Things have been a bit hectic here these last few days...but I am still hard at work putting things together for blossombones...
We've selected some great cover art for the first issue (Thanks Missy!) and we're starting to read and select some submissions, as well.
We've gotten some really excellent submissions, but we're still looking for more--so submit, folks!
Submissions for the Fall/Winter issue are open through November 1st!
In other news: I'm still trying to find the time to write (at least a little bit) every day--this has become rather challenging! I find that if I have a very productive day, it's generally followed by a couple of slow days. Go figure.
Currently reading :
Season of the Witch by Natasha Mostert
Just finished:
The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show by Ariel Gore
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
My original plan was to read House of Leaves this weekend. I started reading it on Thursday night, but I had a serious headache after about a half-hour of that! Picked up a copy of HP7 at the local Target on Friday morning...which I read on Friday night, and finished Saturday morning.
I used House of Leaves as a coaster for my iced tea.
*hangs head in shame*
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
because susan started it...
| You Are Death |
 You symbolize the end, which can be frightening. But you also symbolize the immortality of the soul. You represent transformation, rebirth of a new life. Sweeping away the past is part of this card, as painful as it may be. Your fortune: Don't worry, this card does not predict death itself. Instead it foreshadows the ending of an era of your life, one that is hard to let go of. But with the future great new things will come, and it's time to embrace them. Mourn for a while, but then face the future with humility and courage. |
Thursday, July 26, 2007
oh, so very true...
I'm on a blogthings kick today. Check it out--
| You Are The High Priestess |
 You represent mystery - secrets that are yet to be revealed. You find yourself sitting between two worlds: one dark, one light. You tend to hold these two worlds in balance, reconciling the two. Open and welcoming, you invite others to learn your secrets. Your fortune: Something hidden, or latent, in your life is about to come forward. You need to pay more attention to your dreams, thoughts, intuition, and imagination. And if that involves tapping into your dark side, it will all balance out in the end. You have a lot of potential dying to be unleashed, so let those gates open! |
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
more random things...part deux
Having already posted five things I love right now on mythology and milk, I thought I'd start another new and fascinating discussion:
Five unread books currently on the shelf:
1. My Father had a Daughter: Judith Shakespeare's Tale by Grace Tiffany
I don't know why I never got around to this one; it looks pretty good. It's been sitting for at least a year.
2. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
I generally love weird, postmodern stuff, but I just can't seem to bring myself to start on this one, probably because: a. the "playful" forms seem to border on obnoxious b. I have heard some negative reviews. Anybody read this? Liked it? Hated it? Just curious. This one's been sitting around for about a year, as well.
3. The Stand by Stephen King
I tried to read this rather lengthy book back in the seventh grade. (I had taken it out of the library, and ran out of time.) I picked up a copy, but never got around to reading it. (And it's been over twenty years! That's a little scary...)
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Another one that looks promising, but I've never gotten around to reading. I think it's been on the shelf for a couple of years now...
5. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco rocks! (Yeah, I said that! But I loved Foucault's Pendulum) This one may not even be mine--I think I borrowed it from my mom--but it's been here forever...
Five unread books currently on the shelf:
1. My Father had a Daughter: Judith Shakespeare's Tale by Grace Tiffany
I don't know why I never got around to this one; it looks pretty good. It's been sitting for at least a year.
2. House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
I generally love weird, postmodern stuff, but I just can't seem to bring myself to start on this one, probably because: a. the "playful" forms seem to border on obnoxious b. I have heard some negative reviews. Anybody read this? Liked it? Hated it? Just curious. This one's been sitting around for about a year, as well.
3. The Stand by Stephen King
I tried to read this rather lengthy book back in the seventh grade. (I had taken it out of the library, and ran out of time.) I picked up a copy, but never got around to reading it. (And it's been over twenty years! That's a little scary...)
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin
Another one that looks promising, but I've never gotten around to reading. I think it's been on the shelf for a couple of years now...
