Monthly Archives: December 2011

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of 12/25/11

Posted on December 31, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Publishing Nate Hoffelder, on The Digital Reader, giving up on defending Amazon’s business practices: Amazon Caught Bullying Suppliers (Again). (via Jackie Blem on Facebook.) Sarah Green, Harvard Business Review: Amazon Should Partner With Independent Bookstores. Writer LJ Sellers on the … Continue reading →

Posted in E-Publishing, Fiction, Marketing, New Media, Self-Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movie Review: The Artist

Posted on December 29, 2011 by chrisdevlin

“A hit in Cannes” doesn’t always translate to the Midwest. The Artist, looking and sounding all artsy, has quietly been collecting accolades and racking up award nominations. Yes, it’s mostly silent. Yes, it’s shot in art deco black-and-white. Get over … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of 12/18/11

Posted on December 24, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Publishing Writer Kait Nolan, feeling grinchy about Kindle’s exclusive program. Writer Chuck Wendig and his usual insightful, down-and-dirty thoughts, this time on the perils of self-publishing. (via twitter.) Deep thoughts on the publishing industry from Mike Shatzkin. (via twitter.) Social … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Commentary, E-Publishing, Marketing, New Media, Self-Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Does Estrogen Cancel Out Your Critical Faculties?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Talking movies with a guy friend the other day and I mentioned my dislike of the movie 300. He sighed and said, “Testosterone. You just don’t have enough of it. 300 was awesome.”   Never mind that I have a … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, Critiques, Movies, Pop Culture, Reviews, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

What Novelists Can Learn From the Oscars

Posted on December 18, 2011 by chrisdevlin

I’ve recently torn apart my urban fantasy novel and tried to put it back together better, stronger, faster. The main character, our hero, had way too much support going into his final confrontation with the Big Bad. I’ve always loved … Continue reading →

Posted in Characterization, Fiction, Plot, Reviews, Revision, Scenecraft, Writing Craft | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of 12/10/11

Posted on December 17, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Amazon’s Business Model Richard Russo, writing in the New York Times, on other writer’s reactions to Amazon’s cutthroat business tactics. (via Jackie Blem on Facebook.) Jarek Steele, owner of Left Bank Books, on Slate’s recent article bashing bookstores. (I didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, E-Publishing, Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sappy Holiday Movies on Basic Cable: A User’s Guide

Posted on December 14, 2011 by chrisdevlin

As unavoidable as Christmas music, you can find them on Lifetime, Hallmark, ABC Family, Ion and other basic cable stations. It’s the Made-For-TV Holiday movie, a unique artform unto itself. Okay, so I might have watched a few, you know, … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Pop Culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Weekly Writer’s Round-Up: Week of December 4, 2011

Posted on December 10, 2011 by chrisdevlin

From Madeline Claire Franklin, on keeping a balanced life even if you’re a writer. (via twitter.)     Social Media Douglas Idugboe, new media marketing guru, on twitter and why it’s relevant. (Neal Schaffer via twitter.) Self-publishing Writer Mario Acevedo … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, E-Publishing, Marketing, New Media, Pop Culture, Self-Promotion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Amazon’s Predatory Business Moves: Object While You Still Can

Posted on December 10, 2011 by chrisdevlin

Amazon continues its bid to become the evil overlord of the world this week with KDP Select and the breathtakingly cutthroat move of paying bookbuyers not to buy from local stores. Kindle Direct Publishing Select is a lending library of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary, E-Publishing, Marketing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Five Great Scrooges

Posted on December 8, 2011 by chrisdevlin

There are new versions coming out all the time of Charles Dickens’  A Christmas Carol. It’s hard to screw up that great story. Here are a few who didn’t. Alastair Sim–A Christmas Carol (1951) This is one of the old … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Pop Culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment