'Riveting!': The Quandary of the Book Blurb

In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday. Past rounds have covered politics, culture, global issues, the economy, even a surprising number of "whither higher ed" topics. This round's debaters include novelists, a journalist, a literary agent ... and Steven King, addresses book blurbs. Maybe it's slow week at the times...

 

“A Faulkner for our time!” “Can’t put it down!” “An up-all-night thriller!” At some point, you have to wonder: if so many books are being commended, are they all commendable? It’s the perennial question of whether the blurbs on book covers are still meaningful or have become just background noise. After all, Kindle Singles are doing just fine without covers — and cover blurbs.

Do book blurbs serve readers? Do they help writers?

'Riveting!': The Quandary of the Book Blurb - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com: Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times 

Women & Creativity Rewriter's Workshop, World Poetry Day

 

I'd forgotten about World Poetry Day, "Poets convey a timeless message. They are often key witness to history’s great political and social changes." and it being March 21. That the US and UK do not share share the same National Poetry Month is already confusing. No telling about other countries (maybe an interesting topic down the road)

 

Catapult your first draft of fiction and poetry through a creative portal to the second draft with imaginative tips, techniques and tricks that will cross pollinate your brain cells! Explore the landscape, characters and themes of your writing with multi-dimensional, dynamic in-depth explorations that will crystallize the energy of your work. 

March 21, 1-3:30pm. Admission, $30. Dreaming Arts Studio, 1432 don Gaspar, Santa Fe/Taos. 505-988-1086. Bring your journal and a short piece of fiction, poetry or screenplay. 

This event is part of the Women & Creativity Celebration.

 Women & Creativity is organized and presented by the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in partnership with more than 30 arts organizations, artists, writers and business owners in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Women and Creativity 2012 is a month-long series of events that celebrates women’s creativity across the disciplines. March is filled with over 50 art exhibits, performances, workshops, and discussions focused on creativity in every form.  


Women & Creativity Rewriter's Workshop in Honor of the World Poetry Day
Wednesday, March 21, 2012, a Women & Creativity organization Event

How Not to Be a Clever Writer

For better or for worse, Picnic is transitioning from mostly poetry and front loaded with announcement to a more varied content that includes translations, fiction, literary stuff, featured favorites (so far mine but suggestions and guest contributions welcome) and writing in general. 


Speaking of the latter here is some better than the usual Free Writing Advice from an unexpected source, io9 ("we come from the future"), feed normally filed under "peculiarosities." That may take care of the better too. "Worse" remains to be seen. 


In the meantime, In addition to a (hopefully helpful and enlightening) about page, I'm working on a FAQ. Input invited for both. 

Many people dream of being clever wordsmiths. Masters of fizzy, quotable dialogue. Creators of plots that are full of cool twists and nutty-but-brilliant ideas. The undisputed champions of madcap invention.... speculative fiction authors, in particular. More »


How Not to Be a Clever Writer