5. The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Umberto Eco rocks! (Yeah, I said that! But I loved Foucault's Pendulum) This one may not even be mine--I think I borrowed it from my mom--but it's been here forever...
Things I like right now.....
In no particular order:
1. The OED - Thank you, OED, for helping me write several new and rewrite several old poems today!
2. Jason Bredle's book, Standing In Line for the Beast - I'm so glad that I spent the money that I do not have on this hilariously brilliant collection!
3. Mugglecast, courtesy of Mugglenet.com - Yes, this is more mentioning of Harry Potter, but I'm still in the midst of a Harry Potter hangover that will take a little while to wear off.
4. The Opposite House, Helen Oyeyemi's amazing follow-up to her AMAZING debut novel The Icarus Girl - This woman is about my age and she's already written two novels and two plays....I'm in a jealous awe of what a talent she is....
5. Miami Ink on TLC - I checked out the tattoo gallery on the site and actually found a tattoo that I would consider getting (whatever you do, do NOT spill the beans to my mother about that one......)!
1. The OED - Thank you, OED, for helping me write several new and rewrite several old poems today!
2. Jason Bredle's book, Standing In Line for the Beast - I'm so glad that I spent the money that I do not have on this hilariously brilliant collection!
3. Mugglecast, courtesy of Mugglenet.com - Yes, this is more mentioning of Harry Potter, but I'm still in the midst of a Harry Potter hangover that will take a little while to wear off.
4. The Opposite House, Helen Oyeyemi's amazing follow-up to her AMAZING debut novel The Icarus Girl - This woman is about my age and she's already written two novels and two plays....I'm in a jealous awe of what a talent she is....
5. Miami Ink on TLC - I checked out the tattoo gallery on the site and actually found a tattoo that I would consider getting (whatever you do, do NOT spill the beans to my mother about that one......)!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and his maybe-okay-slightly Deathly Hallows
Judging from the title of this entry, you would be right in guessing that I've spent the majority of the weekend reading the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Of course, there were probably a bazillion other people doing exactly the same thing that I did, so the world is probably full of a lot of people with eye-strain and the need for a good nap. Friday night around 7:30ish, my youngest sis and I trekked out to Barnes & Noble, where I had reserved two books for us in like March or something (as early as I possibly could, haha!), and we spent our time waiting for midnight and discussing our many theories as to what was going to happen at the end of our beloved Harry Potter series. Here are some of the things that we were absolutely convinced would happen, and in the spirit of not revealing any spoilers whatsoever, I will just say that some of our theories may or may not have happened:
1) Snape is really with the good guys, even though he's done some mega bad things. Percy Weasley is also a spy who infiltrated the Ministry and is really a good guy too!
2) Ginny Weasley will kick some major ass because she is from an old, pureblood wizarding family, she is the 7th child of 7 kids, and (my sister and I believe, though we might be wrong) she is the first female Weasley child in seven generations. Seven is a super magical number in the Harry Potter world, so Ginny has to have some major role in book 7.
3) Ron and Hermione will get together finally. Oh yeah.
4) Draco Malfoy will have some giant and awesome epiphany by the end and completely join the good guys in fighting Voldemort, reconciling the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses and, of course, the ever-fighting Harry and Draco. Draco will then either die or will befriend Harry.
5) Harry will use some kind of magical object to communicate with people who have died.
6) the Pensieve will play a major role.
7) some cool people will die.
Okay, like I said, these were only a few of mine and Caitlin's HP theories! They aren't spoilers, because I would never ruin the book for anyone!
Anyway, the reason why I titled my entry the way that I did is because, to be quite honest, though the book was okay, I was pretty underwhelmed overall. I think when you are expecting something really great, something that will tie up all of the loose ends, that is complex and unexpected, and you only get something that is so-so, then it can be disappointing. I won't say anything further about it, only that I think that J.K. Rowling really missed out on some great opportunities to end her series fantastically rather than letting it go out on a fizzle.
