Ryan Field's Blog, page 548
June 26, 2011
Two Good Books I Read This Week: Soul Catcher & Ad-Dick-tion
I'm usually up until one or two in the morning reading. I've always been the type who only needs four or five hours of sleep each night and I like to take advantage of the peace and quiet, not to mention the extra time, to read for enjoyment.
And I read two good books this week that I'd been saving for a while. I've been reading this long Julia Child bio and I needed a break from non-fiction.
Soul Catcher, by Vivi Dumas and Ad-Dick-tion, which is an anthology with a few authors I didn't know, and one I did, Rebecca Leigh.
I left a few ratings and short reviews on goodreads.com for both books. I don't like giving out full reviews here on the blog because I don't want this to become a review site. But when I do read something I like, I'll pass it on.
And both of these books were well written, and nicely executed.
Now it's back to my HUGE Julia Child biography I've been trucking through. To be honest, Julia's early life wasn't exactly a roller coaster ride. But this book, once again, is worth reading if you're a Julia Child fan.
And I read two good books this week that I'd been saving for a while. I've been reading this long Julia Child bio and I needed a break from non-fiction.
Soul Catcher, by Vivi Dumas and Ad-Dick-tion, which is an anthology with a few authors I didn't know, and one I did, Rebecca Leigh.
I left a few ratings and short reviews on goodreads.com for both books. I don't like giving out full reviews here on the blog because I don't want this to become a review site. But when I do read something I like, I'll pass it on.
And both of these books were well written, and nicely executed.
Now it's back to my HUGE Julia Child biography I've been trucking through. To be honest, Julia's early life wasn't exactly a roller coaster ride. But this book, once again, is worth reading if you're a Julia Child fan.
NY Marriage Part II: The Emotional and Romantic Aspects
I wanted to update my post about legalizing gay marriage in NY. Since then, I've had a variety of e-mails from friends all over the country with interesting opinions. An old friend in Palm Springs posted this photo from his days in New York. I love it because I was only 8 at the time and I missed all these things.
Here's the caption: This picture was taken of me in NYC for the Pride March in June 1978. We marched up 6th Avenue then. (We were not allowed to march up 5th Av. thanks to the Catholic Church). The placards we were holding were for the city of New York to pass an anti-discrimination bill for housing and jobs for gays and lesbians. We have come a long way since 1978. We still have far to go, but tomorrow will be an incredible day in New York.
The one thing everyone agrees on is this is a good thing. It's a step forward toward equality on a federal level, and a lot of people worked hard to get it passed.
And on a romantic, emotional level, there aren't words to express how gay couples in NY feel about being able to validate their relationships. Many of the gay characters in my books get married, in spite of whether it's legal or not. I've been to tons of gay marriages myself in the past twenty years, and although all these couples would have liked to have had their unions validated in a legal sense, they still wanted to get married anyway. And each celebration was filled with love and joy. And, more than that, all of the gay couples I know who got married are still married.
So there's still a long way to go from a legal standpoint. My very legalese friends tell me there's still a way to challenge this new law in NY...it has something to do with the way they bargained for it. Nothing would surprise me anymore. One day I thought marriage was legal in California, and the next it wasn't. But for now, it's a step closer to not only legal equality, but emotional and romantic equality, too.
June 25, 2011
Publishers, Editing E-books, and Those Annoying Little Mistakes that Happen
I've seen a lot of blog posts around lately with complaints about mistakes in e-books...all e-books. Of course most of these mistakes are small and they don't change the content within the book. I'm reading a bio about Julia Child right now that was pubbed a while ago and I've counted at least five errors...very little errors that don't bother me in the least. I read two novels before this book that were published by well known authors about ten years ago. These novels have recently been made into digital books and I've found small errors in them, too.
I've had errors in my own books. One in particular was in AMERICAN STAR, where a name is spelled differently in parts of the book. (I still get flop sweat over this one.) When this book was submitted, the name was correctly spelled as, "Terrence," and I quadruple checked to make sure it was correct before I submitted. What happened between the time the manuscript was submitted and the time it went into digital format is beyond me. But I was told it was a problem with conversion. And I've heard other authors say the same thing has happened to them.
