Day: November 20, 2009

And they say romance is dead

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought Harlequin’s proposed self-publishing imprint was a very bad idea. John Scalzi writes:

This is basically a skeezy, cynical and horribly demeaning thing Harlequin is doing, padding its bottom line by suckering a bunch of folks who don’t know better into thinking that paying for publication is a legitimate path into the publishing world. In a stroke, they’ve become the sort of scumbag publisher that writer’s organizations warn their members (and their aspiring members) about. But apparently the folks at Harlequin thought that the response would be different with them, because, after all, they’re Harlequin, and they’re too big to fail.

He also reports, encouragingly, however, on the reaction of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) (as well as the Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America), who have all announced sanctions against Harlequin in response.

Harlequin, of course, has responded with mock surprise, indignation, and a promise of nothing better than a change in the imprint scam’s name.

Why can’t more Harlequins be like this?

Random 10 11/20

Amazingly, there was only one guess last week, so I’m keeping it up for the time being. Feel free to take a look at the remaining nine, In the meantime, here are this week’s lyrics:

  1. “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen, guessed by Clayton
    I got stiffness in my bones
  2. “I’m That Kind of Girl” by Patty Loveless
    I get the feelin’ that he’s never read Romeo and Juliet
  3. “I’m Sticking With You” by the Velvet Underground
    You held up a stage coach in the rain
  4. “Bus Bus” by Amy Ray
    Do you remember younger days?
  5. “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” by Bowling for Soup, guessed by Tom
    Her name is Nona, she’s a rocker with a nose ring
  6. “Really Love You” by Paul McCartney, guessed by Kim
    I need your love like a bear needs a break
  7. “Duet for Emmylou and the Grievous Angel” by Rah Rah, guessed by Tammy
    It is fashionable to be single in big cities, but not in small towns
  8. “Norwegian Wood” by the Beatles, guessed by Clayton
    Or should I say, she once had me
  9. “Committed to Parkview” by Porter Wagoner
    And she talks about her songs and the star that she should be
  10. “Frank Sinatra” by Cake, guessed by Remi
    Cobwebs fall on an old skipping record

As always, good luck!