This week, SterlingHouse Publisher author Carlotta G. Holton was awarded third place in the Best Book category by the National Federation of Press Women for her third book Vampire Resurrection. NFPW is a nationwide organization of professional women and men in careers across the communications spectrum. This is the second major award Carlotta has won this year. In January, Vampire Resurrection was awarded first place by the New Jersey Press Women’s Association. The NFPW is part of the coalition founding the National Women’s History Museum, is an active participant in the Council of National Journalism Organizations and is part of the coalition supporting the Library of Congress Center of the Book Reading Promotion Partners. Congratulations Carlotta on winning this prestigious award! To view the book trailer for Vampire Resurrection, click here. To purchase Vampire Resurrection, click here.

By Andrea Bullard

Photo courtesy: Benjamin Dudoit

If the pages of Blogger are any indication, then it appears people have settled quite comfortably on the seemingly lawless frontier that is the blogosphere. In my perusal of the site I found dozens of cuss-riddled pages, photographs of grotesque sunburns, and diary-like entries ranging in content from diatribes about faulty vacuum cleaners to instructions on how to act if a bear starts sniffing out your campground.

And of course, dozens of pages where teenagers pose questions like “Why does everyone hate me?” while offering ill-informed political opinions to passers-by.

The first stop on Blogger’s “quick tour” would have prospective bloggers believe that the content of such web posts is free from scrutiny:

Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them in all shapes and sizes and there are no real rules.

Most of the time, this is probably true.

While the radical political musings of 14-year olds will probably not land their authors in court, the cavalier, post-happy attitude that pervades the blogosphere has increasing numbers of bloggers facing legal action.

On May 21, the Wall Street Journal ran an article about blogger Shellee Hale, a Washington State mother of five who is now facing a lawsuit from a New Jersey software company. The company, Too Much Media, LLC designs software to track sales for internet based businesses, and Hale posted questions about a possible security breach to one of its products on an internet forum frequented by members of the adult entertainment industry.

Hale claimed that hackers could use Too Much Media software to expose personal information about the site’s customers.

She said it was not her intent to defame the company. Rather, the questions she posed on the Oprano Forum were meant to gather sources for a story she was working on.

Hale’s case is certainly not unique. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2007, 106 civil law suits were filed against bloggers and others in social networks online, up from a mere 12 in 2003:

Bloggers are increasingly getting sued or threatened with legal action for everything from defamation to invasion of privacy to copyright infringement.

Many lawsuits are thrown out of court or settled before trial, but not before causing headaches for the accused. Though the likelihood of a plaintiff winning a lawsuit is not high, "you could go bankrupt" just from defending against them, says Miriam Wugmeister, a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a privacy and data-security law expert.

Hale contends that the same laws that allow journalists to protect their sources in a court of law apply to her case. Hale addressed the lawsuit on her site “Shellee Hale: A Motivational Blog,” and claimed that anyone involved in disseminating information should be considered part of the media:

I truly believe in the shared media space of the blogging world and journalism online and the importance of a clarification of the laws to meet with the current technological means of delivery of news and information.

But does a casual blogger really belong in the same category as a professional journalist?

Based on legal precedent on the matter--no.

In 2005, Apple sued 19-year-old blogger Nick Ciarelli, whose website, Think Secret, leaked information about new Apple products before the company unveiled them. Both Ciarelli and his lawyer argued that he was protected under the same First Amendment clauses that cover journalists. Ciarelli made his case to his student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson in an e-mail:

I employ the same legal news-gathering practices used by any other journalists. I talk to sources of information, investigate tips, follow up on leads, and corroborate details. I believe these practices are reflected in Think Secret’s track record.

But the three year legal battle ended in Steve Jobs’ favor and Ciarelli had to shut down Think Secret.

Somewhat more recently, writer Jeffrey Rosen fell under media scrutiny for his article questioning the temperament and intellectual heft of Supreme Court Justice Nominee Sonya Sotomayor (“The Case Against Sotomayor”) that appeared May 4 on the New Republic website. "It was a short Web piece," Rosen told NPR. "I basically thought of it as a blog entry." The “short” article was 1,000 words long and included testimonies from four unnamed sources (former circuit judges who had worked with Sotomayor), whom Rosen said he swore to protect in exchange for their honest opinions about her qualifications:

Nearly all of them acknowledged that Sotomayor is a presumptive front-runner, but nearly none of them raved about her. They expressed questions about her temperament, her judicial craftsmanship, and most of all, her ability to provide an intellectual counterweight to the conservative justices, as well as a clear liberal alternative.

The most consistent concern was that Sotomayor, although an able lawyer, was "not that smart and kind of a bully on the bench," as one former Second Circuit clerk for another judge put it. "She has an inflated opinion of herself, and is domineering during oral arguments, but her questions aren't penetrating and don't get to the heart of the issue."

