News & Notes is a weekly Saturday post featuring book- and publishing-related news, links to interesting articles and opinion pieces, and other cool stuff
Book News
- Amazon announced a $15 minimum wage for all US employees. Wages for UK workers will also increase. (CNN) Also, Wired has some thoughts on why.
- Federal Budget Includes Big Gains for Libraries (American Libraries)
- B&N considering a sale (Publishers Weekly) Haven’t we heard this tune before?
- Register of Copyrights Bill Resurfaces (Publishers Weekly) (Scroll down; the article is halfway down the page.)
Worth Reading/Viewing
- Wizards, Moomins and pirates: the magic and mystery of literary maps (The Guardian)
- How It Feels to Want to Watch Doctor Who Again (Alex Brown, Tor. com)
- Regency rendezvous: inside the world of Jane Austen fandom (The Guardian)
Great Blog Posts
- How not to request reviews and six things you should be doing (Cornerfolds) Tracy talks about what authors get wrong when requesting a review, and how to do it right. This clearly resonated with a lot of blogger—because let’s face it, we’ve all gotten requests that have left us shaking our heads.
- Book Blogger Stats Survey Results: 2018 (Pages Unbound Reviews) The results of this survey really surprised me and made me feel better about my own blog and how it is doing. (About average, if you’re wondering. And I’m happy with that.)
For Writers & Bloggers
- Why Should You Have a Test Blog? (Let’s Call It Your Blogging Laboratory) (Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts)
Free Fiction Online
- “Clasp Hands” by Stephanie Burgis (Daily Science Fiction) A delightful short story about a very young witch and her mother’s coven. Perfect for Halloween reading!
Book & Movie Announcements
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- Wheel of Time Picked Up By Amazon, First Season to Focus On Moiraine (Tor.com)
- Netflix has ordered romance series based on Robyn Carr’s ‘Virgin River’, Sherryl Woods’s ‘Sweet Magnolias’ (Variety) I’m particularly excited for the Virgin River series, because I think it has a lot of potential for a good romantic-drama series.
- NPR’s Movie Preview: 15 New Films To Watch — And Watch Out For — This Fall. Plus a long list of other movies, pithily described.
Awesome Lists
- 26 of the Best Halloween Books For Kids (That Are Only Slightly Scary) (Book Riot)
- Click If You Dare: 100 Favorite Horror Stories (NPR Books)
- Visit 15 of the Oldest Libraries in the World (Book Riot)
Really Cool / Just for Fun
- Found: An Ancient Roman Comic Strip With Speech Bubbles (Atlas Obscura)
- Why Europe’s Oldest Intact Book Was Found in a Saint’s Coffin “The St. Cuthbert Gospel is the earliest surviving intact European book.” (JSTOR Daily)
Bookish Quote
That’s it for this week!
RO
If only Lark, because I would sure have a massively high metabolism(lol) I was thrilled about the $15 amazon raise until I saw how it will affect the employees who have already been working there, like their bonuses and more. I don’t get it. As much money as Amazon makes and continues to make, why couldn’t they offer the increase, and leave everything else alone? Ugh! I heard about Sherryl Woods’s deal with Netflix from her Facebook page, and she was so excited! We are too, because that’s a great series to see on the screen. Of course I’ll be clicking on the oldest libraries and the latest movies for the Fall, and I thank you! These posts are always so fun and informative, Lark! Happy Sunday and Hugs RO
Lark_Bookwyrm
I’m so glad you enjoy these posts, RO! I’m really looking forward to both the Netflix romance series. 🙂 I agree about Amazon; the increase in base wages is a good step, but it’s too bad it’s impacting some current employees (at higher wages) negatively.
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
Go Amazon. I think everyone should have a wage that allows them to afford housing without working 2 jobs. Yeah, I use to love B&N, but have moved to Amazon and smaller bookstores for all my book purchases.
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer recently posted…Sunday Post #337 Dark and Dreary
Lark_Bookwyrm
I have done the same. Amazon for the convenience, since the nearest bookstores are about half an hour away, and indie bookstores when I can because they need and deserve the support. I do occasionally still shop at B&N or Books-A-Million, though.
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts
Speaking of requests gone wrong, I got one earlier this week and the synopsis used SIZZLING GIRLFRIEND. I’m sorry, but I think a friend of mine and I uh… started crying with the imagery. I think this is why I’m declining a lot of requests now.
I love Amazon’s decision to raise the wage to $15 – no one should have to overwork themselves in order to provide the basic needs every human needs to survive in this world or constantly worrying if requesting off to rest will hurt financially (which is me honestly… since I’m choosing to pay off my tuition off the bat rather than taking out loans).
Sophia @ Bookwyrming Thoughts recently posted…Why You Need Fictional Characters During the Zombie Apocalypse
Lark_Bookwyrm
“Sizzling Girlfriend”—that’s hilarious. And cringe-worthy.
I admire your decision to pay your tuition as you go, particularly since, having recently put a child through college and paid off the ensuing loans, I know it’s not easy. (doffs hat and bows in deep respect)
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits
I hope that Amazon is doing a good thing, but I also saw a post which said they were only giving minimum wage raises to “employees” and yet they considered most of their staff “contractors” (and so the raise didn’t apply). I haven’t done any research into it myself, though, so I just hope they’re doing the right thing.
I really enjoyed the new Doctor Who episode. I’m really hopeful for the season. I didn’t *stop* enjoying the show under Moffat but I will admit that I was frustrated by the end of Capaldi’s time in the TARDIS. There was so much more potential than was being realized in the show. Fingers crossed!
Nicole @ BookWyrmKnits recently posted…Book Blogger Test Tag
Lark_Bookwyrm
The articles I saw seemed to think it would apply to seasonal workers as well as current workers. I hadn’t come across the thing about contractors, but I will look into it when I can.
I haven’t seen the new Doctor Who episode yet, but I’m excited to watch it, even though I am still in the middle of the Tenth Doctor’s episodes.