1) Snape is really with the good guys, even though he's done some mega bad things. Percy Weasley is also a spy who infiltrated the Ministry and is really a good guy too!
2) Ginny Weasley will kick some major ass because she is from an old, pureblood wizarding family, she is the 7th child of 7 kids, and (my sister and I believe, though we might be wrong) she is the first female Weasley child in seven generations. Seven is a super magical number in the Harry Potter world, so Ginny has to have some major role in book 7.
3) Ron and Hermione will get together finally. Oh yeah.
4) Draco Malfoy will have some giant and awesome epiphany by the end and completely join the good guys in fighting Voldemort, reconciling the Gryffindor and Slytherin houses and, of course, the ever-fighting Harry and Draco. Draco will then either die or will befriend Harry.
5) Harry will use some kind of magical object to communicate with people who have died.
6) the Pensieve will play a major role.
7) some cool people will die.
Okay, like I said, these were only a few of mine and Caitlin's HP theories! They aren't spoilers, because I would never ruin the book for anyone!
Anyway, the reason why I titled my entry the way that I did is because, to be quite honest, though the book was okay, I was pretty underwhelmed overall. I think when you are expecting something really great, something that will tie up all of the loose ends, that is complex and unexpected, and you only get something that is so-so, then it can be disappointing. I won't say anything further about it, only that I think that J.K. Rowling really missed out on some great opportunities to end her series fantastically rather than letting it go out on a fizzle.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
this week's reviews: theatre and pop lit...
Usually, I like to give a little overview of what I'm reading somewhat regularly on the blog, but today, I thought I'd mix things up a bit.
Saturday, I went to the Goodman Theatre to see Mary Zimmerman's production of Mirror of the Invisible World.
While I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of the story, I knew the production would be visually stunning, because Mary Zimmerman is just amazing! I saw Silk (based on the book by Alessandro Baricco) last season, and was totally captivated by the beauty of the sets, costumes, and effects.
Mirror was also very beautifully done. The costumes and sets were lovely, and some of the effects were really, really cool. I especially like the way one of the stories (The one told by the Russian princess, I think?) was represented in silouette, behind a screen...I love that kind of stuff!
While the play was kind of long (about two and a half hours), I didn't really mind. It was worth the time invested.
The story, (I'll be brief) is about a Persian king who falls in love with seven princesses, each of whom tells him a fairytale-type story that combines elements of the erotic, the grotesque, and a suprising bit of humor, as well.
I've posted a link to the review on TheaterMania.com here.
I've also just finished reading The Good House by Tananarive Due. While the "haunted house" is a fairly familiar trope within the horror genre, I like what she did with the story. The non-linear approach to the narrative works, and while the ending wasn't quite what I expected (which is not a bad thing!) I think it works out--in part--because of the way she structured her story. There is one scene in the book that still chills me even thinking about it!
I think she's one of the best contemporary horror writers around.
Okay, I admit it. I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I've only read the first four, so I thought I might catch up with the rest of the world.
Saturday, I went to the Goodman Theatre to see Mary Zimmerman's production of Mirror of the Invisible World.
While I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of the story, I knew the production would be visually stunning, because Mary Zimmerman is just amazing! I saw Silk (based on the book by Alessandro Baricco) last season, and was totally captivated by the beauty of the sets, costumes, and effects.
Mirror was also very beautifully done. The costumes and sets were lovely, and some of the effects were really, really cool. I especially like the way one of the stories (The one told by the Russian princess, I think?) was represented in silouette, behind a screen...I love that kind of stuff!
While the play was kind of long (about two and a half hours), I didn't really mind. It was worth the time invested.
The story, (I'll be brief) is about a Persian king who falls in love with seven princesses, each of whom tells him a fairytale-type story that combines elements of the erotic, the grotesque, and a suprising bit of humor, as well.