Nobody’s going to sue Rosen, but somebody might as well. The response to his piece was swift and angry; so much so that four days after it ran, Rosen wrote another article defending himself in the face of the “energetic response in the blogosphere.” (Punch Jeffry Rosen into Google News and you’ll turn up pages of articles by other pundits chastising him for his “ill-informed” article.)

Rosen said the headline, which he claimed he didn’t see until the story was printed, framed the article as an attack when its purpose was to examine Sotomayor’s qualifications before she became the official nominee.

Rosen later told NPR he will blog no more.

Former lawyer Glenn Greenwald, who tried several cases in front of Sotomayor, condemned Rosen in an article on salon/com for his careless journalism and for his intimation that the mechanics of blogging were somehow responsible for it.

Greenwald also used Rosen’s situation to point out that the blogosphere is useful both as a means of quickly debunking false claims and as a barometer for public response to current events:

Even as few as five years ago the Jeffrey Rosens and TNRs of the world could do things like this, and routinely did them, without any meaningful response or check of any kind. Is it really hard to see why establishment media figures harbor such disdain for “bloggers” and blame them for most of their woes? If you enjoyed a monopoly on controlling political discourse and were free to spout the most irresponsible claims without any consequences wouldn’t you resent whatever it was or whoever it was that put an end to that?

The world of publishing certainly has changed. There was a time when authors earned the right to be published; bookstores honored authors; authors honored their craft; and the “love-hate” relationship between publishers and authors had respectful boundaries.

Now any fool with a computer can write and publish in three weeks or less; bookstores, what’s left of them, have little time for authors; and authors launch venomous attacks on their own publishers simply because they have access to blog sites. It was hard in the “old world” to get established as a writer and they had to battle their way to become successful. Authors had to constantly work on their craft. After years and everything authors have accomplished, they still have a lot to learn. Authors should celebrate independent bookstores by doing whatever they can to get people to buy their books. Some writers may fall in-and-out of love with their publishers a dozen times over, but never mutter one negative word about them. The pair work out grievances face-to-face, and with the utmost respect for the publisher’s position. In turn, these authors were given respect. Because writing and publishing is important in so many of our lives, here is a little advice for new writers:

1. Since publishing can be a matter of uploading a file and ordering a book on demand, instead of earning the right to be published: Earn the right to be read.

2. Learn your craft—honor it, love it and NEVER think you have it mastered

3. Bookstores are a dying breed. They don’t support new writers, in fact they seem to go out of there way to hurt them, therefore: Think outside the trade. If you have to sell you books on the street corner, do it.

4. Whether or not you self-publish, co-op, or are given a million dollar advance by one of the big companies: Market your book and yourself like your life depends upon it. Don’t wait for someone to create your success for you.

5. If you do have a publisher, remember you signed the contract. If there is a violation of the contract, get it fixed. If you can’t, then handle it in a prudent manor. But don’t jump on the scam-calling bandwagon. Thanks to the Internet it’s already overcrowded.

6. READ. I don’t care if it is a physical book or kindle. READ.

7. Support your colleagues. This business, at best, is fiercely competitive. Some writers and publishers try to undermine the competition by supplying a arbitrary lists of who’s hot and who’s not and who’s a scam and who isn’t. Ignore them and their lists. Seek out positive, helpful people. Seek out what works for you.

8. If a door doesn’t open for you: Build your own door and walk through it. Don’t sit around belly aching and bad-mouthing that the industry isn’t what you want it to be. Get off your butt and do something positive and good.

9. Get editorial assistance. There aren’t many writers worth their weight that do not have an editor that is twice their worth. Be prepared to pay for this expert service. Please don’t think for one minute that you are above it. Everyone needs help sometimes.

10. This is a big one: Nothing is free. Stop believing that an agent is going to fall so in love with you and your work. They are not going to become your editor, publicist, agent, best-friend and punching bag. If they don’t put a value on their work and expertise why should you? There are a few agents and agencies that don’t require any fees upfront and they will perform the duties of all of the above, but don’t count on just that.

11. Here’s a bit of recent nonsense: Writers should be paid, not pay. This rumor was obviously started by a writer who has never been published and doesn’t want you to get published either. If you are not paying with your time, money, ideas, sweat, tears, laughter, joy and everything else you can think of, your are not going to amount to much in any industry. Therefore, Invest in yourself.

12. Live your passion NOW. Life may look long and time may seem endless but it is over in a blink of an eye. One day your running strong, carrying you’ve lost a dream that you thought you would have time to make come true.

