Monday, April 02, 2007
Tagged!
The ultra gorgeous Sanni at Coffee2Go tagged me last week with the music meme: what seven songs are you currently into?
Well.
Seven SONGS. SONGS?
What are you, nuts???
You really expect me, music-lover extraordinaire, to pick seven songs?
That's like asking my fictional character of Trevor Wolff to pick his favorite seven women he's slept with. Or asking my fictional character of Mitchell Voss to pick his favorite guitar. Or asking my fictional character of Chelle LaFleur to pick the seven best shows she's been to in her lifetime. (If you don't know or are too lazy to follow the link back to her bio, Chelle's a music journalist and goes to lots of shows.)
In a sense, it's like asking someone to pick their favorite author based on single books. Yeah, I loved Lalita Tademy's Cane River, but does that mean I'll love everything she wrote? (and no, I haven't gotten my hands on Red River yet. But hey, it's Buy a Friend a Book Week, isn't it?)
Besides, my favorite song changes based on what's playing at the moment. Really. Truly.
Thus, I'll compromise with you guys, who are probably rolling your eyes at the way I've managed to tie books and music together yet again. Here are my seven hot bands of the moment:
1. Metallica
2. Disturbed
Okay, those two are probably always and forever choices. Too bad if you don't like it. More for me. (Anyone seen the great bike jerseys in the Metallica store? I've got a birthday this month, you know... Wear a medium...)
3. Flyleaf
4. Linkin Park (new stuff May 15! Single just out!)
5. Godsmack
Those are really good, solid bands. I have high hopes for the future of Flyleaf, especially, and I'm hating life because I won't be able to see them when they're in town next week. I really like how Godsmack's songwriting is maturing with them. You can tell they learned a lot from their recent tour with... guess who (see #1 if you're not sure).
And then two bands who I always flip to when I see them playing on my XM Online:
6. Iron Maiden
7. Queensryche
Just some classic rock and roll with an attitude. Speaking of Iron Maiden and books, I never managed to get my hands on Bruce Dickinson's fictional attempt from the early 90s. One of my record label reps at the time (back during my radio days) told me he did NOT want me to see it. He wouldn't give me a reason, and I always honored his ... uhh... directive. But now, Jim won't return my e-mails to see how the hell he's doing, so bring on The Adventures of Lord Iffy Fairbarn, or whatever the frell it was called...
As for who to tag next, go for it, folks. Talk music to me and amongst yourselves.
Back in a few to answer Rashenbo's latest tag, all about balance.
Well.
Seven SONGS. SONGS?
What are you, nuts???
You really expect me, music-lover extraordinaire, to pick seven songs?
That's like asking my fictional character of Trevor Wolff to pick his favorite seven women he's slept with. Or asking my fictional character of Mitchell Voss to pick his favorite guitar. Or asking my fictional character of Chelle LaFleur to pick the seven best shows she's been to in her lifetime. (If you don't know or are too lazy to follow the link back to her bio, Chelle's a music journalist and goes to lots of shows.)
In a sense, it's like asking someone to pick their favorite author based on single books. Yeah, I loved Lalita Tademy's Cane River, but does that mean I'll love everything she wrote? (and no, I haven't gotten my hands on Red River yet. But hey, it's Buy a Friend a Book Week, isn't it?)
Besides, my favorite song changes based on what's playing at the moment. Really. Truly.
Thus, I'll compromise with you guys, who are probably rolling your eyes at the way I've managed to tie books and music together yet again. Here are my seven hot bands of the moment:
1. Metallica
2. Disturbed
Okay, those two are probably always and forever choices. Too bad if you don't like it. More for me. (Anyone seen the great bike jerseys in the Metallica store? I've got a birthday this month, you know... Wear a medium...)
3. Flyleaf
4. Linkin Park (new stuff May 15! Single just out!)
5. Godsmack
Those are really good, solid bands. I have high hopes for the future of Flyleaf, especially, and I'm hating life because I won't be able to see them when they're in town next week. I really like how Godsmack's songwriting is maturing with them. You can tell they learned a lot from their recent tour with... guess who (see #1 if you're not sure).
