest book is a mine of sensible guidance for those in search of publication.
In this last Between The Lines before our summer break, Nicola talks to Jamie Mollart and Peter Cox about the writer's life... in the internet age.
See you in three weeks! ]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:13:14 +0100 D9EACCF6-372D-4123-AAFC-02500A7FCF26 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 30:00 Sensible guidance for those in search of publication Nicola Morgan - the genius behind the Help I Need A Publisher blog that's helped thousands of writers - has written a book intended to... help writers. In an online world where there's no shortage of advice for writers - much of it a bit dubious - Nicola's latest book is a mine of sensible guidance for those in search of publication. In this last Between The Lines before our summer break, Nicola talks to Jamie Mollart and Peter Cox about the writer's life... in the internet age. See you in three weeks! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5802 Should authors sign non-complete clauses? Can you include song lyrics in your manuscript? And readers suing authors for books they don't happen to like... it seems to be a growing, and disturbing, trend...
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.]]> Fri, 15 Jul 2011 13:21:10 +0100 7D819D3C-286E-4F22-92A6-F7B69B46A7C7 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 16:00 This is not a song lyric. Should authors sign non-complete clauses? Can you include song lyrics in your manuscript? And readers suing authors for books they don't happen to like... it seems to be a growing, and disturbing, trend... http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5795 What would you do if two of the world's leading screenwriters and directors "discover" your manuscript - and want to film it? And how do you plan to make a living out of our great big digital future?
Our two brilliant guests tonight can help on both counts - because they're none other than Andy Mulligan, bestselling & award-winning author of TRASH - and Dr. Christy Dena, the one-woman transmedia phenomenon (she literally wrote the book on it).
Andy's first two books - Ribblestrop and Return to Ribblestrop - won massive acclaim. But his third book, Trash, has set the film world alight: it's being adapted by Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Vicar Of Dibley, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill) with Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader) to direct. How did it happen - and how has it changed him? You'll find Andy frank and very revealing - and utterly fascinating.
Now be honest. Do you really understand what "transmedia" is? Well it's OK to admit you don't, because Christy explains everything you ought to know about this emerging area of growing importance to writers and creative people everywhere. Christy travels the world lecturing in this subject - tonight, all her accumulated expertise is yours for free!]]> Sat, 09 Jul 2011 10:44:39 +0100 0E65DB90-3CC4-4B1B-AA93-B015A299CB9F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 1:11:15 Chasten your manservants, we head tonight for Liberobia! What would you do if two of the world's leading screenwriters and directors "discover" your manuscript - and want to film it? And how do you plan to make a living out of our great big digital future? Our two brilliant guests tonight can help on both counts - because they're none other than Andy Mulligan, bestselling & award-winning author of TRASH - and Dr. Christy Dena, the one-woman transmedia phenomenon (she literally wrote the book on it). Andy's first two books - Ribblestrop and Return to Ribblestrop - won massive acclaim. But his third book, Trash, has set the film world alight: it's being adapted by Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Vicar Of Dibley, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill) with Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader) to direct. How did it happen - and how has it changed him? You'll find Andy frank and very revealing - and utterly fascinating. Now be honest. Do you really understand what "transmedia" is? Well it's OK to admit you don't, because Christy explains everything you ought to know about this emerging area of growing importance to writers and creative people everywhere. Christy travels the world lecturing in this subject - tonight, all her accumulated expertise is yours for free! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5782
Take one internationally best-selling author... combine with Litopia After Dark's preternaturally brilliant crew of panellists and chatroomers... add one host and a pinch of sauciness... and what do you have?
