Litopia

Crushed Dreams

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:15:09 +0000

Do editors know that they hold authors' dreams in their hands? An anonymous blogger, who purports to be a children’s book editor, believes that authors should toughen up. “When you receive a rejection letter and feel your dreams being crushed”, she says, “BE AWARE: it's YOU crushing your dreams.” True? Or just heartless ranting? Eve’s Salmagundi Club also examines the quest for perfection – is it really necessary for that covering letter+synopsis+sample to be word-perfect before it goes out? Nicola Morgan’s blog has some good advice to offer. And – oh yes – Stephen Fry is still following Eve – should she be concerned?

The Audacity of Narcissism

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:13:35 +0000

To promote her new book – for which she’s been reportedly paid anything up to $11m – the former vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin has taken to Twittering. But not in the way that lesser mortals use the social media site: by following others and being followed in equal measure. No - Ms. Palin has 16,000 followers – of which she’s followed back precisely no-one. This is arrogance of the first order, and a gross breach of online netiquette according to Litopia’s own social media whizz, Jamie Mollart. “It’s the most flagrant misuse of a social media site I have ever seen”, he says, “I hope it bites her on the arse.” And it just may do. Other narcissists on tonight’s agenda include Polish author Krystian Bala, convicted of directing the murder of his estranged wife’s lover – and then writing a book about it – and the British author and exhibitionist Julie Myerson, whose “cruel, selfish and manipulative” tome “The Lost Child” has crossed the Atlantic and is now available for American voyeurs to relish. Joining Jamie on tongiht's glittering panel are Donna Ballman (Florida), Dave Bartram (England’s storm-ridden West Country) and a most welcome return to Canadian author Mary W. Walters.

Technology Giveth And Taketh Away

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:31:21 +0000

A federal judge has taken the rare step of ordering an author to remove from his website thousands of documents that were allegedly stolen from the Council on American-Islamic Relations – what implications does this have for non-fiction writers? Amazon’s Kindle will not allow you to back up your electronic books on to any other device – which means that if your Kindle packs up, or if Amazon moves on to another technical standard, you're screwed. And Malaysian authorities have confiscated more than 15,000 Bibles in recent months because they referred to "God" as "Allah. All this and more in today’s Write Report with Donna Ballman.

Blood & Editing

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:05:01 +0000

Is the standard of editing in publishing getting better? Peter believes that, despite suspicions to the contrary, it may actually be improving. And are there any areas of a manuscript that an editor should never be allowed to infiltrate? Editing can be (and usually is) a positive and necessary process for every writer, but there are still horror stories of inept or spiteful editors: what are the warning signs?

Adapt Or Die

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:21:17 +0000

The great publishing houses of the past face an enormous challenge today: adapt to the new publishing reality or perish. In today’s Daily, Peter looks at one of the huge issues that may well sink some household names – the question of cultural change within the company itself.

The Joy Of Rejection

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 7 Nov 2009 06:57:09 +0000

Imagine this. You have a letter of acceptance in your hand, and one of rejection... which one are you going to brood over? If you’re like most writers, you’ll take the rejection to heart, while discounting the positive news. There seems to be something about human nature that focuses on the sting of rejection while negating the good stuff. But why? With Dr. Susan O’Doherty on tonight’s illustrious panel, we’re probing the hidden depths of the human psyche to find out the evolutionary basis for our fear of rejection – maybe there’s a good reason for it, after all? Joining Dr. Sue (New York) are of Donna Ballman (Florida), Dave Bartram (England’s West Country) and – yes, she’s back! – our own Eve Harvey (Edinburgh). Truly, a rare and renowned international panel for your delight and edification.

The Wrong Palin

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:29:49 +0000

Chris Christie, the new Republican Governor Elect of New Jersey, has been called out as a copyright thief – by Monty Python. Scholastic tells an author to rewrite books to exclude a gay couple if she wants to be included in their book fairs. And After indie booksellers announce plans to buy their books at Amazon and Wal-Mart (it’s cheaper than buying from the publishers), the big guys limit the amount of books purchasers can buy. Which just goes to show, you should never announce your evil plans! All this and more in today’s Write Report with Donna Ballman. And Donna’s own book The Writer’s Guide to the Courtroom will be out in a few days – if you’re a writer who ever references the law, buy one now!

Writers As Slaves

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 13:22:16 +0000

Peter gives a brief update on current developments in the Colony; when will all the construction work end? And then, he tackles a subject that’s looming large on the writing horizon – the way in which writers are increasingly being used as slave labor. Maybe writers are their own worst enemy?

Live From The Canarian Islands

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 2 Nov 2009 11:31:15 +0000

Eve’s Salmagundi Club comes to us live and direct from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, where it’s an impressive 90 degrees (London is shivering in damp grey mist). But doesn’t the eternal sunshine of paradise get a bit boring eventually? Not if you’ve brought some holiday reading! Eve and Richard gives us a run-down of the books they’ve consumed to date.

Party Pooping Potter

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:27:26 +0000

Did Harry Potter’s lawyers (alright, Warner Bros lawyers) act way too heavy-handedly when they recently acted to suppress a Harry Potter-style house party in London? Press reports suggested they acted like party poopers – but on today’s Write Report with Donna Ballman, we look at the evidence and conclude rather differently. Also, there are at last moves in the ponderously slow English legal system to reform our appallingly anachronistic criminal libel laws - about 900 years too late - and UK personality (famous for her boobs) Jordan causes a riot at a book signing. We should be so lucky. And take note: Donna’s own book The Writer’s Guide to the Courtroom will be out in a few days – if you’re a writer who ever references the law, buy one now!

Noddy Experiences Relativistic Effects

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:46:30 +0000

It’s our Halloween show, and the most horrifying item on tonight’s agenda is unfortunately all too corporeal: one publisher has summarily announced their new e-book royalty rate will be a meagre 20% - not of the retail price, but of the net amount received. Truly gruesome. Apart from that, we’re looking at book titles –how choosing the right one can land you in the bestseller lists. Then there’s the increasingly spooky Large Hadron Collider – are people in the future trying to send us a message? The latest bout of political correctness gone bonkers sees the quintessentially English Fentiman’s Traditional Victorian Lemonade investigated by the US drugs Gestapo. The success of the True Blood tv series is a lesson to us all. Why should books have a sell-by date (hint: they shouldn’t, but publishers behave as if they do). And Noddy – what the heck’s going on with him, then? Our beautiful and talented panel tonight consists of business guru and Litopia Star Columnist Martyn Daniels, Emma Shortt from the Colony dazzles us all with her debut appearance, advertising legend Jamie Mollert dispenses some shrewd authorial promotional advice, and Dave Bartram’s second Commissioning Meeting victory in two weeks suggests that he’s really a secret publisher in disguise.

It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Who You Know Knows

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:18:27 +0000

Monday’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club features an insightful straw poll that sheds some light on the myth (or is it?) that it’s incredibly hard to get a book published without having prior connections within the industry. Does cold querying work in this day and age? Find out!

