A Call For Submissions At The Long and the Short of It

I don't know if this call for submissoins will be of interest to anyone since it's non-paying, but I thought I'd post it anyway. For those of you who aren't familiar with The Long and the Short of It (like me), this is a reviewers site. The following blurb is from thier website:

The Long and the Short of It hopes to contribute to the Romantic Fiction world in a positive way. Our philosophy is: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. You'll only find positive reviews on our reviews blog. This doesn't mean we like everything we read -- far from it. What it does mean is, we only post reviews of those books we like. There are enough reviews sites and various blogs that are "snarky" or negative. We do not choose to be one of them. Our policy: If we have a book or story submitted to us for review, and the first reviewer doesn't like it, it is reassigned to another reviewer. If that reviewer doesn't like it, it is forwarded to one of the owners of this site. If we agree with their assessment, an email will be sent to the author, declining to review their story. We strive to be both honest and positive and hope that this resonates with you. To request a review, please click here.

They have a small article archive, and if you sign up for their newsletter, you''re automatically entered for their weekly contest plus a drawing for a $5 Amazon gift certificate. It looks like a fun site. If you want to check it out, you can do so by clicking here or on one of the links below.

The Long and the Short of It is issuing a call for romantic short stories (1000 words maximum). To read our guidelines, go here . At the moment, we are non-paying, however we do offer as compensation for using your story one free month banner or book cover ad (a $10 value) or $10 off our Author Spotlight on the front page of our site (a week-long focus on you and your work). Thank you and we're looking forward to reading your stories.

The Long and the Short of It

Wanted: Reviewers at Manic Readers!

I received the below information about the reviewers site, Manic Readers, from a writer group I belong to, and thought I'd share. :) * * * Manic Readers needs you! We’re growing by leaps and bounds, but we need your help to get these fabulous ebooks and print books reviewed! The volume of books we’re receiving for review has exploded over the last month and we need YOU to help us get it all done! We are a volunteer based review site and therefore we do not pay reviewers. However, you’ll receive free books to feed your reading addiction! If you are interested in being a part of our Manic Family send us a sample review (approx. 200words) at info @manicreaders.com (NO SPACES). Here’s a sample review to give you an idea of what to submit: Book Title: Dr. Gnome Author Name: Donna Michaels ISBN #: 1-59998-851-8 Publisher Name: Forbidden Publications Date Released: December 2007 Genre: Paranormal Romance Book Format: ebook Rating: 4 stars Summary: Double O Fang Agent Pierce DeVein is smooth, confident and a hit with all the ladies. Shifter Intelligence Agent Kitty Kat is brash, impulsive and devilishly sexy. When the world’s gold supply starts to come up missing and nations are facing economic downfall these two unwilling agents are paired together as partners. Will they be able to stop the evil Dr. Gnome from destroying the world’s finances and keep their hearts in check at the same time? Opinion: Donna Michaels establishes a whole new world in just a few short paragraphs drawing the reader in from the start. You feel the attraction of the two characters instantly despite their funny insults to each other and don’t want to put the book down for fear of missing part of the mission. Michaels writes a winner with this fast moving comical adventure. Reviewed By: Nicole Whether you currently review with other sites or have never tried it before, all are welcome to submit a sample review!! Manic Readers http://manicreaders.com/ * * * This is the first I've heard of this site. Looks like they're kind of new. Also, you published authors might be interested in submitting your book for review. As far as the site itself, I found it to be pretty user-friendly. You can do a search for book reviews through the database by book title, author or publisher, and you can add your own comments to them. To access the reviews and add comments you have to be a member, but registration is free. And if you're a published author, you get a FREE complimentary author page with registration. Seems they have a MySpace page and a Yahoogroup, too. If you want to advertise with Manic Readers, looks like they have pretty reasonable rates. I'm really not sure what's considered "reasonable" advertising rates, but from what I could see, their prices looked pretty good. I'd try them out. :) If you want to check them out for yourself, here's the link to their site: Manic Readers Happy Writing (and reading - and reviewing, too)!