Why, none other than this week's totally amazing Litopia After Dark! Because YA writing sensation Lauren Kate is our extra-special guest... author of the massively successful FALLEN series. Tonight, in this very frank conversation, Lauren shares with us everything to do with her writing life. From explicit sex in YA novels to embracing Berlusconi (is there a difference?) Lauren is totally open about every question we can throw at her. And believe us, we can hurl. If you've ever wanted to get under the skin of a top YA author and see what makes them tick - this show is for you!]]> Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:03:08 +0100 A7FFFABE-0A28-43C0-BE07-7AE0CF4E4018 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:15 A herd of leaf-blowers! Take one internationally best-selling author... combine with Litopia After Dark's preternaturally brilliant crew of panellists and chatroomers... add one host and a pinch of sauciness... and what do you have? Why, none other than this week's totally amazing Litopia After Dark! Because YA writing sensation Lauren Kate is our extra-special guest... author of the massively successful FALLEN series. Tonight, in this very frank conversation, Lauren shares with us everything to do with her writing life. From explicit sex in YA novels to embracing Berlusconi (is there a difference?) Lauren is totally open about every question we can throw at her. And believe us, we can hurl. If you've ever wanted to get under the skin of a top YA author and see what makes them tick - this show is for you! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5770
Who owns the copyright to Mike Tyson's facial tattoo?  And other intriguing legal issues on this edition of the internet's favorite show about writing and the law.

Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:47:02 +0100 1A240C13-A360-4EAB-9424-05C541B693D0 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 23:00 I'll Huffington and I'll Puffington and I'll blow your house down! Who owns the copyright to Mike Tyson's facial tattoo? And other intriguing legal issues on this edition of the internet's favorite show about writing and the law. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5760
American society is at a point now where it doesn't want to self-analyze, says our special guest tonight, Charles McLeod. His first book, AMERICAN WEATHER has just been published by Random House, and it's being hailed as an American Psycho for the 2010s... a biting satire of life in a country where advertising has become indistinguishable from editorial, and where private industry controls government at all levels. Charles is a major new writing talent and, as always, you'll meet the stars of the future right here on Litopia After Dark.
And by popular request - you follow him on Twitter, just like 21,000 other people - but what do you really know about Litopia's very own Jamie Mollart? Prepare to have your life rocked to the core by tonight's revelations!]]> Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:59:05 +0100 DFFF792F-1417-4A53-B7AD-474B7AE1DA3F Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:15 Michael Jackson, Gary Coleman, the Olsen twins - and Jamie too! American society is at a point now where it doesn't want to self-analyze, says our special guest tonight, Charles McLeod. His first book, AMERICAN WEATHER has just been published by Random House, and it's being hailed as an American Psycho for the 2010s... a biting satire of life in a country where advertising has become indistinguishable from editorial, and where private industry controls government at all levels. Charles is a major new writing talent and, as always, you'll meet the stars of the future right here on Litopia After Dark. And by popular request - you follow him on Twitter, just like 21,000 other people - but what do you really know about Litopia's very own Jamie Mollart? Prepare to have your life rocked to the core by tonight's revelations! yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5752
Patronage: would you sit in a rich man's basement and write for cash? It may well come to that in the era of infinite distribution... Something our star panellist Ross Pruden knows about - because he coined the term.
Ross is the thinking person's Cory Doctorow: tonight, he's explaining what digital abundance and scarcity mean for authors. In fact, it's a twofer on polymaths tonight - Nic Alderton is the chap with an artist in his basement, and there's a good reason for it, too.
With writer-lawyer Donna Ballman from Florida, Dave Bartram from England's mysterious West and Catwake entrancing in the chatroom... this is one thought-provoking show you won't easily forget.]]> Sat, 18 Jun 2011 09:36:11 +0100 93337EC8-5140-48EC-8FD2-D508C9AF9290 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:15 Books won't die, they just have to be redefined to carve out a new niche in our culture Patronage: would you sit in a rich man's basement and write for cash? It may well come to that in the era of infinite distribution... Something our star panellist Ross Pruden knows about - because he coined the term. Ross is the thinking person's Cory Doctorow: tonight, he's explaining what digital abundance and scarcity mean for authors. In fact, it's a twofer on polymaths tonight - Nic Alderton is the chap with an artist in his basement, and there's a good reason for it, too. With writer-lawyer Donna Ballman from Florida, Dave Bartram from England's mysterious West and Catwake entrancing in the chatroom... this is one thought-provoking show you won't easily forget. yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5735
Media maven Mark Borkowski joins our illustrious panel tonight - which also features bestselling pop-sci author Brian Clegg - to talk about the impact of celebrity culture on our society; and how the heck can the humble author compete in publicity terms with the likes of Paris Hilton?