Before I submit a manuscript to any publisher, I do at least four rounds of edits. And then the manuscript goes to another editor, and then on to a copy editor. After that, I usually go back and forth with the copy editor for at least a week working out different sections of the book. And, I rarely ever argue with the copy editor about any suggestions or changes because I've learned that the collaboration always makes a better book in the end. With my love you divine short story e-books, I have two editors, one is a managing editor and the other a copy editor. Believe it or not, it takes sometimes over a month to get the edits right just for a short story.
The point of this post is that little mistakes happen. Like I said, I've seen them with older books and newer books, in print and digital. And publishers do edit. And edit, and edit, and edit...e-publishers and print publishers. It's not something they take lightly. Has the increased need to produce books faster created more little mistakes in books? I don't know the answer to that. I'm never in a rush to get anything out, and neither are any of my publishers. I write fast; I edit slowly. Right now I'm working on a new book in the Virgin Billionaire series and I have two ravenous romance books with the publisher, going through strenuous rounds of edits.
Publishers and authors try hard to get it right. But once in a while something slips by.
I've had errors in my own books. One in particular was in AMERICAN STAR, where a name is spelled differently in parts of the book. (I still get flop sweat over this one.) When this book was submitted, the name was correctly spelled as, "Terrence," and I quadruple checked to make sure it was correct before I submitted. What happened between the time the manuscript was submitted and the time it went into digital format is beyond me. But I was told it was a problem with conversion. And I've heard other authors say the same thing has happened to them.
Before I submit a manuscript to any publisher, I do at least four rounds of edits. And then the manuscript goes to another editor, and then on to a copy editor. After that, I usually go back and forth with the copy editor for at least a week working out different sections of the book. And, I rarely ever argue with the copy editor about any suggestions or changes because I've learned that the collaboration always makes a better book in the end. With my love you divine short story e-books, I have two editors, one is a managing editor and the other a copy editor. Believe it or not, it takes sometimes over a month to get the edits right just for a short story.
The point of this post is that little mistakes happen. Like I said, I've seen them with older books and newer books, in print and digital. And publishers do edit. And edit, and edit, and edit...e-publishers and print publishers. It's not something they take lightly. Has the increased need to produce books faster created more little mistakes in books? I don't know the answer to that. I'm never in a rush to get anything out, and neither are any of my publishers. I write fast; I edit slowly. Right now I'm working on a new book in the Virgin Billionaire series and I have two ravenous romance books with the publisher, going through strenuous rounds of edits.
Publishers and authors try hard to get it right. But once in a while something slips by.
Poodles Really Do Dance Like This
I have two poodles, one red and one white, and they really do dance this way, especially if there's food invovled.
NY Gay Marriage: Bittersweet Victory
Of course what happened in NY is something to celebrate. It's a step toward something positive, and it's a step closer toward equality. But I don't think everyone gets the complete picture. In a way, this is like tossing the LGBT community a bone. And it won't affect me in Pennsylvania; it won't affect my friends in NJ. So there are a lot of gays who aren't exactly celebrating right now.
From a legal standpoint, there's still a long way to go. And the only way to achieve true equality is on a federal level, not on a state level, Mr. President.
Here's one example of inequality you won't see mentioned much in the mainstream media. You'll see documentaries about homeless gay people and stories they can sensationalize. You'll see stories about bullying and stories about the most flamboyant. But you won't see stories about the millions of hard working gay people living their lives just like everyone else. I've written about the inheritance taxes gay couples are required to pay in my novels, especially in Gay Pride and Prejudice. If a gay couple has been together for thirty years (the number of years doesn't really matter) and have shared home ownership and one passes away, the survivor is required to pay steep inheritance taxes on his or her own property. I know gay couples who've actually taken out life insurance policies just to pay these taxes. I know other gay couples who've found other ways to get around this, including legally adopting each other. I also know gay people who've been financially wiped out by these taxes. As a homeowner, it scares the hell out of me.
