[stylist] Tips for Formatting Books and E-Books
Bridgit Pollpeter
bpollpeter at hotmail.com
Wed Jun 26 22:10:24 UTC 2013
Submissions are always welcome for consideration. I assume you are
addressing Jackie's post?
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Homme,
James
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 2:50 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [stylist] Tips for Formatting Books and E-Books
Hi,
I consider myself an advanced Word user, and an advanced screen reader
user. If you can point me to the exact web page where this article is,
I'd be glad to put content together that explains a little better the
steps to go through to accomplish all of this with a screen reader. If
you feel like it's a good enough article, you can feel free to publish
it in Slate and Style. Or just keep it.
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
stylist-request at nfbnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2013 8:00 AM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: stylist Digest, Vol 110, Issue 22
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
(Jacobson, Shawn D)
2. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
(Bridgit Pollpeter)
3. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
(Jacobson, Shawn D)
4. Another book review--The Martian Child (Jacobson, Shawn D)
5. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Bridgit Pollpeter)
6. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (Donna Hill)
7. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (Donna Hill)
8. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Jacobson, Shawn D)
9. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
(Bridgit Pollpeter)
10. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Bridgit Pollpeter)
11. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Jacobson, Shawn D)
12. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Bridgit Pollpeter)
13. Re: Another book review--The Martian Child (Donna Hill)
14. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling (Donna Hill)
15. Re: Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
(Bridgit Pollpeter)
16. Tips for Formatting Books and E-Books (goldbeckjm at comcast.net)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:29:59 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID:
<8838F3FB8A7BB044AA6DE247E617C6F285C37F at ELANNEPV117.exh.prod.hud.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Interesting review. I think I will pass on this one. I'm guessing that
Rawling's fantasy work will be more hopeful than her realistic work just
because the fantasy embodies the world as it should be and the realistic
work embodies the world as Rawling sees it. I believe that before she
was famous, J. K. Rawling was a single mother on the dole (so she would
know about the underside of the British experience.
Anyway, thanks for the review.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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otmail.com
_______________________________________________
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stylist mailing list
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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on%40hud.gov
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 09:56:06 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP2255DEEC620867EC4FB4357C48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Rowling had been a teacher in Portugal with her husband. They divorced
after she had her first child. She moved back to the UK and was
initially on their form of welfare until she found better circumstances.
During this time, she developed Harry Potter and spent her time writing.
This was the early 90's. She eventually met and married a Scottish man
and moved to Scotland. And of course we all know what happened with HP,
smile. Although it was rejected several times, being told kids weren't
into fantasy anymore. When a publisher finally decided to purchase it,
they offered $100,000 for it, which sounds great, but that's a fairly
moderate offer in the world of publishing. Later HP books went for much,
much more.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 8:30 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Interesting review. I think I will pass on this one. I'm guessing that
Rawling's fantasy work will be more hopeful than her realistic work just
because the fantasy embodies the world as it should be and the realistic
work embodies the world as Rawling sees it. I believe that before she
was famous, J. K. Rawling was a single mother on the dole (so she would
know about the underside of the British experience.
Anyway, thanks for the review.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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on%40hud.gov
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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otmail.com
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:04:10 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID:
<8838F3FB8A7BB044AA6DE247E617C6F285C49B at ELANNEPV117.exh.prod.hud.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bridgit
Thanks for the information. I had not heard the whole story.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:56 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Rowling had been a teacher in Portugal with her husband. They divorced
after she had her first child. She moved back to the UK and was
initially on their form of welfare until she found better circumstances.
During this time, she developed Harry Potter and spent her time writing.
This was the early 90's. She eventually met and married a Scottish man
and moved to Scotland. And of course we all know what happened with HP,
smile. Although it was rejected several times, being told kids weren't
into fantasy anymore. When a publisher finally decided to purchase it,
they offered $100,000 for it, which sounds great, but that's a fairly
moderate offer in the world of publishing. Later HP books went for much,
much more.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 8:30 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Interesting review. I think I will pass on this one. I'm guessing that
Rawling's fantasy work will be more hopeful than her realistic work just
because the fantasy embodies the world as it should be and the realistic
work embodies the world as Rawling sees it. I believe that before she
was famous, J. K. Rawling was a single mother on the dole (so she would
know about the underside of the British experience.