I've posted a link to the review on TheaterMania.com here.
I've also just finished reading The Good House by Tananarive Due. While the "haunted house" is a fairly familiar trope within the horror genre, I like what she did with the story. The non-linear approach to the narrative works, and while the ending wasn't quite what I expected (which is not a bad thing!) I think it works out--in part--because of the way she structured her story. There is one scene in the book that still chills me even thinking about it!
I think she's one of the best contemporary horror writers around.
Okay, I admit it. I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I've only read the first four, so I thought I might catch up with the rest of the world.
On a more hilarious note.....
My last entry from earlier today was quite angry. And for good reason, of course.
But finding some 1970's Harlequin Romance paperbacks for sale at the library sure put me in a good mood. Hee hee.
There's nothing funnier to me than an old romance novel. Take this back-cover blurb from the Harlequin Romance classic Where the South Wind Blows, by author Anne Hampson:
"Melanie had had enough. For the second time in her life, she had lost the man she loved to her glamorous but unscrupulous sister, Romaine...."
I don't know what's funnier - that the title of the book reminds me of a polite way to say 'fart', or that Melanie's sister is named after lettuce. Romaine - HA!
Or take this delightful blurb from the back of Jane Corrie's The Island Bride:
"Life would now be very awkward if he, now the island's most influential man, revealed that they'd actually met for the first time six years before, when he had been forced to marry her - a teenage runaway he'd found hiding on his banana plantation."
I don't know about you, but banana plantations are hot. Oh yeah.
I'm so excited about my findings - you can't beat $3 for twelve books! And in my nerdiness, I was thinking....a paper about feminist/misogynist rhetoric in romance novels could be pretty awesome.....
But finding some 1970's Harlequin Romance paperbacks for sale at the library sure put me in a good mood. Hee hee.
There's nothing funnier to me than an old romance novel. Take this back-cover blurb from the Harlequin Romance classic Where the South Wind Blows, by author Anne Hampson:
"Melanie had had enough. For the second time in her life, she had lost the man she loved to her glamorous but unscrupulous sister, Romaine...."
I don't know what's funnier - that the title of the book reminds me of a polite way to say 'fart', or that Melanie's sister is named after lettuce. Romaine - HA!
Or take this delightful blurb from the back of Jane Corrie's The Island Bride:
"Life would now be very awkward if he, now the island's most influential man, revealed that they'd actually met for the first time six years before, when he had been forced to marry her - a teenage runaway he'd found hiding on his banana plantation."
I don't know about you, but banana plantations are hot. Oh yeah.
I'm so excited about my findings - you can't beat $3 for twelve books! And in my nerdiness, I was thinking....a paper about feminist/misogynist rhetoric in romance novels could be pretty awesome.....
The power of words....
Yes, I'm an English major and definitely a die-hard word-nerd, but this morning I stopped in mid-spoonful while eating breakfast because of a news story.
I don't remember if I was watching CNN or MSNBC, but the reporter and two commentators, representing both sides of the issue, were discussing a trial and the judge's controversial ruling that words like 'rape', 'victim', and 'sexual assault' are not to be used in his courtroom because of the connotations tied to words like these. Apparently, not even the victim - I'm sorry, accuser - is allowed to use these words to describe what happened to her, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. To ban the accuser from using these words forces her to describe what happened to her as 'sex', which, as the writer of the linked article writes, has connotations as well. 'Sex' implies that what occurred was consensual, and to force someone who has been victimized - allegedly or otherwise - perpetuates the whole idea of "false reporting", the idea that women are liars. So often the media focuses on so-called incidences of false reporting when in all actuality, something like 96% of sexual assaults reported were legitimate. Yet another way that society at large victimizes women - by telling the masses that raped women aren't to be believed. It makes me absolutely sick.
The judge's decision does nothing but feed into that. Does the guy deserve a fair trial? Of course, everyone does.