This is the second of our new-format shows (and we're a bit shorter, too)... let us know what you think.

We have some really terrific new guests lined up for the next few weeks - and as always, it's the chatroom that makes the evening... Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - remember - there are only 25 seats maximum - so do arrive early!]]> Sat, 11 Jun 2011 10:29:36 +0100 7C20EA23-0811-4E43-8036-634AB9934893 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 42:15 Maynard Nottage rides again! Media maven Mark Borkowski joins our illustrious panel tonight - which also features bestselling pop-sci author Brian Clegg - to talk about the impact of celebrity culture on our society; and how the heck can the humble author compete in publicity terms with the likes of Paris Hilton? yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5725
There are few bigger names in the SF/speculative fiction area than our very special guest today Dr. Ben Bova.
The author of more than 120 futuristic novels and nonfiction books, he has been involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age.
In a time when many are fearful of science, technology and indeed of the future itself, Ben is a resolute optimist.
"Science is a way of making better tools", he says. "Without tool-making, you don't have a noble savage - you have a dead naked ape."
There is, however, one issue that give him very serious concern: global warming. Listen to the show to find out his predictions for our future... the man who correctly anticipated virtual reality, human cloning, stem cell therapy and even zero-gravity sex(!) has some strong words for us to heed - before it's too late.]]> Sun, 05 Jun 2011 17:00:10 +0100 8E07ACFE-97AB-49EB-A9D3-9B3665190015 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 25:00 Without science, you have a dead naked ape There are few bigger names in the SF/speculative fiction area than our very special guest today Dr. Ben Bova. The author of more than 120 futuristic novels and nonfiction books, he has been involved in science and high technology since the very beginnings of the space age. In a time when many are fearful of science, technology and indeed of the future itself, Ben is a resolute optimist. "Science is a way of making better tools", he says. "Without tool-making, you don't have a noble savage - you have a dead naked ape." There is, however, one issue that give him very serious concern: global warming. Listen to the show to find out his predictions for our future... the man who correctly anticipated virtual reality, human cloning, stem cell therapy and even zero-gravity sex(!) has some strong words for us to heed - before it's too late. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5713
It's great to be back with a new format and brilliant new guests... including David Whitehouse, whose first book BED is published this week and is getting stellar reviews ("Staggering, inventive and heartbreakingly beautiful" - Esquire) and the impossibly-talented Philippa Ballantine, whose speculative fiction books (e.g. GEIST) are too numerous to mention! Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - remember - there are only 25 seats maximum - so do arrive early!]]> Sat, 04 Jun 2011 00:08:51 +0100 E0F79F3B-9FB5-4CFD-BF27-D7C285692C6D Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 42:15 Signs of weirdness that confirm these are the end times It's great to be back with a new format and brilliant new guests... including David Whitehouse, whose first book BED is published this week and is getting stellar reviews ("Staggering, inventive and heartbreakingly beautiful" - Esquire) and the impossibly-talented Philippa Ballantine, whose speculative fiction books (e.g. GEIST) are too numerous to mention! Get your reservation in quickly for next week's chatroom - remember - there are only 25 seats maximum - so do arrive early! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5674
Agents who cut publishers out of deals. Publishers who cut agents out of deals. Amazon cutting up everyone. Suddenly, the formerly sedate world of gentlemanly publishing is getting nasty!
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Sat, 28 May 2011 11:18:30 +0100 C6E45803-0DC4-4243-B26D-493146275A2A Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 23:00 Self Dealing Is Wrong Agents who cut publishers out of deals. Publishers who cut agents out of deals. Amazon cutting up everyone. Suddenly, the formerly sedate world of gentlemanly publishing is getting nasty! http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5665
Yet another author is accused of embellishing the truth in a non-fiction book - step forward Greg Mortenson, who it's alleged exaggerated or distorted facts in his bestselling books Three Cups of Tea and its sequel, Stones into Schools.
Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Mon, 16 May 2011 12:09:47 +0100 91065B31-3F23-45C9-8D52-4FA1DA088A49 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 23:00 On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain Yet another author is accused of embellishing the truth in a non-fiction book - step forward Greg Mortenson, who it's alleged exaggerated or distorted facts in his bestselling books Three Cups of Tea and its sequel, Stones into Schools. Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5651
There are some people who just get what's going on: faster, more accurately, and more cogently than the rest of us. Seth Godin is one of those people. A legend on the 'net, Seth authored the most popular e-book ever written ("Unleashing The Idea Virus") and commands speaker's fees that run into telephone numbers.
For Radio Litopia, however, Seth's fee is... simply your attention.
This is one of those shows that you'll want to listen to many times. The wisdom is intense and the conclusions devastating. Interviewed by Litopia's Peter Cox and Jamie Mollart, this session with Seth must count as one of our best, and most important, shows ever.
Follow Seth Godin's blog here, and find out more about  The Domino Project here. ]]> Fri, 29 Apr 2011 22:29:03 +0100 F4B870D5-E222-4212-BE89-FDA3A654CC20 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 25:00 Reality's getting chunky... There are some people who just get what’s going on: faster, more accurately, and more cogently than the rest of us. Seth Godin is one of those people. A legend on the ‘net, Seth authored the most popular e-book ever written ("Unleashing The Idea Virus") and commands speaker’s fees that run into telephone numbers. For Radio Litopia, however, Seth’s fee is... simply your attention. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5606
"The Jewel Of Medina" has the reputation of being one of the most controversial books of recent years... on par with "The Satanic Verses" and the Danish cartoons of Mohammed for its ability to cause offense to Muslims worldwide... right?

Unfortunately, most of what you know about the book - and it's author, Sherry Jones - is utterly wrong.

In this special edition of The Debriefer, Sherry Jones talks freely and candidly about the truth about her book... revealing how and why the publisher tried to gag her... and much more besides.

This is the full story.

You will be stunned!

Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox.

Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. ]]> Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:10:11 +0100 1899D572-DAB3-4B4D-8AE7-7D2E6622C3BE Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 23:00 Gagged - not by extremists, but by the publisher "The Jewel Of Medina" has the reputation of being one of the most controversial books of recent years... on par with "The Satanic Verses" and the Danish cartoons of Mohammed for its ability to cause offence to Muslims worldwide... right? Unfortunately, most of what you know about the book - and it's author, Sherry Jones - is utterly wrong. In this special edition of The Debriefer, Sherry Jones talks freely and candidly about the truth about her book... revealing how and why the publisher tried to gag her... and much more besides. This is the full story. You will be stunned! Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox. Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5592
It's serious stuff tonight (well, until the Commissioning Meeting, that is) as we get our teeth into the issue du jour... Whether authors and authors' estates should separate their digital rights and digitally publish themselves? This is the hottest topic in publishing right now... and as always, Litopia After Dark is well ahead of the herd on this... listen and learn! Our star-spangled panel includes Brian Clegg, Martyn Daniels, Donna Ballman and Dave Bartram. The chatroom was detonated by the explosive Ms. Eve Harvey ce soir, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's ignition! Remember - there are only 25 seats maximum - so get there early!]]> Fri, 15 Apr 2011 23:37:36 +0100 C7206103-3EA2-449F-94CB-197BEADCF178 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:45 The Desire of the Moth; and the Come On It's serious stuff tonight (well, until the Commissioning Meeting, that is) as we get our teeth into the issue du jour... Whether authors and authors' estates should separate their digital rights and digitally publish themselves? This is the hottest topic in publishing right now... and as always, Litopia After Dark is well ahead of the herd on this... listen and learn! Our star-spangled panel includes Brian Clegg, Martyn Daniels, Donna Ballman and Dave Bartram. The chatroom was detonated by the explosive Ms. Eve Harvey ce soir, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's ignition! Remember - there are only 25 seats maximum - so get there early! yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5560
An unedited recording of yesterday's sensational live internet happening, Open House... featuring all the crazy word games that will live forever in infamy - plus neologisms, neolimericks, and neo-collective nouns!