Anyway, thanks for the review.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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on%40hud.gov
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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otmail.com
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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on%40hud.gov
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:13:20 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'"
<stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID:
<8838F3FB8A7BB044AA6DE247E617C6F285C4B4 at ELANNEPV117.exh.prod.hud.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 10:50:50 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP41379FA1867C922EF9C3129C48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Last year? I don't recall it. It may have been sent when I was pregnant
and unable to fulfill S & S responsibilities at the time, and
unfortunately no one else was able to be acting editor at the time. I
don't recall ever seeing this review.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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otmail.com
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:53:55 -0400
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <B2061D57B85A47309029671A32380B7C at OwnerHP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bridgit,
Yes, read it for sure. I should add that. For those of us who love Harry
Potter and are ourselves writers, I believe that it is important to see
the next stage in her writing. I just find it a bit disturbing that,
with all the success she's had, she wrote something so uniformly bleak.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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otmail.com
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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ix.n
et
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:57:04 -0400
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <4F800D0A8C1646E0A100C178BF3188B9 at OwnerHP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Shawn,
You are correct. When she wrote the first book she was a single mother
on welfare. Apparently, her own story of rising above that world isn't a
reality she chooses to explore yet. Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 9:30 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Interesting review. I think I will pass on this one. I'm guessing that
Rawling's fantasy work will be more hopeful than her realistic work just
because the fantasy embodies the world as it should be and the realistic
work embodies the world as Rawling sees it. I believe that before she
was famous, J. K. Rawling was a single mother on the dole (so she would
know about the underside of the British experience.
Anyway, thanks for the review.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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on%4
0hud.gov
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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ix.n
et
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:05:40 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID:
<8838F3FB8A7BB044AA6DE247E617C6F285C57B at ELANNEPV117.exh.prod.hud.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Thanks for letting me know.
I thought I'd sent it (maybe I didn't).
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:51 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Last year? I don't recall it. It may have been sent when I was pregnant
and unable to fulfill S & S responsibilities at the time, and
unfortunately no one else was able to be acting editor at the time. I
don't recall ever seeing this review.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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on%40hud.gov
------------------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:10:52 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP267327D60C44F2A6AE6B06CC48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Although, consider how bleak Harry Potter was. Many critics pointed this
out especially since it was Children's Lit. I think she goes for realism
over a more romantic view on life. And she herself has dealt with a lot
of situations including divorce, living on welfare and the death of a
parent. Amidst all her success, there has been suffering. I haven't read
this new book yet, but I would argue that dark, bleak material is not at
all out of character for her. And being an adult novel, perhaps she
didn't feel compelled to temper the subject matter with a more balanced
view of happiness and contentment with the darker side of life.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:54 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Bridgit,
Yes, read it for sure. I should add that. For those of us who love Harry
Potter and are ourselves writers, I believe that it is important to see
the next stage in her writing. I just find it a bit disturbing that,
with all the success she's had, she wrote something so uniformly bleak.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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ix.n
et
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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otmail.com
------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:38:03 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP276B5FDB8352C7440038C58C48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I'm not saying you didn't, grin, but I don't remember it at all, nor do
I have it in my un-read submission folder. From about March up until,
really this January, I was dealing with a rough pregnancy then Declan's
NICU stay then when we brought him home finally, he was using a feeding
tube along with having severe acid reflux. Needless to say, S & S wasn't
on my list of priorities. Little Man is fine now and off the feeding
tube, as well as not exhibiting digestion issues, and I'm back to being
able to focus on S & S along with other things, smile. Well... Sort of.
