In the News - Movie Reviews and More
Feds Drop Nielsen Probe, No Action Taken On
Madison Avenue Complaint- The Federal Trade
Commission has quietly ended an inquiry into how
Nielsen Media Research conducts business with Madison
Avenue, and the federal agency plans to take no
action, MediaDailyNews has learned. The inquiry was
initiated at the request of the American Association of
Advertising Agencies, whose members complained that
Nielsen's pricing practices were anti-competitive and its
control over TV ratings data access was constricting
how they plan and buy media.
Angels or Spies, Their Money's Still Green -
There is finally some good news coming out of the CIA.
No, they haven't found Osama or the long-promised
weapons of mass destruction (although it is becoming
clear that Iraq is nothing BUT one giant weapon of its
own mass destruction).
Not to start a stampede of start-up tech
entrepreneurs, but in what could be the best-kept
(perhaps only-kept) secret at the CIA, since 1999 the
agency has been pumping venture capital money into
the technology market through a front company called
In-Q-Tel. In-Q-Tel invests about $35 million a year in
young companies creating technology that might
improve the ability of the United States to spy on its
various enemies.
The rush to alter PowerPoint's to emphasize
the "national security" application of new ventures is
on:
"Our revolutionary local search function can track those
who click on text ads for AK-47s or Stingers, for
example."
"Imagine, an entire community of terrorists linked
together by their common interest in bringing down the
Great Satan? You could pose as a French arms
merchant, and when-"
"By tracking the navigational behavior of users, we can
send an email to people who read lots of stories about
terrorists, asking them to register for a free trip to
Guantanamo Bay."
"In our registration software, we can ask people to
check off a box if they ever blew up an embassy or
took flying lessons."
"We have the highest audience composition of people
from the Middle East of any network or other site. A
well-placed ad, WITH the proper creative, can help
capture the hearts and minds of these users and assure
their loyalty to Truth, Beauty, and The American Way."
"We know you already have sophisticated technology
to track terrorists on their cell phones-- what if you
could send them a text message offering a free cup of
coffee the next time they pass a Starbucks? When
they come in, you can drop a burlap bag over them."
"We cross-match our offline database of home
addresses with online users who click on our Join the
Jihad pop-up video."
"You could start this blog on how to blow up ships
without blowing up yourself and your buddies, see--
then using our unique RSS browser tool we can."
When you really screw up at the CIA--like forgetting
where the dead drop was, or showing girls in a bar your
Glock, or not remembering to clip the red wire, NOT the
blue one--you are assigned to listen to new business
presentations at In-Q-Tel. Your mission, should you
decide to accept it (and if you are caught, the
secretary will disavow) is to understand the ROI on the
agency's first-round investments. Since the Department
of Defense has set a pretty low bar with those $1800
toilet seats and those multibillion-dollar arms programs
for stuff that doesn't work anyway (read: Osprey), it
might not be all that difficult to justify throwing CIA
money at--well, just about anything.
Spam and Spin - Why do spammers spam?
What is the psychology of spamming? Is the prime
motivator always money? No one responded to my
queries last week, so I am still left with the questions.
If you have some ideas, send 'em over. My inquiring
mind wants to know.
REST IN PEACE - On a somber note, once
again we are saddened to learn of the passing of
another legendary industry figure. Warren Pfaff, a
longtime copywriter during the golden age of J. Walter
Thompson, who later went on to found Warren Pfaff
Advertising, died Wednesday. He was 74. Pfaff, who
ultimately became known for the ads he created for
high-end clients like Rolls Royce, also wrote one of
Madison Avenue's most proletarian jingles. His "You
deserve a break today" spot that so successfully
positioned McDonald's as a ubiquitous American lifestyle
product ultimately was named the top jingle of the 20th
Century by Advertising Age. But it was Pfaff's original
lyrics to that jingle that perhaps are the most
appropriate endnote for today's column. It went
something like this: "We're so near and far away, so get
up and get away."
At 25, Nick Grows Up - A Little - Pitches 'Teen'
Block With more than a third of all kids gross ratings
points in hand, Nickelodeon celebrated 25 years with a
lively upfront presentation Tuesday morning that
highlighted nine new shows and a retooled lineup to
appeal to tweens. The presentation marked another
key step in the kids TV upfront sales season.
FEATURED ARTICLE
Please read it and join with us! - By now you're
probably thinking gasoline priced at about $1.50 is
super cheap. Me too! It is currently $1.97 ($2.08 9
last fill up in San Diego) for regular unleaded in my town.
Now that the oil companies and the OPEC nations have
conditioned us to think that the cost of a gallon of gas
is CHEAP at $1.50- $1.75, we need to take aggressive
action to teach them that BUYERS control the
marketplace -- not sellers. With the price of gasoline
going up more each day, we consumers need to take
action. The only way we are going to see the price of
gas come down is if we hit someone in the pocketbook
by not purchasing their gas!
