In The News
Angela Henry

The Harvard Crimson is reporting that author Kaavya Viswanathan, the Harvard sophmore who received a whopping $500, 000 advance for her debut novel, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life, when she was just seventeen, has been accused of plagiarism. Seems seven passages of Viswanathan's book show similarities in style and language to Sloppy Firsts and Second Helpings, two books by author Megan McCafferty. Hmm. Should be interesting to see how this all plays out and what impact it will have on the publishing industry. I do, however, believe that things like this can happen unconsciously, which is why I keep my leisure reading at a minimum when I'm working on a book.

According to a survey of 200 published authors, done by marketing company RainToday.com, the internet is the most effective way to promote a book. Being featured in trade magazines was second while traditional book signings weren't listed high at all, surprise surprise. I do very few book store signings. Maybe I'm shooting myself in the foot but I just can't see how sitting at a table with a silly grin on my face, getting asked the way to the restroom, being asked about other authors books, and selling maybe a half a dozen books or less, is going to help me. I much prefer library events, and conventions. I do use the internet extensively when promoting my books. I'm even contemplating putting up a page at this popular site. I hear it's not just for teens looking to make new "friends". We'll see.

Hi, All,
Been absent for awhile. Personal things, like death and illness. But on a brighter note--going to do a weekend at the Malice Domestic Conference, held annually in Arlington, VA. It's my first Malice--I'd avoided it because I thought all the writers attending would be "cozy" writers, and I'd be out of place, but I've since learned all mystery writers are welcome. It's a chance to get to know other writers and their work, which I'm looking forward to. Sooo many writers, sooo many books...sometimes I feel like that drop of water in a vast ocean, and feel silly going around saying, "Look at me! Read MY books" when people have so many choices. But nonetheless, I'm going, and one focus will probably be--"Look at me! Read my books!" I guess that's what they call "promoting."
Well, it's after Easter, and I guess I'm resurrected, with new fire in my gut, for the next wave of promotion. Still struggling to finish the third novel. ( Now I understand why authors rent villas in foreign countrysides--it's not just pretentious plather why they do it--you know, the secluded writer, artiste, art dripping from his/her pen, et al. It's so hard to get away from it all--I mean, for real! I'd do it in a flash--all I need are the bucks.
I'll let you know how the conference went. I'm on a panel discussing violence, titled I Walk the Line. I guess I'll have to tread carefully--joke, ha!
Then I have to come up with some creative idea for a hat, for their hat contest. And then "tea" on Sunday. I'll let you know if it's my cup of tea... Hmm...tba

Gammy L. Singer,
author, Down and Dirty: Another Landlord's Tale

Da Vinci Dreamin'

How do you know when you're way too excited about an upcoming movie? When you start dreaming about it, of course. Last night I had a dream that I was running around Paris with Tom Hanks uncovering clues and decifering codes. It was actually a great dream. I didn't want to wake up. But as excited as I am about the DaVinci Code movie, I know I'm going to be disappointed. I saw the trailer for it last week when I went to see Basic Instint 2 and even in that brief clip I could see a couple of things they changed from the book. I won't say what they are. You'll have to see it for yourself. In my opinion the casting of Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon is bizarre to say the least. I do, however, like actress Audrey Tautou for Sophie Neveu. She was great in Dirty Pretty Things and Jean Reno is always watchable. I guess I'll just have to reserve judgment until I've seen it.

Of course another reason for my dream could be the fact that I've made up my mind to take the plunge and go to Paris next year even if I have to go alone, which I probably will. I've never been to Europe and there are many other places there I'd love to visit. But Paris has always held a certain fascination for me. Don't know why. I took three years of French in high school and two quarters in college. Can I speak French? Non! So, I've decided to go with a tour group. This one looks promising. Hey, if any of you have been to Paris please drop me some suggestions on places to go.

Basically Speaking
Angela Henry

Okay. I broke down and did something this weekend I swore I wasn't going to do. I went and saw Basic Instinct 2. Despite the fact that the critics soundly trashed this movie, I couldn't resist finding out what ole murderous, mystery writing Catherine Tramell was up to these days. So, I contributed my $4.75 to the movie's pitiful box office take. I was one of exactly three people in the theatre. And to be honest, I didn't think the movie was that bad. Now, mind you there were some crack up lines that I'm sure weren't supposed to be funny and the leading man, David Morrissey, was more cerebral than sexy. But there was actually a fairly decent plot underneath Stone's vamping for the camera. And her wardrobe was to die for, no pun intended. I think the main problem with the movie was that it should have been made ten years ago. Despite the fact that Sharon Stone looks damned good for her age, people have lost interest in seeing her in this role, and wisely there was no beaver shot this time. Thank God! But fear not. I hear that Basic Instinct 3 already has a partial script.

The Eyes Have It?

I happened to be checking to see when the next new Stephanie Plum book by Janet Evanovich was coming out when I discovered something interesting. The back cover copy for my first book, THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, says-- "Following in the footsteps of Janet Evanovich and Valerie Wilson Wesley, Angela Henry introduces an unlikely heroine in Kendra Clayton. . ."-- I could kinda see the Wilson Wesley comparison but could never figure out where the Evanovich comparison came from. Well it seems to go a bit further. Check out the cover for the very first Plum novel, ONE FOR THE MONEY, which was released in 1994. Hmmm. Interesting, don'tcha you think? Someone in the art department of the former "BET Books" must be have been inspired.

Can't wait to read this new novel. After all, the then 17 year old author got a $500,000 bo0k advance for it. So, it has to be good, right? Riiight.