A lesbian friend of mine from NY sent me an interesting e-mail this morning...she writes in all caps because she's older and it's easier, not because she's shouting. She's been with her partner for many years, and they've been married in several states where it's legal for gays to marry, so she knows first hand what she's talking about.
I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO BE JUMPING FOR JOY OVER THIS BUT I'M NOT.
HAVING ALREADY MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2008, I CAN TELL YOU THAT MARRIAGE, WHEN DONE BY THE STATES, MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. NOTHING CHANGED FOR US AND AS A MATTER OF FACT IT JUST UNDERSCORED WHAT WE DID NOT ACHIEVE FOR ME: REAL EQUALITY AND NOT THE PIECE WORK MARRIAGES HELD STATE BY STATE, THAT'S JUST TO PLACATE THE GAYS.
I'M STILL WAITING TO BE TRULY EQUAL AND I DO REMEMBER "SEPARATE BUT EQUAL" BACK WHEN AND DIDN'T APPLAUD THAT EITHER. AND I WON'T NOW.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BE OURS WHEN SOMEONE LIFTS THE BAN FEDERALLY. UNTIL THEN WE'RE NOT EQUALS AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET ALL TEARY EYED OVER YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO MOLLIFY GAYS WITH LESS THAN WE DESERVE.
As you can see, what happened in NY is a step forward, but until something's done on a federal level, it's just not enough.[image error]
From a legal standpoint, there's still a long way to go. And the only way to achieve true equality is on a federal level, not on a state level, Mr. President.
Here's one example of inequality you won't see mentioned much in the mainstream media. You'll see documentaries about homeless gay people and stories they can sensationalize. You'll see stories about bullying and stories about the most flamboyant. But you won't see stories about the millions of hard working gay people living their lives just like everyone else. I've written about the inheritance taxes gay couples are required to pay in my novels, especially in Gay Pride and Prejudice. If a gay couple has been together for thirty years (the number of years doesn't really matter) and have shared home ownership and one passes away, the survivor is required to pay steep inheritance taxes on his or her own property. I know gay couples who've actually taken out life insurance policies just to pay these taxes. I know other gay couples who've found other ways to get around this, including legally adopting each other. I also know gay people who've been financially wiped out by these taxes. As a homeowner, it scares the hell out of me.
A lesbian friend of mine from NY sent me an interesting e-mail this morning...she writes in all caps because she's older and it's easier, not because she's shouting. She's been with her partner for many years, and they've been married in several states where it's legal for gays to marry, so she knows first hand what she's talking about.
I KNOW I'M SUPPOSED TO BE JUMPING FOR JOY OVER THIS BUT I'M NOT.
HAVING ALREADY MARRIED IN CALIFORNIA IN 2008, I CAN TELL YOU THAT MARRIAGE, WHEN DONE BY THE STATES, MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. NOTHING CHANGED FOR US AND AS A MATTER OF FACT IT JUST UNDERSCORED WHAT WE DID NOT ACHIEVE FOR ME: REAL EQUALITY AND NOT THE PIECE WORK MARRIAGES HELD STATE BY STATE, THAT'S JUST TO PLACATE THE GAYS.
I'M STILL WAITING TO BE TRULY EQUAL AND I DO REMEMBER "SEPARATE BUT EQUAL" BACK WHEN AND DIDN'T APPLAUD THAT EITHER. AND I WON'T NOW.
MARRIAGE EQUALITY WILL BE OURS WHEN SOMEONE LIFTS THE BAN FEDERALLY. UNTIL THEN WE'RE NOT EQUALS AND I'M NOT GOING TO GET ALL TEARY EYED OVER YET ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO MOLLIFY GAYS WITH LESS THAN WE DESERVE.
As you can see, what happened in NY is a step forward, but until something's done on a federal level, it's just not enough.[image error]
June 24, 2011
The Bathhouse Scene in HOT ITALIAN LOVER
For those who don't know the significance of gay bathhouses, here is a link that will explain it in detail.
