Comments on: Wicked Witch Smokes Cigars with Ron Hogan of Galleycat.com http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/ Cranky critiques by Lynne W. Scanlon P.E.A. (Publisher/Editor/Author) Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:53:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Tana McDonald http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-406 Tana McDonald Wed, 10 May 2006 17:59:52 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-406 She can easily overcome this. She can write a book about how she wrote her book at 17 years old with the help of her manager and the folks at Alloy. Let's see--she can't use Shattered Glass; it's taken. How about "I'm Sari"? She can easily overcome this. She can write a book about how she wrote her book at 17 years old with the help of her manager and the folks at Alloy. Let’s see–she can’t use Shattered Glass; it’s taken. How about “I’m Sari”?

]]> By: Rowena Dunlap Burke http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-399 Rowena Dunlap Burke Tue, 09 May 2006 00:19:52 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-399 <strong>The Indian princess may have a tough road to hoe on the homefront. Hopefully, the funeral pyre is not built yet or the arranged wedding happening right now. She may have to change her name and go the witness protection routine. Wonder where her home town is. It'll be in the legals soon.</strong> Yeah, I used to love the smell of cigarettes and pipes. I hung out with my late mother when I was a little kid going to see the reporter and sucking in the smoke. Last book I read was a great one: "<strong>The Wright 3</strong>" by Blue Balliott. For kids but great fare for a 49 year old, too. The one before that I got for free at PLA in Boston: "<strong>How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved my Life</strong>" by Mameve Medwed. It was amusing. <strong>The ultimate best read in years is "The Deafening" by Frances Itani.</strong> "<strong>Fashion is Spinach</strong>" was really good, too. 1938. I'm a huge fan of Ivan Doig and I'm looking forward to reading his new book. He writes slow and well. -Rowena in Newport, Rhode Island The Indian princess may have a tough road to hoe on the homefront. Hopefully, the funeral pyre is not built yet or the arranged wedding happening right now. She may have to change her name and go the witness protection routine. Wonder where her home town is. It’ll be in the legals soon.

Yeah, I used to love the smell of cigarettes and pipes. I hung out with my late mother when I was a little kid going to see the reporter and sucking in the smoke.

Last book I read was a great one: “The Wright 3” by Blue Balliott. For kids but great fare for a 49 year old, too. The one before that I got for free at PLA in Boston: “How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved my Life” by Mameve Medwed. It was amusing. The ultimate best read in years is “The Deafening” by Frances Itani. “Fashion is Spinach” was really good, too. 1938. I’m a huge fan of Ivan Doig and I’m looking forward to reading his new book. He writes slow and well.

-Rowena in Newport, Rhode Island

]]> By: D. A. Lewis http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-391 D. A. Lewis Mon, 08 May 2006 14:42:31 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-391 Hi Lynn, read your blog. Funny story about Ron Hogan. Re: Kaavya: >>>>>>>>>Kaavya is much too young to understand the stigma of being caught cheating. You're kidding???!! That's an excuse on which she will heavily rely. She has put out this image of a very bright and her attendance at Harvard supports that -- so I'm confident of her understanding. Her youth may have bolstered her hope that she wouldn't get caught. It's unfortunate that her family has to go through this with her in such a public way, but that happens when anyone does something idiotic or criminal and gets caught and/or publicized. But they didn't do anything and that's their out: We're sad she did it, don't know why, know we raised her better, but bottom line, she chose to do it. DA Hi Lynn, read your blog. Funny story about Ron Hogan. Re: Kaavya:

>>>>>>>>>Kaavya is much too young to understand the stigma of being caught cheating.

You’re kidding???!! That’s an excuse on which she will heavily rely. She has put out this image of a very bright and her attendance at Harvard supports that — so I’m confident of her understanding. Her youth may have bolstered her hope that she wouldn’t get caught.

