pardon me please

March 31, 2008 at 8:04 am | In Books | 1 Comment

Ignore this, please. I’m playing around with widgets and blidgets and stuff and need to post this here to see if my experiment will work.

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local author k.l. nappier on tv show studio 10 tomorrow

March 27, 2008 at 1:03 pm | In Local Authors, Fiction--Horror, Fiction--Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Events, Books, Tampa Bay Area, YouTube | No Comments

Tomorrow (March 28) at 10 a.m., local author K.L. Nappier will appear live on Studio 10, the daytime show of CBS Tampa Bay area affiliate WTSP Channel 10. Nappier told me that she’s been invited on the show “to discuss the state of publishing today and talk about Full Wolf Moon, which was just launched February as a paperback by Aisling Press. For those who miss the live broadcast, they can catch the show later via video stream at www.studio10.tv.”

You can watch the new video trailer for Full Wolf Moon on YouTube, MySpace and DailyMotion.

a bookstore trip

March 19, 2008 at 12:36 pm | In Personal, Bookstores, Books | No Comments

Finally getting a chance to go to Borders to use the gift card I got for Christmas:

Sweet

Having a cute guy smile at me and hold the door open for me when I walk in the store:

Really Sweet

Catching the tip of my shoe on the welcome mat, stumbling through the door and almost falling flat on my face in front of the cute guy and the rest of the world:

Priceless

upcoming book signing for walt disney world guide authors julie and mike neal

March 5, 2008 at 10:22 pm | In Events, Florida Authors, Books, Non-Fiction--Travel | No Comments

Julie and Mike Neal, authors of The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008, will be signing their new book this Friday, March 7, from 7:30-9 p.m. at Reading Trout Books in Celebration, 110 Front Street, just to the left of the AMC movie theater.

In addition to signing books, the Neals will discuss “what it was like to visit Walt Disney World over 700 times in the five years it took to write this guidebook, focusing in particular on what it was like to work with Disney cast members.” Julie said that “Talking with employees at the parks, resorts and restaurants gave us much of the depth and detail we used in the book.”

The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 is an updated and expanded version of last year’s first edition, which became one of the top-selling Disney guidebooks in the country. The new book is fully updated with all the latest Disney changes and additions, and features new chapters on restaurants and accommodations.

Visit www.coconutpress.com for more info.

florida published author tour group at usa flea market march 8 and 9

March 5, 2008 at 10:02 pm | In Local Authors, Events, Books, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via email:

Local author Tiva Wallon presents The Florida Published Author Tour Group.

Stop by the USA Flea Market, 11721 US 19, Port Richey, on March 8 and 9 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to meet some of Florida’s best selling authors. There will be something for everyone to read in this multi-genre event. Chat with the authors, have your picture taken with them and all of them will be autographing their books for you.

And as a special treat, one of the very handsome cover models, Marc Kempe from the Dark Castle Lords, will be available for photos and autographs.

Authors attending Saturday and or Sunday will be Tiva Wallon, R.W. Langston, Veronica Towers, Scott Harper, Carol Bartolet, Cheryl Rogers, Skyler Gray, Kayleigh Jamison, A.D. Roland, CJ England, Susan Cronin, LeRoy Coffie and cover model Marc Kempe.

Books make great gifts too!

Wallon’s website is www.tivawallon.com.

tampa bay association of black journalists hosting panel discussion on multimedia reporting on march 8

March 5, 2008 at 7:58 am | In Events, Blogging, For Writers, Books, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

Received via Facebook:

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists is presenting its second annual session focused on multimedia reporting on March 8, featuring members who have done extensive work translating their newspaper or TV work into online platforms.

On deck so far:

  • Ken Knight, multimedia reporter for Media General
  • Demorris Lee, reporter for the St. Petersburg Times, who recently completed a multimedia reporting fellowship at the Knight Digital Media Center
  • Boyzell Hosey, director of photography at the St. Petersburg Times
  • Ken Irby, photography and multimedia expert at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies
  • Eric Deggans, St. Petersburg Times TV/media critic and editor/creator of The Feed blog

Scheduled for 11 a.m. March 8 at the Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa, this seminar is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

During the panel discussion, we will talk about ways to think about expanding traditional journalism work to multimedia platforms, the advantages and challenges of blogging for journalists, the resources available for those who hope to learn more about this kind of work and more…

Last year, we got a great response from area bloggers of all ethnicities and had a chance to turn it into a wide-ranging discussion. Even if you don’t consider yourself a journalist, but would like to learn more about this new field, please feel free to attend.

As we all work to try and understand these new media platforms, sometimes the most fun comes from getting together and swapping ideas on what it all means. And fellow bloggers, feel free to post this on your blog somewheres…

The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists’ website is www.tbabj.com. Please remember, however, that you’re welcome even if you’re not a journalist. Or from the Tampa Bay area. Or black.

Hope to see you there.

