computer keyboard closeup

Dear Clean Reader – Don’t Groin Around with My Books

Karin Kallmaker Business of Books, Readers and Libraries

Fingerless gloves on keyboard

CONTENTS

The Android version of the new Clean Reader reading app claims that it has “the ability to remove swear words from books.” Not hide, remove. However, what it really does is hide the words that the app authors have decided are profanities. The program covers up the naughty words with a bubble, leaving the reader untainted yet still able to enjoy that really good book. Read More

woman reading with cozy blankets

Let’s All Stop Shaming Women Who Read Romance

Karin Kallmaker Business of Books, Readers and Libraries

So This Happened. As you can imagine, I was not amused. Several other writers (like Zoe York, far more prominent than I am) were not amused either.Read More

CONTENTS

Actor Rowan Atkinson's face photoblended into DaVinci's Mona Lisa by illustrator Rodney Pike

Mr. Bean Inserted Into Historical Portraits By Caricature Artist Rodney Pike – reblog from earthporm

Karin Kallmaker Cheers & Chocolate

What is it about Rowan Atkinson’s smooshy, agile face that fits so perfectly across so many eras? Blackadder’s range of feckless to sneering expressions, and Mr. Bean’s wordless cunning to clueless antics – they make me laugh.

Sharp, blistering scripts were the hallmark of the Blackadder series, and Rowan Atkinson delivered wonderful lines: Read More

This is What Computer Geeks Look Like

Karin Kallmaker Cheers & Chocolate, Craft of Writing

Commodore_Grace_M._Hopper,_USN_(covered)

Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper, USN

Ifyou don’t know the name Grace Hopper, spend 16 minutes with the terrific short feature The Queen Of Code from the Signals channel at 538.com. Then, if you haven’t been, populate your scenes of computer with Grace Hoppers. And Hedy Lamarrs. And the women they have inspired, like Brittany Wenger.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr

comic book Barbara Gordon Batgirl

How “Strong Female Characters” Still End Up Weak And Powerless

Karin Kallmaker Craft of Writing

This analysis and advice from Chuck Wendig about how “strong” kickass female characters can still end up no better than the sprained-ankle-rescue-fodder of the past, plus other takes on the same issue where women are given superhuman powers and no role in the outcome of the story that matters. (Except maybe dying.). Read More