And, shock of shocks, bathhouses still exist. There's even a blog (I think I once interviewed this blogger for best gay blogs years ago). Though I've only been to one bathhouse in my entire life, I have good friends, from all walks of life, who frequent them often. I even know a couple who have been together for over twenty-five years who met at a bathhouse in Philadelphia. For them, this is romance. For them, this is part of what being gay is all about.
The bathhouse experience never did much for me. I found it too impersonal and too furtive. You're just as likely to meet the love of your life there as you are to meet you're next door neighbor's husband sneaking around on the down low.
And I've never written a bathhouse scene until now. I did it in HOT ITALIAN LOVER in order to push the impending romance forward. Without getting into any spoilers, I wanted the bathhouse scene to be accurate, but also a little satirical. The main character, Joey, normally wouldn't be the type to go to a bathhouse.
Here's an unedited, unpublished excerpt, where Joey first walks into the bathhouse.
Joey had to admit this was easier than he'd anticipated, and now that he was inside the bathhouse he wasn't as nervous as he'd been outside: filled with dread and anticipation. Though this was Joey's first time in a bathhouse, he knew how they worked. In many ways, for gay men, bathhouses just like this had always been a comfort zone, a home away from home, and a place where gay men could be themselves without anyone judging them or bothering them. Joey thought it was ironic that even in this day and age, when so many people seem to be so open to accept gay men and so willing to invite them into mainstream society, that he would still find such quiet, simple comfort being here with his own kind. He felt as if he'd just walked into a playground, or a secret club that only allowed certain people to belong. Joey almost felt a little guilty about it, because he'd always been so interested in equal rights and frowned upon gay men who strictly confined themselves to nothing but gay circles.
He passed a middle aged man who wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. He had salt and pepper hair, a well-trimmed goatee, and a slight paunch. The guy looked Joey up and down and Joey nodded at him without stopping. Although Joey wasn't sure what he was going to do there, or whether or not he'd actually have sex with anyone, he wanted to take his time and adjust to the surroundings before he sent anyone an inviting glance.
June 23, 2011
Amazon and an Indie Bookstore Owner at Odds
I read about this on another publishing blog and wanted to share for those who haven't seen it. It's an interesting post about how one Indie bookstore owner feels about Amazon...especially when it comes to hosting Amazon authors in their stores to sign.
Frankly, I don't know much about Amazon authors. I wasn't even aware that the Amazon mystery imprint had been released yet. But I do know that a good deal of all author e-book royalties come from Amazon. And I have been treated the same way by some indie bookstore owners and I've been published by both "traditional" print publishers and e-publishers. In other words, if I went to an lgbt indie bookstore, they could still pull out the many anthologies I've been in over the years and sell them.
I wish there were a way to work this out. I truly do. I love and support my local indie bookstores and want to see them hang around forever.
June 22, 2011
Can't Shake the Devil's Hand and Say You're Only Kidding
This week, we received a copy of a new book from an author who was interested in coming in to sign. The problem is that the book is from the new Amazon mystery imprint. They're making an aggressive move into publishing and have lined up a list of new and known authors. The authors are understandably eager and excited and they have a hard time understanding when they run into our brick wall of NO. We start with my original message of explaination, then his reply and my return message. In the interest of everyone getting a better understanding of the issues and our point, here is the exchange ~ JB
Tuesday, June 21, 10:30 AM To: The Author
Sorry to say that we cannot offer you a signing. We cannot do anything to support, help or benefit Amazon. They're the enemy of independent bookshops and aiding them in any way - mainly ordering their books and selling them and promoting them - would be suicide. Things are tough enough without cutting our own throats. - JB Dickey, owner
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:49 PM To: staff@seattlemystery.com
Dear JB, I understand your concerns. But please know that the opposite is happening nationwide. Amazon is reaching out to independents everywhere and offering to send hundreds of thousands of Amazon emails promoting an individual bookstore. Happily sending Amazon customers to independents. The results have been spectacular. Hundreds have been showing up at these events. It is a tremendous show of support for the independents.
