David Lubar's Blog, page 39

Why I'll never Twitter

Because it just hit me that I love telling people I'm twitless.

Delta Dawn

The two Delta pilots who overshot their airport by more than an hour now claim they were distracted by their computers. That's obviously a load of bull crap. There's no way two people could both zone out for so long just because they were studying the new crew schedules, as they claimed. I think the truth will eventually come out. But I already know what it is. They will both finally admit, "We did it for the show." And then they will both throw up. Twice. And float away.

Rogue gain?

Is it just me? Every time I headlines saying, "Palin Goes Rogue" I expect the next headline to be "Palin Goes Commando."

Oops -- Teen Read Week is over and I missed it

Okay, I often claim to be the world's least observant writer. I can stand in an airport within sight of a large sign that says, "TAXIS," and have no idea where I go to get a cab. But I'm not sure how I managed to completely miss the fact that this was Teen Read Week. Not that I'd have gone through the week any differently had I known, other than perhaps making an irreverent blog post or two about the questionable ethics of encouraging teens to get tattoos just so the rest of us can read th...

More events of a fortunate series

Today, I'll be getting the galleys for Goop Soup, book 3 in the "Nathan Abercrombie, Accidental Zombie" series. I have to return them by the middle of next month. Today, I'll also be starting my next pass on book 4, The Big Stink. The final version is due early next month. Luckily, the first submission version didn't have any major editorial issues. In one sense, I'm pleased I'm turning the books around so quickly. In another, I miss the luxury of letting a book gestate, mutate, and mat...

Brazil Whacks

Brazil has announced the host sport for their 2016 Olympics. It will be the traditional BuyAthlon, which combines drug running and shooting.

My 1.66666% of Weekend Edition

The zombie piece Rick Kleffel did ran on NPR's Weekend Edition this morning. Here's a link to the audio. Note that the text below the link is just a summary. To hear me in my glory, you have to click the speaker thingee at the top. I'm sure Rick Kleffel would appreciate some listener comments on the web page.

I just got the royalty statement for my one book with the worst deep-discount clause. For the current period (Jan. through June), the book sold 993 copies at the regular discount, e...

For the recently published (and the mathematically challenged)

If you have a book coming out, or recently had a book come out, read Cynthia Leitich Smith's beautiful advice about hurtful reviews.

As for the math, it's royalty season. No, this is not where I post my semi-annual rant against the bad versions of the deep-discount clause. This is where I give some general advice to anyone who receives royalties. (If you're curious about that issue, here's a link. Anyhow, some notes for royalty season.

1. If you have an agent, don't assume it (sounds bet...

Eat, speak, sleep, and a word about relativity

I've got my road rhythm. I get up, go to a school, speak, get an early dinner, and then go to sleep ridiculously early. I've learned that ten hours of sleep trumps the heck out of six. Toddlers are definitley wise in this area. It means I don't get to enjoy much touristy stuff, but it also means I have plenty of energy to spend in each school.

As for relativity... When my daughter was in college, the 100-mile drive to visit her seemed pretty long. (Especially when combined with the retur...

Crisp Kindle

I signed my first Kindle today. Actually, it was a Kindle cover. But it was an interestng experience. The teacher who had it had downloaded one of my books. I suspect this might be my only Kindle sale.

I had a totally joyful day today with the 6th and 7th graders in Stillwater, OK. The kids are fun, and good, and enjoyable. They're bright and enthusiastic. I loved talking to them, and with them. Tomorrow, I'll be with 10th - 12th grade. Wednesday, it's 8th and 9th. Thursday, I go h...