It’s unfortunate that her family has to go through this with her in such a public way, but that happens when anyone does something idiotic or criminal and gets caught and/or publicized. But they didn’t do anything and that’s their out: We’re sad she did it, don’t know why, know we raised her better, but bottom line, she chose to do it.

DA

]]> By: Valerie Ryan http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-389 Valerie Ryan Mon, 08 May 2006 01:20:05 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-389 <p>Hi Lynne:</p> <p>I'm afraid that my cynical take on the whole thing is even worse: those editors and others involved have such a low opinion of readers that they will forge ahead with anything that bodes to become a cash cow. If a reader thinks that she has read it before, will she care? Further, will she care enough to try to remember where she read it? In the rush and hustle of work and play, will she remember wondering about it? Alas...</p> <p>I am a native Seattleite who is happily ensconced in Cannon Beach at the Cannon Beach Book Company.</p> <p><em>Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing: Valerie has been a </em><a href="http://www.cannonbeachbooks.com"><em>bookseller </em></a><em>for 26 years. The Wicked Witch has been to Cannon Beach many times via cafe racer! What a fabulous place.</em> </p> Hi Lynne:

I’m afraid that my cynical take on the whole thing is even worse: those editors and others involved have such a low opinion of readers that they will forge ahead with anything that bodes to become a cash cow. If a reader thinks that she has read it before, will she care? Further, will she care enough to try to remember where she read it? In the rush and hustle of work and play, will she remember wondering about it? Alas…

I am a native Seattleite who is happily ensconced in Cannon Beach at the Cannon Beach Book Company.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing: Valerie has been a bookseller for 26 years. The Wicked Witch has been to Cannon Beach many times via cafe racer! What a fabulous place.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-380 Lynne Tue, 02 May 2006 15:21:58 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-380 Thanks, Frazer. No wonder I am having such a hard time with a reservation. By the way, Maxine Clarke's blog <a href="http://www.petrona-maxine.blogspot.com">Petrona</a> and David Thayer's blog <a href="http://www.davidthayer.booksquare.com/archives/2006/04/28/344/">Booksquare</a> for two views of Kaavya Viswanathan that are well worth reading. Thanks, Frazer. No wonder I am having such a hard time with a reservation.

By the way, Maxine Clarke’s blog Petrona and David Thayer’s blog Booksquare for two views of Kaavya Viswanathan that are well worth reading.

]]> By: Frazer Dobson http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-379 Frazer Dobson Tue, 02 May 2006 13:00:54 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-379 For the record, I think there is a big difference between Kaavya and James Frey, one being that Frey is (theoretically) old enough to know better. But that's neither here nor there. Lynne, the reason you're having trouble finding rooms is that BEA was booked in Washington the same weekend as a big real estate conference, one that wasn't using the convention center but did book up all the in-town hotels. The "official" ABA hotels this time are actually in Crystal City which, though some distance away, is convenient to the convention center via the subway. You may have better luck trying in that area. I'll be there because I have to--my wife is president of the Southern Independent Booksellers' Alliance board, and I'm on the ABA's Bookseller Advisory Committee. So let us know if you plan on making it down. You do get some decent swag on the show floor, but it's also completely overwhelming. Getting caught in human traffic jams in the bigger booths is common. I myself find our regional trade show to be a lot more fun. For the record, I think there is a big difference between Kaavya and James Frey, one being that Frey is (theoretically) old enough to know better. But that’s neither here nor there. Lynne, the reason you’re having trouble finding rooms is that BEA was booked in Washington the same weekend as a big real estate conference, one that wasn’t using the convention center but did book up all the in-town hotels. The “official” ABA hotels this time are actually in Crystal City which, though some distance away, is convenient to the convention center via the subway. You may have better luck trying in that area.

