Victoria Janssen's Blog, page 78

Siegfried Sassoon, "Thrushes"

ThrushesTossed on the glittering air they soar and skim, Whose voices make the emptiness of light A windy palace. Quavering from the brim Of dawn, and bold with song at edge of night, They clutch their leafy pinnacles and sing Scornful of man, and from his toils aloof Whose heart's a haunted woodland whispering; Whose thoughts return on tempest-baffled wing; Who hears the cry of God

Siegfried Sassoon, "The Fathers"

The FathersSnug at the club two fathers sat, Gross, goggle-eyed, and full of chat. One of them said: 'My eldest lad Writes cheery letters from Bagdad. But Arthur's getting all the fun At Arras with his nine-inch gun.' 'Yes,' wheezed the other, 'that's the luck! My boy's quite broken-hearted, stuck In England training all this year. Still, if there's truth in what we

GreenFlea Market in Manhattan

Two friends and I made the trip up to New York City last weekend, for the GreenFlea Market at 77th and Columbus. The setting:Where furs go to Live Again. Or be Unalive Again? Zombie furs?I declined to purchase this little fellow. Yes, you are intended to wear him.Yarn!!! I don't even knit but I was tempted by the bright colors and the oh-so-soft textures. I have friends who knit....These

Laurence Binyon, "The Fallen"

For The FallenWith proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,England mourns for her dead across the sea.Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,Fallen in the cause of the free.Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royalSings sorrow up into immortal spheres.There is music in the midst of desolationAnd a glory that shines upon our tears.They went with songs to the battle, they

Living in the Future

I have purchased a Kindle! My first surprise, when I announced my purchase of an e-reader on Twitter, was how many people immediately demanded details. So I guess others have been pondering which e-reader, if any at all, just as much as I have.My decision was based on a whole string of factors including reviews, personal discussions, and, umm, me having a gift certificate.Before the actual

E-Galleys - Lost Sales, Gained Publicity

I've had people ask me why I think it's good to give out free books instead of selling them. Having been a reviewer, I know that regardless of my opinion on the matter, publishers want reviews and will send all kinds of things to reviewers in hope, even if the reviewer hasn't published a review in years. (Having served on an award jury, I also know that publicists will send books on the mere

Giveaway - The Duke & The Pirate Queen

I have received my author copies of The Duke & The Pirate Queen! Therefore, it is time for the Traditional Giving Away of A Signed Advance Copy.Comment on this post between now and midnight, U.S. Eastern Time, on November 14th. On Monday, November 15th, I'll use a randomizer to choose a winner and announce it in the blog.It's not required, but I'd appreciate it if your comment was amusing or

Siegfried Sassoon, "Wirers"

Wirers'Pass it along, the wiring party's going out'-- And yawning sentries mumble, 'Wirers going out.' Unravelling; twisting; hammering stakes with muffled thud, They toil with stealthy haste and anger in their blood. The Boche sends up a flare. Black forms stand rigid there,Stock-still like posts; then darkness, and the clumsy ghosts Stride hither and thither, whispering, tripped by

Siegfried Sassoon, "Break of Day"

Break of DayThere seemed a smell of autumn in the air At the bleak end of night; he shivered there In a dank, musty dug-out where he lay, Legs wrapped in sand-bags,--lumps of chalk and clay Spattering his face. Dry-mouthed, he thought, 'To-day We start the damned attack; and, Lord knows why, Zero's at nine; how bloody if I'm done in Under the freedom of that morning sky!' And then

Print Versus E-Book Smackdown!

I'm still--yes, still--thinking about getting an e-reader. As part of my decision-making process, I started thinking of why I would choose e-books over print, and vice versa.1. A good friend wrote the book. Then I might want the print version, so they could autograph it; particularly if it was their first book, which is special. However...I rarely read short stories, despite having piles of