And we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How?
Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying
gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all
act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea: For the rest of this year, DON'T
purchase ANY gasoline from the two biggest companies
(which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are
not selling any gas, they will be inclined to reduce their
prices. If they reduce their prices, the other companies
will have to follow suit. But to have an impact, we need
to reach literally millions of Exxon and Mobil gas buyers.
It's really simple to do!! Now, don't whimp out on me at
this point-- keep reading and I'll explain how simple it is
to reach millions of people!!!
I am sending this note to about thirty people. If each
of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300)--
and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 =
3,000)- and so on, by the time the message reaches
the sixth generation of people, we will have reached
over THREE MILLION consumers! If those three million
get excited and pass this on to ten friends each, then
30 million people will have been contacted! If it goes
one level further, you guessed it. THREE HUNDRED
MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Again, all You have to do is send this to 10 people.
That's all. (If you don't understand how we can reach
300 million and all you have to do is send this to 10
people. Well, let's face it you just aren't a
mathematician. But I am, so trust me on this one.)
How long would all that take? If each of us sends this e-
mail out to ten more people within one day of receipt,
all 300 MILLION people could conceivably be contacted
within the next 8 days!!! I'll bet you didn't think you
and I had that much potential, did you! Acting together
we can make a difference.
If this makes sense to you, please pass this message
on.
PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES
TO THE $1.30 RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN
REALLY WORK.
By: Kerry Lyle, Director, Research Coordinator
University of Alabama
MOVIE REVIEWS 
Secret Window (PG-13)
Johnny Depp stars
5 out of 5 points
Author Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) has some problems.
He is in the middle of an ugly divorce and he has
terrible writer's block. With the arrival of John Shooter
(John Turturro) to claim that Rainey had stolen his
story, Mort's life slowly slides out of control.
Depp is as great as always. He takes on the role of an
unkempt and mousey author with ease, easily
conveying the fear of being stalked. John Turturo is one
of the most underrated actors in Hollywood. His
performance here is terrific. His ability to be menacing
while still being polite is creepy, and just what the role
called for. The rest of the cast carry their weight well,
but it is Depp and Turturo who shine.
Fans of Johnny Depp and John Turturo will love them
here, as well as fans of Stephen King's writing.
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (PG)
Frankie Muniz
4 out 5 points
Teenage CIA agent Cody Banks (Frankie Muniz) returns
to the secret undercover training camp for young
operatives. Once again, Cody is called upon to infiltrate
the organization of a powerful bad guy by associating
with kids close to him. He zooms off to London, where
he is met by a ragtag group of agents displaying some
of the worst stereotypes known to man, and proceeds
to save the world.
The action is not as flashy as the first movie, with
fewer eye catching special effects, but there are more
gadgets for Cody to play with. There are many exciting
things to do and see in London but the location is more
of a perk for the cast than important for the plot of the
movie, only a few scenes of the city are shown in the
background. The music is nothing exciting but not
overpowering, complimenting the action well.
If you liked the first installment, then you will be happy
with this one.
Spartan
Val Kilmer, Derek Luke, William H. Macy
2 out of 5 points
Former Marine Robert Scott (Kilmer) is hired by a
government task force to find the missing daughter of a
high-ranking political figure. Paired with a naïve rookie
(Derek Luke), the two of them track the girl through a
complex maze to a white slavery ring, but their
attempts to rescue her and bring her back safely are
hindered by politicos who don't seem to want her found.
Unfortunately, the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
The majority of the movie looks and feels like something
we've seen on Law and Order: SVU, 24 or any other
hour-long television drama, as if Mamet took elements
and characters from all of these shows and tried to
create something new and different. Although his
motivations at trying to uncover government wrong-
doings is noble enough, it just doesn't work.
The Bottom Line: Spartan is an insanely ridiculous and
implausible political thriller, with way too many
characters and twists that are as embarrassingly
predictable as they are unbelievable. The poor quality
of the storytelling and most of the acting does not help
matters, making for a painfully unentertaining
experience. If anyone else directed this film, it could
easily be brushed off as Hollywood tripe, but
considering that Mamet has been making movies for the
last eight years, the poor quality of this movie is
surprising and utterly tragic. We can only hope that he
realizes this movie didn't work and that he returns to
familiar, and preferably lighter, territory for his next
movie.
TODAY'S WIDE RELEASES
Dawn of the Dead
Starring: Sarah Polley
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Starring: Jim Carrey
Taking Lives
Starring: Angelina Jolie
UPCOMING MOVIES
Jersey Girl
Miramax Films
Director: Kevin Smith
Starring: Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Raquel
Castro, Jason Biggs, George Carlin, Jason Lee (cameo),
Matt Damon (cameo), Stephen Root, Jennifer
Schwalbach Smith, Will Smith (cameo as himself), Mike
Starr
Ollie Trinke (Affleck) is a smooth and successful
Manhattan music publicist who seems to have it all.