Open House is first and foremost a live event - you'll enjoy it most if you can join us in the chat room for next week's show - full details here!
Presented by Eve Harvey & Peter Cox.]]> Sun, 03 Apr 2011 22:23:17 +0100 C75C5C24-979F-4A93-9D72-CD7E1F608C8E Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 1:30:00 Timelord Kidnaps Cheddar An unedited recording of yesterday's sensational live internet happening, Open House... featuring all the crazy word games that will live forever in infamy - plus neologisms, neolimericks, and neo-collective nouns! Open House is first and foremost a live event - you'll enjoy it most if you can join us in the chat room for next week's show - full details here! Presented by Eve Harvey & Peter Cox. yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5554
In this special April Fish edition, we're exploring why writers such as the far-famed Jacqueline Howett go into total meltdown when faced with bad reviews; how you can become a KINLIONAIRE; and why the net is killing the most precious time in writers' lives. Our high-intensity panel features writer's therapist Dr. Susan O'Doherty, romance writer Emma Shortt, Donna Ballman and Dave Bartram (catch the Commissioning Meeting for some extraordinary alter-egos!).
The chatroom under gauleiter Ms. Eve Harvey was in amazong form, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's excursion!  Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early!]]> Sat, 02 Apr 2011 10:41:04 +0100 B3C484F3-7D0E-4C06-BE71-2D6935974C5B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:45 The Bartram Kronikals In this special April Fish edition, we're exploring why writers such as the far-famed Jacqueline Howett go into total meltdown when faced with bad reviews; how you can become a KINLIONAIRE; and why the net is killing the most precious time in writers' lives. Our high-intensity panel features writer's therapist Dr. Susan O'Doherty, romance writer Emma Shortt, Donna Ballman and Dave Bartram (catch the Commissioning Meeting for some extraordinary alter-egos!). The chatroom under gauleiter Ms. Eve Harvey was in amazong form, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's excursion! Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early! yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5547
Secret prisoners... two weeks in jail for speaking to your lawyer... secret trials... where could this be? Libya? North Korea? Stalinist Russia? Not at all. Say hello to the United Kingdom - in the age of the hyper-injunction!  Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox and Andrew Gillman.
Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:11:04 +0100 DC2074D9-8C5A-457A-A81C-6BF48D28EBB2 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 23:00 Speak to your MP and we'll jail you Secret prisoners... two weeks in jail for speaking to your lawyer... secret trials... where could this be? Libya? North Korea? Stalinist Russia? Not at all. Say hello to the United Kingdom - in the age of the hyper-injunction! Presented by Donna Ballman with Peter Cox and Andrew Gillman. Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5524
We're partying like it's 1899 tonight as special guest Robert Brown of steampunk band Abney Park takes us inside the intrepid world of one of the hottest writing and music genres at the moment. Steampunk - once a niche market - is going mainstream everywhere you look.