I know it seems counter-intuitive. Amazon is easy to demonize. But I've seen the result of their work with independents. And it is impressive. They wouldn't be putting in this kind of effort if they were out to cut your throat. My little book tour is not about to make or break Amazon. I truly believe that Amazon wants both the independents and the online stores to thrive. If I didn't believe that I would not have signed with them.
And as an author with a bestselling book from a conventional NY publisher, I can attest to the new life Amazon is breathing into books. Whereas an event might bring in the same ten or twelve people, now we are seeing many times that amount. New customers who then tell others about the event and about the bookstores. It has been great for everyone, especially the bookstores.
I know your mind is set, and I do not expect my email to change it. But I do want you to know that my experience with Amazon as an author has been second to none. They are incredibly supportive and responsive and beyond author-friendly. They flew me to NY for a book signing at BEA, something unheard of for a first-time author in my genre. And the list goes on.
If I can do anything to help your bookstore please let me know. And if you want to talk more about this or anything else book-related please call me at 555-555-1212. The author I am touring with is an English professor at University State X, and I know he feels as strongly as I do about the survival of the independents.
Sincerely, The Author
6/22/11, 10:56 AM To: The Author
What you say is all well and good but you're looking at it from your perspective.
From my perspective, this is a huge corporation that has not only taken massive amounts of sales away from me over the years but also sales reps (which means the attention of publishers) and has waged a price war with the NYC publishers over their e-books. Remember when they removed ALL St. Martin's titles from their site in retaliation for St. Martin's insisting that they no longer undercut the price structure for e-books that the others were observing? Remember, too, that Amazon is the company that reached into the private devices of individuals and deleted e-books (one of our very good/long time customers is a computer worker and had downloaded a technical book from Amazon and make copious notes in her reader - Amazon deleted the 'book' and she lost all of her notes/ and then they also deleted - what was it, 1984? - from people's e-readers). And let's not forget that they appeared to buckle to outside pressure to remove gay and lesbian fiction and, when caught, blamed technical problems, not mendacity. I cannot tolerate censorship of any kind or by anyone. If these people are not intentionally evil, they come damn close to it by their actions and policies.
You want me to buy books from them? Pay them money to continue their efforts and to have books in my joint that clearly say "Amazon", to give them free advertisement as well?
If they're like NYC publishers, they'd demand that I open an account with them. That means giving them my personal info (this shop is a sole-proprietorship), tax numbers and bank accounts and, probably, the account information from three other businesses (either publishers and/or wholesalers) as references. Sorry - not a chance in hell I'd give all of that to Amazon. I do not trust them.
Even if I were to consider it, I haven't heard enough about their policies: what is the discount structure? are returns allowed and in what time frame? are they selling the same book at a discount that I can't/won't match or are they selling the books at the same price as I would?
I don't doubt that they're doing good things for you authors. It is fully within their interest to do so. First of all, they're launching a mystery/crime imprint and want to do all they can to promote it and its authors. Secondly, they want you to promote it and talk about it and to have more authors want to sign with them and to make more and more sales. I would bet that the intent is to take more and more business away from the major publishers who are very good at letting sales slip through their fingers.
Neither of us will change our minds. I'm the owner of the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan. You are working for Mr. Potter. And Mr. Potter is always buying.
No one else may share my views. We're all doggedly independent. It might be that I'm extra-sensitive about Amazon since they started here. If it works for others and you, great. But it is not for me. ~ JB
Frankly, I don't know much about Amazon authors. I wasn't even aware that the Amazon mystery imprint had been released yet. But I do know that a good deal of all author e-book royalties come from Amazon. And I have been treated the same way by some indie bookstore owners and I've been published by both "traditional" print publishers and e-publishers. In other words, if I went to an lgbt indie bookstore, they could still pull out the many anthologies I've been in over the years and sell them.
I wish there were a way to work this out. I truly do. I love and support my local indie bookstores and want to see them hang around forever.
