“The self-published novels won’t be sold under the Harlequin brand, but Harlequin, which sells about 1,500 romances every year, is hoping it could become a grooming ground for future authors.” That’s in keeping with tradition: Over the last decade, Harlequin says, “at least 50 of its authors have come from the ranks of its readers.”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Conserving Robert Smithson’s Masterpiece
“Preservation concerns about ‘Spiral Jetty’ have arisen lately not only because of the work’s re-emergence from the water but also because of plans announced in the last two and a half years by companies to initiate industrial projects near the site.” The piece’s owner, the Dia Art Foundation, is trying a tack involving weather balloons.
After Protest, Greek State Film Awards Canceled
“More than 200 directors, producers and screenwriters withdrew 52 films from the [Thessaloniki Film Festival], undermining the state awards, which selects winners from Greek films that unspool at the fest.” Filmmakers were protesting the nation’s film funding laws.
Report: White Guys Still Have A Lock On TV, Film Writing
“The WGA West’s 2009 Hollywood Writers Report finds ‘little if any’ improvement in employment and earnings for women and minority writers. The report … found that women scribes remain stuck at 28% of TV employment and 18% in features while the minority share has been frozen at 6% since 1999.”
Hollywood’s Composers And Lyricists To Join Teamsters?
“Composers and lyricists are among the few Hollywood creatives without a collective bargaining agreement. Services like orchestration, conducting and music performance are covered by American Federation of Musicians (AFM) agreements, but not the act of writing music or lyrics.”
Between Classical And Rock, Solo Percussion Finds Niche
“Part of the appeal of percussion music is visual.” Indeed, “the extramusical elements may be the reason percussion music is so popular with audiences, and often draws crowds that are substantially younger than average.”
Financial Troubles Sink DC’s Catalyst Theater Company
“The company’s move last season from the tiny 50-seat Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (a.k.a. CHAW) to the much larger Sprenger Theater in the Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street NE proved more than its budget could handle.”
Why Smartphones May Be The Future Of Book Reading
“People once scoffed at the idea of reading a book on a 3.5-inch mobile screen. For many readers, though, sheer convenience trumps everything else.”
There’s A Lyricism To Your Search History — Or, Um, Not
“The people behind a controversial movement known as ‘flarf’ believe phrases found on the Internet and strung together into poetry provide a critical social commentary. Others,” needless to say, “think it’s worthless drivel.”
Owner Of Charred Pocono Playhouse Has History Of Claims
“With a $1.25 million policy in force and just an $85,000 mortgage on the building,” the owner of the Pocono Playhouse, which burned down last month, “could be in line for a million-dollar payout.” It wouldn’t be the first time Ralph Miller cashed a big check after a fire at one of his theaters.