RIASS stuff:
When book cover quotes are the critical equivalent of 'you've had a haircut''In which I look at hilariously useless book cover quotes like 'hotly anticipated'
Romance on the ward: Lily's Scandal by Marion Lennox and Zoe's Baby by Alison Roberts'Rating: 
Other bookish stuff:
Have you signed up for the Australian Women Writers 2013 challenge?
A feature on Anna Funder 'I'm deciphering the [USA] as best I canI'm having to decode all the behaviours and gesturesI thought I knew this culture from the books and music and films, so I didn't expect it to be so foreign. I'm more at home in Berlin, despite the difference in language. I feel a bit lost here ' maybe not a bad thing for a writer. Lorrie Moore has a great phrase in one of her short stories: a character says it takes vast amounts of hope and of despair to live in New York City, sitting side by side as in a Third World country of the heart
Celebrities who have modelled for book covers
CK Kelly Martin talks about reconnecting with writing If you're burnt out from the publication chase and wondering whether you should pack it in, first consider writing a secret novel just for you. Strictly out of a love for writing. This secret novel should be something you look forward to stealing time with whenever you can ' whether it's a guilty pleasure romance, dark thriller or emotionally harrowing drama. Don't worry about whether the project is something you can ultimately sell (no one can ever really know that anyway!) or what your writing friends would think of it. This is for you. To keep the magic alive.
Why women writers still take mens names'For a new author, we want to avoid anything that might cause a reader to put a book down and decide, not for me, [Penguin editor Anne] Sowards says. When we think a book will appeal to male readers, we want everything about the book to say that'the cover, the copy and, yes, the authors name. And, of course, things are totally going to change if we keep doing thisTheres nothing like reaffirming and normalising sexism, eh?
How do you know if your work is any good? You have to train your gut, however, by reading and writing, and reading more, and writing moreIn the end, there's no substitute for getting other people's eyes on your work. This is why critique partners and beta readers are so popular. It's also why authors hire editors, consultants, book mentors and book doctors. Um, and also readers? The longer I do this, the more Im flabbergasted by how much readers are completely excluded from the occasion until a book is published.
An interview with Aleesah Darlison I don't necessarily write every day as often I'm visiting schools to run writing workshops and author talks. I just try to make the most of every day and manage my time efficiently. I don't watch much TV and I'm usually tapping away on my keyboard until late into the night. I'm certainly not the only author who does this!
Spinifex Press is looking for school-aged reviewers
Aw, a Harry Potter book sculpture
The UKs Big Green Bookshop teams up with Angry Robot Books Im surprised that were not seeing more of this sort of thing.
Byliner and the NYT are collaborating on a series of short-form books.
Some gender related thoughts on the film version of'How to Train Your Dragon Feminism has taken us to a place where its often okay, approved of, encouraged even, for women to behave in masculine ways. So far, so good (even though we know there is plenty of work to do). This still puts an unfair emphasis on masculinity as the goal, however. Gender equity means equity and that means putting value on femininity as well, allowing boys to behave in feminine ways, with feminine strengths. I came out of this viewing of How to Train Your Dragon feeling like Hiccups journey was a step in the right direction, because'what made him a hero began in his feminine side. Interestingly, there is no Astrid in the book. In fact, I dont think that there were any female characters in the book.
Dalkey goes into damage control after its draconian job opening post goes viral, claims satire. Sure.