June 22, 2011
Can't Shake the Devil's Hand and Say You're Only Kidding
This week, we received a copy of a new book from an author who was interested in coming in to sign. The problem is that the book is from the new Amazon mystery imprint. They're making an aggressive move into publishing and have lined up a list of new and known authors. The authors are understandably eager and excited and they have a hard time understanding when they run into our brick wall of NO. We start with my original message of explaination, then his reply and my return message. In the interest of everyone getting a better understanding of the issues and our point, here is the exchange ~ JB
Tuesday, June 21, 10:30 AM To: The Author
Sorry to say that we cannot offer you a signing. We cannot do anything to support, help or benefit Amazon. They're the enemy of independent bookshops and aiding them in any way - mainly ordering their books and selling them and promoting them - would be suicide. Things are tough enough without cutting our own throats. - JB Dickey, owner
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 5:49 PM To: staff@seattlemystery.com
Dear JB, I understand your concerns. But please know that the opposite is happening nationwide. Amazon is reaching out to independents everywhere and offering to send hundreds of thousands of Amazon emails promoting an individual bookstore. Happily sending Amazon customers to independents. The results have been spectacular. Hundreds have been showing up at these events. It is a tremendous show of support for the independents.
I know it seems counter-intuitive. Amazon is easy to demonize. But I've seen the result of their work with independents. And it is impressive. They wouldn't be putting in this kind of effort if they were out to cut your throat. My little book tour is not about to make or break Amazon. I truly believe that Amazon wants both the independents and the online stores to thrive. If I didn't believe that I would not have signed with them.
And as an author with a bestselling book from a conventional NY publisher, I can attest to the new life Amazon is breathing into books. Whereas an event might bring in the same ten or twelve people, now we are seeing many times that amount. New customers who then tell others about the event and about the bookstores. It has been great for everyone, especially the bookstores.
I know your mind is set, and I do not expect my email to change it. But I do want you to know that my experience with Amazon as an author has been second to none. They are incredibly supportive and responsive and beyond author-friendly. They flew me to NY for a book signing at BEA, something unheard of for a first-time author in my genre. And the list goes on.
If I can do anything to help your bookstore please let me know. And if you want to talk more about this or anything else book-related please call me at 555-555-1212. The author I am touring with is an English professor at University State X, and I know he feels as strongly as I do about the survival of the independents.
Sincerely, The Author
6/22/11, 10:56 AM To: The Author
What you say is all well and good but you're looking at it from your perspective.
From my perspective, this is a huge corporation that has not only taken massive amounts of sales away from me over the years but also sales reps (which means the attention of publishers) and has waged a price war with the NYC publishers over their e-books. Remember when they removed ALL St. Martin's titles from their site in retaliation for St. Martin's insisting that they no longer undercut the price structure for e-books that the others were observing? Remember, too, that Amazon is the company that reached into the private devices of individuals and deleted e-books (one of our very good/long time customers is a computer worker and had downloaded a technical book from Amazon and make copious notes in her reader - Amazon deleted the 'book' and she lost all of her notes/ and then they also deleted - what was it, 1984? - from people's e-readers). And let's not forget that they appeared to buckle to outside pressure to remove gay and lesbian fiction and, when caught, blamed technical problems, not mendacity. I cannot tolerate censorship of any kind or by anyone. If these people are not intentionally evil, they come damn close to it by their actions and policies.
You want me to buy books from them? Pay them money to continue their efforts and to have books in my joint that clearly say "Amazon", to give them free advertisement as well?
If they're like NYC publishers, they'd demand that I open an account with them. That means giving them my personal info (this shop is a sole-proprietorship), tax numbers and bank accounts and, probably, the account information from three other businesses (either publishers and/or wholesalers) as references. Sorry - not a chance in hell I'd give all of that to Amazon. I do not trust them.
Even if I were to consider it, I haven't heard enough about their policies: what is the discount structure? are returns allowed and in what time frame? are they selling the same book at a discount that I can't/won't match or are they selling the books at the same price as I would?
I don't doubt that they're doing good things for you authors. It is fully within their interest to do so. First of all, they're launching a mystery/crime imprint and want to do all they can to promote it and its authors. Secondly, they want you to promote it and talk about it and to have more authors want to sign with them and to make more and more sales. I would bet that the intent is to take more and more business away from the major publishers who are very good at letting sales slip through their fingers.