But doesn't the accuser deserve to be able to use the words she feels are necessary in order to get her side of the story out there? Doesn't she deserve fairness in this trial too?
I don't remember if I was watching CNN or MSNBC, but the reporter and two commentators, representing both sides of the issue, were discussing a trial and the judge's controversial ruling that words like 'rape', 'victim', and 'sexual assault' are not to be used in his courtroom because of the connotations tied to words like these. Apparently, not even the victim - I'm sorry, accuser - is allowed to use these words to describe what happened to her, which I think is absolutely ridiculous. To ban the accuser from using these words forces her to describe what happened to her as 'sex', which, as the writer of the linked article writes, has connotations as well. 'Sex' implies that what occurred was consensual, and to force someone who has been victimized - allegedly or otherwise - perpetuates the whole idea of "false reporting", the idea that women are liars. So often the media focuses on so-called incidences of false reporting when in all actuality, something like 96% of sexual assaults reported were legitimate. Yet another way that society at large victimizes women - by telling the masses that raped women aren't to be believed. It makes me absolutely sick.
The judge's decision does nothing but feed into that. Does the guy deserve a fair trial? Of course, everyone does.
But doesn't the accuser deserve to be able to use the words she feels are necessary in order to get her side of the story out there? Doesn't she deserve fairness in this trial too?
Monday, July 16, 2007
posting a hyperlink on blogger from a Mac
Hey Melissa--
You can post a hyperlink on blogger from a Mac; while it's not fully compatible with Mac's default browser--Safari--you can download Firefox from Mozilla, which works just fine!
Firefox is free, open source, and compatible with your Mac. I use it in situations where Safari doesn't work. It's very easy to use, secure, and I think you'll like it...
Hope this helps!
You can post a hyperlink on blogger from a Mac; while it's not fully compatible with Mac's default browser--Safari--you can download Firefox from Mozilla, which works just fine!
Firefox is free, open source, and compatible with your Mac. I use it in situations where Safari doesn't work. It's very easy to use, secure, and I think you'll like it...
Hope this helps!
Countdown to Harry Potter 7, Orange Girl, and other happenings!
Oh yes. Only pretty much four days left until I can get my paws on the new Harry Potter book. It will be mine.
For now, I'm reading Harry Potter 5 and 6 before the midnight release party :)
In my excitement, I was thinking back to a couple of years ago while reading the fifth book (for the first time) with my youngest sister and she and I would stay awake late at night and try to guess how the series would end. Well, I remember she and I did a little research online and we found a very elaborate, well-thought theory about a connection between Ron and Dumbledore, and while J.K. Rowling insists that the theory won't pan out, I think it would be an interesting twist in the series regardless! I can't post a hyperlink as far as I know with the Mac OS, so here's the website that explains the theory:
http://www.knight2king.net/Knight2King/weasleyisourking.html
If you're interested, check it out and let me know what you think! I think it's such an interesting idea, and it makes me hope that J.K. ends the series in as interesting of a way!!!
I also couldn't write a post without mentioning the dancing girl press poetry reading that I attended Saturday night! All of the readers were wonderful, and both my sister and I picked up copies of Simone Muench's new chapbook, Orange Girl. I cannot reccommend Orange Girl enough, so everyone should head to the dgp site and pick up a copy! We're talking poetry at its very best, people!
I also have to thank Juliet Cook of Blood Pudding Press for deciding to include my poem "Fleur and the Phantom Limb" in her special project! Thanks Juliet!
This entry just made me realize how often I use the exclamation point to end my sentences.....
!!!!!!!!!!!!
