Writer. Contributing Editor at The Discarded Image. Digital Content Strategist. Here's where I publicly explore the books I'm reading, the projects I'm working on, and other current interests. Clippings 24: random links
Busy, busy. Â We’ve had family in town for several weeks; Brandon is wrapping up his summer term teaching, with Commencement this weekend; I’ve been bidding on freelance work and setting up some fun book publicity (more about that later); and tomorrow we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Â Whew! Â That’s why I’ve been silent around here the last week or so. Â As usual I have lots of reviews to get up here, but for today I have to limit myself to a few random links I’ve spotted in the wild. Â Enjoy!
My friend and YA author Laurel Garver is blogging again. Â She’s a smart reader with a precocious little one, a cool literary day job, and a manuscript currently under consideration with an agency—so I think you’re going to find her blog well worth reading. Â Start with her recently concluded series of posts on naming characters, and think about adding her to your blogroll!
More than one friend and family member has asked what they can do to help spread the word about my books. Â I don’t know about other authors, but this question sometimes make me feel awkward, because the most obvious answer is “buy my book,” which can sound demanding—especially in the current economic distress. Â But of course that’s only one of many ways people can help support their writer friends, and Eileen Flanagan provides some really practical tips in her “If you love a writer” piece. Â Pop over and check it out, friends (hint, hint!).
An unpublished C.S. Lewis manuscript has been discovered at Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Â James Grant reports that the document appears to be the beginning of a joint work by Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien on language. Â The Inklings rise again!
Fans of Muriel Spark will be interested in the forthcoming biography by Martin Stannard.  I only just became acquainted with Dame Muriel after receiving a copy of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie from a fellow BookMoocher.  Now I understand why readers see her as a psychological writer…and why her biography is somewhat controversial.  Another one for the TBR list!
Finally, do you know about Book Blogger Appreciation Week?  Started by a very hard-working book blogger, last year’s first BBAW saw 400 bloggers come together for the purpose of celebrating “the contribution and hard work of book bloggers in promoting a culture of literacy” and “connecting readers to books and authors.” This year BBAW will be Sept. 14-18.  If you’re a book blogger, register your blog; and then, blogger or not, nominate your favorite book blogs in lots of categories.  Contests and giveaways will be part of the fun.