Love Me Like A Reptile

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:22:19 +0000

When love is not madness, it is not love” wrote the C17th Spanish dramatist Pedro Calderón de la Barca – although he might easily been referring to tonight’s Litopia After Dark, in which we learn of the amour fou of one Professor Arthur David Horn, late of Yale and Colorado State and an esteemed expert in the somewhat arid subject of biological anthropology. Chancing one day to fall in love with a metaphysical healer, Professor Horn’s eyes were suddenly opened to the reality that surrounded him: a world in which shape-shifting reptilians control our civilization through the secretive leaders known as the Illuminati. Truly, love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise. And yet more folly on tonight’s show. The latest health and safety threat to British local councils employees is unsafe biscuit consumption: fortunately some councils now offer supervised tea breaks “for safety reasons”. The BBC’s children’s’ channel, CBeebies, has decided to change the endings of some popular nursery rhymes, making the more politically correct and less disturbing for the little darlings. And Madonna, well, she’s always good for an eccentricity or three. Our wise and circumspect panel tonight displays no such flummery, comprised as it is of Donna Ballman, Graham Marks, Dave Bartram and David Bridger. Topics covered and links include: * The ‘Miss Plastic’ beauty pageant in Hungary * A book price war has started between the discount giants: authors will suffer * Litopians prepare for this year's NaNoWriMo, but one person won’t be doing it again * Why everything’s including Heidi Montag/Pratt is going supersize

Oh No, it's SuperInjunction!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:05:45 +0100

Friday’s WRITE REPORT with Donna Ballman continues to monitor the fallout from the infamous Trafigura case: the Swiss multinational sought and obtained an injunction in Britain’s notoriously libel-friendly courts that effectively prevented the media from reporting the proceedings of the Houses of Parliament! Maybe its time to bring a little democracy back to the country that claims to have invented it...? In California, a Los Angeles judge has refused an injunction against Chris Rock's latest film, Good Hair. Documentary filmmaker Regina Kimbell sued Rock and the producers, claiming the comedian stole the idea for the film from her own work, My Nappy Roots. And the latest target in the FTC’s crosshairs is... bloggers!

A Reality Check Concerning The E-Book

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:54:12 +0100

The noise inside the publishing industry about the e-book is almost deafening. It’s close to accepted wisdom amongst many publishers that the e-book is set to replace the “traditional” book as the dominant means of publishing – sooner rather than later. Yet, with so many unresolved issues concerning this new medium, is this a sensible assumption? Even more importantly, what do “ordinary” book buyers really think? Today, Peter does something that perhaps more people in publishing business ought to do – he goes onto the streets and simply asks people what they think. This show is essential listening for anyone involved in the publishing business – please spread the word.

Our Great Leap Forwards

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:38:39 +0100

Peter’s is here today to report on the latest developments inside the Colony: it’s all change as the new Litopia website has been unveiled, and inevitably, there are some teething problems. Listen to get up-to-date with the latest news about our biggest leap forward yet...

Raining on Your Own Parade

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:56:16 +0100

What sort of impression should you give to your agent or publisher – and does it matter? Eve’s eye has been caught by the sorry story of a writer who spent three years writing her book, another year trying to find an agent, and finally – just when all seemed perfect… disaster struck! But whose fault was it?

Pigs Might Fly

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:17:50 +0100

You would be excused for being heartily sick and tired of hearing about the Google Book Settlement, but... pay attention for another few minutes this morning, if you don’t mind – this is important, and it will probably affect you. Also in today’s Write Report with Donna Ballman, we’re talking about the libel suit that was filed a few months ago in London against Random House, publisher of “The Billionaire’s Vinegar’’… and a new survey (don’t you just hate that phrase?) claims that piracy may actually be good for e-book sales… Gadzooks! What was that? Ah, a flying pig!

A Thousand Words

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:50:28 +0100

If it’s true that a picture is worth a thousand words (and the case has not been conclusively proven either for or against) then what are we to make of the current Flash Fiction contest in the Colony that invites writers to concoct a story evoked purely by one black and white photo? In today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club, we look at other sites that seek to similar inspire authors with visual hints – and also, we’re having quite a bit of fun with a sweet little site that the OUP have just unleashed.

Dead Authors Society

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 06:55:00 +0100

Things have come to a pretty pass when publishers prefer to issue the minor works of dead authors rather the contemporary work of living writers. But that’s what’s happening in today’s muddled publishing scene: the barrel is being scraped so hard there’s hardly any of it left. David Foster Wallace, Nabokov, William Styron, Graham Greene, Carl Jung and Kurt Vonnegut are all due for creative evisceration over the coming months as estate and editors consider what they can patch together from their respective literary cast-offs: even Mark Twain, Ralph Ellison and Donald E. Westlake are being thus disembowelled. And as for Michael Crichton – someone had the bright idea of raiding that particular dead author’s laptop for any remaining dregs – the results will be synthesised into an adventure novel about pirates in 17th-century Jamaica and a techno-thriller that HarperCollins will publish in 2010. Is this right? Particularly when the author concerned has expressly indicated that they do not want such works to be posthumously published? That’s just one of the gnarly issues our forthright panel grapples with tonight – consisting of Donna Ballman, Eve Harvey, Dave Bartram and special guest from New York writers' therapist Dr. Susan O'Doherty. Topics covered and links include: * How a Swedish man discovered a 15cm penis tattoo on his leg * We draft a suitable speech for poor Guy Richie to win Madonna back * “Fromage a trois” - why intertextuality is a dreadful and fearful thing * Are you in the viral loop? Good, neither are we * The Kindle is now available to buy in the UK – whatever

Winnie The Pee

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 8 Oct 2009 20:22:39 +0100

Life get’s stranger, doesn’t it? And it seems that few areas are more bizarre than the publishing world. In this week’s WRITE REPORT with Donna Ballman. The FTC plans to require online book reviewers (bloggers... that means you!) to disclose whether they have received free books from publishers and will be treated as “endorsers”. The BookLocker.com lawsuit against Amazon's restrictive print-on-demand policy gains some traction under US anti-trust laws. The estate of James Joyce estate has been ordered to pays an author $240,000 to settle a lawsuit establishing fair use rights (it's called "copyright misuse" and it may have positive implications for other authors). And after 18 years of dueling lawsuits, courtroom clashes and allegations of impropriety, Walt Disney Co. finally can close the storybook on its battle with the family that holds lucrative rights to Winnie the Pooh. or should that bee Winnie the Pee?

Should You Have Sex With Your Editor?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 7 Oct 2009 11:40:50 +0100

David Letterman did it. So did Elliot Spitzer, Bill O’Reilly and scores of others (yes, it happens in the UK to, but their antiquated libel laws are often used to conceal the sordid facts). So – does it happen in publishing? And – if you’re an author, should you ever consider sleeping with your editor to advance your manuscript? Today’s show offers advice and insights!

The Best Opening Lines Ever

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 4 Oct 2009 20:21:36 +0100

On today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club we’re looking at opening lines. How important are they really – can they make the difference between a hit and a miss? Is “Call me Ishmael” really the best opening line of any novel (the editors of American Book Review think so). Peter and Eve discuss what works and what doesn’t, and reveal their own favorites – what’s yours?