And then two bands who I always flip to when I see them playing on my XM Online:
6. Iron Maiden
7. Queensryche
Just some classic rock and roll with an attitude. Speaking of Iron Maiden and books, I never managed to get my hands on Bruce Dickinson's fictional attempt from the early 90s. One of my record label reps at the time (back during my radio days) told me he did NOT want me to see it. He wouldn't give me a reason, and I always honored his ... uhh... directive. But now, Jim won't return my e-mails to see how the hell he's doing, so bring on The Adventures of Lord Iffy Fairbarn, or whatever the frell it was called...
As for who to tag next, go for it, folks. Talk music to me and amongst yourselves.
Back in a few to answer Rashenbo's latest tag, all about balance.
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week, Disturbed, Flyleaf, Godsmack, Linkin Park, meme, Metallica
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Buy A Friend a Book Week April 2007
A quick Spring Reading Thing Update before I get to Buy a Friend a Book Week fun...
I gave up reading Dead Man's Island (Carolyn G. Hart) and it's already been mooched from me. A Darker Place (Laurie R. King) was also abandoned partway through, and is available either from PaperBackSwap, BookMooch, or ... (what a segueway, Susan!)
... this quarter's Buy a Friend a Book Week contest.
There are two ways to win:
The first three people who e-mail me a scan of their receipt for Steven Lee Beeber's The Heebie Jeebies at CBGB's will get my last three copies of Lyrical Life. So make sure you include an address with your e-mail. Buy it for you, for a friend, for the rocker-type down the street. Steven and I don't care. Just buy it and read it. It's a really cool book, and Steven's a truly cool dude.
The other way to win a book between now and the 7th, with the winner announced shortly thereafter, is to visit my bookshelf at BookCrossing. Look under the available titles -- but be careful, because if there's anything in parentheses after the word available, that means I don't have the book anymore. Leave a comment here on this post (because there will be quite a few posts this week, I suspect, so let's keep things where they belong) and tell me what book you want, and WHY. Whoever has the best reason will win the book and I'll happily send it to you.
Be warned: I like multiple winners. And I've got enough books here to sink a rowboat, I suspect. Have at it.
Now, I know that in my Thursday Thirteen this week, I promised you more fiction about Mitchell's desk. It's coming. But you guys helped me have one of my busiest Thursdays yet, and I'm still digging out from it. Keep it coming and I'll reward you with, as always, more and better.
Happy Buy a Friend a Book Week! (and yes, if you run out today and buy Heebies for a friend's Easter basket, I'll count it as a purchase)
I gave up reading Dead Man's Island (Carolyn G. Hart) and it's already been mooched from me. A Darker Place (Laurie R. King) was also abandoned partway through, and is available either from PaperBackSwap, BookMooch, or ... (what a segueway, Susan!)
... this quarter's Buy a Friend a Book Week contest.
There are two ways to win:
The first three people who e-mail me a scan of their receipt for Steven Lee Beeber's The Heebie Jeebies at CBGB's will get my last three copies of Lyrical Life. So make sure you include an address with your e-mail. Buy it for you, for a friend, for the rocker-type down the street. Steven and I don't care. Just buy it and read it. It's a really cool book, and Steven's a truly cool dude.
The other way to win a book between now and the 7th, with the winner announced shortly thereafter, is to visit my bookshelf at BookCrossing. Look under the available titles -- but be careful, because if there's anything in parentheses after the word available, that means I don't have the book anymore. Leave a comment here on this post (because there will be quite a few posts this week, I suspect, so let's keep things where they belong) and tell me what book you want, and WHY. Whoever has the best reason will win the book and I'll happily send it to you.
Be warned: I like multiple winners. And I've got enough books here to sink a rowboat, I suspect. Have at it.
Now, I know that in my Thursday Thirteen this week, I promised you more fiction about Mitchell's desk. It's coming. But you guys helped me have one of my busiest Thursdays yet, and I'm still digging out from it. Keep it coming and I'll reward you with, as always, more and better.
