New York Daily News looks at Romance and New Moon

Posted November 20, 2009 to Digital, Media Appearances, Print

In an article about the suckage of romance gone bad titled Why We Love It When Love Bites, NY Daily News Entertainment Editor Olivia Smith takes a look at romance, New Moon, and why so many people are drawn to tales of Love Gone So Freaking Wrong.

She quoted Dr. Eric Selinger, editors from various publishing houses, and me:

o the “Twilight” series, taken as a whole, fulfills readers desire for desire itself, and ultimately for a happy, and romantically sustainable ending.

“I think romance is popular in particular right now because happy endings, or even a happy future, may seem so scarce,” says Sarah Wendell, one of the bloggers behind Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.

She adds, “It’s reassuring and affirming to read with the belief that no matter how bad the obstacle is, how awful the present may be, there will be a happy ending wherein everything works out.”

But for now, in “New Moon,” it’s all about the yearning, and for desire junkies, the movie has spawned at least two real life “impossible love” counterparts.

Obviously, our email exchange had more, but column inches are column inches. I do love that Smith looked at the element of the movie and of the series – forbidden love and yearning that might not be satisfied – without looking down her nose. Well played, ma’am!

The New York Times looks at iPhone Reading

Posted November 18, 2009 to Digital, Media Appearances, Print

Motoko Rich of the New York Times wrote an article that examines the use of iPhones as reading devices titled Library in a Pocket , and quoted me talking about my use of both the iPhone and the Kindle during my commute:

Indeed, Sarah Wendell, an administrative assistant in Manhattan who blogs about romance novels, said that although she used the iPhone to read while on a coffee or lunch break, she still used her Kindle during her one-hour commute from New Jersey.

For long reading sessions, she said, the iPhone is “a small screen, and my eyes would start to hurt, even though I crank the text up to grandma or great-grandma size.”

Author Shannon Stacey and fellow blogger Keishon Tutt were also quoted, though my look at the iPhone as a reader counters theirs. They prefer one device that does everything and like reading on the iPhone. I don’t – for one thing, the iPhone is so small it hurts my eyes after awhile, and for another, I prefer to have one device that does one thing for reading. With so much other stuff on board, I’m more likely to be distracted. Reading is a complete cessation of multi-tasking for me, and I like the single-use device for that purpose.

Of course, I bought my Kindle refurbished and used a few gift cards to bring the cost down; without those factors I wouldn’t have paid that much for Kindle II: Matzoh Man.

Publishers Weekly

Posted November 16, 2009 to Digital, Media Appearances, Print

In an article that makes me want to weep and rage for the sexist ignorance of the headline, I’m quoted along with Angela James, Jane Litte, and Malle Vallik. When it comes to format, romance readers are promiscuous examines the romance reader as the biggest consumer group adopting digital books, and how publishers like Harlequin are eager to help that audience read more.

Really, Publisher’s Weekly, “promiscuous” is the best you could come up with? What kind of sexist crap is that?

I’m quoted on the topic of DRM and the absence of the reader’s needs and wants when it comes to development of digital reading tools:

Romance readers and publishers remain sharply divided on the question of encryption and digital rights management (DRM), however, and many consumers continue to hold out for a low-priced e-reader and a single standardized format. “Sadly, the reader is often the missing element in the development of books and devices,” says Sarah Wendell, a romance blogger at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. “Whether it’s DRM security on the books themselves, or devices that have some but not all of the features we prefer, time and again manufacturers and publishers are standing between the reader and her book.”

Carina will be offering DRM-free e-books, delighting readers who want content to be immediately and perpetually available and easily shared. Other publishers are concerned that infinitely replicable books will destroy their bottom line. “Kensington will only deal with retailers that use DRM,” says Steve Zacharius, president and CEO of Kensington Publishing. “The authors have dedicated their lives to writing a book and deserve to earn a royalty from every copy that is downloaded. The slight inconvenience that might exist to the reader in having to put up with DRM is worth the effort to make sure that the e-publishing business is a viable model.” Wendell says that inconvenience not only discourages readers but reduces valuable word-of-mouth promotion: “We can’t say to a friend, ‘Oh, my gosh, you have to read this—here, borrow my copy.’ [Readers and bloggers] are the newest marketing and promotional team for an author, but our ability to share the very thing we love most is hobbled because we are seen as potential thieves and pirates.”

“Slight inconvenience” – sounds like someone who’s never wrestled with DRM and a device that won’t authorize itself not matter how many times you ask nicely.

Breathtaking awfulness of the headline aside, reporter Rose Fox did an amazing job of interviewing Angie, Jane, and me, and as usual I’m proud to be quoted alongside them, as they are some knowledgeable women who rock the digital world.

Check It Out!

I was a guest on The Gayle King show on October 10, talking about Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels. Here’s a 1:10 clip from the show where I highlight the top two lessons learned from reading romance novels. I received a TON of compliments about my necklace and my shoes [...]

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