Smells Like Books

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 3 Oct 2009 20:54:52 +0100

The first live LITOPIA AFTER DARK of the season returns with the massively diverse smorgasbord of ingredients that you’ve come to expect and, we hope, love! Our vintage panel comprises Donna Ballman, Eve Harvey, Dave Bartram and special panellist and business guru Martyn Daniels. Topics covered and links include: * What can today’s publishing business learn from the long-standing success of Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary? * Scotland is full of dangerous natives who speak an incomprehensible language – say 13th century Viking travel guides * Marathon into Snickers, the Dust Brothers into the Chemical Brothers… but how will they re-brand the book? * E-bay halts a highly profitable granny auction * How can writers escape from the tyranny of process? * And why are writers crappy conversationalists? * UK public libraries are under threat from politicians’ visions * Super Thursday sees 800 books published on a single day

Face-To-Face: This Time It’s Personal!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:40:56 +0100

London’s Poetry Café was never more vibrantly electric this summer than when it hosted our first two live Litopia After Darks: Face-To-Face. And tonight, we’re delighted to bring you – complete, unedited but by no means virgo intacta – the second and most ebullient show. The format is a little different to the usual LAD mixture – and none the worse for that, you may think. Panellists tonight were Eve Harvey, Richard Howse, Donna Ballman and Amanda Lees. Peter attempted to keep some semblance of order (and failed miserably), and we were delighted to be joined on air by Andrew Gillman, the genius who normally exercises his Svengali-like influence behind the scenes, polishing, prodding and generally raising the production values to the high level we currently enjoy. Many, many thanks to all the above for making this such a great evening – and a huge “thank-you” to our loyal audience, both those who came along in person, and everyone who listens online – we couldn’t do it without you!

Writers of the World, Unite!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 2 Oct 2009 10:49:32 +0100

Time for our weekly review of the important news from the wild and wacky world of publishing... courtesy of Donna Ballman’s WRITE REPORT. Today, we’re considering how the Society of Authors intends to take “for urgent collective action” against the cuts in author advances, which reports suggest are being slashed by as much as 70%. We’re exploring the mysteriously fascinating world of art forgery with news this week that Mexican prosecutors are investigating allegations of wholesale forgery of the worlds of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo – thousands of works are said to be involved. And will the Patriot Act be amended to make it less intrusive of citizens book reading habits?

Pardon Us While We Change

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 1 Oct 2009 10:43:00 +0100

The new Litopia website will soon be unveiled, and it’s the biggest leap forwards we’ve ever had in our seven-year history of being the best writing community on the net. In today’s daily, peter explains some of the things that have been happening behind the scenes, and what you can expect to see from October 16th.

Tolkien - Would He Be Published Today?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:35:06 +0100

Peter’s holiday reading included a long-overdue reading of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. While doing so, a dangerous thought occurred... would such an epic story of good versus evil be published today? Listen to the show to find out!

Submit Or Hunker Down?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:15:50 +0100

We’re back! Peter’s returned from his seaside vacation, and Eve (whose Salmagundi Club kicks off the week) is engrossed by a discussion in the Colony that runs as follows: “Again and again I'm hearing that publishers and agents are very, very nervous of taking on anyone, particularly new writers, in these precarious financial times. So are we wasting our submissions by sending them in at the moment? Might it be better to hunker down and write another book (or two) and save them to submit when times are better (if ever)?” A big question, and lots of good advice in today’s show.

Isolarion - James Attlee

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:16:38 +0100

Today there's another chance to hear the entire interview with author James Attlee about his stunning new book "Isolarion". An initially modest idea - not much more than a walk down a road in the author 's home town of Oxford - it has been widely praised as a bravura display of writing talent. This revealing discussion explains how such an unusual book is conceived, written and sold.

Cryptomnesia

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:17:34 +0100

Both Mark Twain and Helen Keller suffered from cryptomnesia. At various times of the lives, they presented work they clearly believed was original, and were subsequently mortified to then be accused of appropriating others' work. It seems unlikely that either of them, or George Harrison, or any number of other celebrated creative figures with much to lose would have purposely copied easily-traced material and tried to pass it off as their own. Yet that is what they did... cryptomnesia! That's just one of our fascinating topics tonight... others include why publishers aren’t better at predicting which books will sell… With more and more book sales happening online how have our buying triggers changed? And does this mean that as buyers we will no longer judge a book by its cover at all? Also… maybe the best way to write is not to write… a touch of zen can sometimes work wonders! Clinical psychologist Dr. Susan O’Doherty is back on the panel tonight, together with advertising guru Jamie Mollert, and leading lawyer & author of the forthcoming Writer's Guide to the Courtroom, Donna Ballman... and from England’s West Country, the master of the fromage á trois - it's Dave Bartram.

Exclusive Show Just For iTunes Listeners!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:53:18 +0100

Please listen to this show if you’re one of our valued iTunes listeners - it contains important information affecting our shows over the next two weeks.

The Land of Lost Kindles

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:36:18 +0100

It's a busy Write Report today with Donna - What happens to your library if your Kindle is lost? (The answer is that thieves apparently get to keep it!)... A Portuguese judge bans a new book that says Madeleine McCann is dead - how can they do that? And - restrain yourselves, folks - it's back to Amazon again, who are now facing the legal fallout ensuing from that "1984" debacle... Donna herself will be reappearing in just a few hours on Litopia After Dark, and Peter's off for a two-week break!

Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street - Mahfouz

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0100

It’s our last discussion for a while with John Simopoulos and again, we’re focusing on our series entitled Books That Matter. Galsworthy and Proust? Not worthy to hold a candle to today's featured author, Mahfouz - says John. Naguib Mahfouz was an Egyptian novelist who won the 1988 Nobel Prize for Literature, and is regarded as one of the first contemporary writers of Arabic literature. The trilogy of books - Palace Walk, Palace of Desire, Sugar Street - are collectively titled the Cairo Trilogy, an immense monumental work of 1,500 pages or so - "and every character in them is repulsive," says John, "but do read it - if you've got the stomach for it!".

The First Trilogy - Joyce Cary

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 8 Sep 2009 17:22:32 +0100

John Simopoulos is back today with another in our series of Books That Matter to tell us about an author who John knew personally: Joyce Cary. "By the end of his life", wrote Brad Leithauser in the New York Review of Books, "Cary's confident and fluent books received a critical and popular success, yet the path to this success was wearisomely tortuous. Cary was approaching forty-five when his first novel, Aissa Saved, appeared in 1932. More than two decades of literary floundering, of false starts and punctured enthusiasms, were required before Cary saw one of his many attempted novels published—to poor reviews and poorer sales." A tragic story in some ways, but one which John gives great human dimension. "A gentleman rider through life", says John.

If on a Winter's Night a Traveller - Italo Calvino

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 8 Sep 2009 10:34:08 +0100

The bestselling children's author MG Harris is our guest today in our Books That Matter series; her choice is a book by one of Italy's finest postwar writers, Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter's Night a Traveller. “I can think of no finer writer to have beside me while Italy explodes, Britain burns, while the world ends”, said Salman Rushdie.

The Way We Used To Be

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 7 Sep 2009 10:42:24 +0100

Happy Labor Day to all our American listeners! Today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club kicks back a little and looks at the the way the publishing industry used to be - when London and New York were the centers of the publishing world... and when publishing itself was at the center of the cultural lives of our nations. Sic transit gloria mundi...

Googazon

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 5 Sep 2009 06:24:40 +0100

It’s another inimitable blend of the profound and the profoundly peculiar this evening: only on Litopia After Dark can we move transcendentally from the works of John Berger to the World Gravy-Wrestling Championships without missing a beat. Our very own publishing business guru Martyn Daniels is back with us tonight – Martyn is one of the few people to grasp what’s really going on in the publishing business at the moment - and what's more, he can explain it clearly, too! And that’s one of the key subjects tonight: are publishing conglomerates a thing of the past? Or is more consolidation necessary for publishing to compete against the likes of Google, Amazon, Sony, Apple? As Richard Howse puts it (as only Richard can) "Baboo's Jumbalia takes on the Amazoogle eMasterbator!". Don't worry - you'll understand perfectly when you listen. Also on the panel tonight - from Florida, leading lawyer and author of the forthcoming Writer's Guide to the Courtroom Donna Ballman... and from England’s West Country, the master of the fromage á trois - (remember last week?) it's Dave Bartram.