Happy Buy a Friend a Book Week! (and yes, if you run out today and buy Heebies for a friend's Easter basket, I'll count it as a purchase)
Labels: BookCrossing, books, Buy a Friend a Book Week, contest, prizes, punk rock, Spring Reading Thing, Steven Lee Beeber
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Thursday Thirteen #22 -- Mitchell's Desk
While I've been busy putting together some Buy a Friend a Book Week fun for next week, I realized that I can't find the surface of my desk. It's actually been this way for some time now and I swear, everything there can't find another home somewhere else.
That made me think. What sorts of things do other people keep on their desks?
Here's one take on it, with an outtake to finish up the desk fun over the weekend. Stay tuned for that, and for the BAFAB contest.
Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
That made me think. What sorts of things do other people keep on their desks?
Here's one take on it, with an outtake to finish up the desk fun over the weekend. Stay tuned for that, and for the BAFAB contest.
 |
1. Guitar picks 2. remote control to the sound system, empty CD cases, and some newish, trendy stuff that keeps getting overlooked in favor of the old favorites. 3. papers JR's been waiting on for weeks 4. papers Daniel's been waiting on for weeks 5. love drawings, instead of love notes, from Kerri and a sketch of hers that he stole and framed. Conveniently, she's never noticed it. 6. scraps of paper with random, so-far unused song lyrics scribbled on them 7. the first guitar string he broke onstage 8. bulk quantities of black Sharpies 9. three desk lamps to act as spotlights on strategic piles of papers 10. new lightbulbs for the lamps 11. two years' worth of music industry trade magazines he intends to read -- next time he gets the chance 12. a hairbrush that hasn't been cleaned since it arrived on the desk even though it gets semi-frequent use 13. an origami dragon folded by one of the crew during ShapeShifter's last tour Anything interesting on your desk? Links to other Thursday Thirteens! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Labels: Buy a Friend a Book Week, meme, Mitchell, Thursday Thirteen
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: mysteries, Buy a Friend a Book Week, and more on punks
First off, let me tell you that I've finished my first book for the Spring Reading Thing challenge: Linda Fairstein's The Kills. I really liked it, so if you'd like to read it, you can get it one of three ways: by requesting it at PaperBackSwap, by mooching it from me at BookMooch, or by leaving me a comment here and asking for it. Be sure to leave me an e-mail address, if I don't have an address on file for you.
My copy's a hardback and yes, it's registered at BookCrossing. I'd love it if you'd leave some thoughts about what you think of it.
Other stuff...
Barb at Front Street Reviews has asked me to tell you guys to check out a cool profile she's done of Capital Crime Press. Two of their more prominent authors are the extremely funny Robert Fate (author of Baby Shark) and Troy Cook (author of 47 Rules of a Highly Effective Bank Robber). This feature is in conjunction with Small Press Month; don't forget to finish off the month with some small presses!
Buy a Friend a Book Week is fast approaching. I'm going to do a small contest for it, so watch the blog for more details. But here's a hint: anyone who e-mails me a scanned receipt for the purchase of Steven Lee Beeber's The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's will win a cool book from me. I'll have other books to give away during BAFAB week, if only because I have too many here again and would like to get them moving through the world.
And while I'm talking about Beeber and punk rock, I'd like to once again put forth my willingness to review Clinton Heylin's new book on punk. Babylon's Burning. Not only am I curious to read it, I want to see how it stacks up against Beeber's book. Now pushed back to a July release, I'd love to be part of some pre-publication reviews -- and I'll offer up Barb's Front Street Reviews as a spot for which to post that review. Ain't it great to have friends?
My copy's a hardback and yes, it's registered at BookCrossing. I'd love it if you'd leave some thoughts about what you think of it.
Other stuff...
Barb at Front Street Reviews has asked me to tell you guys to check out a cool profile she's done of Capital Crime Press. Two of their more prominent authors are the extremely funny Robert Fate (author of Baby Shark) and Troy Cook (author of 47 Rules of a Highly Effective Bank Robber). This feature is in conjunction with Small Press Month; don't forget to finish off the month with some small presses!
Buy a Friend a Book Week is fast approaching. I'm going to do a small contest for it, so watch the blog for more details. But here's a hint: anyone who e-mails me a scanned receipt for the purchase of Steven Lee Beeber's The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB's will win a cool book from me. I'll have other books to give away during BAFAB week, if only because I have too many here again and would like to get them moving through the world.