When his perfect life is suddenly tragically upended -
leaving him as a single father unqualified for the role -
he snaps. Before long Ollie's big city life is a memory.
Out of a job and out of luck, he reluctantly moves in
with his father (Carlin) back home to the New Jersey
suburb where he was raised. It is the lowest point in his
life. Just ask him. The years pass and with them Ollie's
plans for his future. Stuck in an unexciting, dead-end
job, he sees no way out and no way back to the life he
used to love. But he adores his young daughter Gertie
(Castro), and she loves their life in the 'burbs. To her,
Jersey is paradise. While renting Gertie's favorite movie
for the zillionth time one day, Ollie meets Maya (Tyler),
who challenges his priorities and perspective. He begins
to realize that sometimes you have to forget about who
you thought you were, accept who you are and
acknowledge what makes you happy.
The Ladykillers
Touchstone Pictures
Director: Joel Coen
Starring: Tom Hanks, Marlon Wayans, Irma P. Hall,
George Wallace, Ryan Hurst, Jason Weaver, Steven Root
Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks teams up for the
first time with Academy Award-winning filmmakers Joel
and Ethan Coen ("O Brother, Where Art Thou?") for this
retelling of the critically acclaimed 1955 comedy, "The
Ladykillers." Hanks stars as Goldthwait Higginson Dorr
III, Ph.D., a charlatan professor who's assembled a
gang of "experts" for the heist of the century. The
thieves: experts in explosions, tunneling, and muscle,
and the critical "inside man." The base of operations:
the root cellar of an unsuspecting, church-going little
old lady named Mrs. Munson (Hall). The ruse: the five
need a place to practice their church music. The
problem: it quickly becomes evident that Dorr's thieves
lack the mental capacity to do the job. The bigger
problem: they have all seriously underestimated their
upstairs host. When Mrs. Munson stumbles onto their
plot and threatens to notify the authorities, the
felonious five decide to do her in. After all, how hard
can it be to knock off one old lady?
Never Die Alone
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Director: Ernest Dickerson
Starring: DMX, David Arquette, Michael Ealy, Reagan
Preston-Gomez, Jennifer Sky, Paige Hurd, Rhoda Jordan,
Keesha Sharp, Drew Sidora
Based on cult novelist Donald Goines' novel of the same
name, "Never Die Alone" is a richly literate film noir
about King David (DMX), a hard-boiled, stylish criminal
who returns to his hometown seeking redemption but
finding only violent death. But he did not die alone...
King David's final moments are spent with Paul
(Arquette), an aspiring journalist who knew him just a
few minutes but upon whose life he would forever have
an impact. King David - half preacher, half Satan, and
all street smarts - had recorded the story of his
exploits on audiotape, leaving behind an often-poetic
sermon on villainy and its consequences. The tapes
reveal that the cycle of violence and retribution his
actions have spawned have come back on him full
circle, as he suspected they might all along.
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed
Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Raja Gosnell
Starring: Matthew Lillard, Neil Fanning, Linda Cardellini,
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seth Green, Freddie Prinze, Jr.,
Alicia Silverstone, Peter Boyle, Nick Millard, Tim Blake
Nelson, Pat O'Brien (cameo as himself)
In "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed," Scooby and
the gang lose their cool - and their stellar reputation -
when an anonymous masked villain wreaks mayhem on
the city of Coolsville with a monster machine that re-
creates classic Mystery Inc. foes like The Pterodactyl
Ghost, The Black Knight and The 10,000 Volt Ghost.
Under pressure from relentless reporter Heather Jasper-
Howe (Silverstone) and the terrified citizens of
Coolsville, the gang launches an investigation into the
mysterious monster outbreak that leaves Shaggy and
Scooby questioning their roles in Mystery Inc. The ever-
ravenous duo, determined to prove they're great
detectives, don a series of far-out disguises in their
search for clues. Meanwhile, brainy Velma (Cardellini)
becomes smitten with a key suspect, Coolsville Museum
curator Patrick Wisely (Green), as macho leader Fred
(Prinze Jr.) and image-conscious Daphne (Gellar)
attempt to determine the identity of the Evil Masked
Figure who is unleashing the monsters in an attempt to
take over Coolsville.
CELEBRITY ADDRESSES - FOR AUTOGRAPH
SEEKERS
Sean John Combs (Puff Daddy, P Diddy)
c/o Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment
1540 Broadway
Fl 30
New York, NY 10036
Holly Marie Combs
c/o Baker Winokur Ryder
9100 Wilshire Blvd
6th Floor West Tower
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Diane Keaton
c/o Blue Relief Inc
1438 North Gower Street
Bldg 35, Floor 5, Box 45
Hollywood, CA 90028
Kenny Rogers
c/o Kenny Rogers Inc
2910 Poston Ave
Nashville, TN 37203
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Greetings Everyone!