Say It Ain't True, Tintin

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 3 Sep 2009 19:20:02 +0100

A Congolese accountant is to launch a lawsuit in France against Tintin for racism... the New York Times plays fast and loose with embargoes... the Google deadline is upon us... and how can authors earn more money from publishers? It's an action-packed Write Report today with Donna - who will also be reappearing in just a few hours on Litopia After Dark...

No Name - Wilkie Collins

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 2 Sep 2009 20:29:51 +0100

John Simopoulos is back today with another in our occasional series of Books That Matter to propose that you spend a little time with "No Name" by English novelist, playwright, and author - Wilkie Collins. Written in the early 1860s, between "The Woman in White" and "The Moonstone", "No Name" was rejected as immoral by critics of its time; but is today regarded as a novel of outstanding social insight, showing Wilkie Collins at the height of his powers. "One of the best books written in the 19th century", says John.

If This Is a Man - Primo Levi

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 2 Sep 2009 13:41:40 +0100

Another in our occasional series of Books That Matter today, courtesy of Oxford don John Simopoulos. "If This Is a Man" by Primo Levi tells of his own experience of the Holocaust. "His tone throughout the memoir is dry-eyed and understated", wrote the Sunday Telegraph, "he makes few references to himself, and they are rarely flattering. But by the end of this short book one is left with a monument to human dignity."

Stop Thief!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:53:09 +0100

How can you stop people stealing your great ideas? That’s the sujet-du-jour for today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club.

The Multi-Branded Victorian Cliche Book Swap Shop

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:11:45 +0100

It’s author branding that gets the limelight tonight – one of the hottest topics in publishing at the moment, but what does it really mean? Can an author really be a brand – and how do you go about creating one for yourself? Luckily, we’ve got marketing guru Jamie Mollart on hand to supply some answers and sage advice – don’t miss it! Also on the panel tonight- from Florida, leading lawyer and author of the forthcoming Writer's Guide to the Courtroom Donna Ballman... from Edinburgh Litopia’s own Salmagundist, Eve Harvey... and from England’s West Country, the master of the fromage á trois - he created it live on air, folks - it's Dave Bartram.

Fighting Dirty

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:08:55 +0100

A blogger who described a model as a “skank”, an “old hag” and a “psychotic lying whore” plans to sue Google for $18 million after they were forced to reveal her identity following a court order. On today’s Write Report with Donna, we’re looking at the complexities of this case – and the extremely nasty person whose violent actions precipitated the whole thing. Also today - the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act looks as if it will not actually devastate the children’s/YA publishing sector (another bullet dodged)… and the two-headed monster that is Google decides to impose punishing fines on publishers who fail to deliver books on time… bad Google, bad!

Dave Bartram – Books That Matter

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:50:43 +0100

We continue our occasional series entitled Books That Matter with a guest who will be more familiar to regular Litopia After Dark listeners – Dave Bartram. Dave has picked a book that is “possibly a perfect book” – First Light by Peter Ackroyd. It’s a fictional meditation on the nature of history, the problem of time and the true qualities of the English landscape.

Chika Unigwe

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:11:50 +0100

We continue our conversation with Chika Unigwe, fresh from yesterday's appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (it was sold-out!). Her new book - On Black Sisters’ Street has just been published, and we want to know about her personal journey that began in Enugu, Nigeria. What made her start writing - and what might she do next? It's a truly inspiring story.

On Black Sisters' Street

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:05:33 +0100

We’re proud today to feature Litopia colonist Chika Unigwe’s new book - On Black Sisters’ Street. Chika herself is appearing today at the Edinburgh International Book Festival – the event is sold out! – so if you don’t get to hear her there… you can hear her here! An award-winning short story writer, Chika was born in Enugu, Nigeria, and now lives in Belgium with her husband and four children. On Black Sisters’ Street is her second novel, but the first to be published internationally in English. Her publisher Jonathan Cape describes it as ‘a moving story of the illusion of the West through African eyes, and its annihilation’ but calls it ‘a story of courage, of unity and of hope’. American rights have been sold to Random House, and it’s already been published in Italian and Dutch. Chika used Litopia as a sounding board for the first draft of the novel. ‘I received some constructive criticism from members which was a big help when it came to revising the manuscript,’ explained Chika. ‘Now it’s finally about to be published, it feels a little like childbirth; the baby I’ve been carrying is about to see the light of day and I can show it off!’

Books That Writers Must Read

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:21:37 +0100

There’s a debate going on inside the Colony at the moment: can you learn writing from a book? There’s certainly no shortage of how-to books, seminars, courses and even holidays... pay the money, and you’ll become a bestselling author! But how useful are these products really? In today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club, we’re looking at the how-to-write book – what’s good, what’s not, and how should you use them to hone your skills.

Zom-pocalypse!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:56:21 +0100

George W. Bush, Roy Orbison and Darth Vader all have in common? Why are cops in one North American city arresting zombies? And why are researchers from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University compiling a report on how to deal with a zombie invasion? Answers to these pressing conundrums and much more besides on tonight’s show. Why does billionaire Steve Forbes pay his employees to go out and buy his new (and apparently not very good) book? Why don’t we change the spelling rules to make English more logical? And why is writing such darn hard work? You see – we just can’t stop asking questions! Here to supply some of the answers tonight are – cue the bagpipes – Eve Harvey, queen of the Athens of the North, and children’s author / publishing expert Graham Marks, who’s also been hanging out this week at the world’s largest literary festival in Edinburgh. Add to that our regular panelists Dave Bartram and Donna Ballman and you’ve got yourself one mean hour’s worth of litertainment… use it responsibly.

My FaceBook is Your Fortune

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:42:13 +0100

You know that lawsuit - the one filed against Oprah Winfrey, claiming a trillion dollars for alleged plagiarism? It's been thrown out of court - probably even before Oprah even knew she was being sued! In today’s Write Report with Donna, we're covering this non-event, together with the furore over Yale’s banning of images of Muhammad in book they’re publishing (or not)… and this week’s mega-plagiarism allegation – it concerns the book about FaceBook ( the FaceBook bookbook?). Ben Mezrich’s "The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook" has reportedly earned him a $1.5m advance – but claims by another author, Aaron Greenspan, thatthere are “numerous similarities in word choice, event sequencing and writing style” between his book and Mezrich’s tale could slash that sum. A case for m‘learned friends, perhaps?

Publetariat - The Next Wave in Publishing

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:27:01 +0100

April Hamilton, founder of the indie author website Publetariat (the pioneering online news hub and community) continues yesterday's fascinating discussion about the future of publishing - and in particular, where the indie author fits into the equation. How will "big" corporate publishing interface with the new wave of indie books? Essential listening!

The Indie Author Revolution

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:37 +0100

Our special guest today is April Hamilton, founder of the website Publetariat, the pioneering online news hub and community for indie authors and small imprints. But what exactly is an “indie author” – and why are they the next big thing on the web? April explains all.

All The Fun of the Fair

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 21:22:13 +0100

The world's largest public celebration of the written word has just kicked off - the Edinburgh International Book Festival is open from now until the end of the month, with over 700 events packed into two weeks and many of the world’s big-name authors in attendance. Our own Eve Harvey is a regular at the festival, and so today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club aims to give you a bit of background and some visitors tips. But if you can’t make it, don’t despair – Eve will be popping in and out, and taking her recorder with her! As we mention in today’s show, we were lucky enough to interview the festival’s guest director a couple of weeks ago – if you missed it, do listen to Richard Holloway talk about his latest book here.

