Smart Bitches Trashy Books | All of the romance, none of the bullshit.

From yesterday’s Publisher’s Lunch:

Creator and executive producer of the CSI television franchise Anthony Zuiker’s series of three suspense-thriller “digital novels” (every five chapters readers are given website codes to access two-minute films that bridge to the next five chapters) beginning with SQWEEGEL, about an former FBI forensic investigator who retired after his whole family was murdered but continues to work a variety of grim cases, to Brian Tart at Dutton, at auction, for publication beginning in fall 2009, by Dan Strone at Trident Media Group (world).

Variety says “Zuiker will write a 60-page outline for each book, then supervise a novelist who’ll turn it into a 100-chapter book. Zuiker will write and direct 20 “cyber-bridges,” the two-minute video segments that supplement the pages.”

Aside from the whole “supervise the novelist” thing that makes me think of James Patterson and not in a good way, is anyone else kind of befuddled by this announcement? Cyber bridge videos between chapters that mix vieweing and reading? What the huh now? Generally speaking, I read on the bus, and on the treadmill (thank you Kindle and your absolutely gi-hummuna-normous text size - all the better to bounce you with, my dear) and am nowhere near a video-enabled computer, much less with the patience to wait for my iPhone to load the video. I can’t say I’d be all excited for a book that ties me to a computer to view the video bridge - half the time reading is a break from the computer, not that I can stay away long, oh Internet, how I love thee. Seems overly complicated, but then, I’m often mystified by Facebook.

Does anyone else think this is a rather bizarre concept, or is this the Future of Reading, with YouTube on Your Kindle?

Thank you to the many people who forwarded me this article: The Jewel of Medina has a new publisher, according to the AP, the NY Times, and the Guardian. Independent British publishing house Gibson Square will publish the book in October in English.

Gibson Square, according to their website, “specialises in books that are able to contribute to a current debate. Each title is supported by a vigorous marketing campaign to provide a broad platform for the book and its ideas in the booktrade.”

I’m still trying to battle my way through my copy of the ARC. To be honest, it’s not easy reading, as the narrative seems to hover on the edge of impending disaster in the form of impetuous decision making by a heroine who longs to be a warrior while simultaneously pining for a man, who is not Mohammed, to come and rescue her from her impending marriage.

Mohammed, however, is a marvelous, marvelous figure in this book. I haven’t made up my mind on the portrayal of Aisha, but in the first fifth of the book, Mohammed, he rules. 

Calling all erotica authors - sorry - writers of smut. There’s a new publisher afoot.

Paper Bag Press has just founded itself with a four page website seeking submissions. The money quote:

We are seeking new or established authors for exclusive publication. We want writers who can craft a short story with a strong plot that revolves around sexual experience. The stories are not necessarily romantic — the sex is the focus. If the characters are in luuurv, that’s fine, as long as the sex is hot.

There are three length categories we are seeking:

* Weekenders — 10,000-15,000 words
* One-nighters — 4,000-8,500 words
* One-handers — 1,000-3,500 words

Wow. Use of “one handers” inspires me. Not to mention the “luuurv.” As Longmire knows, it’s all about the luuurv.

Then there’s this part:

Other than that, we are an equal opportunity smut peddler. We know that you are taking a chance on us since we are new. Because of this, we are offering a 5% royalty bonus for the first 25 stories that are accepted for publication. This offer will extend through September 30, 2008, or until we get our first 25 accepted stories.

5% royalty bonus on top of what? Am I the only one who looks at a site like this and thinks, “That’s it? You want to do business and you have a four page site with about zero business content? WHY should I do business with you?”

Between the one-handers and the smut peddling, were I a writer of erotica, this would not be my bag.

Thanks to Esri Rose for the link.

Thinking of writing during September? Thinking of reading during September (who isn’t?!)? Writers and readers are joining to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through the Unleash Your Story event. Sponsors can donate in honor of the writing and reading goals pledged by those who register, and folks can register in teams or individually. This year’s pacesetter author is Debbie Macomber, who writes about 46.6 million words a day, and I have to go lie down now.

Thanks to Kate Rothwell for the link.

As Hurricane Gustav takes aim at the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas coastline nearly three years to the date after Katrina, folks are heading out of those areas under mandatory evacuation orders. Among them: conference attendees at Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans Conference, scheduled for this weekend. The conference began in 2006 as a way to bring business and tourism back to New Orleans.

Here’s hoping everyone, residents and tourists alike, in that area is safe, the damage is minimal, and that next year, the conference can return to a healthy, happy city of New Orleans. I’ll be there with beads on. Travel safe, everyone. And fuck off, Gustav.