Literature Map

Anyone else heard of this? A friend that I worked with sent me this link a couple of years ago. Sometimes I forget about it and sometimes I'm addicted to it for days on end.

It's a Literature Map. You go on the site, type in the name of an author, click continue. The map that pops up lists authors that have similar writing to that of whom you typed in. From the site: 'The closer two writers are, the more likely someone will like both of them.' Then you can click on the other authors to see what their map looks like.

I can't speak to it's accuracy, but it sure is fun to play with! What do you think?

(click the image for the site I found it on: Exocubic Studio. This was the designer's sketch for a book mobile he made for a library in Little Rock, AR. Beautiful, isn't it?)

My Debut YA Novel Cover

Well this was fun and worth trying out!

I found the rules at 100 Scope Notes via One Librarian's Book Reviews. And while they both wound up with super images, I got a fuzzy, low res pic of some random chick with a big old bottle of booze and an 'Australia' t-shirt. Awesome. So, as you can see, I had to crop the heck out of it and I have ended up with a tiny, little bitty YA book cover. :-D But, it is fun and you should definitely try it! There are some options other than the YA version, but this is where I started!

CREATE YOUR DEBUT YA COVER

1 – Go to “Fake Name Generator” or click http://www.fakenamegenerator.com/

The name that appears is your author name.

2 – Go to “Random Word Generator” or click http://www.websitestyle.com/parser/randomword.shtml

The word listed under “Random Verb” is your title.

3 – Go to “FlickrCC” or click http://flickrcc.bluemountains.net/index.php

Type your title into the search box. The first photo that contains a person is your cover.

4 – Use Photoshop, Picnik, or similar to put it all together. Be sure to crop and/or zoom in.

5 – Post it to your site along with this text

THANK YOU!!

It seems that I've been nominated for a BBAW Award in the category of Best Publishing/Industry Blog! As you can see by smiling kitty, this makes me SO happy:



I really can't thank you all enough for thinking of me and wish everyone the happiest of BBAW's! This one is really going to kick some super fun book butt.

And a huge thank you to the organizers who are managing what I'm sure is tons and tons of info with the nominations, giveaways, emails, judging panels...you guys rock!

Joey Lawrence would say, 'Whoah.'

So, while I'm busy shipping books to reviewers, organizing, and otherwise managing my lists of info, I wanted to pass along something I stumbled across while digging around online:



Isn't it the most incredible thing you've ever seen?! The keyboard is made from typewriter keys. The link to the picture shows how it was done. The link to the website where they have other amazing creations: http://steampunkworkshop.com.

This computer is gorgeous and unique and so darn awesome! Wonder if it comes in a Mac...

History book, Perfect for Family reading!

THE WAR CHRONICLES: From Flintlocks to Machine Guns, A Global Reference of All Major Modern Conflicts
by Joseph Cummins
Published by Fair Winds Press
Hardcover/432 Pages/July 2009
ISBN: 9781592333059

Written in an accessible and engaging style by veteran popular history writer Joseph Cummins, The War Chronicles: From Flintlocks to Machine Guns spans history and much of the globe in recounting the campaigns, invasions, battles, and revolutions that were the most important in history and have had the greatest impact on human affairs.

Each account includes a quick-reference summary, a timeline, an overview of the war, essays on its principal leaders, a series of short, often offbeat features on particular aspects of the conflict, and a narrative account of a pivotal battle. The result is a multifaceted and consistently fascinating history of human conflict.

The best and worst of humanity is on display here, in a collection that will act as a perfect primer for novices while offering seasoned history readers new perspectives on many famous and some not-so-well-known conflicts.

Joseph Cummins is the author of The War Chronicles: From Chariots to Flintlocks, History’s Great Untold Stories: Larger Than Life Characters and Dramatic Events That Changed the World. His other books include Turn Around and Run Like Hell: Unconventional Military Strategies That Worked, History’s Greatest Hits, and Anything for a Vote: Dirty Tricks and October Surprises in America’s Presidential Campaigns.

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To request a review copy for coverage on your online outlet, please email me at onlinepublicist [AT] gmail [DOT] com. Do not forget to include your URL. Mailing is available to US and Canadian addresses only.

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