Saturday, November 21, 2009

Thinking Things Through

Invest a few moments in thinking. It will pay good interest. ~Author Unknown

So, I'm not going to talk much about the Bru-hah-hah at Harlequin, other than to say it's clear they didn't think things through much. Most of you who are readers ONLY probably don't know what happened, but it's made quite a splash in the writing world.

Harlequin has partnered with Author Solutions to open a vanity press. Again, I see no problem with this IF THEY KEEP THE TWO ENTITIES SEPARATE. Most people probably don't know that Random House own Xlibris, right? That's as it should be.

What bothers me most about Harlequin's venture is that they are referring authors that they reject for publication to this new vanity press. And that, to me, it completely unethical. If you're interested, much of the news regarding this little mess can be found at these links:

Author Jackie Kessler

Writer Beware

Dear Author

And there are many more -- just type "Harlequin Horizons" into Google and you'll see.

The biggest ramifications of this move to authors is this: RWA (Romance Writers Association) has revoked Harlequins "approved" status, which means that no author may submit their Harlequin published book for a RITA.

This is a big deal, and my heart breaks for my friends who are pubbed through Harlequin. This mess may be cleaned up before Nationals, but will it be cleaned up in time for the RITA? I have no idea.

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So, DH got his deer on Tuesday and we're processing it today. Thankfully the weather has been quite cold this week, so we didn't have to worry about hanging it for so long.

As much as I don't like the cold weather, I do have to admit that it's nice not having to pull in my bird feeders at night. I DO have to retrain myself to check them now and then to see if they're empty, though! I use to just fill them every morning before I put them out.

The morning sky is bright pink. Should I take warning?

So ... what are YOUR plans for the weekend?

OH...and I've been meaning to ask you all a favor. Suzanne McMinn is trying to get an online gig with Sam-E and needs votes! I've been voting daily, but there are never enough, and competition is stiff. You can vote every day and the link is here: Vote for Suzanne!

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You Are a Blogging Expert



You got 7/8 correct!

You know so much about blogging, you should blog for a living.



I wish they'd tell me which one I got wrong! LOL...

8 comments:

MJFredrick said...

I think they can still enter the Ritas, just have to wait like the ebook authors. The big factor is the conference. I used to go to conference for a chance to meet with a HQ editor, and that's going away. How many people will want to pay $425 and only have half as many editors? Also, no Harlequin spotlights and stuff like that.

Funny, my word verification in pandr.

Dru said...

Wow, I didn't know all that was going on. How many of the RITA award winners were HQ authors?

You Are a Blogging Expert
You got 8/8 correct!

You know so much about blogging, you should blog for a living.

I guess on some of the answers.

I voted.

I'm going to catch up on all missed sleep this weekend. Read and cut quilt squares.

I have a question, when you get the deer, is it intact, you know with body, head and legs?

Have a good weekend

groovyoldlady said...

"Well, You Know What a Blog Is...
You got 3/8 correct!

But, truthfully, most blogs probably bore you."

But...they DON'T bore me! I'm just ignorant about their history! Just like I've been ignorant of the mess at H. I usually hear about things like that at Writer's Weekly, but the boards have been strangely silent there. Perhaps they're all in shock?

Diane Craver said...

I just learned about HQ at Jennifer's blog - I can't believe it. I agree - they need to keep the self-publishing part completely separate.

Going to b-day party tonight at my daughter's.

Tori Lennox said...

The Harlequin thing is a huge mess.

You Know a Lot About Blogging
You got 5/8 correct!

Your not a total blogging geek yet... give it time.

Brandy said...

According to the quiz I don't know much about blogging. *G*
I've been reading about the Harlequin brouhaha all week. Harlequin is asking for serious trouble with this one.

We're not doing much this weekend, a family portrait and painting.
I hope you're having a delightful Saturday!

Ceri Hebert said...

Wow! I hadn't heard about all this with Harlequin! What in the world are they thinking?

Congrats to you DH. Mine hasn't even been out hunting at all this year.

Anonymous said...

Wow didn't know about this and find it pretty shocking. Jackie Kessler def did a good job explaining it better!