- I'm just starting to get established at Goodreads via an author account. I think this is the URL I'm supposed to give out -- http://www.goodreads.com/kzsnow -- or maybe not. Beats me. If you have any tips about how to maximize the Goodreads experience, please let me know. Because, honestly, I'm clueless.
- A story that will not, I assure you, advance the art of lesbian fiction (but it's good for a laugh!): http://community.livejournal.com/weepingcock/419225.html
- Anybody know of a quick and foolproof way of transferring a blog to a three-column template? Blogger offers no templates in this format. I have way too much crap in my left sidebar and need desperately to break it up. Mind you, I am a techno-idiot. I can't emphasize this enough.
- Mobry's Dick, my next (and stand-alone) novel (yes, novel) for Loose Id will be out in June. Side note, brought on by one of Tam's comments on her blog: Originally, Mobry's Dick was a novella with a sequel. When the sequel was completed, my editor and I agreed the stories it would work better published together as a two-part novel. (So, Tam, if you read it, you won't have to wait to find out if Cameron Waters "craves the butt secks.")
Finally, that pesky M/M reading challenge Kris tossed out just to fuck with us nudge us out of our comfort zones . . .
I'm afraid I won't be participating, at least not by posting anything. I did read a book outside my comfort zone and even wrote up a fairly long review. The story's two elements I assumed would tax my patience didn't tax it much at all. However, nearly everything else about the novella did get on my nerves, and since it wouldn't be seemly (or wise) to criticize the work of another m/m author on a public blog, I'm not going to post the review.
Besides, I know how I feel when one of my books is savaged, so it would be grossly insensitive and hypocritical of me to make unflattering comments about somebody else's work. I just can't bring myself to use the phrase, "It didn't work for me but might for other readers," because everybody knows that's Reviewer Speak for "I think this book sucked sewer water through a felching straw, and I can't imagine how anybody with a full brain could not see its countless, shrieking flaws."
I'm just going to have to wait and post about something I genuinely like. That way, I won't have to worry about my ass ending up in another sling.
31 comments:
Big congrats on the release date for Mobry's Dick (VERY memorable title!). Loose Id looks like a good place to be!
I wish I could help you with the three-column format in Blogger, but I'm a techno-idiot, too ... :(
*breaks out brain bleach for KZ's translation of reviewer speak*
Alas, 'tis been a long time since I was on blogger, so I'm no help whatsoever. But don't Kris and Jenre both have three-column templates? They might have some suggestions...
Ignore this comment. Just subscribing to the comments. Whoops.
Hello KZ and congrats. Sorry you didn't like whatever book you read for the rut challenge.
Here is a website I may have used to get my blog into 3 column format: http://webtalks.blogspot.com/2007/04/downlaod-three-column-new-blogger.html
I say I may have used it because I don't remember for sure. I googled "free blogger three column template" to find it. I do remember that in the end it was fairly easy to do.
Hooray for not waiting. I'm not very patient :-)
Ah well, even though you didn't give us the name of the book, we know you read it and had issues but maybe not with the theme itself, so yay you!!!!
And why is my fucking f key not working. I either have to press until my finger goes numb or cut and paste (which I'm doing now.)
No idea about bloggie stuff but I'm sure some wise soul may be able to help. I know Lily and Jen have 3 columns. I think. I can barely handle 2.
Hey K.Z.- both my blogs are 3 column. It's not that hard, just a little time consuming.
If you want to keep the "scribe" template, here is a link for the CSS code.
http://tips-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/2007/07/three-columns-scribe-template.html
If you want other templates, I can give you the code to two different types.
My Madame Butterfly blog
http://madamebutterfly90.blogspot.com/
And a rounders 3 column template:
My f/f reviewing blog. Warning: chicks. LOL
http://bi-curious-romancenovel-chat.blogspot.com/
With those, I can just copy the entire code for you and all you'd have to do is copy it into you html.
After that, it's very easy to change out the colors to ones you like. And your header pic.
Cool that you're on Goodreads. :D
Oh - as to Goodreads, I joined the m/m romance group (yes, it's private but all you have to do is email the moderator). There's a lot going on there, they have about 550 members, and I think 100 of them are authors. But I selected the digest form for getting the updates on all the discussions, so once a day I see what's going on, read selectively, etc. There's a section for authors to promote their books. I have also *ahem* learned a lot because many of the members are willing to share and discuss all sorts of things. If you join, just lurk for a while to see what you think, or go to the new members post and introduce yourself.