Wow - This has been a great week!!
I found out from my publisher on Wednesday that Locus
Magazine, (covering the science fiction and fantasy
field since 1968) has requested my book ^_^
Will wait patiently? Pace the floor? Or maybe chew my
nails off for their -- Gee your book stinks!!! -- Or
maybe they'll like it ?
But hey let's not think about these things now, its too
soon for rejection.
Boy oh boy do we have lots of good stuff to share with
you this week --- to find out -- keep reading!
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| Recipes and Jokes | | | 
"Verde" Papas Con Chile Verde (Green Chile
Potatoes)
2 Cups pototoes -- peeled & thinly slic
2 Tablespoons shortening
1/4 Cup chopped onions
2 Cups water
1/2 Teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Cup chopped green chile*
1. Brown potatoes in shortening in a medium-sized
skillet at medium heat.
Add onions and seasonings and cook until onions are
tender.
2. Add green chile and water and simmer for 15-20
minutes at low heat.
* Varied amounts may be used
* * *
Funny Signs Seen in Bathrooms
Friends don't let friends take home ugly men =
Women's restroom, Starboard, Dewey Beach, DE
Beauty is only a light switch away. =
Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham, NC
If life is a waste of time, and time is a waste of life,
then let's all get wasted together and have the time of
our lives. = Armand's Pizza, Washington, DC
Remember, it's not, "How high are you?" it's "Hi, How
are you?" = Rest stop off Route 81, West Virginia
No matter how good she looks, some other guy is sick
and tired of putting up with her garbage. =
Men's Room, Linda's Bar and Grill, Chapel
At the feast of ego everyone leaves hungry. =
Bentley's House of Coffee and Tea, Tucson, AZ Hill, NC
It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been
anywhere. = Written in the dust on the back of a bus,
Wickenburg, AZ
Make love, not war. -Hell, do both GET MARRIED! =
Women's restroom, The Filling Station, Bozeman, MT
If voting could really change things, it would be illegal.
= Revolution Books, New York, New York.
If pro is opposite of con, then what is the opposite of
progress? Congress! = Men's restroom House of
Representatives, Washington, DC
No wonder you always go home alone. = Sign over
mirror in Men's restroom, Ed Debevic's, Beverly Hills,CA
And my Favorite seen in a Thai Restaurant in New York
City: An ad for Blackberry at its initial launch
"Got a Free Hand. . . You Could be sending email
| | |
| Book Reviews | | | 
Title: One-Armed Bandit
Author: Dennis N. Griffin
Publisher: Publish America, Inc. (January 2003)
Genre: Mystery
Paperback: 216pp
ISBN: 1592862608
$19.95
Rating: Highly Recommended
March 15, 2004
A Hot slots Murder Mystery!
Las Vegas area Patrol officers responded to a radio call
regarding a convenience store robbery where four
people have been brutally slain.
Store surveillance tape-recorded the robbery and
shootings.
The motive for the shooting may have been robbery,
however, that aspect of the case remains under
investigation, while crime scene and forensics personnel
are called out to process the scene.
Assigned to the case are long time veteran of the
Metro Homicide Force, Steve Garneau and his younger
partner of two years, Terry Bolton.
Once detectives review the surveillance tape, the
identity of the shooter is uncovered, a man identified
only as a cold-blooded killer and dubbed: "One Armed
Bandit."
Clues provided by the surveillance tape immediately
show that robbery was not the motive and detectives
move quickly to solve the case to keep from losing
track of the killer.
Within several weeks of the murders one-by-one
suspects are grilled for information, as the motive
begins to unfold. News of scandalous and incriminating
evidence, as well as conspirator names are revealed,
leading detectives closer to the murderer.
Author, Dennis Griffin grabs reader's attention from
page one with descriptive details as the murders occur.
The suspense surrounding the victims, as well as
surprises keep readers on the edge.
Congratulations Mr. Griffin, you have done detective
sleuths proud!
Reviewed by Juanita Reynolds
To read the interview or purchase a copy go
here
* * *
Title: Laudanum
Author: Cray Donnelly
Publisher: Publish America; (July 2003)
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
ISBN: 1592869335
Paperback: 218pp
Price: $19.95
Rating: Highly Recommended
March 15, 2004
An intriguing mystery with an unexpected twist.
Brandon Keller returns to Louisiana to solve the
mysterious murder of his high school sweetheart. He
revisits the precious moments that he spent with his
lover in an attempt to determine the cause of his
death. The police have no leads but Brandon is
determined to solve this murder and make sure that the
perpetrator is punished. He feels that his lover would
want no less. He revisits the world and the people that
he left behind. Some were friends and others were
enemies, but he will sacrifice his comfort to see that
justice is served.