And while I'm talking about Beeber and punk rock, I'd like to once again put forth my willingness to review Clinton Heylin's new book on punk. Babylon's Burning. Not only am I curious to read it, I want to see how it stacks up against Beeber's book. Now pushed back to a July release, I'd love to be part of some pre-publication reviews -- and I'll offer up Barb's Front Street Reviews as a spot for which to post that review. Ain't it great to have friends?
Labels: BookCrossing, BookMooch, books, Buy a Friend a Book Week, contest, Front Street Reviews, Linda Fairstein, PaperBackSwap, punk rock, Spring Reading Thing, Susan's Book Talk
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Susan's Book Talk: Aack, we missed it!
In all of last month's year-end hoopla and the chaos that's been the start of 2007, I completely missed out on this quarter's Buy a Friend a Book Week.
It ends on Sunday the seventh, so hurry up and go buy a friend a book for no good reason. Two I'd suggest off the top of my head: Rebecca Drake's Don't Be Afraid and Fred Zackel's reprint of Cocaine and Blue Eyes.
It ends on Sunday the seventh, so hurry up and go buy a friend a book for no good reason. Two I'd suggest off the top of my head: Rebecca Drake's Don't Be Afraid and Fred Zackel's reprint of Cocaine and Blue Eyes.
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Sunday, October 08, 2006
The End of the Week
Whew. What a week, properly accompanied by an inordinate amount of running around, chaos, heartbreak, and hopes.
Before we close out Buy a Friend a Book Week, let me say the following things...
1. I had a blast reading all of your entries and the things you had to say about music. I hope you'll invite your friends over here to hang with us and get to know my fictional crew. Not just because it'll sell more books when Trevor's Song comes out, but because I do this -- write books, blog, create fiction non-stop -- so that I can share it with people. While I dream of a huge publishing deal, I think I'd be happy with anything that would allow me to share my world with you.
2. I've made friends with some of the other BAFAB contest hosts. Be sure to check them out; I'll leave the links up at the bottom of this page for a bit. Tell them you proudly come from West of Mars.
3. Even though my friend Penina never sent an official entry, she's done so much for me over the years, in so many ways, that I picked up a second copy of This Monster Lives just for her. So while she's not an official winner and I can't tell you how I will never forget her story of trying really hard not to yell the now-defunct and perhaps forgotten refrain of "Die, Die, Die" during Metallica's Creeping Death during her VERY observant Passover seder, I bought her a book, anyway.
And when you get down to it, that's the spirit of BAFAB week.
We'll do it again in a few months. In the meantime, stay tuned. I have planned a fun fall outtake from the newly introduced Chelle LaFleur for your reading pleasure. Once I get back from the post office, expect to see it...
Once again, thanks for making my first BAFAB contest so successful. You guys are important around here.
Remember that, now.
Before we close out Buy a Friend a Book Week, let me say the following things...
1. I had a blast reading all of your entries and the things you had to say about music. I hope you'll invite your friends over here to hang with us and get to know my fictional crew. Not just because it'll sell more books when Trevor's Song comes out, but because I do this -- write books, blog, create fiction non-stop -- so that I can share it with people. While I dream of a huge publishing deal, I think I'd be happy with anything that would allow me to share my world with you.
2. I've made friends with some of the other BAFAB contest hosts. Be sure to check them out; I'll leave the links up at the bottom of this page for a bit. Tell them you proudly come from West of Mars.
3. Even though my friend Penina never sent an official entry, she's done so much for me over the years, in so many ways, that I picked up a second copy of This Monster Lives just for her. So while she's not an official winner and I can't tell you how I will never forget her story of trying really hard not to yell the now-defunct and perhaps forgotten refrain of "Die, Die, Die" during Metallica's Creeping Death during her VERY observant Passover seder, I bought her a book, anyway.
And when you get down to it, that's the spirit of BAFAB week.
We'll do it again in a few months. In the meantime, stay tuned. I have planned a fun fall outtake from the newly introduced Chelle LaFleur for your reading pleasure. Once I get back from the post office, expect to see it...