That's okay, Val. The Techno-idiots' Club is hardly exclusive. :-)
And yes, Loose Id is an excellent e-pub.
Sorry, Chris. There are Writer Speak phrases, too. For example, "Thank you for taking time with my book" often means, "You're an effing moron in desperate need of a remedial reading course, 'cause you've obviously gone blind from huffing too many jockstraps in a Russian Army barracks."
:-D
Ah well, Wren, we can't like everything we read. I'd just rather keep my mouth shut (or my fingers still) than either bash someone's work or pretend I thought it was wonderful.
I did appreciate the author's unique take on a certain hackneyed character type as well as some of the author's descriptions. Beyond that, though, I found the story very unsatisfying for a variety of reasons.
Thanks for your advice re. the blog!
Oh, Leah, you do seem to know your stuff! Thank you. I'll check into all of that. (However, as soon as you mentioned CSS, I broke out in hives. *g*)
Finally I have your new blog URL -- happy day! I think it's great there are sites devoted to f/f and bi-curious reviews; they've been too long in coming. You bet I'll be popping in!
I tried joining the m/m romance group too, Wren, but I haven't heard anything. Maybe I did it wrong and should try again. How long did it take before you got your acceptance notification?
Tam, I think maybe your "fucking f key" isn't working because it's been overused. ;-)
KZ - when I joined it didn't take long at all, but at that time there were fewer than 90 members, so not so much going on.
Well, if you want some help, let me know. It's not hard at all and I've done it a few times now.
Heh, KZ makes a very good point about Tam's F key. :)
Well, Wren, I'm there.
Thanks for the offer, Leah. I'll see if I can figure this out before pestering anybody. :-)
Chris, it just stands to reason, doesn't it?
I'd love to help you with the three column thing but I had a fellow blogging friend do my template cos I'm such a techo-idiot.
Heh, I had an author send me a 'thanks for taking the time to read and review my book' email the other day. Oh dear. Then again the review wasn't too negative so maybe she really meant it :).
I shall look forward to reading Mobry's Dick in its new, longer format.
Are you guys saying I swear too much? Humph. *flounces off to find friends who appreciate my "colourful" (yes with a u) vocabulary* Assholes. :-P
Glad you found your way to GoodReads, KZ!
Tam, I'm thinking that you are probably typing emphatically, thus the broken f. Sounds like a ranch name, huh? "Welcome to the Broken F, cowboy, where the men are ine as uck."
God Wren, you kill me. Good thing no one is in my area this morning because I have the giggles now.
Jen, ditto what I told Val...and welcome to the club!
When reviews are more positive than negative, I think most writers are sincere in their gratitude. Hell, just being singled out for one glorious moment makes us all gooshy inside.
We're truly pathetic creatures. ;-)
Heh, maybe Tam can start substituting a less-used character. "...where the men are zine as zuck" or something.
Wren, now that's the kind of western I would like! :-D
Tam, do you feel better now? You won't go huffing off to the Fuckfest...uh, I mean Kris's blog?
I'm better now. But I do so love to hassle the baby brother over there. My daughter claims its because I keep dropping the netbook. She may have a point. It's nearly 18 months old though so I have a feeling I've gotten my money's worth.
I have to sign up for one of those on-line back-up services because transferring everything by stick would suck. Anyone use one?
I wonder if KZ knew she was developing a techno blog here?
Sorry, Tam, can't help with the backup question. But I'm glad I made you giggle.
And yes, KZ, we are pathetic creatures. Writing is pretty solitary, so when we are noticed a little, it's hard not to go all weak-kneed and gushy.
I've been curious about those services myself, Tam, but I've never looked into one. I just hate signing up for online services, though. It's nearly impossible to get prompt, one-on-one tech support and, worse yet, once they get their hands on your credit card number, they'll keep automatically renewing the service and make you jump through 80 invisible hoops to cancel it.
Wren, it would be cool if we could contract someone like TeddyPig as an adviser. He's brilliant with the techno stuff.
There's the second reason writers are so pathetic.
;-)
KZ, maybe you could rope TeddyPig in as "techno advisor to pathetic m/m writers".
Not quite as catchy as "...to the stars" but apropos.
"You won't go huffing off to the Fuckfest...uh, I mean Kris's blog?"
Hmpf!
But we like it there!
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