Zombies, Sea Monsters & Mummies

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:00:06 +0100

It’s a truly vintage show tonight: far better entertainment than anything you’ll find on the box these format-ridden days. With a panel that encompasses marketing guru Jamie Mollart, Litoon’s creator Richard Howse, our regular panelists Dave Bartram and Donna Ballman... well, you'd expect nothing less than effortless brilliance. Oh, and did we mention that Günther makes a last-minute and rather scary appearance? It’s a bit like that moment in The Exorcist when Linda Blair’s head spins round… sans the pea soup.

Oh! Oprah!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:06:06 +0100

Oprah Gail Winfrey... the richest African American of the 20th century... the most philanthropic African American of all time... and the world's first black billionaire. And now – the first woman to be hit with a TRILLION dollar lawsuit – for alleged plagiarism. In today’s Write Report with Donna, we take a look behind the scenes of this latest and most amazing nexus where publishing meets big-ticket litigation.

Writing For Chick-Lit & Lad-Lit

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:41:51 +0100

We’re dealing with another question arising from the Colony today – an author’s manuscript in this genre has just received its first rejection –what can they learn from this? And how should they go about re-shaping the manuscript for future submissions? Although Peter had a big evening out last night, he tries his best to give some useful advice...

The Green, Green Shoots of Tome

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:57:53 +0100

Are there any “green shoots” of economic revival in the publishing industry? That’s the topic for today’s Ask the Agent, as Peter takes us inside the industry for his view of the current zeitgeist.

And So, My Fellow Litopians...

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 04:01:00 +0100

Eve’s Salmagundi Club continues for an unprecedented second day, as we carry on our discussion of what Litopia can offer the aspiring writer. And by the way - isn't Eve looking good these days?

What Have You Done For Me Lately, Litopia?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:54:28 +0100

A post inside the Colony prompts today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club - unusually introspective, because instead of looking at other writing-related websites on the net, we’re examining our own. What is the point of communities such as ours? Some interesting background on the Colony, and ways people use it to their benefit. Continues tomorrow.

Secrets of the Slushpile

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 8 Aug 2009 10:51:02 +0100

It’s no secret that the slushpile is a repository of all that’s bad about writing – a temporary resting place for the kind of material that furnishes agents and publishers with endless smug jokes at all those cocktail parties they go to. Except – it isn’t. Tonight, we hear from industry insider Joanna Swainson, making her first appearance on the show, whose job it is to read the slushpile. And she explodes a lot of myths! Making a welcome return is writer and clinical psychologist Susan O'Doherty. Dr. Sue is the author of Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman's Guide to Unblocking Creativity and tonight, she’s looking at writers and alcohol – what’s the connection? Donna Ballman tonight is here too, asking why episodic fiction used to be popular but now appears to be a dying art form. And our other regular panelist, Dave Bartram, believes that social networking sites may be affecting our ability to make meaningful relationships – could our society be nearing a vital tipping point? Dave makes a strong case. All this - together with lashings of Harriet Harman, todger-gluing (you may not want to know, but you‘re going to know), how to embarrass your kids off the internet and a touching online tribute to John Hughes, the director who gave a voice to the '80s generation.

Vampires Get Sued, Too

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 6 Aug 2009 20:00:37 +0100

Stephenie Meyer has joined that elite group of authors: along with JK Rowling and Dan Brown, her hit books are now ready targets for lawsuits. In Donna’s Write Report today, we consider the strengths and weaknesses of the recent claim against Stephenie for plagiarism. Will it get to court? We can’t say yet, but we’re sure of one thing: the lawyers will be rubbing their hands. In other stories, a new petition seeks the removal of DRM and the associated ability to control Kindle books purchased from Amazon, and increasingly numbers of publishers are using authors’ missed deadlines to renegotiate, or even cancel, contracts. The moral – be punctual!

To Be Alive Is An Extraordinary Gift

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 6 Aug 2009 10:25:15 +0100

Strong religionists... weak religionists... after religionists... which one are you? “Religion is one of our most extraordinary creations; we can learn much about ourselves by interrogating it” believes Richard Holloway, formerly Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This is our last day with Richard, who must now be frantically busy being guest director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. “To be alive at all is an extraordinary gift”, he says. “It’s a bit daft to use the one life you’re given to trample on the lives of others.” Richard has been challenging people all his life to examine how they live theirs – the paperback of his most recent book, “Between The Monster and the Saint”, is on sale now - if you enjoyed your time with Richard this week, buy it!

Born Asking Questions

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 5 Aug 2009 09:31:29 +0100

“We are capable of extraordinary cruelty”, says Richard Holloway, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival and our guest this week on Litopia Daily. “Torture has come back in our day - the things we thought had been once outlawed have now been done in the name of our nation.” Most of us, of course, are neither monsters nor saints – we occupy the morally shifting middle ground, the area that Richard explores in his latest book, “Between The Monster and the Saint. A prolific writer in addition to all his other duties, Richard is a self-confessed workaholic – so how does he go about his writing? And – why does he believe that more of us should concentrate on playing, and less on controlling others? A fascinating and insightful discussion - part three airs tomorrow.

Live Your Life Forwards, Understand it Backwards

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 3 Aug 2009 19:25:47 +0100

“All institutions like their functionaries to put institutional loyalty as their highest value”. So says our special guest this week, the guest director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, Richard Holloway. Originally a working class boy from the West of Scotland, Richard rose to occupy many distinguished positions. He has been Professor of Divinity at Gresham College in the City of London, a member of the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority, a member of the Broadcasting Standards Commission and he’s currently chair of the Scottish Arts Council. But it was as Bishop of Edinburgh and then Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church that attracted most controversy. “I resigned on Halloween”, says Richard. “I’ve never found it very easy not saying what I think…. the problem with being a bishop is that you’re not suppose to speak your mind.” Richard certainly speaks his mind in his latest book, “Between The Monster and the Saint”, and he’s our guest here all week!

Yank!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 2 Aug 2009 22:12:33 +0100

The widespread concern over authors’ involvement with their jacket cover design – or rather, with their lack of involvement – continues to reverberate round the ‘net. On today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club, we take the debate a stage further, and look at a terrific website that really raises the bar as far as many YA book covers are concerned. Conceived as a prank, many of the cover designs on 100 Scope Notes (it seems to be run by a librarian – aren’t they simply the best!) are actually rather good – and frequently equal to many adult trade titles. Publishers – take note - raise your game!

Mind Your Manners

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 1 Aug 2009 11:12:38 +0100

Welcome, dear friends, to our weekly literary soirée! We’re worried about manners this evening - not the Emily Post variety, although heaven knows we need 'em, but the trap that all creative souls can easily fall in to: becoming mannered, repetitive, creatively vacant. It’s the trailer for the new Tim Burton film “Alice in Wonderland” that sets Dave Bartram off musing in this direction. “Something is beginning to bother me,” says Dave. “There is a point where 'style' becomes 'manner' - a set bunch of tricks and stylistic flourishes rather than true creativity. To me Tim Burton is looking increasingly mannered and less accessible and interesting as a result.” John Quirk is setting out on an epic voyage this week: over the next couple of years, he intends to read every one of the world’s 113 greatest books. It will certainly change him – we’ll insist he keeps his satnav on during the journey and we’ll be following closely and with great interest. Donna Ballman tonight pursues the question of how much input ought authors to have on their books’ design, particularly the cover. And we’re delighted to welcome back our publishing business guru Martyn Daniels – a kind of literary Donald Trump crossed with Alan Sugar – who’s dissection author royalties in the digital era. “It’s a dog’s dinner”, says Martyn.