He's being very moble since 7 months, pulling up on things at 8 months
and walking since 9 months, making up for lost time, smile. I don't sit
much, though at 10 months, I have small chunks of time I can devote to
other things as long as I do them in the same room as him since we don't
like it when people leave the room, ha-ha! So you can always resubmit
for consideration.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:06 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Thanks for letting me know.
I thought I'd sent it (maybe I didn't).
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:51 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Last year? I don't recall it. It may have been sent when I was pregnant
and unable to fulfill S & S responsibilities at the time, and
unfortunately no one else was able to be acting editor at the time. I
don't recall ever seeing this review.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
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otmail.com
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------------------------------
Message: 11
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:41:36 -0400
From: "Jacobson, Shawn D" <Shawn.D.Jacobson at hud.gov>
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List' <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID:
<8838F3FB8A7BB044AA6DE247E617C6F285C60F at ELANNEPV117.exh.prod.hud.gov>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Understood. Sounds I a hard last year or so. Good luck with raising
Declan.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 12:38 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
I'm not saying you didn't, grin, but I don't remember it at all, nor do
I have it in my un-read submission folder. From about March up until,
really this January, I was dealing with a rough pregnancy then Declan's
NICU stay then when we brought him home finally, he was using a feeding
tube along with having severe acid reflux. Needless to say, S & S wasn't
on my list of priorities. Little Man is fine now and off the feeding
tube, as well as not exhibiting digestion issues, and I'm back to being
able to focus on S & S along with other things, smile. Well... Sort of.
He's being very moble since 7 months, pulling up on things at 8 months
and walking since 9 months, making up for lost time, smile. I don't sit
much, though at 10 months, I have small chunks of time I can devote to
other things as long as I do them in the same room as him since we don't
like it when people leave the room, ha-ha! So you can always resubmit
for consideration.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:06 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Thanks for letting me know.
I thought I'd sent it (maybe I didn't).
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:51 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Last year? I don't recall it. It may have been sent when I was pregnant
and unable to fulfill S & S responsibilities at the time, and
unfortunately no one else was able to be acting editor at the time. I
don't recall ever seeing this review.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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on%40hud.gov
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
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http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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otmail.com
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
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on%40hud.gov
------------------------------
Message: 12
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:54:08 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP25595EE6C6554F113A9CE86C48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yeah. I truly would do it all again just to have him, but wasn't the
easiest year. Like I said, he's completely fine now, growing and
developing as he should. In fact, physically, he's about three months
ahead of the average kid, so doing good. Have things to work on like S &
S and my own writing, but also want to spend like every moment with him,
so trying to balance it all, smile.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:42 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Understood. Sounds I a hard last year or so. Good luck with raising
Declan.
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 12:38 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
I'm not saying you didn't, grin, but I don't remember it at all, nor do
I have it in my un-read submission folder. From about March up until,
really this January, I was dealing with a rough pregnancy then Declan's
NICU stay then when we brought him home finally, he was using a feeding
tube along with having severe acid reflux. Needless to say, S & S wasn't
on my list of priorities. Little Man is fine now and off the feeding
tube, as well as not exhibiting digestion issues, and I'm back to being
able to focus on S & S along with other things, smile. Well... Sort of.
He's being very moble since 7 months, pulling up on things at 8 months
and walking since 9 months, making up for lost time, smile. I don't sit
much, though at 10 months, I have small chunks of time I can devote to
other things as long as I do them in the same room as him since we don't
like it when people leave the room, ha-ha! So you can always resubmit
for consideration.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:06 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Thanks for letting me know.
I thought I'd sent it (maybe I didn't).