For now, I'm reading Harry Potter 5 and 6 before the midnight release party :)
In my excitement, I was thinking back to a couple of years ago while reading the fifth book (for the first time) with my youngest sister and she and I would stay awake late at night and try to guess how the series would end. Well, I remember she and I did a little research online and we found a very elaborate, well-thought theory about a connection between Ron and Dumbledore, and while J.K. Rowling insists that the theory won't pan out, I think it would be an interesting twist in the series regardless! I can't post a hyperlink as far as I know with the Mac OS, so here's the website that explains the theory:
http://www.knight2king.net/Knight2King/weasleyisourking.html
If you're interested, check it out and let me know what you think! I think it's such an interesting idea, and it makes me hope that J.K. ends the series in as interesting of a way!!!
I also couldn't write a post without mentioning the dancing girl press poetry reading that I attended Saturday night! All of the readers were wonderful, and both my sister and I picked up copies of Simone Muench's new chapbook, Orange Girl. I cannot reccommend Orange Girl enough, so everyone should head to the dgp site and pick up a copy! We're talking poetry at its very best, people!
I also have to thank Juliet Cook of Blood Pudding Press for deciding to include my poem "Fleur and the Phantom Limb" in her special project! Thanks Juliet!
This entry just made me realize how often I use the exclamation point to end my sentences.....
!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 13, 2007
sidebar
Be sure to check out the fine sites listed in the sidebar under "lit scene" and "art scene."
More are on the way!
If anyone would like to be added to our links lists (for literature or art) please drop me a line with your url at:
susan [at] blossombones [dot] com
More are on the way!
If anyone would like to be added to our links lists (for literature or art) please drop me a line with your url at:
susan [at] blossombones [dot] com
Thursday, July 12, 2007
blossombones mascot
Harley, the unofficial blossombones mascot, got a new woobie today...a fuzzy squeaky hotdog.
He is very happy.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
I'm still here! I swear!
Hey everyone! It's been a busy, BUSY week or so for me. Between taking the kiddies (my sisters - not my kids, as I have no kids...and technically my sisters aren't really kids either...) to the firework show, getting ready for my sister's birthday (happy b-day Chimmy!), and setting up my brand new beautiful Macbook, I haven't had much time to make an update to the blog! I'm sorry for all of you who read this with feverish excitement, waiting for the updates! I promise to update more frequently from here on out!
As I mentioned above, I just got a Macbook, and let me just tell you that for someone like me who couldn't even almost tell you what a gigabite is, the laptop itself has proven to be very user friendly. It's the whole hooking up of the printer that's giving me issues today. I should've known that anything that preaches "bluetooth capabilities" should stay well out of my hands. Anyone out there in Internetland that happens to read our blog.....help! I have things to print! Like rebates, and poetry to send out!
In other news, things on the homefront have been quite interesting. I hate to mention anything now because the idea is in its absolute infancy - no, actually the idea is more of a pre-infant.....a zygote, if you will - but since it's being talked about then I might as well tell you guys. I might be making a very big move to a very small town. To give you an idea of just how small a town, the name says it all = Krum, TX. A small-ass town in the biggest state in the lower 48. It seems random, and it kind of is, but my mom's whole family lives down there and there's a large university - UNT - about 15 minutes away. So yeah, I'm definitely considering it. For now I'm just trying to get through the summer, hopefully land an internship in Chicago this fall, and finish up my last semester. Of course I'll keep everyone updated if the idea-zygote develops into an idea-fetus or more. Ha, I said idea-fetus :)
Of course I can't update the blog without mentioning the very nerdy Harry Potter MANIA that is currently sweeping through my house! My sisters and I are both going to see the 12:01 show of the new movie tonight - well, technically tomorrow, but whatever. My youngest sister and I are much more excited about reading the last book of the series, which unless you're from the Middle Ages you know comes out on the 20th. My sis and I have a tradition where we race against one another to get through the new Potter book and then we read the last chapter together. I think it's a nice tradition! And yes, I realize that Harry Potter isn't exactly a sophisticated read, nor is it very complicated, but I love the story and let's be honest - we all need a little bit of pop-lit in our lives sometime. Especially when you've been tackling the GRE reading list all summer.....groan.....