But what is its appeal - and what does it say about the zeitgeist? As usual, Litopia After Dark keeps you two steps ahead of the trends - so pop on your goggles & boilersuit, and let's get this dirigible inflated! Our all-star panel tonight features Graham Marks, Nic Alderton and Dave Bartram - who makes a welcome (musical) return... Peter's got his best cummerbund on, and Eve Harvey is finely corseted... the chatroom was at maximum capacity, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's excursion. Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early!]]> Fri, 18 Mar 2011 21:35:54 GMT 57BCE3C9-DA0D-4436-9BE5-4133C3BDE3CB Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:45 The Moon's a Dirigible! We're partying like it's 1899 tonight as special guest Robert Brown of steampunk band Abney Park takes us inside the intrepid world of one of the hottest writing and music genres at the moment. Steampunk - once a niche market - is going mainstream everywhere you look. But what is its appeal - and what does it say about the zeitgeist? As usual, Litopia After Dark keeps you two steps ahead of the trends - so pop on your goggles & boilersuit, and let's get this dirigible inflated! Our all-star panel tonight features Graham Marks, Nic Alderton and Dave Bartram - who makes a welcome (musical) return... Peter's got his best cummerbund on, and Eve Harvey is finely corseted... the chatroom was at maximum capacity, so get your reservation in quickly for next week's excursion. Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early! yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5514
That’s what m’learned friends call London - A Town Called Sue - because it’s the libel capital of the world, where the courts have become casinos for the international rich and powerful to become... even more rich and powerful. No book is publisher in Britain without much consideration being given to possible libel charges - and many books are not published here that ought to be, because authors and publishers are terrified by the consequences of being sued. That’s one of the chilling effects of libel laws that come straight out of the Middle Ages. On this edition of The Debriefer, Donna speaks to Robert Sharp, Campaigns Manager for EnglishPEN, the writers’ organisation that’s trying to reform all this. You can read more about their campaign and the key issues in their excellent document "Free Speech is Not For Sale" - and show your support for them byjoining here!]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:12:18 GMT 812B4324-A76B-410A-97E7-0B5EF60B7989 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 29:00 Chilling effects That’s what m’learned friends call London - A Town Called Sue - because it’s the libel capital of the world, where the courts have become casinos for the international rich and powerful to become... even more rich and powerful. No book is publisher in Britain without much consideration being given to possible libel charges - and many books are not published here that ought to be, because authors and publishers are terrified by the consequences of being sued. That’s one of the chilling effects of libel laws that come straight out of the Middle Ages. On this edition of The Debriefer, Donna speaks to Robert Sharp, Campaigns Manager for English PEN, the writers’ organisation that’s trying to reform all this. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5504
Could publishers be about to unveil a "subscription" model for reading? You know, like Spotify for music, or Netflix for movies? Would it work - and crucially, what chance would authors have of making any money? With us tonight is leading publisher Simon Flynn of Icon Books - to spill the beans. Also, we have top science writer Brian Clegg - whose heretical views on language, spelling and grammar incur the wrath of both Cath Murphy and Eve Harvey! Nice going! The chatroom was in ebullient form this week... join us there next week, why don't you? Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early.]]> Fri, 11 Mar 2011 23:10:00 GMT 794ED5AF-04D0-4D0D-85D9-A68B7D62555B Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:45 Charlie Sheen is my new life guru! Could publishers be about to unveil a "subscription" model for reading? You know, like Spotify for music, or Netflix for movies? Would it work - and crucially, what chance would authors have of making any money? With us tonight is leading publisher Simon Flynn of Icon Books - to spill the beans. Also, we have top science writer Brian Clegg - whose heretical views on language, spelling and grammar incur the wrath of both Cath Murphy and Eve Harvey! Nice going! The chatroom was in ebullient form this week... join us there next week, why don't you? Remember - there are 25 seats maximum - so get there early. yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5498
The Right of Publicity is your right to control the commercial use of your name, image, likeness or identity. Fair enough, you may think - everyone ought to be able to control whether your image is used in a commercial context. Trouble is, the Right of Publicity can survive the death of the individual... and it could be used in the courts to deter publication of books such as biographies! And... why you shouldn't get your legal advice from TV! Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony.]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:11:18 GMT 7E88C97A-119A-4BAC-A5E8-BDC20ECC3FBE Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 29:00 Lawsuits from the grave The Right of Publicity is your right to control the commercial use of your name, image, likeness or identity. Fair enough, you may think - everyone ought to be able to control whether your image is used in a commercial context. Trouble is, the Right of Publicity can survive the death of the individual... and it could be used in the courts to deter publication of books such as biographies! And... why you shouldn't get your legal advice from TV! Don't forget - you can post topics for Donna to discuss in Donna's Domain inside the Colony. http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5490
Ever bought a book because of Twitter? Apparently, many people do... Tweets are becoming the hot new way to tout your tomes... and Anne Robinson - is she really as horrible as she seems on TV? We have one man who knows! It's a brilliantly gossipy panel tonight, featuring Colin Mulhern whose first YA book CLASH is out now (the launch party involved stage diving, thrash metal and the fire brigade) Alison Gardiner, who's making her first appearance on the show tonight, Donna Ballman and the multi-tentacled Eve Harvey. The chatroom was in exceptional form this week... join us there next week, why don't you?]]> Sat, 05 Mar 2011 09:43:17 GMT FA00CB58-3281-4D95-AAC6-EE0E855AE8AE Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 59:45 You are the leakiest winkie Ever bought a book because of Twitter? Apparently, many people do... Tweets are becoming the hot new way to tout your tomes... and Anne Robinson - is she really as horrible as she seems on TV? We have one man who knows! It's a brilliantly gossipy panel tonight, featuring Colin Mulhern whose first YA book CLASH is out now (the launch party involved stage diving, thrash metal and the fire brigade) Alison Gardiner, who's making her first appearance on the show tonight, Donna Ballman and the multi-tentacled Eve Harvey. The chatroom was in exceptional form this week... join us there next week, why don't you? yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5483
Editors... dontcha love 'em? Apparently not, because a growing number of writers are asking - what's the point? And - do you (or should you) create an online persona that's radically different to your offline personality?

