Tampa Book Buzz

2006 get caught reading photo contest at inkwood books

I don’t see this contest on Inkwood Books’ website, but according to their e-newsletter:

2006 Get Caught Reading Photo Contest — We are now accepting photos for our 3rd Annual Get Caught Reading Contest. Send, bring, or emai us your favorite original photo of a reader in action for a 20% off coupon and a chance to win big prizes! The Grand Prize includes a $100 Inkwood gift certificate and a poster on our wall. Winner will be chosen August 15, 2006.

Call 813-253-2638 or visit www.inkwoodbooks.com for more info.

When my sister was about five or six, she was spotted sitting on the magazine rack in a grocery store and reading a comic book. Someone with a camera happened to be in the store and her picture was in our local paper. Maybe I’ll submit that photo for Inkwood’s contest.

online book club review:wicked by gregory maguire

I thought the idea of Gregory Maguire’s Wicked:The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was intriguing; unfortunately I didn’t find the book as interesting.

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, who was an outcast from the moment of her birth because she was born with green skin, a strong aversion to water and a tempermental nature. At various times in her life, Elphaba was an avid reader, an outcast, a good friend, an animal rights advocate (which is a little different in the land of Oz), a woman in love, the “other woman,” a political zealot, a scientist, a philsopher, a novice in a convent, an “Auntie,” a witch, and a bitter woman intent on reclaiming what belongs to her.

As I expected, Maguire has created an interesting back story for the world of Oz and its inhabitants that pays off in the last part of the book, where the “behind the scenes” information collides with the Wizard of Oz images ingrained from years of watching the movie.

For some reason, though, I just could not get into the book. I never identified with Elphaba. I never liked her or sympathized with her. I found myself not really caring what her story was. The one time I became engaged in the story was the one point where the story suddenly jumped forward by over a decade and skipped from Elphaba’s childhood to her adolescence.

I’ve heard great things about the musical Wicked and Maguire has since published a sequel, so perhaps I’m the odd woman out on this one.

What did you think?

midici fiction potpourri #1 accepting submissions

I came across this during my recent travels in the World Wide Wilderness. I have no idea if it’s legit or a scam or the chance of a lifetime (although if you become rich and famous because of this, I expect to see my name on the dedication page of your book one day).

We are currently accepting submissions for Short Fiction Stories, 750 - 1,000 words, to be included in our upcoming anthology called Midici Fiction, Potpourri #1, to be released later on this year. As the name of the book suggests, a mixture of genres is welcome.

This is a great opportunity for writers to showcase their talents. Deadline for submissions is April 30, 2006. Places are filling fast! Full details are available on our website.

Visit www.midicibooks.net for more info.

local author ray dix wins an eppie

Local author Ray Dix won an Eppie Award at EPICon in San Antonio for his mystery-thriller Death Row Defender. Congratulations Ray!

upcoming events at the south tampa barnes and noble

There’s a whole lotta readin’ going on at the South Tampa Barnes and Noble (213 N. Dale Mabry Hwy, 813-871-2228):

Tomorrow night (that’s March 28), local author Wendy Boucher will meet with the Women’s Fiction Book Group at 7:30 p.m. to discuss her book Parvenue Throws a Party. You’re welcome to come for just the one meeting or to join the group.

On April 5 at 7:30 p.m., they’re throwing a book launch party for local attorney and first-time author Cody Fowler Davis, who will discuss and sign his legal thriller Green 61 (which was reviewed by the St. Pete Times yesterday).

On April 26 at 7 p.m. Dr. Masaru Emoto will be there to sign his new book The Secret Life of Water.

The South Tampa Barnes and Noble has a lot of new book clubs that still have room for new members. Their Spanish Book Group is having a special kick-off event on April 21 at 7 p.m.

I usually don’t pay much attention to kids’ stuff, since The Husband and I don’t have any Baby Book Buzzers around the house. But those of you who are looking for children’s events should check out Terrific Tuesday Toddler Storytime, every Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., with a character appearance the first Friday of each month at 4 p.m. (Biscuit the Dog will be there on April 7).

the good, the bad and the wicked

Interested in learning more about Wicked:The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maquire?

Powells.com interviews Maquire about Wicked and his other books. Barnes & Noble has interviewed him too.

It’s been turned into a Broadway musical, you know. And it’s going to be in Tampa again next year (after a successful run that just ended).

Wicked is the TBB Online Book Club pick for March.

local book news

*The Clearwater Public Library now has a blog called C-Scapes.

*On April 19, the Tampa Theatre is hosting authors Ross Melnick and Andreas Fuchs, who will talk about their book Cinema Treasures:A New Look at Classic Movie Theaters. A book signing will follow the lecture. Click here for more information.

*Local author Joy Pagadan’s short story Taking Tawny Home is online at Story Station: http://www.viatouch.com/Learn/Storystation/Storystation_main.jsp (This is a sequel to Lost in the Long Dark.)

*The St. Petersburg College Library now has a blog.

*Local author Wendy Boucher will meet with the Women’s Fiction Book Group at the South Tampa Barnes and Noble on Tuesday, March 28, to discuss her book Parvenue Throws a Party.

4th annual lit wit contest

Hillsborough County residents age 15 and up can enter a humorous poem or a parody of a famous poem in the 4th Annual Lit Wit Contest, sponsored by Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. and the Tampa Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant. Deadline is March 31; one poem per person. Click here for details or for a link to the entry form.

florida children’s adventure stories at fbs tomorrow

Tomorrow’s Florida Bibliophile Society’s meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. in the Pinellas Room of Heritage Village in Largo. Art Walker will talk about boys’ and girls’ adventure stories that have a Florida past.

tcm book giveaway for march

Turner Classic Movies is giving away copies of The Girl Who Walked Home Alone:Bette Davis, A Personal Memoir by Charlotte Chandler. Click here to learn more about this book and how to enter the sweepstakes.