As fiction and creative non-fiction editor of blossombones, I have to plug my genres before ending this post: all you prose writers out there should submit! Send me your work guys! Response time from me will be much faster in the summer since I pretty much have nothing better to do besides play Super Paper Mario on my boyfriend's Wii. Come on. Submit. You know you want to!
Lastly, I want to welcome Missy to the blossombones family! She is such a talent and I'm sure she'll keep blossombones lookin' good. Hells yeah.
As I mentioned above, I just got a Macbook, and let me just tell you that for someone like me who couldn't even almost tell you what a gigabite is, the laptop itself has proven to be very user friendly. It's the whole hooking up of the printer that's giving me issues today. I should've known that anything that preaches "bluetooth capabilities" should stay well out of my hands. Anyone out there in Internetland that happens to read our blog.....help! I have things to print! Like rebates, and poetry to send out!
In other news, things on the homefront have been quite interesting. I hate to mention anything now because the idea is in its absolute infancy - no, actually the idea is more of a pre-infant.....a zygote, if you will - but since it's being talked about then I might as well tell you guys. I might be making a very big move to a very small town. To give you an idea of just how small a town, the name says it all = Krum, TX. A small-ass town in the biggest state in the lower 48. It seems random, and it kind of is, but my mom's whole family lives down there and there's a large university - UNT - about 15 minutes away. So yeah, I'm definitely considering it. For now I'm just trying to get through the summer, hopefully land an internship in Chicago this fall, and finish up my last semester. Of course I'll keep everyone updated if the idea-zygote develops into an idea-fetus or more. Ha, I said idea-fetus :)
Of course I can't update the blog without mentioning the very nerdy Harry Potter MANIA that is currently sweeping through my house! My sisters and I are both going to see the 12:01 show of the new movie tonight - well, technically tomorrow, but whatever. My youngest sister and I are much more excited about reading the last book of the series, which unless you're from the Middle Ages you know comes out on the 20th. My sis and I have a tradition where we race against one another to get through the new Potter book and then we read the last chapter together. I think it's a nice tradition! And yes, I realize that Harry Potter isn't exactly a sophisticated read, nor is it very complicated, but I love the story and let's be honest - we all need a little bit of pop-lit in our lives sometime. Especially when you've been tackling the GRE reading list all summer.....groan.....
As fiction and creative non-fiction editor of blossombones, I have to plug my genres before ending this post: all you prose writers out there should submit! Send me your work guys! Response time from me will be much faster in the summer since I pretty much have nothing better to do besides play Super Paper Mario on my boyfriend's Wii. Come on. Submit. You know you want to!
Lastly, I want to welcome Missy to the blossombones family! She is such a talent and I'm sure she'll keep blossombones lookin' good. Hells yeah.
Monday, July 9, 2007
other news: blossombones art and stuff.....
I am blogging like mad tonight :)
I just wanted to thank artist Missy Frattini for agreeing to come on board as contributing art editor for blossombones!
Look for upcoming news on cool cover art and a blossombones gallery page.
I'll be updating the site very soon, so keep an eye out for new features and for a spiffy new look in our premiere issue!
Happy, happy.
I just wanted to thank artist Missy Frattini for agreeing to come on board as contributing art editor for blossombones!
Look for upcoming news on cool cover art and a blossombones gallery page.
I'll be updating the site very soon, so keep an eye out for new features and for a spiffy new look in our premiere issue!
Happy, happy.
This week's book reviews!
Well, things have been a bit hectic lately, but somehow, I still managed to squeeze in a bit of reading....and writing :)
I just finished reading Christopher Moore's Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, and I thought it quite fabulous!
Moore ponders the "lost years" of Jesus with a combination of the outrageous, the downright ridiculous and the sublime in a way no one has quite done before. I could blog on and on, but I'd hate to spoil all the fun for those who have not read this novel! Oddly, (and rather impressively) Moore manages to use satire effectively without really crossing over into the truly offensive. (Of course, this only my opinion--and I am not easily offended! Especially by just plain good fiction.) Honestly, I even recommended this book to my mother, who is a devout Catholic. I think it's a hoot!