Neither of us will change our minds. I'm the owner of the Bailey Brothers Building and Loan. You are working for Mr. Potter. And Mr. Potter is always buying.
No one else may share my views. We're all doggedly independent. It might be that I'm extra-sensitive about Amazon since they started here. If it works for others and you, great. But it is not for me. ~ JB
Donald Trump's at it Again...
It seems Mr. Trump has been allegedly exaggerating a little about his deal with NBC. What I don't get is why...seriously.
Frankly, I think Trump's show is tired anyway. And this has nothing to do with Trump's blast on gay marriage. It's time to move on and bring in something fresh.
Here's a statement from NBC...
"The financial information reported today in regards to 'The Celebrity Apprentice' is grossly inaccurate and has been significantly overstated. While it is our policy to keep financial information strictly confidential, neither the production costs of the show nor what Mr. Trump makes personally is in the realm of reality. Donald Trump and 'The Apprentice' franchise remain a key part of the NBC primetime lineup and we are looking forward to another compelling cycle next season."
Frankly, I think Trump's show is tired anyway. And this has nothing to do with Trump's blast on gay marriage. It's time to move on and bring in something fresh.
Here's a statement from NBC...
"The financial information reported today in regards to 'The Celebrity Apprentice' is grossly inaccurate and has been significantly overstated. While it is our policy to keep financial information strictly confidential, neither the production costs of the show nor what Mr. Trump makes personally is in the realm of reality. Donald Trump and 'The Apprentice' franchise remain a key part of the NBC primetime lineup and we are looking forward to another compelling cycle next season."
New Hope, PA...A Quick Local Rant
For those who don't know, I live in New Hope, PA. And although it's known for art, theater, and literature, we've also been fighting greedy developers for ages.
I saw this on facebook and wanted to share. Allegedly, one of our dear money-hungry developers in these trying times of real estate decided to change the name of Mechanic Street to "Canal" Street in an advertisement for condos, without asking for permission.
I need to vent! I haven't said much lately about this subject but I just saw an ad in the Herald on Page B-10...take your time...check it out. It's a full page ad for "New Hope's Best Kept Secret - CANAL STREET". For those of you who don't live here or only visit occasionally there is no Canal Street in New Hope. This is the name ...an unnamed local developer gave to his 20 condo project here on MECHANIC STREET...a nice enough street here in town with what could only be called a quirky reputation. This AD, however, at no time mentions the fact that his project is on our street and in fact says, "...step into the quaint, but vibrant surroundings of village living. The scent of wood burning fireplaces in the air (must mean from the empty canal); the chatter from al fresco diners (anyone know who this Al Fresco is?), shopkeepers watering their gardens (I'd like the name of ANY shopkeeper on Mechanic Street with a garden)...(here's the best part though)...relax with a cappuccino from (can you guess...wait for it) STARBUCKS!!!..." It goes on but I can now guess why this place is still a secret and the "Best KEPT Secret" at that...because they just don't want to be a part of any of this Mechanic Street Madness. The MUG ManSee More
Free E-books At Ravenous Romance
I copied and pasted the info below from an e-mail. But I'm adding the facebook link at the bottom.
This sure beats .99 e-books, and you dear pirates might get a real thrill downloading a free e-book this time that's legit (smile).
Like our Facebook page and get a FREE book!
To celebrate the summer reading season, we're giving all of our Facebook fans a FREE book of their choice on July 5th!
Like the Ravenous Romance Facebook page today to receive your FREE book code on July 5th!
Click here to like our Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150215208168198&id=185079393197
This sure beats .99 e-books, and you dear pirates might get a real thrill downloading a free e-book this time that's legit (smile).
Like our Facebook page and get a FREE book!
To celebrate the summer reading season, we're giving all of our Facebook fans a FREE book of their choice on July 5th!
Like the Ravenous Romance Facebook page today to receive your FREE book code on July 5th!
Click here to like our Facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150215208168198&id=185079393197