Duchess The Poodle Bites Borders

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:52:13 +0100

Time for our weekly news round-up – dominated by Marshmallow the Bear and Duchess the Poodle, both pseudonyms for blogging employees of Borders. They’re here to tell you what “makebooks” are. But should they be allowed to? Shouldn’t an employer be allowed to prevent staff from blogging critically about their business? Also, we’re looking at a big-stakes lawsuit that could scupper the chances of “The Hobbit” being filmed, and the Google Books Settlement raises some surprising issues that touch upon readers’ privacy. All brought to you courtesy of our wonderful Donna Ballman and The Write Report.

Trader's Tales 8: He Gave Me All He Had

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 19:46:07 +0100

Today is our last audience with actor and raconteur Trader Faulkner. He looks back at authors who have influenced his life, in particular a fortuitous meeting with Marguerite Steen, and we end just as we started… Books mentioned in this show are: * Marguerite Steen, "Matador" & "The Sun is My Undoing" * Joseph Conrad “Twixt Land and Sea Tales: A Smile of Fortune, The Secret Sharer and Freya of the Seven Isles” * John Barrymore "The Life And Times Of John Barrymore - Goodnight Sweet Prince" * Alejo Carpentier "Lost Steps" * Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa "The Leopard: Revised and with New Material"

Trader's Tales 7: Don't Let It Happen Again....

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:24:55 +0100

Sic Gloria Transit Mundi... a wheel comes off a bicycle; the King of Spain decorates Trader with the Order of Merit; and Trader becomes obsessed with Federico García Lorca, the Spanish poet, dramatist and theatre director who was murdered at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War by the Nationalists. Trader meets Lorca’s last surviving close friend Pepin Bello, and Lorca’s brother and sister... Salvador Dali and Luis Buñuel make brief appearances.

Trader's Tales 6: You Dance Like A Horse

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:36:10 +0100

"When I dance badly, I dance better than anybody in the world, but when I dance well - I dance like Jesus Christ!” So said one of the greatest-ever exponents of flamenco, Antonio Gades, to Trader Faulkner - and he was right. Trader’s love of flamenco see him share the stage with Gades at the London Coliseum, and leads to a moment on the beach with Picasso. “Darling,” said Antonio to Trader ruefully, “you dance like a horse.” Seeing how deflated Trader was, he quickly added: “a race horse, darling – not a cart horse!”

Author or Victim?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:17:51 +0100

The age-old struggle between author and publisher over the book’s cover design gets a new, and disturbing, twist in today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club. Reports Publisher’s Weekly: “Bloggers are making ... charges against Bloomsbury Children’s Books, which put a white girl with long, straight tresses on the jacket of a novel about an African-American tomboy with short, ‘nappy’ hair. Phrases like ‘that poor author’ and ‘that’s just wrong’ are showing up in comments sections online, in the escalating flap over Justine Larbalestier’s Liar, which hits shelves September 28.” Another example of unthinking racism? Or simply an example of a rather media-hungry author? We’re not so sure the entire, unexpurgated truth has yet been heard.

Kill That Adverb! Love That Trope!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 11:40:57 +0100

It’s not surprising that writers often argue about words, but the sheer animosity that adverbs can sometimes provoke would shock even the most hardened WWF fan. Tonight on LITOPIA AFTER DARK we’re looking at adverbs (words that modify any other part of speech, e.g. quickly, amazingly, often) and ask why it is that so many writers – Stephen King is one – hate them with a vengeance. We’re also looking at literary tropes – common patterns, themes, motifs in literature – often the building-blocks of story, but also capable of being over-used and cliché-ridden if not handled judiciously by the skilled writer. And just in case you’re thinking we’re getting awfully highbrow this evening, we’re also turning our attention to Gordon Brown’s iPod, Berlusconi’s sex tapes, and there’s a nob gag at the end. Something for everyone, then! Tonight’s coruscating panel comprises our regulars Dave Bartram and Donna Ballman; there’s a more-than-welcome return from children’s author and publishing trade commentator Graham Marks, and making his debut is round-the-world sailor and paranormal romance writer David Bridger.

Could Google Be The Zodiac Killer?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:07:27 +0100

Trader Faulkner’s adventures though the cultural landscape of the 20th century continue next week - but today, it's time for Donna’s WRITE REPORT – your weekly round-up of all the news you need to know about the book business. The international ramifications of the Google book settlement are starting to surface: East Africans authors are alarmed… Japanese authors are equally concerned… and the EU is to consult authors and publishers about their fears. In the UK, it appears that even mathematicians are becoming fearful that the draconian and antiquated libel laws can be used to stifle genuine debate; meanwhile, the campaign for UK libel law reform continues to grow apace. We turn to the States for our last story this week: yet another candidate has emerged as the true identity of the infamous Zodiac serial killer: forbidden from speaking for decades by lawyer-client privilege, an attorney now claims that his deceased client (a merchant seaman) was really the killer. We wonder if he’ll get a book deal…

Trader's Tales 5: A very Convincing Murderer

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 21:15:06 +0100

"So I went back and got into my garbage bin..." An amazing confession today, in our continuing and engrossing audience with actor Trader Faulkner, about the electrifying encounter early one morning when Trader came close to bumping off Sir Laurence Olivier. With a supporting cast of Vivian Leigh and Dorothy Tutin, this has to be one of the most star-studded crime passionels manqués in recent theatrical history… and testimony to the two-timing Olivier’s quick thinking…

Trader's Tales 4: Flamingo Dancing

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:44:01 +0100

We pick up Trader Faulkner’s story today with his first explosive encounter with Iberic culture – specifically, and the dynamism, energy and power of flamenco. And “Little Ronald” gets straightened out by the Jesuits...

F For Fake

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:39:14 +0100

Is it ever acceptable to fake it? That’s the sujet du jour in today’s Eve’s Salmagundi Club. Whether it's fake tans or authors who fake it (yes, there is a connection...) we have stern words for both. Some authors accused of plagiarism (for example, young Kaavya Viswanathan and her half million dollar advance) seem to be more heavily tarred than others, such as Doris Kearns Goodwin).

Günther Und Wunderboner

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:58:10 +0100

HAVE you ever experienced that eerie feeling of a thought popping into your head as if from nowhere, with no clue as to why you had that particular idea at that particular time? Apparently, your brain operates on the edge of chaos, and every now and again it suddenly and unpredictably lurches into a blizzard of noise. Scientists believe that these near-chaotic states may be crucial to our creativity. And tonight, our panel considers just how much writers owe to that state of chaos – and whether we ought to go out of our way to bring more chaos into our lives, in the interests of becoming better writers. Just one of the many intriguing topics to discuss on tonight’s thought-provoking show, featuring an old-school panel that comprises Donna Ballman, Dave Bartram, Eve Harvey and Richard Howse. Topics covered and links include: * Members of a Saudi family are trying to sue a genie for theft and harassment * A British police force is spending $15,000 to teach its officers to stop moaning * Is internal chaos the same as external chaos? * The Wunderboner * Agents open bookstore - do they need second jobs to pay the bills? * Authors don’t need Facebook friends * Credit crunch cuts authors' advances * Terry Deary accuses Philip Pullman and other children's authors of being pompous * Are Australians protecting publishing or cheating customers?|

Not Safe For Schools

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:27:38 +0100

It’s Friday, so it must be time for Donna’s WRITE REPORT... Trader Faulkner will be back with us next week, continuing his epic encounters with the greats of the 20th century – but today, we’re getting up to speed with all the news that matters... including recent research into the way that authors cope (or more likely, don’t cope) with all those rejection letters... a formerly self-published author lands a publishing deal with Simon and Schuster (he published himself on the Kindle)… and authors are up in arms protesting new and draconian plans to “vet” them before being declared suitable to visit schools.

