Loads of Literary Links ~ for the Busy, Bored, or Both

 

Its Friday ~ so take a break and peruse some links!

Honestly, this is slightly “Cold Off  the Press” but should still be fun.

 

 

General Bookish Bits:

• The Man Booker Prize short list has been announced.
• Funny quotes overheard in book stores… from Book Browse Blog.
• Kafka fan alert! - a cache of unpublished manuscripts has been opened.
• The joys of reading more than one book at a time. From NPR via Shelf Awareness.
• Books on the Nightstand has a post which highlights a number of other book podcasts. Podcasts are perfect for the blogger or reader when walking the dog, exercising, or cleaning the garage.

 The Speculative List:

• The Hugo Awards for 2010 have been announced. Ellen Datlow has won best editor; one of her recent books Haunted Legends is previewed on Layers of Thought.
• The 2009 World Fantasy Award Nominees list from Locus Magazine.
• So ends Tor’s Urban Fantasy Month – in July. In case you did not have a chance to check it out here are my two favorites posts from the bunch:
  • Ready for another new genre? – “Rural Fantasy” an off shoot of Urban Fantasy. I like this!
  • Trolls as the new sex symbol in fantasy? Look out vamps. There have been stranger things. Besides I really like trolls. Did you know that John comes from good old English troll stock?
• Here is a list of books on UFO’s, from the Guardian UK. Not sure if that fits into speculative. I guess that depends on whether you have been abducted or not.
• Distinguishing reality from myth via The Independent – Top 10 Clues to the real King Authur
• The Guardian UK recommends a few books within the Bizarro fiction genre, including Jeremy Shipp’s Cursed - which I reviewed in June.
• If you enjoy romance in your reads, especially combined with urban fantasy, paranormal, historical fiction and more, check out Pocket Books - a division of Simon & Schuster - and its recently launched POCKET AFTER DARK - (PocketAfterDark.com).  It is a free online community for romance and urban fantasy readers.

For Writers and Authors:

• Gigs for the horror and/or urban fantasy fairy story writers - UK based editor Stephen Jones is looking for stories for his next volume of “The Best Horror”.  Also for the urban fantasy fairy writer – here is a link for submissions in the next “Bad Ass Fairy” anthology, from editor Danielle Ackley-McPhail. Its deadline is June 2011. Sword and Saga Press is also having an end of the world story contest. It ends October 31.
• Why the hell don’t they review my book? Look at this amazing pile. Wow!
• Some tips for authors on how to run your own book tour from Galley Cat.

Give Away:

• If you like fantasy with a slight hellish twist, then check out J.C. Marino’s Dante’s Journey give away on Goodreads.  And link to where John reviewes (and liked!) the book.

Events:

• Dragon Con 2010 is over but it had an amazing number of wonderful costumes. If you love speculative fiction and dressing up, this is so much fun!  Check out this post on io9.
• Dewey’s Read a Thon is coming October 9th.
• Banned Book Week is coming (September 25th through October 2nd) - this link takes you to badges and info from the ALA’s page for the event. Check out this list of banned books from the American Library Associations - Think for Yourself and Let Others do the Same.  Did you realize that The Twilight Series was placed on a list by group of concerned parents?
• Chick with Books will be highlighting banned books in connection with Banned Book Week.

Beyond Books - Courtesy of John:

• If you want your dog to look like a panda, tiger, or a teenage ninja turtle check out what wealthy Chinese are doing on CNN. This is incredibly funny and silly!
• What a find – 220 year old bubbly… wow! And it still tastes great. And found within the same ship a cache of antique beer. 

Please feel free to link your giveaway(s) or interesting link in the comments.

Hopefully this linkup will make your day bit more fun. Have a great weekend!