The story unfolds at a rapid pace as small clues are
given and some obvious inconsistencies are ignored.
The reader will follow Brandon on his search for justice,
meet some of his acquaintances and try to determine
who the real killer is. This is easier said than done as
you find out who the accused killer is, but you are left
questioning that determination.
Cray Donnelly's writing style resembles that of some of
this century's literary greats, but the story is told from
a different perspective. You push past a comfort zone
of sorts to digest the images that are given and you
will have a great difficulty in putting this book down.
Upon opening the first page, a Pandora's box of sorts is
activated and you are pulled into the story, one line at
a time. You want to solve this mystery as much as
Brandon Keller did, and I promise you, the end will
surprise you.
Add this one to your library to compliment the other
genres assembled there, but be prepared for this one to
stand out! Mr. Donnelly, thank you for the read!
Reviewed by Tyrone Vincent Banks
To read the interview or purchase a copy go
here CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS
Title: Isabel and the Hungry Coyote/Isabel y el coyote
hambriento
Author: Keith Polette
Illustrated by: Esther Szegedy
Publisher: Raven Tree Press, LLC. (May 2004)
ISBN: 0972497307
Genre: Children's Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover; 32pp
$16.95
Rating: Highly Recommended
March 16, 2004
This is a clever and delightful take-off from the original
Little Red Riding Hood sprinkled with a southwest twist.
Cuentos y leyendas of today.
The book can be read within one sitting. An excellent
example of such enduring stories preserved and retold,
which have served to keep hearts and imaginations
warm through the coldest of winters.
In "Isabel and the Hungry Coyote," stunning southwest
graphics help bring back this tale of old with a bit of
spice, reflecting the richness and diversity of Hispanic
culture.
While the book is not a read-along, it is a very practical
teaching and learning tool for both children and adults
and should lead to some interesting discussion about
the reality of strangers. Easily understood by even the
youngest reader and listener. Included is a vocabulary
both in Spanish and English, which teachers and
parents will find useful.
Reviewed by Betsie
* * *
Title: My Pal Victor/Mi amigo, Victor
Author: Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Illustrated by: Robert Sweetland
Publisher: Raven Tree Press, LLC. (May 2004)
ISBN: 0972019294
Genre: Children's Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover; 32pp
$16.95
Rating: Highly Recommended
March 16, 2004
In lively and easy-to-understand text and written in
both English and Spanish, social awareness is promoted
through this entertaining story of one boy and his pal
Victor.
Colorful illustrations also introduce children to a variety
of creatures and places. With simple comparisons, this
book also helps young readers build the bridges of
common human understanding.
"My Pal Victor" offers an opportunity for young and old
alike to experience anew the delight of storytelling. The
small taste that being different is acceptable and
wonderful, which the author weaves in so skillfully
makes this book stand head and shoulders above the
crowd.
Truly an enchanting story, that reinforces both reading
for families and a great way to bridge the gap between
generations while being entertained. Perfect for
beginning readers of English or Spanish. Teachers will
love this book as an instrumental teaching tool.
Reviewed by Betsie
| | |
| Birthday Wishes and Letters to the Editor | | | 
You said HOW OLD?
Sandy,
You're just naturally a warm and thoughtfull person.
You're the one who remembers when others forget.
The one who can always be counted on to be there.
The one who goes out of her way to do something just
to make someone happy.
And your birthday seems like the perfect time to tell
you how much you're appreciated -- how very much
you're loved.
Happy Birthday from Becky Seale - Houston, Tx
* * *
Letters to the Editor 
Hi!
I was wondering if it would be posible if you can to add
the addresses of wrestling stars Chris Jericho and Trish
Stratus. Please and Thank you.
Cindy Bissett, UK
Well Cindy I think we can accomodate your wish and
give you a few extras to boot!
Chris Jericho (no address available @ this time)
messagesforchris@aol.com
Trish Stratus
5468 Dundas Street West. Suite #579
Toronto, ON M9B 6E3
Canada
Lou Albano
16 Mechanic St
Carmel, NY 10512
Kevin Nash
c/o WebKat
2311 W. Chilton Street
Chandler, Arizona 85224
kat@kevinbigsexynash.com
Brock Lesnar
c/o WWF
1241 E Main Street
P.O. Box 3875
Stamford, CT. 06905
Torrie Wilson
5214 East Longboat Blvd.
Tampa, FL. 33615-4232
* * *
Betsie,
I wanted to let you know that I enjoy receiving your
newsletter. Keep up the great work. I also wanted to
let you know that my book "Not Just a Touch" has been
placed on the shelf at B.Daltons Book store has 2
copies on the shelf and Powell's Book Sellers, which has
4 copies on the shelf. Also Multnomah County Library in
Portland Oregon has ordered 2 copies and Driftwood
Library in Linclon City Oregon has 1 copy. Sales have
increase over the past few months and I will continue
to market. Thanks again
Gerald Donais
http://home.attbi.com/~notjustatouch
Way to go Gerald - we hope to hear more of your great
success!