Trader’s Tales 3: The Kid’s Getting All The Gravy

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Three letters: one to Laurence Olivier, one to impresario Binkie Beaumont, one to famed director Peter Brook. On such slender threads our fate often depends. And one of them hits its target. Almost overnight, Trader finds himself replacing Richard Burton on Broadway, being directed by Sir John Gielgud! But... the green eye is not far away, and Laurence Harvey is far from happy… More compelling listening from raconteur Trader Faulkner.

Trader’s Tales 2: Leaving Ceramic Flats

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:21:13 +0100

"Mrs. Faulkner - Ronnie’s trying to get Rhonda’s knickers off...!" So begins the second part of Trader Faulkner's odyssey: a journey that took him from Ceramic Flats, Manly, all the way to the London stage and then Broadway, by courtesy of Peter Finch, Tyrone Guthrie, John Gielgud and John Mills... amongst many others. More compelling listening from the legendary raconteur.

Litopia Presents: Trader’s Tales

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:01:52 +0100

traderFor the next two weeks, we are proud to present for your holiday enjoyment – TRADER’S TALES...recollections from a life in the arts as recounted by Trader Faulkner. A world-class raconteur, Trader will thrill you... shock you... delight you but (mostly) have you in stitches as you follow his career from Ceramic Flats, Australia to the London stage, Broadway and beyond. On the way, you’ll meet many of the greats of the 20th century - Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Vivien Leigh, Peter Finch, Picasso, Noel Coward… the list is endless, and the entertainment is beyond compare. Download the entire series onto you iPod and take us away with you, wherever you go! Happy holidays!

Suitable For Children?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:36:17 +0100

The firestorm over Tender Morsels, the new book by Australian author Margo Lanagan, continues today in Eve’s Salmagundi Club. As we reported last Friday on Donna’s Write Report, many people are unhappy with the book’s highly explicit content. But… have they actually read it? Eve has – and as a children’s bookseller herself, she’s in the front line when it comes to questions of age and content. Eve thinks the book is far from the horrific catalog of rape, abortion, and incest that (to give but one example) that Danuta Keen believes it is in her article in Britain’s Daily Mail. It’s an important debate – be part of it by voicing your own comment below.

The Voices In My Head

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:27:32 +0100

Hearing voices – or even complete conversations – in your head has traditionally been thought of as a indicator of schizophrenia. But that’s exactly what most writers experience… an internal voice or conversation amongst imaginary characters. Sometimes, a protagonist’s voice can take an author by complete surprise… behaving in strange or unexpected ways, or even waking them up in the middle of the night to dictate a story twist. So… are authors potentially diagnosable? And where does the boundary lie between a creative mind and an unstable one? Just one of the many intriguing topics to discuss on tonight’s thought-provoking show, featuring the welcome return of our clinical psychologist Dr. Susan O’Doherty, Donna Ballman (she's back - via Greece, London and Wyoming!) Dave Bartram and advertising guru Jamie Mollert. Topics covered and links include: * The world's oldest joke has been discovered – and it’s a fart gag * Advertising comes to the Kindle – but who wants ads in books? * Spotify offers free audiobooks to all its UK users * The first 'instant' Michael Jackson biography hits the shelves * Who owns the story? J.D. Salinger's successful suit to ban publication of a novel that has Holden Caulfield as one of its characters sets us wondering why fictional critiques are considered to be an intrusion and a danger

Women Want More Sex

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 21:42:19 +0100

...in books, that is. Just one of the news items from this week’s WRITE REPORT, brought to you by our own Donna Ballman – she’s been globe-trotting for several weeks, but she’s back now – yes indeed! Items and links from this week’s top stories... A new survey shows that women want more sex in books... the Justice Department investigates Google settlement for antitrust violations… Ivy League romance writers hit the big-time…and parents are in uproar over a sex assault in a children’s novel.

Is Length Important?

Litopia Writers' Colony — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 10:17:23 +0100

Three questions today from our listeners – how creative can you be with the length of you young adult manuscript? How much of your work in progress should you reveal on your website? And how much bad language is acceptable in children’s / young adult manuscripts? Peter and Peggy Brusseau are here to offer some answers.

BookMooch Saves Publishing

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 8 Jul 2009 05:35:14 +0100

If serial internet entrepreneur John Buckman had never visited Norwich, UK, while pursuing his interest in constructing lutes... then BookMooch might never have happened. In fact, he did – and BookMooch is now one of the biggest sources of books (of absolutely all shapes, sizes and descriptions) on the planet. We’re talking to John today, hearing how more than 140,000 people in 91 countries use BookMooch to exchange millions of books every year. John is one of the most clear-sighted visionaries about the future of writing and publishing that we’ve yet spoken to on Litopia Daily. “The real enemy in the book business is a declining readership”, he says. “We have two choices – we can either look at it as a zero-sum game in a market that’s getting smaller... or we can try to enlarge the pie.” That’s what BookMooch is all about. A thought-provoking interview that all publishers should listen to.

Summer's Here!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 7 Jul 2009 10:35:36 +0100

It's the start of our summer season here on Litopia Daily. We're kicking back a bit, ratcheting the intensity factor down a smidgen, augmenting the entertainment ingredient, and generally giving you notice that we intend to have some fun. If you’re going away, don’t forget to take us, too – your iPod will hold literally hundreds of our shows, so you’ll never be left for intelligent entertainment. And – we’re asking for your help in continuing our BOOKS THAT MATTER series – if you’ve got a book you’d like to talk about and bring to a wide audience, use our contact form to get in touch and tell us about it!

Announcing the "Really Bad Literary Agency"

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:43:58 +0100

Eve’s Salmagundi Club is back – with a bite. Today we’re considering the controversial assertion made by two writers that “Anybody can call themselves a literary agent. There's no license required. No certification. No required training. No required degree. No test. Simply the willingness to call yourself an agent… (and some stationery.” If this is true, why are moat writers not more discerning when it comes to choosing an agent? And why do most writers stick with their agent, even though they may be receiving lousy service? Big issues.

Men Without Women

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 4 Jul 2009 09:54:41 +0100

What do mean really get up to when women aren’t around? Tonight, you can find out – if you have the stomach for it – because it’s Men’s Night on Litopia After Dark. Four specimens of virile, potent, hunks of machismo, all in their testosterone-rich prime… and all on our panel for your enjoyment! Think of it as a kind of literary equivalent of The Chippendales. Panellists tonight are Dave Bartram (yes, he's back!), Litoon's Richard Howse, newcomer to the panel cartoonist Geoff North (all the way from Manitoba) and our special guest tonight is Simon Flynn, Publishing Director of British indie publisher Icon Books. Topics covered and links include: * Conspiracy theories - is our willingness to engage with them (either by agreeing or otherwise) a part of the same thing that drives us to engage with more traditional narrative? * Reading children bedtime stories may not be as effective in helping them to learn language as talking to them before they go to sleep, according to new research * UK libel laws, and the new privacy laws, are downright scary * Unintentional plagiarism - should authors have to read every similarly-themed story to see if they are stepping on another author's toes? * And we can't resist having another tilt at poor Alice Hoffman's and Alain de Botton's expense - could they just be the dumbest pair in publishing at the moment?

