Some of my co-workers, however, I could do without. That’s not uncommon.

I’m breaking my rule about Day Job posts because I need to address some issues in the company lunch room. This lunch room is for all employees. There’s a TV (which I would just as soon turn off) blaring constantly. But that’s not the issue. The issue is lunch hour conversations.

Some topics should be tabu. That means forbidden. That means you should not talk about these things while people are eating. It is rude. You have no business calling other people “trash” if you’re guilty of discussing any of the following topics during a meal:

• your dog’s anal gland problem
• your cat’s toileting issues
• your boobs
• your vagina (or whatever word you want to call it)

Also, in the USA, loud belching is considered rude. Unless you’re Cameron Diaz. Then it’s just weird. You are not Cameron Diaz. If you were Cameron Diaz, you would not be working for the same company for which I work. So you’re not weird, you’re rude. And disgusting.

Jackie Kessler has done a thorough, terrific job breaking down and explaining exactly what Harlequin is doing and why RWA has rescinded Harlequin Enterprises’ eligibiity for RWA-provided conference resources.

Kristin Nelson has a response from Harlequin about Romance Writers of America’s reaction and Mystery Writers of America’s concern about Harlequin’s new ventures.

Yay to RWA for protecting the the professional interests of career-focused romance authors.

I sold some of them. I didn’t have the space for that many additional books, and I needed the money at the time. I kept most, though, and still visit them as I do all of my friends. 

Gram had 29 or so grandchildren. Maybe there were 26 of us. I received the best part of her, the part she taught and shared with my mom and me: the love of reading. Someday, my daughter (or son) will inherit my library.  Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice expressed my sentiments perfectly: “I cannot comprehend the neglect of a family library in such days as these.”

But that’s exactly what happens with e-books. How does one pass a legacy of literature electronically? At least a  book is biodegradable. Can e-readers make the same claim? Advances in technology makes them obsolete within a few years; then what happens to them? How can one re-read the books one purchased to read on a specific e-reader?

It reminds me of music. I bought the 45s, I bought the LPs, I bought the 8-tracks, the cassettes, the CDs, but I have paid too many times for the same music. Now I’m supposed to pay yet again for musicI’ve already purchased numerous times because the industry is now digital.

Maybe I should become a Luddite.

I entered 6 contests this year. I didn’t enter randomly, but rather with specific goals, targeting particular publishing houses should I final.

The results have been trickling in. The first two sets of returns were enough to make me consider quitting. Then I realized the ‘published author’ judges promised in the contest guidelines were actually e-published authors, an altogether different breed. Or even worse, non-writing judges when the contest is allegedly judged by writers. I’m not talking PASIC’S contest that’s judged by librarians and booksellers. You know  up front that those judges aren’t writers.

Example:  Well-respected contest #1.

Guidelines state 2 published authors, 1 RWA-PRO judge.

Reality:

• 1 published author (“I’ve been writing 10+ years”, she assured me. Clue #1 that she’s e-pubbed.)
• 1 RWA- PRO judge. Yes.
• 1 “I’m not a writer, just a very avid reader”

Yes indeedy, folks, I paid an RWA chapter for something my sister/co-workers will do for free.

Clue #2 that the so-called published author judge is in reality an e-published author was in the 4 (four) comments she offered on the manuscript pages.  That’s right: I paid for feedback and didn’t receive it. The low scores on the score sheet weren’t explained or justified.  She suggested re-writing a single sentence into an overblown paragraph. Her voice/style (pure e-pub), not mine.

Well-respected contest #2:  Allegedly judged by two published authors.

Reality: two more e-published authors. Good grief. Contests should disclose this to entrants. It’s false advertising! Again, I was able to determine this by the comments offered on the scoresheets.

Then I received a phone call telling me I’d finalled in a third contest. YES! The opening chapters are now in front of an editor at an agented-only publisher.  Can’t wait to see what the judges had to say.

Next, I received my results from Well-Respected Contest #4. I didn’t final, but wow, what fantastic judges! The feed back I received was constructive and helpful, which is why I enter contests.

This past week, I received the results from Well-Respected Contest #5. Again, I didn’t final, but the judges were insightful, amusing, and I definitely got my money’s worth from this contest.