Shawn
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:51 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Last year? I don't recall it. It may have been sent when I was pregnant
and unable to fulfill S & S responsibilities at the time, and
unfortunately no one else was able to be acting editor at the time. I
don't recall ever seeing this review.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40h
otmail.com
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
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on%40hud.gov
_______________________________________________
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http://www.writers-division.net/
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http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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otmail.com
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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_______________________________________________
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stylist mailing list
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To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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------------------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:55:11 -0400
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Message-ID: <8679D94AA05C4D6885473CAD4EC2945D at OwnerHP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Shawn,
Thanks for sharing this. It gives me an idea of not only the book but
your personal experiences. There are so many books I'd like to read and
so little time. That's one reason I love book reviews -- at least I have
some perspective if the book comes up in conversation ... Enough
perspective to ask someone who did read it something more meaty than
just what did they think of it. Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jacobson,
Shawn D
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 11:13 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List (stylist at nfbnet.org)'
Subject: [stylist] Another book review--The Martian Child
Below, is a book review I did last year (submitted to Slate & Style but
was not accepted). The book "The Martian Child" is about a single
science fiction writer who adopts a boy who thinks he's a Martian. I
found the premise interesting.
Shawn Jacobson
Mathematical Statistician
Phone# (202)-475-8759
Fax# (202)-485-0275
The Martian Child, by David Gerrard
reviewed by Shawn Jacobson
In The Martian Child, David Gerrard writes a novelization of his
experience adopting a trouble child. The child, Dennis is hyper active,
has a history of abuse, acts out, and (most disconcerting of all)
believes that he is a Martian. But the Marian part doesn't frighten our
protagonist, the adoptive dad. After all, dad is a science fiction
writer and as long as Dennis doesn't bring home giant slugs from space,
dad can be cool with Dennis being a Martian as long as he needs to be.
And besides, when dad saw the picture of this little kid, he was in
love. Thus begins what, for the first half of the book, seems an idyllic
adventure in which the author adopts Dennis. Dad loves Dennis, Dennis
loves dad and, everything works beautifully. Problems here are glossed
over. Then troubles come and the narration becomes dark. The Northridge
earthquake wrecks the house. The dog dies. Dennis is falsely accused
of sexual assault. Dennis steals, breaks things, and acts out in
public. The adoption is pushed to the brink. To save the family, the
father must dig deep for the answer to why he wanted to adopt in the
first place; father and son must renounce their Martian heritage. Thus,
this is a story of acknowledging, settling for, being human. I came to
this book because I am an adoptive father who dabbles in writing science
fiction. I wanted to see the author's unique view of the process.
Though the author's fears of inadequacy mirrored my own, David's
domestic adoption of an older child differed from the international
adoptions of infants with which I am familiar. One reviewer criticized
the author for writing his adoption story as a novel rather than as
memoir. However, telling the story in fictionalized form fits the theme
of this book that the stories we tell ourselves to explain the world and
our place in it make us human. Pre-linguistic children are thus alien
until they join our society of story tellers. In this light, Dennis'
story of his Martian heritage may indicate that he came to language late
in life. The author's previous works of science fiction get lengthy
descriptions and are significant to in the lead-up to the climactic
scene. Other descriptions, of things, people, and weather are spare, not
memorable. The exceptions, the description of Dennis from his picture,
description of the house after the earthquake, the description of the
weather on the climactic evening of the story, stand out by comparison.
This book is available through the Talking Book program, DB 67150. The
NLS narrator, like commercial audio-book narrators, uses different
voices for the different characters. The lisping, kiddy, voice used for
Dennis is more annoying than cute. For those interested in reading
about a challenging adoption, uniting a troubled boy with a
non-traditional home, the book is worth putting up with the annoyance.