"I Will Hate You Till The Day I Die"

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 09:53:27 +0100

It’s a bitchfest royale in this week’s news, as two mediocre authors let rip at their critics – Britain’s Alain de Botton (“a writer so grand nowadays that his entire works are written in the royal We” says the Telegraph) and American Alice Hoffman (“not an author whose work I believe can be taken very seriously” says the Literary Saloon). They’ve both gone completely potty this week in their juvenile and hysterical over-reactions to poor reviews. In other news... the winner of worst writing contest is announced... Amazon cuts off two states to retaliate for new sales tax laws... and the infamous TSA is now detaining writers over the contents of their manuscript - police state, here we come.

My Therapist is my Journal

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:48:13 +0100

In our family”, wrote Ann Morrow Lindbergh, “an experience was not finished, nor truly experienced, unless written down and shared with another.” Today, we’re considering the difference between diaries and autobiographies – which one is the more truthful? And which the more self-serving? Do you keep a journal? Is it an inviolably private matter (to go with you to the grave) or do you subscribe to Mae West’s dictum – “Keep a diary and one day it’ll keep you”?

Books That Matter: Death Comes for the Archbishop

Litopia Writers' Colony — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:32:39 +0100

"The greatest American novelist of the 20th century" says Oxford don John Simopoulos of Willa Cather, the author who grew up in Nebraska and is best known for her depictions of frontier life. John recommends Death Comes for the Archbishop (1927) "nothing short of magical" he says, and when John says that, you can take it as gospel. He also suggests you read Shadows on the Rock (1931), a novel set in 17th century Quebec describing the quiet, isolated life of Cecile Auclair and her father, the town apothecary, and The Professor's House (1925), set around an ancient cliff city in New Mexico. “There isn’t such a thing as a dud Willa Cather” – say John.

Friday Night & Monday Morning

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 20:56:23 +0100

It’s the Monday after the Friday night before… we’re still recovering from the very first “Litopia After Dark: Face to Face” that took place last Friday evening. Eve is still travelling back to Scotland, so there’s no Eve’s Salmagundi Club today – instead, we’re looking at our new podcast website.. what do you think of it? And if you’re interested in helping out behind the scenes, do get in touch – there’s plenty of work for willing volunteers, on whom we depend.

Face-To-Face At Last!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:49:05 +0100

"So that’s what you look like!" was one of the most commonly-heard exclamations at London’s Poetry Café on Friday evening, as the cast of LITOPIA AFTER DARK made a little bit of Litopian history – yes, we finally met, face-to-face, in the flesh, and bereft of the horny carapace of electronic pseudonymity. We recorded two shows back-to-back – this is the first, totally live and completely unedited. The format is a little different to the usual LAD sweet-and-sour melange – we decided to use this occasion to launch the first of this year’s Summer Entertainments... you’ll find that over the next few weeks, both LAD and Litopia Daily will kick back a bit, ratchet the intensity level down a few notches, and concentrate on providing you with fun listening for what we hope will be a spectacular summer for you. Panellists tonight were Eve Harvey, Richard Howse, Donna Ballman and Amanda Lees. Peter attempted to keep some semblance of order (and failed miserably), and we were delighted to be joined on air by Andrew Gillman ,the genius who normally exercises his Svengali-like influence behind the scenes, polishing, prodding and generally raising the production values to the high level we currently enjoy. Many, many thanks to all the above for making this such a great evening – and a huge “thank-you” to our loyal audience, both those who came along in person, and those who listen via the internet – we couldn’t do it without you!

Here Is The News, Again

Litopia Writers' Colony — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:15:51 +0100

There's a strong digital theme in this week's news. In the future, Amazon’s Kindle e-book reader will display more book formats beyond its own and we should expect to see Kindle books on a lot more devices. A US Court has ruled against text message promotion of books. Following Apple’s claim to have sold more than one million iPhone 3G S units last weekend, ScrollMotion announced a partnership to bring content from scores of major book, magazine and newspaper publishers to the iPhone. And a picture of the typical e-book reader is beginning to emerge via the sales rankings.

Relaxez-Vous!

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 22:28:20 +0100

Does going to the library make you want to pee? If so, then you may be subject to the Library-Relaxation-Syndrome... a sure sign that you need to take a break. But - do you know how to? Can you relax when you need it most? Today, we’re talking about ways to relax. Many (most?) writers never relax – and that’s a big mistake. We drive ourselves to the edge – and then some more. The result is a burnt-out writer –no use to man nor beast. So here are a few ideas for de-stressing this summer.

The Last Catalog

Litopia Writers' Colony — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:04:07 +0100

Non-fiction publishing has been the hardest-hit of all publishing sectors by the advent of the internet: not many books in this area have been able to withstand the impact of free, up-to-date information that the web provides. This has disastrous news for countless authors, publishers, printers and everyone else employed in the business – but has there been an upside? Today, Peter considers this issue and comes to some disturbing conclusions.

Books That Matter: The Voices of Marrakesh by Elias Canetti

Litopia Writers' Colony — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:38:50 +0100

We're back with another in our occasional summer series of Books That Matter, chosen and discussed by John Simopoulos, Dean of Degrees of St Catherine’s College, Oxford. Today, we’re talking about “a sublime monster”, as John describes him - Elias Canetti, the Bulgarian-born novelist who wrote in German and won the Nobel Prize in Literature. While some of Canetti’s works are relatively inaccessible, The Voices of Marrakesh is an ideal introduction to the work of one of the major intellectual figures of the 20th century.

Big Prospects for the Short Story

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:14:14 +0100

"To be a successful short story writer, you have to be utterly vulnerable on the page, and utterly ruthless in revision." Perceptive words that set our agenda this week on Eve’s Salmagundi Club. Commercially neglected for far too long, we’re increasingly bullish on the prospects for the short story. If you’re not a natural short story-teller – well, you ought to be. Now’s your opportunity to hone those skills, and get a march on the way the publishing market will soon develop, we believe.

Munchausen By Proxy By Proxy

Litopia Writers' Colony — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:32:17 +0100

Crystal shards of penetrative ideological shrapnel tonight from a spunky panel – we’re looking at things as they are, things as they were supposed to be, and things as they probably will be. Our guests include Richard Howse, currently studying at Britain’s National Academy of Writing, and one half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s rocking the publishing world on Litopia. From Edinburgh, Scotland we're delighted to welcome back the doyenne of Eve’s Salmagundi Club on Litopia Daily - Eve Harvey. Nicholas Booth's latest book ZIGZAG has been optioned for film by Tom Hanks - and a we're pleased to welcome a newcomer to the panel this week, advertising guru and Jon Hamm-a-like, Jamie Mollart. Topics covered (and links) from tonight's show include: * Melvin Burgess's latest controversial book is dropped by his publisher * A Christian group sues for right to burn a gay teen novel * Police detective and heretofore anonymous blogger 'Jack Night' has been unmasked by The Times, leading to disciplinary action by his employers * Is social media really just the advertising equivalent of vanity publishing? * Beckah Beushausen lies about her terminally ill baby and reveals the truth about fiction * The first moon landing celebrates its 40th anniversary on July 20th this year - are we still in love with the romance of space?