I have also read Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Price of Salt. This book isn't one of Highsmith's most "famous" novels, and that's a shame, because it's an excellent read....
The novel delves into the lives of two women who meet at a department store, fall in love, and ultimately, have to choose between living authentic lives or conforming to societal standards. I've had an opportunity to read a number of pieces of gay/lesbian fiction this last year--having taken a course in LGBTQ Rights and Issues as a part of my Women's Studies Program--and I would have to say that this is one of the best I have read so far. It's very realistic, and avoids the sterotypical endings one (too often) finds in books about gay/lesbian couples--no one goes mad, goes "straight" or kills themselves--which is rather refreshing! Recommended.
I just finished reading Christopher Moore's Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, and I thought it quite fabulous!
Moore ponders the "lost years" of Jesus with a combination of the outrageous, the downright ridiculous and the sublime in a way no one has quite done before. I could blog on and on, but I'd hate to spoil all the fun for those who have not read this novel! Oddly, (and rather impressively) Moore manages to use satire effectively without really crossing over into the truly offensive. (Of course, this only my opinion--and I am not easily offended! Especially by just plain good fiction.) Honestly, I even recommended this book to my mother, who is a devout Catholic. I think it's a hoot!
I have also read Patricia Highsmith's novel, The Price of Salt. This book isn't one of Highsmith's most "famous" novels, and that's a shame, because it's an excellent read....
The novel delves into the lives of two women who meet at a department store, fall in love, and ultimately, have to choose between living authentic lives or conforming to societal standards. I've had an opportunity to read a number of pieces of gay/lesbian fiction this last year--having taken a course in LGBTQ Rights and Issues as a part of my Women's Studies Program--and I would have to say that this is one of the best I have read so far. It's very realistic, and avoids the sterotypical endings one (too often) finds in books about gay/lesbian couples--no one goes mad, goes "straight" or kills themselves--which is rather refreshing! Recommended.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Postcard and a little about Saturday night!
I figured that I would update since I have neglected to do so in awhile! I was happy to wake up to a fiction submission in my blossombones email box! Woo hoo! It looks like relentless plugging of the site Saturday night is starting to work. Saturday night Susan and I brought our husband and boyfriend to the B.Y.O.P. Guild Complex event and it was a pretty fun time! Simone Muench, who has been SO supportive of Susan and me and who has been promoting blossombones madstyle, curated the event. She was so kind to make several announcements encouraging people to submit. Susan and I also made some lovely postcards with blossombones info and they seemed to be a hit as well (I posted it above! Well the front side at least, because if you're reading this blog, chances are you've visited the site and you're going to submit anyway!).
I couldn't mention the event Saturday without talking about the hilarious Jason Bredle, who ended the night on the best note. I'd only heard of him before, so getting to hear him read some of his pieces aloud was such a surprising - in the BEST way - experience! His attention to detail is beyond meticulous, and his comedic timing is so on-point that he had the audience in stitches. I laughed so hard that even today, Monday afternoon, my abs hurt - I have abs in there somewhere! What I especially loved about the pieces that he read is that they were so accessible even to people who aren't necessarily so familiar with poetry. He's the kind of writer that has the potential for serious mass appeal. I will definitely be checking out more of his work ASAP!
Well, today has been quite the lazy day thusfar, though I promise you that I fully intend to get cracking on some new pieces today! I also want to look around for a place to submit a creative non-fiction piece that I wrote awhile ago about my nerdiness and the EPISODE III premiere. Oh yes. I'm totally biased of course, but I think my piece is pretty funny, and since I know that he reads this blog sometimes, I completely have my boyfriend to thank for the inspiration. So thanks babe!
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