Once again, thanks for making my first BAFAB contest so successful. You guys are important around here.
Remember that, now.
Labels: blogging, books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Friday, October 06, 2006
Buy A Friend a Book Week -- five and six; here we go.
Sorry to keep you all waiting, but it was worth it. The Pens look amazing this year. I hope they keep it up.
One question: One of our new defensemen is named LeTang. Is that what a French astronaut drinks?
Now. Onto our fifth winner, with no further ado.
It's Karen!, she who appears in my comments more than maybe anyone else. (What are the rest of you waiting for? Don't let her get away with that!) She wrote me the greatest story about being attracted to the bad boy... how many of us have been there, done that? Even though her bad boy was into rap and all that icky stuff, she conjures up all the memories that I need. Man, I can't wait to get to work on a bad boy or two...
Partly as a joke, due to another story, I'm giving Karen a book I just loved. Bel Canto is one of the few award-winning books that I didn't shy away from, and I can still close my eyes and recall the mental picture I created while reading the scenes of Roxanne singing, standing beside the piano...
Now, the joke is the whole opera angle. Apparently, our friend Karen! used to argue with her sister in a rather operatic way... I'll let her tell you the story if she so desires. Or maybe I'll just write it; complete with the flowery lyrics, it could make for a great scene.
So Congratulations to Karen!
And now, for our next winner of the day... This one's a bit unorthodox, as her entry neither hit my inbox, nor did it make the deadline. Rather, it appeared in the comments about an earlier winner.
That's right. I'm sort of blindsiding her with this, but that's what friends are for, right? Marci, you done good, woman. Like some of our other friends this week, you connected me to my radio because you yourself connected to your radio.
For that, I'm sending you a copy of one of my favorite graphic novels of all time: Lyrical Life, a story told entirely in song lyrics. If this baby doesn't have you singing along, you're hopeless.
One last note about Lyrical Life: the e-mail on their website has been deactivated, so I can't ask how the sequel is coming. Let's hope it's still in the making.
Okay. I'm off to get some work done for the first time in days. I have a huge stack of books here to mail. Maybe I'll even wrap and address them first. *wink*
Happy Buy a Friend a Book Week, everyone. I hope you've been having as much fun as me.
One question: One of our new defensemen is named LeTang. Is that what a French astronaut drinks?
Now. Onto our fifth winner, with no further ado.
It's Karen!, she who appears in my comments more than maybe anyone else. (What are the rest of you waiting for? Don't let her get away with that!) She wrote me the greatest story about being attracted to the bad boy... how many of us have been there, done that? Even though her bad boy was into rap and all that icky stuff, she conjures up all the memories that I need. Man, I can't wait to get to work on a bad boy or two...
Partly as a joke, due to another story, I'm giving Karen a book I just loved. Bel Canto is one of the few award-winning books that I didn't shy away from, and I can still close my eyes and recall the mental picture I created while reading the scenes of Roxanne singing, standing beside the piano...
Now, the joke is the whole opera angle. Apparently, our friend Karen! used to argue with her sister in a rather operatic way... I'll let her tell you the story if she so desires. Or maybe I'll just write it; complete with the flowery lyrics, it could make for a great scene.
So Congratulations to Karen!
And now, for our next winner of the day... This one's a bit unorthodox, as her entry neither hit my inbox, nor did it make the deadline. Rather, it appeared in the comments about an earlier winner.
That's right. I'm sort of blindsiding her with this, but that's what friends are for, right? Marci, you done good, woman. Like some of our other friends this week, you connected me to my radio because you yourself connected to your radio.
For that, I'm sending you a copy of one of my favorite graphic novels of all time: Lyrical Life, a story told entirely in song lyrics. If this baby doesn't have you singing along, you're hopeless.
One last note about Lyrical Life: the e-mail on their website has been deactivated, so I can't ask how the sequel is coming. Let's hope it's still in the making.
Okay. I'm off to get some work done for the first time in days. I have a huge stack of books here to mail. Maybe I'll even wrap and address them first. *wink*
Happy Buy a Friend a Book Week, everyone. I hope you've been having as much fun as me.
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Buy a Friend a Book Week -- our fourth winner!
