Diary Archive

ELS Editions in Canada have republished Lawrence Durrell's first two novels, Pied Piper of Lovers and Panic Spring, for the first time in almost seventy years. >>

Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet is a terrific book, especially for writers. One thing Durrell does well is the way he handles the people in his stories; there are some great examples for other writers about how not to waste their minor characters. >>

How do book bloggers select the titles they want to review? Other than issues like genre, what makes a good book to blog about? Are shorter books better than longer books? Are debut novels better than the latest work from an established author? >>

People claiming to be literary agents are conning wannabe writers out of increasingly large sums of money, by selling them unnecessary or poor-quality editing services. Read on for information about how the scam works, and how to avoid it. >>

In the weeks since the Booker Prize longlist was announced, book bloggers have been throwing their other challenges aside and getting to work reviewing the nominees. Here's the Booker longlist, with links to some of the reviews that have already appeared on the Blogosphere. >>

A quick introduction to the new version of The Fiction Desk. The site has now been rebuilt, with an emphasis on new book reviews and writing tips. >>

News from the book world, including Faber's new website and webisodes to promote Robin Cook's new thriller. >>

News and links including paranormal detectives, the latest Amazon controversy, and some good new blog posts... >>

Writers often talk about how things look, and forget that their readers—and their characters—have five senses. The following are notes on the writing of senses, prompted by a scent dinner with NY Times scent critic Chandler Burr. >>

Philip Pullman's Guardian article objecting to age banding on children's books. >>