I’ve been trying to write my thank-you notes to the judges for three weeks or more, but the results of the first two contests have me stymied. How can I thank someone for nothing?

Suggestions/New Rules for RWA Chapter Contests:

• If you can’t deliver the judges stated in your guidelines, you must refund a portion of the entry fee.
• Judges must justify/explain low scores or the contest refunds a portion of the entry fee.
• Must disclose if  “published author judges” are actually e-published authors before the contest.
• If you are worried about hurting the tender feelings of  poor abused and maligned e-pubbed authors, consider the poor abused feelings of  entrants who expected valid feedback and received 2nd rate comments, which are helpful only if one is targeting an e-publisher. 
• Consider requiring all “published” authors to reveal their publishing houses. That will help put comments into perspective.
• Create a contest that guarantees no e-pubbed author judges. I’ll bet you’ll make a mint.

Odd. I’ve never had a problem with a book not working.

Then, while blog-surfing this morning, I came across a couple of ‘commentaries’ on e-reading devices.

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books reviews e-readers. I love the one reviewer who keeps writing: DECIDE ON A FORMAT!

Then I discovered a series of YouTube videos from Green Apple Books called The Book vs. The Kindle. These are quite amusing.

But I recently read that to expect to be thanked is unrealistic and self-serving.

Wrong.

 I was taught that when someone does something for you, you thank them.  So even though I’m not impressed with the quality of contest judging these days  (and I resent that small press, consignment only authors are allowed to pass themselves off as published) I will still thank the judges for their time.

My mama raised me right.

This rant blog is not about format; it’s about business practices.

If you write a book and a publisher gives you an advance against royalties (money), then you have sold the book.

If you write a book and a publisher gives you a contract but no upfront money, then you have a contract, but you have not sold the book. No money has exchanged hands.

See the difference? Selling involves money.

If you have contracted with a small e-publisher and you have not received an advance, you have not sold. You will be selling your book. On consignment.

I ran into a local mystery author at a party last week. She wondered if the uproar is as bitter in the romance genre as it is in mystery, with the “e-people” whining that they are not being treated fairly. “And why,” she asked, “would a writer give away her first rights?”

Why indeed? Because, you see, if you have a contract but no money has changed bank accounts, you have given away your work. Giving it away is what amateurs, not professionals, do.

Amateurs should not expect professional writing organizations to treat them as equals.

I’ve given e-books a somewhat fair shot.

Example:

Harlequin is giving away 17 free e-books, electronic versions of their regular series romance. These are not books that couldn’t find another publisher, not niche genre stories, not authors who only want to see their name on the cover of a book (and this is the topic of another future  rant blog).  I downloaded all of the Harlequin books because I love to read. One of my greatest fears in life is running out of reading material.

The problem is: I don’t have an e-reader. I must read e-books on a computer. I know, this is my problem, not universal (another future rant), but I can’t be the only person in the world who doesn’t own an e-reader.

I downloaded the books to my laptop. My laptop, however,  is old (in computer years), and the battery doesn’t hold a charge. I’m a fast freader, but not that fast. So I have to be plugged in to read. Again, I realize this isn’t the norm, but I doubt I’m unique in this regard.

I am tethered while I read. I can’t finish that last chapter while I scarf down a Lean Cuisine on my lunch hour. Can’t wander into the kitchen to eat a Skinny Cow at the table while I’m reading. Can’t curl up in bed to read.

And for those who claim e-books are ‘greener‘, think about how many e-reader units have come and gone over the past decade. Where are the outmoded, non-functional units now?  Paper, unlike plastic, is biodegradable. My guess is that e-reader components are manufactured using petroleum-based products.  Petroleum isn’t a renewable resource. Trees are.

I realize there is much to recommend the e-trend. Friends who travel a lot love filling their Kindles. I wish public schools had done the e-thing when my progeny carried pounds of textbooks on their backs.

But this is my blog, a place I created so I can vent about controversial topics.

I do, however, welcome dissenting opinions.

I’ve never received thanks from more than half  of the entrants in any contest I’ve ever judged, but over the past couple of years, it’s gotten worse. I haven’t received one single thank you from contest entrants. Not one.

Is it me, or is this just plain rude?