Before I post about our winner, I'd like to take a minute and publicly thank all of you guys. I'm having a great time with this stuff. I hope you are, too.
And a HUGE public thank you to my favorite witch and her husband. They know why. I feel my sanity returning and part of my path clearing.
Okay. Now that I've let you in on more of my personal life than I ever have before, let's move on to our fourth winner.
It's Musie, of course. AmericanMuse is her screenname, and it's an apt one. This woman could be my muse, except she talks to me via computer and not in scenes. She talks to me of awakenings, to music, to guys-as-hot-things. She talks to me of obsessions: flying out to see shows (NOTHING I've ever done. I swear!), meeting guys in bands, calling radio stations to win tickets.
And of getting behind an otherwise unheard-of band, and mourning their demise. (Five Bolt Main had better not follow that path!)
For all of this, Musie wins something from MY musical obsession: a Copy of This Monster Lives, the inside look at the making of Metallica's 2004 documentary, Some Kind of Monster. An added bonus to this book is the inside look at how movies are made, which is almost more fascinating than the subject itself. (yeah, yeah, revoke my MetClub card.)
Oh, and for me, meeting Bruce Sinofsky, one of the directors, was sort of like musie's story of being outside the club. Unexpectedly, you're talking to a really neat person and man, if there was only more time...
Congrats, musie.
And a HUGE public thank you to my favorite witch and her husband. They know why. I feel my sanity returning and part of my path clearing.
Okay. Now that I've let you in on more of my personal life than I ever have before, let's move on to our fourth winner.
It's Musie, of course. AmericanMuse is her screenname, and it's an apt one. This woman could be my muse, except she talks to me via computer and not in scenes. She talks to me of awakenings, to music, to guys-as-hot-things. She talks to me of obsessions: flying out to see shows (NOTHING I've ever done. I swear!), meeting guys in bands, calling radio stations to win tickets.
And of getting behind an otherwise unheard-of band, and mourning their demise. (Five Bolt Main had better not follow that path!)
For all of this, Musie wins something from MY musical obsession: a Copy of This Monster Lives, the inside look at the making of Metallica's 2004 documentary, Some Kind of Monster. An added bonus to this book is the inside look at how movies are made, which is almost more fascinating than the subject itself. (yeah, yeah, revoke my MetClub card.)
Oh, and for me, meeting Bruce Sinofsky, one of the directors, was sort of like musie's story of being outside the club. Unexpectedly, you're talking to a really neat person and man, if there was only more time...
Congrats, musie.
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Buy a Friend a Book Week -- our third winner!
Tonight's winner told me a really cool story of turning 18 on the 18th and going to see (she actually admitted this!) Bryan Adams in concert!!!
What inspired me was the innocence of her story, the air of expectation she had about Mr. Adams, and the promise of magic on your birthday. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about what all that means, but all of you used to Trevor and his whiles need to reference the first noun of the first sentence in this paragraph... Innocence. I know, I know. There's no innocence when you're around Trevor, unless you're Mitchell, but keep wondering what I'm talking about, at least until we find Trevor's Song a home.
Jebbie wins a book of poetry by an author who has always struck me as having that same air of innocence and hope about her: Jewel. Yes, Jewel, the Alaskan singer with the fresh, innocent and hopeful voice. I almost didn't let this one go; I think I'd like to get a copy for my own shelf and make the time to re-read it the right way -- nice and slow, with lots of time to savor and be inspired.
Congrats, Jebbie!
What inspired me was the innocence of her story, the air of expectation she had about Mr. Adams, and the promise of magic on your birthday. I'll let you draw your own conclusions about what all that means, but all of you used to Trevor and his whiles need to reference the first noun of the first sentence in this paragraph... Innocence. I know, I know. There's no innocence when you're around Trevor, unless you're Mitchell, but keep wondering what I'm talking about, at least until we find Trevor's Song a home.
Jebbie wins a book of poetry by an author who has always struck me as having that same air of innocence and hope about her: Jewel. Yes, Jewel, the Alaskan singer with the fresh, innocent and hopeful voice. I almost didn't let this one go; I think I'd like to get a copy for my own shelf and make the time to re-read it the right way -- nice and slow, with lots of time to savor and be inspired.