(cross-posted at www.sticksoffire.com and www.tampafilmfan.com)

wordsmitten’s writing workshop march 22

March 4, 2008 at 9:48 pm | In Events, For Writers, Books, Tampa Bay Area | No Comments

WHAT: WordSmitten’s Writing Workshop, “a fun writing workshop featuring award-winning authors and editors”

WHEN: Saturday, March 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

WHERE: Reeves Theatre, University of Tampa campus, 401 West Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33606-1490

WHO WILL BE THERE:

  • Jane Friedman, editorial director of Writer’s Digest Books. She’ll be teaching her famous (and witty) session titled Publishers Are Evil. This course is filled with tips for both new and experienced writers. We thank Ms. Friedman for donating 50 copies of the 2008 edition of Writer’s Market (retail value $49.95). Register online to be eligible to win a copy of the 2008 edition of Writer’s Market. Only 50 copies are available to be given away. Snail-mail registration is not eligible for this offer. We notify, by e-mail, all winners who have won a copy. Winners must be present at the event to receive a book. Books will not be mailed out. Join the fun, discover great writing tips, and register online at www.wordsmitten.com or call (727) 409-0500 for details.
  • Connie May Fowler, award-winning author of five novels, one memoir, and a screenplay produced by Oprah’s Harpo Productions. Her startling novel Before Women Had Wings, an Oprah Book Club selection, became an international bestseller and a television sensation. Write your memoir, then write it as a fictional story, comparing the two for a great writing exercise.
  • Attorney Alison Steele of Rahdert and Steele, a law firm that represents the notable Poynter Institute and the St. Petersburg Times. She’ll discuss copyright issues that are important to authors who have concerns about the choppy legal waters surrounding publishing rights and copyright laws.
  • Kate Sullivan, radio host of About the Books and editor of www.WordSmitten.com, who will present a hands-on session to extract from your manuscript the key elements needed to write your essential query letter.
  • Bob Tarte, author of Enslaved by Ducks, will discuss how writers who produce podcasts reach and engage new audiences. Learn to produce your own podcast show. Bob will give you the guidelines and if you Google “Bob Tarte” on YouTube, he’ll give you a chuckle with his “bird” saga. Reminds us of the film Brewster McCloud except shot on a farm.

Visit www.wordsmitten.com for more info.

fat into the fire booksignings march 15 and 16

March 4, 2008 at 9:12 pm | In Events, Bookstores, Books, Tampa Bay Area, Non-Fiction--Self Help | No Comments

Former Tampa resident David P. Morrow returns to the Bay area March 15 and 16 to sign copies of his new book Fat Into The Fire.

Morrow said that Fat Into The Fire, released in January, “is dramatically different than any other diet or fitness book. In the book, I reveal my own personal techniques for achieving maximum fitness levels, which include ridding the body of excess body fat.”

Saturday, March 15, 2-4 p.m. — Waldenbooks in Citrus Park Mall

Sunday, March 16, 1-4 p.m. — Borders in St. Petersburg, Tyrone Square

Morrow’s book signings include “health and fitness Q/A, FREE sign ups for fitness product giveaways, and fitness assessments and information.”

Visit www.fatintothefire.com for more info.

faq:used bookstores in the tampa bay area

March 4, 2008 at 6:24 pm | In Bookstores, Books, Tampa Bay Area, FAQ | 3 Comments

Dear Tampa Book Buzz:

I’m planning to visit the Tampa/St. Petersburg area in a few weeks. I absolutely love going to used book stores. My biggest interests are in older American history and biography titles.

What book stores in your area would you recommend my visiting? Which are the two or three best ones? Your advice would be most appreciated.

Dear Reader:

The largest and most well-known used bookstore is Haslam’s in St. Pete. It’s been run by the same family for three generations and has even become a tourist attraction in the Bay area. The Old Tampa Book Company , in downtown Tampa, specializes in rare, hard-to-find and out-of-print books.

Those are the most well-known — and biggest — local used bookstores, but there are plenty of others in various neighborhoods in the Bay area. Used bookstores that have websites (that I know of) include The Book Swap in Carrollwood, Zbookz Bookstore in St. Pete and Book Bank USA in Largo.

Hope this helps.

Local book lovers — Please let me know what else should be listed here. Post a comment with your answers to this question.

(This post has been added to the FAQ page.)

celebrate women’s history month with gloria steinem and friends at eckerd college tomorrow night

March 4, 2008 at 5:15 pm | In Events, Books, Tampa Bay Area | 2 Comments

I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go:

One of the most influential writers, editors, and activists of our time, Gloria Steinem, along with friends Dorothy Pitman Hughes, Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner, will celebrate Women’s History Month at Eckerd College on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. in McArthur Gymnasium.

Ms. Steinem and friends will engage in a conversation entitled This Is What a Feminist Looks Like: The True Diversity of Feminism moderated by Gretchen Letterman, Director of the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper in Education program.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are required. General admission is $10. (Note: admission is free to Eckerd students, faculty and staff; and $5 for Eckerd alumni). Eckerd is located at 4200 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. Call 727-864-7979 or e-mail events(at)eckerd.edu for more information.

Click here for more info. I wanna go, I wanna go, I wanna go!