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://host.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/penatwork%40ep
ix.n
et
------------------------------
Message: 14
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 13:01:20 -0400
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <3F68B18C0E3E440B82DF88EA36D49514 at OwnerHP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Bridgit,
Yes, there was a lot of bleak in Harry Potter and ultimately much more
violence and misery than she put into this one. There is a difference,
however, and perhaps you've hit the nail on the head with your statement
about it being an adult novel. I personally dislike categorizations like
this. Initially, Rowling said that she had not thought of Harry Potter
as a children's series. It worked in that market, but as we adults who
love it know, it has so much more in it than your average middle school
student can process or relate to. Also, I guess I'm not a very good
adult, since I don't care for things that don't have at least some of
the levity, joy and wonder that I find in my own adult life. Not
everyone is miserable and amoral. Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 12:11 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Although, consider how bleak Harry Potter was. Many critics pointed this
out especially since it was Children's Lit. I think she goes for realism
over a more romantic view on life. And she herself has dealt with a lot
of situations including divorce, living on welfare and the death of a
parent. Amidst all her success, there has been suffering. I haven't read
this new book yet, but I would argue that dark, bleak material is not at
all out of character for her. And being an adult novel, perhaps she
didn't feel compelled to temper the subject matter with a more balanced
view of happiness and contentment with the darker side of life.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:54 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Bridgit,
Yes, read it for sure. I should add that. For those of us who love Harry
Potter and are ourselves writers, I believe that it is important to see
the next stage in her writing. I just find it a bit disturbing that,
with all the success she's had, she wrote something so uniformly bleak.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
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------------------------------
Message: 15
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:22:41 -0500
From: Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: "'Writer's Division Mailing List'" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Message-ID: <BLU0-SMTP3912DBF7632F650ED394D8BC48B0 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
That's true. HP definitely crossed markets, though I've always found the
teen angsty stuff a little annoying, but in part, this is what makes it
YA.
And I agree that not everyone lives a rotten life, but for whatever
reason, this story, these characters were compelling to Rowling. Again,
can't comment on the book itself just yet, and no book will be for
everyone. I'm always fascinated by the choices an author makes when
writing. I recently read a series called the Mortal Instruments by
Cassandra Clare, which is a YA fantasy series. Didn't enjoy as much as
HP, and was more teen-driven than HP, though I found some of the content
a little inappropriate, but over-all, it wasn't too bad. Anyway, my
point is that there were character traits and plots I would have done
differently. I would love to sit down with authors and really get deep
into their material, smile.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 12:01 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Bridgit,
Yes, there was a lot of bleak in Harry Potter and ultimately much more
violence and misery than she put into this one. There is a difference,
however, and perhaps you've hit the nail on the head with your statement
about it being an adult novel. I personally dislike categorizations like
this. Initially, Rowling said that she had not thought of Harry Potter
as a children's series. It worked in that market, but as we adults who
love it know, it has so much more in it than your average middle school
student can process or relate to. Also, I guess I'm not a very good
adult, since I don't care for things that don't have at least some of
the levity, joy and wonder that I find in my own adult life. Not
everyone is miserable and amoral. Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 12:11 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Although, consider how bleak Harry Potter was. Many critics pointed this
out especially since it was Children's Lit. I think she goes for realism
over a more romantic view on life. And she herself has dealt with a lot
of situations including divorce, living on welfare and the death of a
parent. Amidst all her success, there has been suffering. I haven't read
this new book yet, but I would argue that dark, bleak material is not at
all out of character for her. And being an adult novel, perhaps she
didn't feel compelled to temper the subject matter with a more balanced
view of happiness and contentment with the darker side of life.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 10:54 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Bridgit,
Yes, read it for sure. I should add that. For those of us who love Harry
Potter and are ourselves writers, I believe that it is important to see
the next stage in her writing. I just find it a bit disturbing that,
with all the success she's had, she wrote something so uniformly bleak.
Donna
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bridgit
Pollpeter
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 2:14 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
I've wondered about this book. I know it was intended for adults and was
suppose to be completely different than Harry Potter. It may be
difficult for Rowling to find an audience and have anyone endeared to
books that are not Harry Potter. Good writer or not, this is the
downside to have such a beloved series. People want HP, but she's done
with that world. Thanks for the review. Despite the fact you didn't care
for it, this makes me want to read it to discover for myself what it is
about and get my interpretation.
Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Donna
Hill
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2013 8:54 PM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: [stylist] Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling
Hi Friends,
After our discussion not long ago about the Harry Potter series, I
finally read Rowling's new adult novel, The Casual Vacancy. I expect to
post this book review to Goodreads, which I just joined as another way
to promote my novel. I thought I'd post it here first. It's a first
attempt -- all done today -- so I'll probably change or add something,
if I know me. * grin* Donna
***
The Casual Vacancy, J.K. Rowling's first novel since the Harry Potter
series, is set in the small English town of Pagford. It follows seven
families through the aftermath of the death of the school's beloved
rowing coach. A member of the Pagford Parish Council, Barry
Fairbrother's death brings about a "casual vacancy," according to
Charles Arnold-Baker's Local Council Administration, Seventh Edition.
Squaring off against one another, two groups of candidates jockey for
position to fill his seat. The primary divide concerns their views on
shutting down a methadone clinic and seeding jurisdiction of the Fields,
a concrete and steel, poverty-stricken neighborhood whose children
attend Padford's schools, to the city of Yarvil.
The first word that came to mind, after reading a quarter of the book,
was "drab." None of the adults was easy to like or care about. No one is
happy, healthy or noble, and there is little levity or wit. None of the
adult relationships even qualify as working reasonably well. Their
teenagers are lost and hopeless souls devoid of wonder. If I hadn't been
a Harry Potter fan who wrote extensively on the series, I would have
given up on this book.
But, I kept reading -- albeit with the morbid curiosity of someone
watching a train derail. I found a character to care about -- Crystal,
the 16-year-old daughter of a heroin addict. I had the sense from the
start that I would be punished for my concern, and I was not mistaken.
There are no happy endings here. The few signs of redemption come at the
greatest of costs and are marked by the tiniest of gestures. She
succeeds only in portraying the utter depravity of human culture.
The book must be considered in some ways to be well-written. Rowling is
mercifully gifted at concise summations of background information and
the dialog is realistically candid. The appearances of comments by "The
Ghost of Barry Fairbrother" on the Council's website provide some
interest, if the reader can get that far. Tess's thoughts near the end
of the book, however, sum it up best.
Block quote
But who could bear to know which stars were already dead, she thought,
blinking up at the night sky, could anybody stand to know that they all
were?
Block quote end
_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://www.writers-division.net/
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otmail.com
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------------------------------
Message: 16
Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 23:16:46 +0000 (UTC)
From: goldbeckjm at comcast.net
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] Tips for Formatting Books and E-Books
Message-ID:
<914053223.624332.1372202206889.JavaMail.root at sz0087a.emeryville.ca.mail
.comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I wanted to share what I had learned about formatting books/e-books from
the website jungleredwriters.com.? They have different articles written
by different writers on a regular basis.
I met one of their contributors at the Willamette Writers Conference.
Enjoy,
Julie Goldbeck
A Few Tips for Formatting Books and E-Books
ROSEMARY HARRIS: I'm about to embark on my first self-published ebook
adventure. So many people have done it ?- why not me? Weeeeeelllll -
because I'm terrified? Because I'm afraid I'll mess up the formatting
and earn a slew of one star reviews because the indentations are too
big? Too small? Non-existent? Because I'll click Yes on something that
somehow prevents me from doing something else - or worse - mangles the
book?
So to give myself a little confidence, I asked one of my more
experienced buddies to share his knowledge of self-publishing with me
and the JR gang.
VINCENT H. O'NEIL: I?ve prepared numerous books for print-on-demand and
e-book production, and there are many ways to go about this. There is
also a wide range of publishing sites and services, each with its own
advantages and disadvantages, but the most common questions I hear
involve formatting. It?s not as challenging as it might sound, and so
here is an approach I?ve found useful.
NOTE: Some of the detailed instructions here involve MS Word, but the
concepts discussed should translate to other software. My experience
with e-readers is largely confined to Kindle and Nook, but hopefully
most of this guidance will apply to other versions. The conversion
software is steadily improving, and so some of these considerations may
soon become outdated.
The basic idea is to create a single book file which will be copied as
two separate files that are then adjusted, one for print-on-demand and
one for e-book. Here we go:
? Unless the book is going to be very long, use 12 pt font or higher.