Congrats, Jebbie!
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Monday, October 02, 2006
Buy a Friend a Book Week -- our second winner!
Monday, October 2. Day two of Buy a Friend a Book Week reminds us of the importance of the independents -- radio, especially.
This one goes to Nimrodiel, as she's known online. She'd like us to check out and support WEFT 90.1 FM radio (although I'll never argue if you also check out and support an independent radio station whose airwaves touch my precious Martian ears: WYEP.
Nim's entry is especially important, not just because of the impact that independent radio made on her -- and her father -- but because when Trevor's Song gets published and on the shelves, it'll be time to turn our attention to my follow-up. Right now, that's the story of Boomer, THE DJ at KRVR in Riverview, and her fight to help keep her independent radio station on the air.
Perfect timing, Nim, 'cause I've been editing like mad the past few days, while I wait for the good word from my trusted reader.
And for her efforts, she wins a copy of... (I have to decide between two!) Cowboys are My Weakness, by one of my favorite authors, Pam Houston.
Yeah, Yeah. I can hear you thinking, "But that's a story collection about outdoorspeople and relationships. What's it got to do with music?"
Well. The very first story, "How to Talk to a Hunter" quotes that independent lady herself, Janis Joplin. "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."
It was the first time I'd ever heard that lyric.
Long live independent radio.
Congrats, Nimrodiel.
This one goes to Nimrodiel, as she's known online. She'd like us to check out and support WEFT 90.1 FM radio (although I'll never argue if you also check out and support an independent radio station whose airwaves touch my precious Martian ears: WYEP.
Nim's entry is especially important, not just because of the impact that independent radio made on her -- and her father -- but because when Trevor's Song gets published and on the shelves, it'll be time to turn our attention to my follow-up. Right now, that's the story of Boomer, THE DJ at KRVR in Riverview, and her fight to help keep her independent radio station on the air.
Perfect timing, Nim, 'cause I've been editing like mad the past few days, while I wait for the good word from my trusted reader.
And for her efforts, she wins a copy of... (I have to decide between two!) Cowboys are My Weakness, by one of my favorite authors, Pam Houston.
Yeah, Yeah. I can hear you thinking, "But that's a story collection about outdoorspeople and relationships. What's it got to do with music?"
Well. The very first story, "How to Talk to a Hunter" quotes that independent lady herself, Janis Joplin. "Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."
It was the first time I'd ever heard that lyric.
Long live independent radio.
Congrats, Nimrodiel.
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week, music
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Buy a Friend a Book Week -- our first winner!
I'm proud to announce that we have our first winner of the Buy a Groupie a Book Week contest!
It is our last and final entrant (how's THAT for timing?), Russell Morse, who inspired me with the simple reminder of the positive feelings that music often leaves us with.
Big Congrats to Russell, who wins a copy of Tom Perrotta's The Wishbones, a book I read many years ago and can still recall the texture and mood of.
Enjoy it, Russell, and thanks for being my groupie!
It is our last and final entrant (how's THAT for timing?), Russell Morse, who inspired me with the simple reminder of the positive feelings that music often leaves us with.
Big Congrats to Russell, who wins a copy of Tom Perrotta's The Wishbones, a book I read many years ago and can still recall the texture and mood of.
Enjoy it, Russell, and thanks for being my groupie!
Labels: books, Buy a Friend a Book Week
Monday, September 25, 2006
One Week Left!
One week left to Buy a Friend a Book Week!, and that means that this week is your last chance to enter the West of Mars Buy a Groupie a Book Contest (if that link doesn't work, check out the first post in the August archives).
What are you waiting for? Enter today! I've got good books to share!
What are you waiting for? Enter today! I've got good books to share!
Labels: Buy a Friend a Book Week, contest
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Upping the BAFAB ante!
The good folks at Front Street Reviews are joining me and bringing you yet another chance to be a friend for whom a book is bought!
Check out my original contest and then head on over to Front Street for even more Buy A Friend a Book Week fun!
And if you haven't had enough of THAT, be sure to check out the other BAFAB participants, listed down at the bottom of this page of my blog. There's some fun stuff taking shape, all to entice YOU to buy a friend a book.