It's a great panel tonight, featuring YA author and publishing industry commentator Graham Marks, marketing and social media maven Jamie Mollart (also the editor of the next fabulous issue of MUSE magazine), Dave Bartram, and Donna Ballman. The fifth pannelist was... you - in the chatroom! Standing in for Eve this week, the superb Morgen Bailey channelled everyone's comments... join us there next week, why don't you?]]> Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:56:48 GMT F52C44C5-3A84-4B8C-A0A1-3494403F36A9 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 1:10:00 Uncle Gary's going, why not Sarah? Editors... dontcha love 'em? Apparently not, because a growing number of writers are asking - what's the point? And - do you (or should you) create an online persona that's radically different to your offline personality? It's a great panel tonight, featuring YA author and publishing industry commentator Graham Marks, marketing and social media maven Jamie Mollart (also the editor of the next fabulous issue of MUSE magazine), Dave Bartram, and Donna Ballman. The fifth pannelist was... you - in the chatroom! Standing in for Eve this week, the superb Morgen Bailey channelled everyone's comments... join us there next week, why don't you? yes http://www.litopia.com/radio/?p=5473
Martin Amis, vieillard terrible of the UK lit scene, thinks children's writers are "brain damaged". The problem, Mr. Amis, with insulting other writers is that they are liable to strike back - often far more wittily and pungently than your dwindling powers apparently permit you to. Tonight's show is a case in point: listen and learn a little humility from your peers. We also tackle World Book Night, California's zombie mobile response team, schadenfreude, and the terrific and terrifically moving lecture by Michael Morpurgo, one of our leading authors for children... click here (quickly - the BBC iPlayer will expire in a few days) to experience an unforgettable author at the height of his powers. Tonight's panellists include Morgen Bailey, Dave Bartram, Eve Harvey and Donna Ballman. But it was you, in the chatroom, that made it special... join us in the chatroom next Friday... and remember... Rule 2: You don't fight at book club!]]> Sat, 19 Feb 2011 11:04:22 GMT C6074566-F04C-45C0-B481-F067D3FDBB12 Litopia Writers Colony peter cox, publishing, books, writing 1:10:00 You don't fight at book club! Martin Amis, vieillard terrible of the UK lit scene, thinks children's writers are "brain damaged". The problem, Mr. Amis, with insulting other writers is that they are liable to strike back - often far more wittily and pungently than your dwindling powers apparently permit you to. Tonight's show is a case in point: listen and learn a little humility from your peers. We also tackle World Book Night, California's zombie mobile response team, schadenfreude, and the terrific and terrifically moving lecture by Michael Morpurgo, one of our leading authors for children... click here (quickly - the BBC iPlayer will expire in a few days) to experience an unforgettable author at the height of his powers. Tonight's panellists include Morgen Bailey, Dave Bartram, Eve Harvey and Donna Ballman. But it was you, in the chatroom, that made it special... join us in the chatroom next Friday... and remember... Rule 2: You don't fight at book club! yes