13. When all else fails, and it will, take a deep breath and start over

Karen Bence, author of Midnight Revelations, was awarded the 2008 bronze award for Horror from ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards. Winners were announced last Friday on the floor of BookExpo America. To order Midnight Revelations click here. To view the book trailer, click here. Congratulations, Karen! More information on ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards can be found by clicking here.

Cliff Fazzolari, author of several novels including his newest release Blind Spot, has been awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2009 Beach Book Festival for his nonfiction title Counting on a Miracle. Counting on a Miracle is the true story of Cliff’s son, Jake, and the medical emergency that threatened to tear Jake’s family apart. To purchase Counting on a Miracle and other books by Cliff Fazzolari, click here. Congratulations, Cliff!

Ron Janson, author of the Red Money and the 2009 release What Is Hers, has been awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2009 Beach Book Festival for the thriller What Is Hers. If Miram’s ex-husband thought he could get away with dumping his wife for a younger, more beautiful version of herself, he was wrong…very wrong! To find out how Miriam gets her revenge, click here to purchase What Is Hers. To view the video book trailer for Ron’s first novel Red Money, click here. Congratulations, Ron!

A full list of 2009 Beach Book Festival winners may be found by clicking here.

Brad Meltzer is the author of several New York Times best-selling suspense-mystery books, as well as a comic book writer. He was the co-creator of the television series, Jack & Bobby which ran for one season on the WB television network.

Q: Your latest book, The Book of Lies has a companion soundtrack that features a mix of classical and contemporary hits as well as the newly recorded song, "The Book of Lies." No one has tried this before. Do you think this might be a new way to enhance the reading experience for the public and that it may pave the way for companion recordings in the future?

A: That's certainly the goal. Music is just so beautifully manipulative in film and TV. But when you read, I thought it'd be nice to let you feel -- and hear -- the song/mood that's playing in my head. Wow, that makes me sound crazy!

Q: On the video trailer featured on your website you say that you write in complete silence but there is no question there is a soundtrack playing inside your mind. How does your new soundtrack compete with a version of a recorded book read on CD in terms of conveying the emotions of the story?

A: I can try to make you feel a particular emotion. But I may fail. Spoken words may fail. With a song, I get the benefit of a crutch. Songs totally manipulate you. That's all I'm trying to do: to give you that feeling you get from a great score -- to help make you feel and see and experience what may not be there.

Q: You have said regarding the concept of a companion soundtrack that you thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we could do this?” Do you believe that questioning - this anticipatory thinking process - is the germ of creative writing and if so why or why not?

A: The only things worth working on are the stuff you don't think you can do. If it's easy, it'll be easy. And boring. But when you challenge yourself? That's how we each find our greatness.

Q: In addition to having a writing background, you have a law degree. How has that knowledge aided your novels?

A: If I went to medical school, I'd probably write medical thrillers. But in law, I found a beautiful world. It gave me a world to write about. Plus, I'm neurotic, like most lawyers, so it gave me a PhD in neurotic lawyer characters.

Q: In 2006 you participated in a work group along with the CIA, FBI and Department of Homeland Security intelligence staff to brainstorm new ways that terrorists might attack the U.S. What was that like and how did you come to be a part of the meeting?

A: It was one of the scariest, most exciting and rewarding things I've ever done. We'd destroy whole cities in an hour. And that doesn't make you feel good. It terrifies you. But if picking my brain makes them feel that we'll somehow be safer, well, pick away.

Q: If you were to give an inspirational presentation to a group of neophyte writers hoping for that big break, what advice would you give them?

A: Never ever ever ever ever let anyone tell you "No." All it takes is one person to say yes. You just have to find that person.

Carlotta Holton is the author of Salem Pact, Touching The Dead and Vampire Resurrection, and is a member of the National Federation of Press Women and an affiliate member of the Horror Writers Association.

By Amanda Linsmeier

Where the Heart Is (Warner Books, 1998) by Billie Letts, is a novel that was also made into a movie. Usually it’s better to read the book first, but in this case, it was completed backwards. The novel was surprising and even though the film was enjoyable, the book was even better.

Novalee Nation is seventeen years old, seven months pregnant and on her way to California with her boyfriend, and the father of her baby, Willie Jack Pickens. To say Willie Jack is unenthusiastic about the upcoming birth of his baby is being kind. On a quick stop to an Oklahoma Wal-mart, Willie Jack ditches her and heads off to California on his own. There Novalee is, young, pregnant and stranded. She has no where to go, no place to turn. She starts to live in the Wal-mart, hiding out in janitor closets, eating cold peas out of cans, and showering at gas-stations, until the birth of her baby forces her out of hiding and into the spotlight. What happens next in Novalee’s life is a series of fortunate, and sometimes misfortunate, events that brings her close to the people from her past, then pulls them away. It pulls her into the lives of new people, who become her new family, who teach her things about life, happiness and love.
This novel contains beautiful language. Letts’ style of writing is more enjoyable as opposed to the movies’ “chick-flick” style. The book is deeper, more intimate, and more emotional. The book is an inspiring story of a positive woman who refused to give up and made her life into something great. Letts’ story is a fantastic read for women, pregnant and otherwise, photographers, romantics and those who strive for more.