Check out my original contest and then head on over to Front Street for even more Buy A Friend a Book Week fun!
And if you haven't had enough of THAT, be sure to check out the other BAFAB participants, listed down at the bottom of this page of my blog. There's some fun stuff taking shape, all to entice YOU to buy a friend a book.
Labels: Buy a Friend a Book Week, contest, Front Street Reviews
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Buy a Friend a Book Week!
Well... with a Martian twist...
Here's the deal: to help promote the good folks at Buy A Friend a Book Week, I've come up with a contest for you guys, my devoted groupies.
During the month of September, I want YOU to send ME a story of how music has touched your life. Maybe it was the first song you fell in love with. Maybe it was the first song you fell in love to. Maybe it was your first meet-and-greet. The night Prong's Tommy Victor told you that you were beautiful.
Hey, wait. That last is one of mine. No stealing!
What I'll do, during Buy A Friend a Book Week, coming up this first week of October, is Buy a Groupie a Book.
That's right.
Seven of you lucky groupies will win a copy of a book -- no, not Trevor's Song, sad to say (I'm still revising it. Again. I know. You're eager. So am I.), but a book about music that has inspired me in some way and now sits on my shelves, immune to the huge and vast quantities of trading that I do.
E-mail me your stories -- you can reach me through the website, as always. And the seven of you who touch me the most deeply will win a copy of someone else's book. I'll announce the winners each day during BAFAB week, which is October 1-7 this year.
If you decide to go out and pay it forward and buy another friend a book during Buy a Friend a Book week, let me know. There might be a few special goodies in your package -- but be honest. Somehow, I have a bad habit of smelling out a lie. Also, be sure to scroll down this here page for the list of other blogs who are also running BAFAB contests and join some of them. Be sure to tell them West of Mars sent you!
Good luck, and here's to good stories!
(legal stuff: writing quality is less important than content, but spelling mistakes and text-speak are turn-offs. By submitting your story to me, you are hereby allowing me to in turn be inspired by it and use it in some way, shape, or form in future fiction writing that I may do. You will own no rights to any future work you've inspired, and no royalties will be due to you. But let's face it. The publishing industry being what it is, you'd only get about five cents anyway, and is THAT worth haggling over?)
Here's the deal: to help promote the good folks at Buy A Friend a Book Week, I've come up with a contest for you guys, my devoted groupies.
During the month of September, I want YOU to send ME a story of how music has touched your life. Maybe it was the first song you fell in love with. Maybe it was the first song you fell in love to. Maybe it was your first meet-and-greet. The night Prong's Tommy Victor told you that you were beautiful.
Hey, wait. That last is one of mine. No stealing!
What I'll do, during Buy A Friend a Book Week, coming up this first week of October, is Buy a Groupie a Book.
That's right.
Seven of you lucky groupies will win a copy of a book -- no, not Trevor's Song, sad to say (I'm still revising it. Again. I know. You're eager. So am I.), but a book about music that has inspired me in some way and now sits on my shelves, immune to the huge and vast quantities of trading that I do.
E-mail me your stories -- you can reach me through the website, as always. And the seven of you who touch me the most deeply will win a copy of someone else's book. I'll announce the winners each day during BAFAB week, which is October 1-7 this year.
If you decide to go out and pay it forward and buy another friend a book during Buy a Friend a Book week, let me know. There might be a few special goodies in your package -- but be honest. Somehow, I have a bad habit of smelling out a lie. Also, be sure to scroll down this here page for the list of other blogs who are also running BAFAB contests and join some of them. Be sure to tell them West of Mars sent you!
Good luck, and here's to good stories!
(legal stuff: writing quality is less important than content, but spelling mistakes and text-speak are turn-offs. By submitting your story to me, you are hereby allowing me to in turn be inspired by it and use it in some way, shape, or form in future fiction writing that I may do. You will own no rights to any future work you've inspired, and no royalties will be due to you. But let's face it. The publishing industry being what it is, you'd only get about five cents anyway, and is THAT worth haggling over?)
Labels: Buy a Friend a Book Week, contest