The Romance Studio Is Looking For A Few Good Reviewers

2008-02-09 - The Romance Studio, est. 2003, is looking for voracious readers who can write fair, honest, and professional book reviews for the romance genre. Reviewing at TRS is a volunteer position but accepted reviewers will find compensation in the wonderful electronic and print books they review for us. What else we offer: *TRS receives an average of 300-400 review submissions per month from a variety of publishers from NY to our favorite small press publishers - so there's always something to choose from.*We don't assign books - you can choose what YOU'D like to review and you have a generous timeline to complete reviews.*TRS staff edits reviews and notifies authors/publishers/submitting agents for you. We want you to focus ONLY on writing reviews.*Completed, approved reviews post within 5 business days.*You will never be asked to pay for postage costs at TRS in the mailing of print or disk review submissions.*Review for a peer site or publication? You can review with us too. (As long as it's okay with the other place.)*Opportunity to nominate books for the annual Cupid and Psyche Awards (CAPA). Requirements: *Must be at least 18 years of age. (Many of our review submissions are very mature in nature.)*Must be a fan of romance novels AND novels with romantic elements.*Must be able and willing to review EBOOKS as they make up the majority of our review submissions. These are electronic books that would be read on your computer, laptop, or handheld device. Those who wish to review print books only need not apply. You must be willing to review primarily ebooks and for those who are, there will also be the opportunity to review print selections submitted.*While we edit reviews, ideal reviewers should have good writing skills to include grammar, spelling, and punctuation.*Must be able to provide professional, fair, and unbiased opinions on works reviewed. People who delight in writing unfavorable reviews without basis and using insulting or derogatory language need not inquire. We value professionalism above all else.*Must have a positive attitude and team spirit. *Must be flexible in working with TRS on established review procedures. Want to review for one of the biggest romance sites in the business? Have questions? Please email to review@theromancestudio.com. Thank you!

Lonesome Dove and Larry McMurtry

There's good news for all of us Lonesome Dove fans. It looks like we'll be seeing a lot of Larry McMurtry stuff in the months to come.

I've just learned that Comanche Moon, a movie that takes place after the 1996 movie Dead Mans Walk , starring David Arquette and Tommy Lee Miller, and before the original Lonesome Dove starring Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall, is in production and due to be released in November of this year as a TV mini series.

Comanche Moon stars Karl Urban as Woodrow F. Call and Steve Zahn as Gus McCrae. Val Kilmer, Wes Studi and Elizabeth Banks are among some of the others who also star in the movie. I'm sure it will be a hit.

Boone's Lick, another Larry McMurtry book, is also in pre-production. Boone's Lick stars Tom Hanks and Julianne Moore and is due to be released sometime in 2008. I'm must confess, I've never read this one and don't know much about it. Below is the plot summary from the IMDb website:

Told with McMurtry's unique blend of historical fact and sheer storytelling genius, the novel follows the Cecil family's arduous journey by riverboat and wagon from Boone's Lick, Missouri, to Fort Phil Kearny in Wyoming. Fifteen-year-old Shay narrates, describing the journey that begins when his Ma, Mary Margaret, decides to hunt down her elusive husband, Dick, to tell him she's leaving him. Without knowing precisely where he is, they set out across the plains in search of him, encountering grizzly bears, stormy weather, and hostile Indians as they go. With them are Shay's siblings, G.T., Neva, and baby Marcy; Shay's uncle, Seth; his Grandpa Crackenthorpe; and Mary Margaret's beautiful half-sister, Rose. During their journey they pick up a barefooted priest named Father Villy, and a Snake Indian named Charlie Seven Days, and persuade them to join in their travels. Written by Giorgio_C Boone's Lick revolves around a headstrong woman who drags her family on a rickety wagon from Boone's Lick, Mo., to the Wyoming fort where her husband lives. Moore plays the woman and Hanks plays her husband's brother, who escorts the woman, her four children and her father on the trek and falls in love with her during the perilous journey Written by Cat Stevens

If that isn't enough Larry McMurtry westerns for you, there's a book due to be released this October entitled A Book of Photographs from Lonesome Dove by Bill Wittliff. Below is a blurb from The University of Texas Press website:

"Lonesome Dove is a great book that had the rare fortune of being made into a great movie. And now, through Bill Wittliff's photographs, we have a third generation of Lonesome Dove artistry. The same creative power and conviction that allowed Larry McMurtry to transform a workaday scenario for an unproduced screenplay into one of the greatest novels of our time, and that transformed that novel into the greatest western movie ever made, are on display in this collection. A Book of Photographs from Lonesome Dove is a masterpiece begot by a masterpiece begot by a masterpiece." —Stephen Harrigan

Larry McMurtry's books and movies are my favorites. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see these movies or to get my hands on this picture book!

For those of you who are on MySpace and would like to add LD to your list of Myspace friends, here's a link to THE LONESOME DOVE Myspace site.

This isn't an official site, and the site itself isn't anything fancy, however, it might come in handy to have on your friends list. That's how I learned about the LD picture book.

Happy trails!