* * *
Dear Betsie:
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy
reading your newsletter. It is very informative and
interesting. Keep up the good work.
Marla Woolsey
Author of "A Trucker's Wife"
http://www.publishedauthors.net/MarlaWoolsey/index.ht
ml
Isn't that sweet!!! We love these type of emails...
makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
| | |
| For Aspiring Writers | | |
WHAT IS A MYSTERY?
When you encounter this question, you may wonder
why it's even posed. Everyone knows what a mystery is!
Or do they?
Here is a true incident The Edgar Award is given each
year by the Mystery Wroters of America for the best
juvenile mystery published in the previous calendar
year. Recently, an author, having been presented with
an Edgar, whispered to the chairperson: "Don't tell
anyone. But my book isn't a mystery."
Obviously, the YA novel was a mystery even though
the author viewed it as an adventure yarn with plenty
of suspene and excellent characteriztion. The novel
was eligible for the MWA award because the antagonist
was able to prevent the illegal deed and capture the
culprit. Although the tale was not one where the main
character sought to unmask the unknown villian, the
story did depict the law-abiding against the lawbreaker,
the age-old battle of good against evil.
There's a lesson to be learned from this author's
puzzlement upon winning the honor.
A mystery first and foremost is a story with in-depth
characterization and a series of events that illuminate
some facet of life.
Reading that statement, you immediately think those
requirements fit any story or novel for younsters. True.
However, some mystery writers mistakenly discount
these vital needs - appealing characters and a
thoughtful, convincing plot - of juvenile and teenage
fiction, assuming the mystery and suspense elements
will carry the story.
Even if a mystery is filled with eerie, heart-stopping
scenes, a magazine or book publisher will not be
interested unless the framework supporting that
puzzling story contains the substance that any quality
story must possess.
The editor will label those would-be mysteries as "thin"
and return them to the author. | | |
| For Screenwriters | | | 
SCRIPTS WANTED
----------- Bosco Entertaiment -----------
We are looking for a writer to work with us on
developing a TV sitcom in English for the Latino-
American market. Writer must speak/write fluent English
AND Spanish and must have a completed Latin-
American themed comedy to view as a sample.
NOTE: We will not be buying your script; if we are
interested in your logline and synopsis we will ask for
your script to view as a sample.
Bosco Entertainment is an independent Film and TV
Production company based in Los Angeles. We work
with new as well as established talent in the USA, Italy,
Spain, Canada, United Kingdom and Argentina. We
currently have several projects in different stages of
development and others with attachments and
financing including: 'Marie-Antoinette' (working title)
feature film, 'Pots and Pans' (working title) feature film
in Spanish, 'Reincarnation' TV series, 'Space Orphans'
animation and 'Descartes' Demon' Feature film.
Please send a logline followed by a synopsis of your
completed Latin-American themed comedy script to:
Julio Bove = jbove@boscoentertainment.com
WANTED: Industry professional seeks short scripts
(under 10 pages) to produce and direct. I am Boston
based and have been working on film crews in New
England and New York for 4 years. I can't pay now, but
want to establish a collaboration with a talented writer
with long term goals. email indyfilmaker@earthlink.net.
WANTED: Attn: looking for screenwriter to team up
with. I\'m a director with a few good stories and some
good ideas, however, I lack the ability to sit down and
create a full screenplay. I recognize and appreciate the
value of the writer and would like to team up with
someone who wants to start creating stories and
making films. Everything starts with a good screenplay,
then the possibilities are endless. auggie1414@aol.com
Boston area!
WANTED: Portuguese Commercials Director seeks edgy,
simple and touching screenplays for production. Short
or long features (preference for short). Ideas must be
original, thought-provoking and controversial. If you
think you have a suitable screenplay and are willing to
commit to the project, send a brief synopsis or
treatment to the e-mail provided. Attachments will not
be read - send synopses in main body of mail. Email:
filmmg@poczta.fm, Website: www.madeinlisbon.net.
WANTED: Production company looking for feature
length romantic comedy screenplays or treatments for
option, purchase, or development. Please email to
development@untitledpictures.com or mail c/o
Development Untitled Pictures 19-28 76th St, #2 East
Elmhurst, NY 11370 Do not call.
CONTESTS
Scriptapalooza FINAL deadline April 15
6th Annual Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition
www.scriptapalooza.com
Supported by the Writers Guild of America, west
FINAL deadline is April 15, 2004
First prize is $10,000
WE GOT THE CONNECTIONS, WE JUST NEED YOUR
SCRIPT!
Over 60 production companies reading all entered scripts
Top 30 winners get software from Write Brothers
2 past winners won Daytime Emmys.
