Thursday News: Nora Roberts in the NYT, BEA is still too white, EverAfter free books, and “Fifty Shades of Buscemi”

JanetPublishing NewsAlpha Male / BEA / children's literature / diversity / Ebooks / Fifty Shades / free books / interview / Nora-Roberts / parody4 Comments

Nora Roberts: By the Book – Whatever you think of her books, you have to give it to the Nora Roberts Publicity Machine, because it is most definitely well-oiled and smooth. An interview in the New York Times just as her 40th In Death book is releasing. There’s even some nice cross-promotion for Stephen King (in the form of an informal book recommendation) and a timely reference to To Kill A Mockingbird (which may be nothing but a fortunate coincidence, timing-wise, with the recent announcement of the new Harper Lee book). Anyway, my favorite part may be Roberts’s unapologetic insistence that she DNF’s any book she’s not enjoying. Yes, even authors DNF other authors’ books. Heh.

What’s the best love story you’ve ever read?

I have a very hard time with “best” and “favorite,” as this can change with the mood, or with the discovery of a new book or author. I often find the book I’ve just finished is my favorite, as it’s the one I’m so involved with at that moment. But one of my very favorites of all time is “Jane Eyre.” It simply has it all — a marvelous, compelling story told brilliantly, wonderfully realized characters, a gorgeous love story, evocative settings. And the madwoman in the attic. Hard to top it. –New York Times

Has Book Expo America Learned Anything From the We Need Diverse Books Campaign? – If you want a relatively measured account of the most recent BEA debacle, check out Caitlin White’s piece, which even includes a nice list of POC authors, in case BEA needs suggestions.

Here’s my unmeasured summary: BEA has learned nothing from the #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign. Exhibit A: An all white panel for the Children’s Book and Author Breakfast. Exhibit B: Jonathan Franzen as the keynote. JONATHAN FRANZEN, people. Because apparently authors of color and women are unimportant to the world of books. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE, BEA?!

Particularly, I’d argue, after an amazing American Library Association Youth Media Awards ceremony that spotlighted so, so many incredible, diverse authors and books. And probably even in Book Expo America’s best interest after the backlash in 2014. It would be a win-win, for us book lovers and BEA itself. But instead, the backlash is back, and rightfully so: . . .

It’s worth noting that the headliner at BEA this year is Jonathan Franzen, but there are no real details on what other authors will be participating. But if it’s not chock full of deserving authors and books that represent diverse perspectives, it’s a true shame, not to mention a total disaster for the legitimacy of BEA in the future. –Bustle

Download Free Romance Novels on EverAfter App – So with That Movie premiering this weekend, EverAfter Romance is doing its “10,000 Shades of Free” promotion, with a list of the top free downloaded Alpha Male romance novels out of the app’s 10,000 free titles. You can download the app from both Apple and Google Play.

The free app is compatible with Apple and Android devices and is available for download at Apple’s app store and the Google Play app store.  EverAfter features more than 100,000 titles for purchase from leading romance publishers like Harlequin, Avon, Kensington, Diversion and Samhain, and indie publishers. It also offers flash sales and thousands of free ebooks. –Everything She Wants and EverAfter

Here’s What It Would Look Like If Steve Buscemi Starred In ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ – Speaking of Fifty Shades, this video mashup of scenes from the upcoming film and scenes from myriad Steve Buscemi performances is AMAZING. NSFW, for sure, so make sure you turn your monitor away from public view and turn down the volume, but it’s great, whether or not you actually want to see the FSOG movie. –Huffington Post

Janet

isn't sure if she's an average Romance reader, or even an average reader, but a reader she is, enjoying everything from literary fiction to philosophy to history to poetry. Historical Romance was her first love within the genre, but she's fickle and easily seduced by the promise of a good read. She approaches every book with the same hope: that she will be filled from the inside out with something awesome that she didnʼt know, didnʼt think about, or didnʼt feel until that moment. And she's always looking for the next mind-blowing read, so feel free to share any suggestions!

→ Janet