By Monica Bean

Everyone quotes the first lines of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, but has anyone ever stopped to think about what the words actually mean? “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” My four-year-old cousin probably knows these famous words, so common are they in our society. What makes this part of Dickens’s tale so memorable? It is easy to start reading A Tale of Two Cities and skip over sections that seem superfluous or unrelated. However, from the beginning Dickens warns the reader that there is more than one side to the events in this time period, and more subtly, to the events in his novel.

A Tale of Two Cities is the story of two men living during the tumultuous French Revolution. Charles Darnay is the classic good guy, Dickens’s original version of Disney’s Aladdin, who is wrongly charged with treason and eventually marries the pure and loving Lucie Manette. Darnay displays great moralistic honor when he renounces his infamous family of Evrémonde, and later when he risks his life to return to Paris to rescue a former servant of his father’s.

Sydney Carton becomes lost within the heroic acts of Darnay, described as “careless and slovenly, if not debauched” the first time they are compared. He is an insolent alcoholic, and the only direction that his life ever appears to take is when he falls in love with Lucie Manette. He is, in short, pathetic and a nuisance to the reader. But “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” and true to his introduction, Dickens proves that life is multi-faceted in the end when Carton surpasses Darnay’s own moral character and becomes the hero in a selfless act that gives meaning to his existence.

Dickens successfully takes the historical events during the French Revolution and transforms them into a modern-day tale of love, virtue and sacrifice. If you’re looking for a novel with as many pieces as a puzzle, a story that jumps around like an intense game of table tennis and a plot that contains as many surprises and heart-wrenching moments as a reality television show, try reading A Tale of Two Cities and remember that life is full of contrasts.

Barry Trotter is a series of Harry Potter parodies written by Michael Gerber.

By Lindley Homol

According to Charles Caleb Colton, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It is not immediately clear whether fan fiction, the creation of new scenes, events, and stories by fans from an author’s original, should be considered a tribute or a travesty. Some authors, notably J.K. Rowling, view fan fiction as a compliment. Others even encourage fan fiction as a harmless, non-profit derivation of published material that, at best, can generate free publicity for the original work. Still other novelists, such as Ann Rice, take a decidedly different view, attempting to bar all use of copyrighted characters and settings from fanfiction sites, believing that fans should create their own original characters and stories.

Although many writers have divided opinions about fan fiction on principle alone, the legal issues surrounding the use of these copyrighted materials only serve to further complicate the matter. According to US copyright law, authors, as the owners of the copyrighted material, have the right to control the publication of works based on their own original material. Based on this law, some authors justifiably believe fan fiction to fall under the auspices of copyright infringement. Copyright law does, however, protect some types of derivative works, parody in particular, under the doctrine of fair use. To further confuse the issue, copyright law does not limit this fair use protection to only types of writing that are specifically mentioned as protected. Fan fiction writers generally use this clause to defend the legality of their creations.

Whether writers believe fan fiction is legally or morally permissible for pure entertainment or not is one issue. Another issue entirely is when a fan writer makes money off of someone else’s copyrighted material. Even notable fan fiction supporter Rowling sees a drastic difference in the use of copyrighted materials for pure entertainment as opposed to profit, raising a lawsuit against the publication of the Harry Potter Lexicon by Steven Vander Ark. The Lexicon is an encyclopedia of Harry Potter’s world that includes lists of spells, characters and creatures. Although the material has been available online on a site Rowling deemed award-winning, the publication of a Harry Potter encyclopedia would mark the first time Vander Ark would make money from the material.

Supporters of the encyclopedia claim that Vander Ark is within his rights to create scholarly source material, since it is not an attempt to adapt Rowling’s work. They further argue that the Lexicon, slated to publish only 10,000 copies, would most likely sell to only diehard fans, thereby not interfering with sales of Rowling’s own proposed Harry Potter encyclopedia. Rowling’s supporters, on the other hand, do not think Vander Ark should make money off of a mere compilation of Rowling’s original characters and creations. The decision in this case stands to set a precedent nationwide in copyright disputes, a decision that even the judge does not seem eager to make. Judge Patterson, who presides over the case, has encouraged both parties involved to settle out of court.

Click Here to Read More About the Pro's of Creating Fan Work.

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