Our quarterfinalists, semifinalists and finalists are
requested consistently 2002 finalist Barbara Curry sold
her script, a direct result from competition. Sponsors
include Write Brothers and Filmmaker Magazine. For
information visit http://www.scriptapalooza.com or call
323-654-5809
Open Door Contest Deadline May 31, 2004
scr(i)pt magazine's Open Door Contest sponsored by
Underground Management. Don't miss this great
opportunity to work with one of the leading agencies
representing writers today.
The first-place winner of this contest receives $3,000
CASH, consideration for literary representation by
Underground Management, screenwriting software
provided by Final Draft, a $200 gift certificate from The
Writers Store, promotions from Inktip.com and
SoYouWannaSellAScript.com, plus much more!
Deadline: May 31, 2004
Entry Fee: $45
For more information visit:
http://www.scriptmag.com/contests/index.htm
Screenplay Competition 2004 Starr Productions is now
accepting applications. The Grand Prize is Full
Production and promotion of your winning script!
Winning script will be submitted to various Film
Festivals. Fee is only 25.00 for feature scripts and20.00
for shorts. interested in:
Romantic/Comedy/Drama/Family we do not accept
horror films. For more info. please email us at
StarrModel@yahoo.com Please mail to: STARR
Productions P.O. Box 1706 Berlin, MD 21811.
| | |
| For Novelists and More | | | 
SUBMITTING YOUR NOVEL(S) FOR REVIEW
This is just advice, so take it with a grain of
salt, but
as one who recieves an enormous amount of requests
not just from authors, I thought I'd bring this up.
Most reviewers have submission guidelines posted on
their websites. If not common sense should tell
you -
adhere to basics.
What do I mean by this?
I mean most reviewers only want the following
information: Title, Author,
Publisher/publication date,
Format: Paperback/harcover?, ISBN, and of course a
brief synopsis.
Your synopsis should be no more than 2 paragraphs.
When you send more than a page telling the reviewer
how great the book is, who has praised it, how
well it's
doing on sales, but nothing about how they
should go
about acquiring a copy -- guaranteed your request
just got deleted.
DO NOT, and I mean do not send attachments unless
they are requested - this goes for reviewers and
media
alike.
Reviewers just like everyone else in media have
to sort
through these emails. Time is limited. Our own
BLP is gaining a reputation for not only timely
reviews, but for short amount of time we get
them completed in (most take up to 4 months).
DO NOT pester reviewers. Give them the time they
need to carefully look over your book. If after
2 months
you've not heard from them, then send a short
note: "I
was checking up on several contacts and was
wondering if your review of ____ was complete?"
A reviewer may not have selected your book and
it still
sits on a list. Being pushy will not get the job
done any
faster, and in the long run you may not like
what you
read.
Then again do not feel angry or throw tantrums
over a negative review. These pesky little
blurbs often help increase sales! They even make
for better conversation around the water cooler.
Face the facts - NOT everyone is going to praise
your book. NOT everyone is going to glorify how
brilliantly the tale was woven. We're
human and everyone is going to have an
opinion and each one will vary -- so lift the
chin proudly and ride the wave -- no matter
where it takes you!
PUBLISHING NEWS
Mags Spin DVD Insert As Digital TV Ad Alternative
In yet another attempt to provide a user-friendly
alternative to the 30-second television ad, a new
company called SpinDVD is partnering with
publishers of
consumer magazines, retailers, and Hollywood
studios
to get ad-supported DVDs into consumers' hands.
The company is far from the first to stumble on the
idea of promotional DVDs. Fox, for example, sent
15,000
DVD-ROMs promoting The O.C. to teenage "sneezers"
(influencers who spread the germs, so to speak).
That
said, nobody has invested in the DVD's potential
as an
ad format to the extent that SpinDVD has.
"The DVD is a phenomenon in its own right,"
enthuses
president and chief executive officer Scott
Spinucci. "It's the one format that is a viable
alternative to TV, and it's significantly less
expensive."
If the company's model works as planned, the
DVDs will
be distributed via magazine inserts, displays at
retail
stores (think Blockbuster), direct mail, and
home-video
releases. SpinDVD handles all production and
licensing,
and is offering publishers and other
distribution partners
sales help as well. The DVDs can feature
anything from
music and video game demos to movie previews and
sample book chapters.
Looking to Submit your book? Well here's some
media contacts to do just that!
GLORY Magazine, is a new holistic lifestyle
magazine for African American women address- ing
their
lives, their heart, mind, body, and soul. GLORY
will not
only cover spiritual development and enrichment
topics,
it will also cover fitness and fashion, health
and beauty,
relationships, and money management issues. Frances
Cudjoe-Waters of Dallas, a Stanford alumnus and
Harvard Law graduate started the magazine.
Initially
they will launch a test-market run this month in
some
of the nation's top African American markets,
including,
but not limited to Dallas, Houston, Atlanta,
Chicago,
Detroit, Washington DC, Baltimore, and
Philadelphia.
