Monthly Archives: November 2010

Negative/Critical Reviewing

Lately there's been a lot of talk about book reviewing on blogs.
Particularly in the sense of purely negative reviews and critical reviews.
I've been thinking a lot about this, and have actually drafted several other posts on the topic.
Alas, I think I'll try and get this one off the ground!
So, basically, a lot of people have different definitions as to what a 'review' is.
Some people quote the textbook definition, others have their own.
For instance, a lot of bloggers like a rating system. Where by they allocate points or stars to different criteria (like cover, characters, plot etc).
I don't use a rating system.
I'm of the opinion that you can't rate everything equally - its for the same reason that I don't use the star rating system on iTunes (I think I've ...

2010 Inkys Awards Presentation: A Special Guest Post by 2010 Judge Broede Carmody

Last Thursday, many a lit folk went to The State Library to hear the winners announced for the 2010 Inky awards!

Sadly to all involved (and especially me) I unfortunately had to work.

So instead, I out-sourced my blogging to Broede Carmody, one of this year's judges and also writer of this post on Lit Life about the awards!


As a country kid from Wodonga (I always say Albury-Wodonga because nobody from Melbourne seems to actually know of the place without the hyphen) I always think of the city as a place of many things. Not just skyscrapers and awesome literary events, but also a kaleidoscope sights, scents and noise.

However after entering the State Library last Thursday morning this ...

Entrepreneurship with The Entourage

Today I went to an entrepreneur conference run by the newly formed group The Entourage.

I hadn't heard of them before, but on Thursday I worked at Marketing at the Tafe I work at and my boss said she was going and asked if I wanted to go too.

One of the factors that sold me was the cost - you paid depending on how old you are!

Investment for Attending
You will be investing $1 for every year you’ve been on the planet, yes – you pay your age! If you’re 26 you pay $26, if you’re ...

So today I read an article on ghost writing

It had a special column down the side, revealing the shocking facts that Ann. M Martin, R. L. Stine and Carolyn Keene (who doesn't even exist!) didn't write their books (The Babysitters Club, Goosebumps and Nancy Drew respectfully). They could have also mentioned Francine Pascal, who did much the same as Ann. M Martin (wrote the first 80 or so books in the series, then over-saw ghost writers write the rest).
It was actually a really good article.
It was broken up in sections:The social media ghost, a company that takes control of celebrities' Twitter, blog, Facebook and email accounts. "When we start posting for a new client, we spend a good week reading through their email marketing, ...

So yesterday a company approached me about advertising on Lit Life…


...And after careful consideration I turned them down.

Advertising. It makes the world go round.

Ever wondered why there are so many damn ads on television?

They pay for the show.

And yeah they're totally annoying.

But on the other hand, I've discovered many new products via advertising, and when I was shopping last week I was thinking about it and realised that if people didn't advertise how would the public know about new items on the market?

But this blog isn't about how fantastic advertising is.

Review: New Australian Stories 2


Review: New Australian Stories 2
This eclectic anthology of new stories showcases some of our finest writers, and proves that the short story is alive and well in Australia.

From seasoned practitioners of the form through to emerging stars of the short-story firmament, New Australian Stories 2 caters for all tastes. There’s humour, mystery, drama, and even some delusion and deceit. Ideal for dipping into, and perfect for those seeking inspiration and escape, this collection is designed for your reading pleasure.

I really love short stories collections, but a few things happened differently with this anthology.

One: I picked it up and put it down a ...

On Being A Fangirl

Today on Hey, Teenager, the ever-wise Steph talks about not being a fangirl.

Sorry, Steph, but I am a 100% fangirl.

Some examples:

When I found out that Wendy Matthews was touring with Ian Moss, I immediately bought tickets for myself and my step-mother (who got me onto her). When they said they were doing signings and photos after, I dragged her over.

When Carly announced she had spare tickets to the premiere of Rush I jumped at the chance. Out of the whole group who went, I was the only one who went around and got photos with all the cast.
I absolutely love Peter Alexander – they’re the only pj’s I wear. So when it was ...

Whats in a Name…

Okay, this is something that has been grating me for *years* but haven't said anything as I'm really afraid that there is a really obvious answer and I'll look like an idiot.

But since I've now seen it on Glee (again) it's really, really bugging me so can somebody please just put me out of my misery!!!

Okay, so - I don't get the following character names:

Bryan Ryan (Glee)
Danders Anders (How To Ditch Your Fairy, Justine Larbalestier)
Holly Holliday (Glee)

(There are more examples but these are all I can think of at the moment)

Winner Announced – Embrace!

Congratulations to FIONA who won a copy of Embrace by Jessica Shirvington!

Fiona, the book is coming your way!

Don't forget, only eight days left to win a copy of Nightshade!

That comp is open internationally so anyone can enter - head on over there and submit and entry now!

Review: Matched by Ally Condie

Review: Matched by Ally Condie
Matched by Ally Condie, the first book in a young adult dystopian trilogy   ON HER SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY, CASSIA MEETS HER MATCH. SOCIETY DICTATE HE IS HER PERFECT PARTNER FOR LIFE. EXCEPT HE'S NOT.
In Cassia's society, Officials decide who people love. How many children they have. Where they work. When they die.