Gina Bug Writes

Time Magazine -- Off the "take" this year I think

At the grocery store today my husband thought that Time Magazine's take on the Person of the Year Award this year was brilliant. I didn't share his enthusiasm. In fact, I was disgusted.<!--more-->

The magazine's got a big computer and the screen is a mirror. YOU are the winner. I am the winner. He prattled on about how "YOU access millions of bits of information..." yada yada!

I looked at him and said, "Yah, WE are good people who do x, y and z. But how many people look in this mirror and see a pedophile or person in the sex trade looking back at them. They access the same information...." yada yada.

Sad, but true! And I know it wasn't the point and was a bit emotionally led and dramatic, but I can't help myself! I'm a mom and a writer with lots of drama in the veins - I am hardwired to be emotional and dramatic.

Children's Book Copied?

"After questions were raised Sunday on a popular children's book industry listserv about striking similarities between an upcoming picture book called A Snake Is Totally Tail by longtime author Harriet Ziefert and a same-titled book by Judi Barrett from 1983, Ziefert's Snake was abruptly canceled." http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6303375.html

Another article with details on the extent of the similarities:

http://www.thebookstandard.com/bookstandard/news/publisher/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001921113

Book and CD Scam

There is a man writing e-mails and possibly letters to authors (and musicians) claiming to have a blood disorder and wanting a free CD or Book autographed.

This is a scam. No one is sure just what his intentions are, but there was some talk about identity theft because he was also asking for pictures (pic, signature, home address and your name and voila!). He also may just be selling those he gets in. You can sell them for quite a bit on Half.com and eBay even without the autograph.

His e-mails typically say (though he’s also using the name Creg I think):

"hope all is well!

can, I please have a signed photo or a signed cd?

god bless and that all your dreams come true!

I am disabled with blood disorder so, I cannott pay much!

steven

arnold

838

Independence

Jackson Missouri, 63755

usa

"

Please spread this around to others in the book/CD business who may be contacted. I've heard from enough authors who have been contacted and seen postings from cdbaby.com to know this alert is legit.

JK. Rowling is just like the rest of us

You've gotta love this woman! http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/books/01/06/people.j.k.rowling.ap/index.html

Smoking in Movies

In a roundabout way this is about writing (especially if it's written into a script).

My mom was so upset the other day that she'd heard they're trying to make it that any movies with smoking will automatically be given an R rating. My dad joked that he wanted to watch R movies for the nudity, not the nicotine.

I was surprised she was complaining! She's always been anti-smoking and never smoked a day in her life. But then again, she's more egocentric now than ever and I guess the whole reason behind this move (for children/teen viewers) just eludes her sensibilities.

As an ex smoker myself, I've long since thought removing smoking from movies is just fine. Let's get it out of the media where it's made an American cultural icon. Then it's not so normal.

And that's all I have to say about that.

New Line of Adultery Greeting Cards

I'm all for filling a niche and a need. After all, that's why Natural Family Online is so successful and that's why my biz partner and I are launching a new greetings line for Balter Baby next year. But this one is just plain... crazy. I can't imagine after the initial novelty wears off that it will be anything profitable. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8973962/

Celebrity Interviews

I was contacted by a big time PR person for an Animal Planet celebrity and the daughter of another celeb. Essentially they want us to do an interview pertaining to the celeb’s organic cooking and wine cellar and the other’s special organization for kids.

I just about fell over! We work so hard on Natural Family Online (for free!) and these things are just too cool!! I hope our visitors will enjoy reading about celebrities they know and watch who enjoy the same organic or more natural lifestyle we do.

I might own and publish the site, but I still have to beg the Editor in Chief to let me do the interviews. I want them! LOL!

The Nanny Diaries?

WHAT is going on with all of these nanny blogs getting nannies in hot water? They're getting fired for their blogs, they're being written about in major newspapers by ex employer journalists with a bug up their butts... oh, and they're notifying the WORLD that Jude Law is "snogging" them (via blog). I believe the quote was, "I can't believe this! Jude Law is snogging me!" So, um, the nanny, the ex wife and the fiance have written him off after that.

Why is there so much sudden heat on nanny blogs? Supply and demand maybe... I know I would probably tune in for a day or two. Hehe hehe

10 Commandments of Creative Women

Creativity is best nurtured in a focused atmosphere. Recognizing the distractions which life can provide, we offer these tenets to provide guidance and support to all.

1. You will always remember: You are a creative woman.
2. You will honor your creativity by nurturing it.
3. You will honor your sister's creativity by nurturing it also.
4. SEE THE REST OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

From Moondance.org. I'm not sure if they're a paying market, but they look interesting enough. Check them out!

Harry Potter Hits the Stands

How odd it is to think about the mass collective of minds - millions of them - are all reading a book at the same time? They're all reading ONE author's work at the same time! How amazing is that?