They will unveil the magazine on a broader scale
later in
the spring of 2004. On its developing Web Site,
GLORY
describes itself as the magazine which helps its
readers
to celebrate life...their Spirit, Mind, Body,
and Soul,
thus helping their readers to find balance in a
difficult
world. Reach Cudjoe-Waters through M Strategies in
Dallas who are handling the launch of the new
publication. Contact Michelle Starr, M
Strategies at:
michelle@mstrategiesconsulting.com.
Tribune Publishing will introduce Hoy in Los
Angeles in March, providing daily news and
features of interest in Spanish to the nearly 8
million
Hispanics in the LA area. Hoy debuted in New
York in
November 1998 and became the number one Spanish
language newspaper in the New York area. They
launched in Chicago September 2003, and are the
fastest growing Spanish-language daily newspaper in
the country. Hoy will place an emphasis on
impartial
journalism with a commitment to local news and
features, including coverage of issues which
impact the
many Hispanics through the LA area. They will also
devote pages each day to news from Mexico, Puerto
Rico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
They will have features each Friday on the latest
trends in music, food, movies, and local events
in Vida
Hoy, a weekend supplement highlighting Hispanic
culture. They haven't opened their offices in LA
as of
yet, but more information might be available
through
Hoy's New York offices at (917) 339-0872.
With the Wayne Brady show officially canceled at
the
end of this season, Buena Vista has cleared The
Tony Danza Show in 45 percent of the country,
including ABC owned stations in the three of the
top
five markets. Danza takes Brady's time slot
following
Live with Regis and Kelly at 10 AM. The Danza
show will
be more talk than variety, even though Danza is
known
as a song and dance man, and from his many dramatic
parts in TV and movies.While the Brady Show has
been
canceled, it is still in production until the
end of the
season and suggestions for guests to the
talk/interview
show can go to Tommy Crudup, at the show, which is
produced in Los Angeles at CBS-TV Television City,
7100 Beverly Blvd., Rm 214, Los Angeles, CA 90036,
(323) 575-7100: Fax: (323) 575-7150.
Progress Media, the liberal radio network,
which was formerly known as AnShell Media, is
getting
off the ground and finalizing its programming
lineup for a
late spring launch from Times Square studios. The
network has signed author and comedian Al Frank to
host a daily talk show, and has also signed Robert
Kennedy Jr. to co-host a weekly talk show with Mike
Papantonion, who is a leading class-action
plaintiff
attorney. The company has inked a lease agreement
with Multicultural Broadcasting, making it the
first
station to clear the networks's programming on WNTD-
AM in Chicago. The company is expecting to announce
additional distribution deals in New York, Los
Angeles,
and San francisco. Franken is likely to air noon
to 3 PM,
the same time as his arch nemisis, Rush
Limbaugh. More
information as it becomes available.
Her Sports is a new national magazine
which is
aimed at the growing number of women who lead
active
sports lifestyles. The publication, which
premieres with
its March/April issue, targets women who
participate in
running, mountain biking, triathlon, skiing,
snowboarding, hiking, surfing, and other popular
individual sports. The publication, which was
created by
Publisher Dawna Stone in response to a lack of
resources for these women who participate in such
sports as a way of life. In addition to sports
training
advice and interviews with everyday athletes, Her
Sports will cover active and adventure travel,
athletic
gear and apparel, body and mind issues, and
sports and
general nutrition. The publication, which
includes the
tag, Active Sports Lifestyles, under its
masthead, plans
to start with an initial circulation of 50,000
and will be
available at select bookstores, specialty shops,
and by
subscription. The magazine is looking to build
more than
a loyal readership base, it wants to build a
community
of active women who help, inspire, and coach one
another toward success in life, health, and sports.
They plan to do this through the introduction of
the
HerSports.com Message Board, which will be coming
soon, as well as monthly Online forums putting
women
in touch with top exercise physiologists, well-ness
professionals, sports nutritionists, coaches,
and more.
In the course of setting up an Online community,
they
are interested in ideas, information, etc. at
feedback@hersports.com. In addition to Stone, the
creative director is Kristin Mayer, with Christina
Gandolfo, the editor-in-chief. Their corporate
headquarters are at 245 Central Avenue, Ste. C, St.
Petersburg, FL 33701, (727) 825-0491; Fax: (727)
824-
0859; info@hersports.com. The editorial
department is
located at 4480 33 St., San Diego, CA 92116,
phone/Fax: (619) 280-1845; editorial@hersports.com
** We appreciate and hope you continue to send us
your comments, opinions, articles and suggestions.
Remember if you submit anything to our newsletter -
include a link back to your site.
Betsie's Literary Page is where readers are
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and authors are adored.
Copyright by Betsie, 2004 All contents of
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Thank You for reading, see you next week!
| | |
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