I’ll be there because I have to–my wife is president of the Southern Independent Booksellers’ Alliance board, and I’m on the ABA’s Bookseller Advisory Committee. So let us know if you plan on making it down. You do get some decent swag on the show floor, but it’s also completely overwhelming. Getting caught in human traffic jams in the bigger booths is common. I myself find our regional trade show to be a lot more fun.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-378 Lynne Tue, 02 May 2006 10:51:21 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-378 I'm not having any luck at all finding lodging in Washington, DC anywhere near BEA. I'm canvasing B&B's and apartments online right now. Rooms have been booked for months. Yes, BEA is a HUGE event. Short of sleeping under a bridge or day-tripping it from NYC, I'm not too optimistic right now, but I requested press credentials from BEA just in case I turn something up that is under $1500/night! No kidding, that's what is left. I'd like to go, but not THAT much. Is it cherry blossom time in Washington that week, too? I’m not having any luck at all finding lodging in Washington, DC anywhere near BEA. I’m canvasing B&B’s and apartments online right now. Rooms have been booked for months. Yes, BEA is a HUGE event. Short of sleeping under a bridge or day-tripping it from NYC, I’m not too optimistic right now, but I requested press credentials from BEA just in case I turn something up that is under $1500/night! No kidding, that’s what is left. I’d like to go, but not THAT much.

Is it cherry blossom time in Washington that week, too?

]]> By: Andrew O'Hara http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-376 Andrew O'Hara Mon, 01 May 2006 18:31:12 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-376 Heck fire, I'm of the generation that should remember Ted Kennedy's Harvard experience, but I don't. He's done quite well, though, even with Chappaquiddick, and so will young Kaavya if she plays her cards right. She's not sorry she did it--she's sorry she got caught. But everyone loves a sinner/come-back artist and she will be either a best selling author or a corporate lawyer, where they love such behavior. As far as incomes, it's all lights and mirrors. The average US cop pulls in 55,000 a year, the firefighter about 48, and both are stripped of most of their Social Security because of their occupations. The average CEO limps along on 11.75 million. Hank McKinnell of Pfizer is trying to survive on a pension of 6.5 million--and gets his full social security, bless his heart. Our priorities are wrong all over, including in the writing and publishing industry. Part of the problem for young Kaavya is the publishing industry's hunger to find brilliant young prodigies from five years old and up, put out tripe of any kind--the penny arcade of publishing. Heck fire, I’m of the generation that should remember Ted Kennedy’s Harvard experience, but I don’t. He’s done quite well, though, even with Chappaquiddick, and so will young Kaavya if she plays her cards right. She’s not sorry she did it–she’s sorry she got caught. But everyone loves a sinner/come-back artist and she will be either a best selling author or a corporate lawyer, where they love such behavior.

As far as incomes, it’s all lights and mirrors. The average US cop pulls in 55,000 a year, the firefighter about 48, and both are stripped of most of their Social Security because of their occupations. The average CEO limps along on 11.75 million. Hank McKinnell of Pfizer is trying to survive on a pension of 6.5 million–and gets his full social security, bless his heart.

Our priorities are wrong all over, including in the writing and publishing industry. Part of the problem for young Kaavya is the publishing industry’s hunger to find brilliant young prodigies from five years old and up, put out tripe of any kind–the penny arcade of publishing.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-375 Lynne Mon, 01 May 2006 13:00:46 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-375 Hi, Karin. Thanks for dropping by. Yes, I, too feel that in many ways the problems in <em>Opal</em> are the result of bulldozing the author. Hi, Karin. Thanks for dropping by. Yes, I, too feel that in many ways the problems in Opal are the result of bulldozing the author.

]]> By: David Thayer http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-374 David Thayer Mon, 01 May 2006 12:51:57 +0000 http://www.thepublishingcontrarian.com/2006/04/30/wicked-witch-smokes-cigars-with-ron-hogan-of-galleycatcom/#comment-374 I posted my thoughts about Kaavya over the weekend. I hope you go to BEA if only so you'll blog about it. I posted my thoughts about Kaavya over the weekend. I hope you go to BEA if only so you’ll blog about it.

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