1. Single space the entire book.
2. Make sure you include a copyright notice, an Author Biography,
your website, and a list of all your other books in a ?Books by this
Author? segment.
3. Avoid underlining (for example, ? Chapter One ?) because in an
e-reader conversion the blank lines following that underlining sometimes
appear with what looks like a dash because the underlining continued
past the underlined words. Bold face seems to have no negative
consequences.
4. Consider putting a marking symbol (such as a black dot) in the
center of the blank line between segments within a chapter; this helps
people reading the book on an e-reader to know a segment has ended.
5. In Page Setup / Margins / Pages, select ?Mirror Margins?. This
will let you see the pages as they will appear in the printed book, as
well as create proper margins.
6. In Page Setup / Margins, set the inside and outside margins
according to the chart below (Leave the ?Gutter? at zero).
Total Pages ????????????????????????????????? Inside Margin
??????????????????????????????????? Outside Margin
?
24-150 ???????????????????????? ??????????? at least .375?
?????????????????????????????????????? at least .25?
151-400 ?????????????????????????????????? at least .75?
???????????????????????????????????????? at least .5?
400-600 ?????????????????????????????????? at least .875?
?????????????????????????????????????? at least .5?
>600 ??????????????????????????????????????? at least 1.0?
>???????????????????????????????????????? at least .5?
? Don?t get overly concerned about this; the ?Preview? function in most
print-on-demand software is pretty good and you can adjust from there.
For a standard-sized book (roughly 220 pages) I use .7? for top, bottom,
and outside margins and .8? for inside.
1. I recommend setting the tab / paragraph indents at .3 to save
space. Also select ?Justify? so that the words on each line stretch from
margin to margin.
2. Insert the page numbers, page breaks, and section breaks that you
want for the printed book; many of these will be removed by the e-reader
conversion, but there are fixes for the ones you want to keep.
3. Once the file is complete, save it as a Print On Demand file and
an e-book file because you will be doing different things to each.
For the Print On Demand File:
1. Add a blank page in front so that the book opens on a blank page
instead of the title page.
2. Any time you want to leave the page numbers off (for example, the
title page and the dedication) add a Page Break, a Section Break
(continuous), and another Page Break on the last page before you want
the page numbers. Then select ?View Header / Footer? and open the footer
for the first page that will have a page number. Click inside that
footer and then unselect ?Link to Previous?. Then move up to the footer
above that one (it should show a different number, as in ?Footer Section
1? versus ?Footer Section 2?) and delete the page number manually. The
page numbers should remain going forward.
3. I generally start new chapters on a new page, roughly halfway
down.
4. Depending on the service you use, you will be able to preview the
final document digitally after it is loaded. The digital review will
reveal any glaring errors, but it is still important to get a proof copy
and review it thoroughly before putting the finished product on sale.
For the E-Book File:
1. When you load the file onto whatever site you?re using, the
conversion software is likely to remove much of the Print On
Demand-specific formatting.
2. If you want to keep a page break, enter a Section Break
(continuous) where the original Page Break was. I generally only do that
at the beginning (title page, dedication, etc.) and let the completed
chapter scroll right into the next one.
3. The Page Numbers will be removed automatically; they?re not
needed.
4. Different e-reader platforms (Basic Kindle, Kindle Fire, Nook,
etc.) emplace indents on their own or fail to recognize the indents in
some files. Although it?s a bit of work, here is a fix that has worked
for me: I recommend removing all indentation so that every line
(including the indented first line of each paragraph) is left-justified.
Then highlight each segment in turn, go to Format / Paragraph /
Indentation and select Special / First line and set it to .3. All of
your paragraphs will indent to .3, which should keep the indentation
standard across platforms.
5. The Preview function in most e-reader setup software is usually
very good, so once the file is loaded go through the entire book and see
if anything looks wrong. Most problems are fixable by adjusting the
file, reloading it, and checking it again.
?
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