Margo Candela woman author, womens novels

News

Readings, Signings and Such

April 30, 2008: 'Bye April

Usually it's March that passes in a blur of nothingness, but I have to say, aside from a couple of chances to hang out with some cool lady writers, a techno glitch and introduction of a new word processing program, this month was one big yawn. I did managed to up my word count on Book 2 past the 40k mark and am now on my way to finishing my first draft by the end of May with a revise to commence immediately following and a reader-ready draft done by July in time for a final August polish before my September due date.

April 23, 2008: Busy Work

Some days no writing is done but a lot of work is accomplished. I've finished a very bare bones outline for the book I'm working on and have made email pleas for cool stuff to give away during the May 10 event (see right) I'm helping organize.

What: The Day Before Dia de las Madres

When: Saturday, May 10 2-6 pm

Where: ChimMaya Gallery, East Los Angeles, CA

Why: Myself, Jamie Martinez Woods and Mary Castillo will be signing books, talking about getting published and reading from our novels and hosting the May Las Comadres meeting.

What: 2008 Lang Lecture Speaker

When: Thursday, May 29 (new date)

Where: Glendale Community College, Glendale, CA

Why: Noon time lecture, followed by a book singing on the campus of my old community college.

April 17, 2008: No News Means No News

That's right, nothing writing or publishing related has been going on. Despite what you see in movies and on TV, a fiction writer's life isn't always chock full of intrigue and adventure. If it was, when would we write?

April 07, 2008: Finally...

It's take a while, a long while, but I've finally passed the 30k mark on the first draft of my next novel. As I could spend hours, days, weeks and even months twiddling words here and there, I've had to cut up my day to relegate the tweaking to the morning hours while dedicating the afternoon to actually writing the rest of the book. Let's all hope if works out because if it doesn't, I'm in trouble. But like I usually say with a catch in my voice, "It'll work out. It always does."

April 04, 2008: Event Updates

Cecilia Samartin, Tarnished Beauty (Atria, March '08) has had to drop out of the May 10 event. Awww. I was looking forward to meeting her and talking to her about her books. But I promised her that I won't let her off the hook for next time and there will be a next time.

April 02, 2008: Busy April and May

Besides doing some writing, I'll be taking part in two events this month, planning a second in May and figuring what the heck I'm going to say to an auditorium (maybe) full of people who are giving up their lunch hour to hear my ramble on about something relevant to cap everything off.

Real World Writing News

NY Observer: A dream book deal may leave you fat and lonely. Guardian Unlimited: Drowning in the slush pile of broken dreams. SF Weekly: Even McSweeney's can't live without cold hard cash. Salon: Pretty girls who type can't get a break in literary world. NY Observer: Chick lit is still fun and frothy even in Saudi Arabia. Yahoo!: Albert finds she can lie but she can't hide from lawyers. NY Mag: MFA teacher's pets can't escape the hype machine. NY Observer: Good looks get press, might help sell books. Salon: Even if you publish a book your life will still suck. Hard. LA Times: Celeb starts book club, warrants feature story. NY Mag: Quirky filmmaker writes quirky novel; eye rolling ensues. NY Times: Hipsters invade libraries, coolness may follow. Guardian Unlimited: Austen experiment embarrasses all. Baltimore Sun: Bookstores learn obvious lesson, patrons suffer. Yahoo!: Frey editor mad at Oprah. Oprah still rules universe. Village Voice: BlackMen mag goes bigger with the Maxim model. LA Times: Writers (and bloggers) contest book review turf. NY Times: Writer makes it easier for writers to waste time. Village Voice: Touby sells co. for $23M. Who's laughing now? Yahoo!: She acts, has two last names and has written a novel. The Phoenix: Pretty people write books, author photo sells copies. NY Times: Couch based book tours the new thing in publishing. TimeOut NY: White is not black but plenty green in publishing. NY Observer: Life is glam for Teen Lit editor and writer. Yahoo!: Authors just don't warrant the constant coverage. Yahoo!: People can't be bothered to pick up a book. Publishers shrug. SF Chronicle: Literary star blog to benefit charities, some mid-list authors. LA Times: Striking writers pen novels to fill time. LA Times: Rich and connected Hollywood spawn write book about Hollywood rich and connected. Wall Street Journal: Writing for a living becomes even less of a way to earn a living.Yahoo!: Nigerian lady lit opens eyes and avenues. NY Mag: Memories make for many books. TimeOut NY: How to succeed in publishing depends on who's asked.