Links and Stuff

It’s that time of the week where I share some links and… stuff. On the stuff side, my wife marked up my short story (see last week’s “Links and Stuff”) and sent it back. She didn’t have a lot of comments, but she did say she liked it. I’m currently incorporating her notes, and doing some more clean up and general editing before I think it’s ready to offer for publication. I’ll keep you posted on that. Meanwhile, I’ve started on another short story! Talk about motivated… 🙂 And I read THE SINGER FROM MEMPHIS, but you knew that if you read Wednesday’s article. Definitely one of my favorites of the series so far.

On the link side… here are a pair of articles from a recent Publisher’s Daily newsletter that, if anything, give you some insight into how my brain works. The first story reports that publishing giant Macmillan is buying out the self-publishing platform Pronoun, whose staff of about 20 will be retained and relocated to the Flatiron building, Macmillan’s NY City HQ. Some people might want to talk about whether this is an endorsement of self-publishing, or whether Macmillan is trying to muscle in on the self-publishing industry. Not me. Instead, I read on in the newsletter and come across this article: “Macmillan Publishers weighs leaving Flatiron Building for a new HQ.” Immediately, I have visions of twenty Pronoun employees turning up for work at the Flatiron building, only to find it empty. Isn’t that what you do to a relative you’re trying to avoid: move while they’re on vacation and don’t give them your new address? If I was a former Pronoun employee, I’d be concerned… 🙂

In sad news, Burt Kwouk, “Cato” in the Pink Panther movies, who was also in a large number of other movies and TV shows, passed away on Tuesday (May 24, 2016), aged 85. Especially if you’re from the UK, and of my generation, you’ll look at the list of things he’s been in and nod, recognizing many of them. “Cato” was, by far, though, his most famous character–the manic butler who is under orders from his boss, Inspector Clouseau, to attack him by surprise. In that addled brain of Clouseau’s, this ploy is supposed to sharpen the Inspector’s wits, and help him always be prepared. Well, you can see the results…

Lastly, the BBC is hiring Floor Runners for Doctor Who. Okay, call me odd but things like this interest me, not because I would apply (not only do I not have the requisite experience, but I live in the wrong country), but because it gives some insight into what these behind-the-scenes people do. Basically, it looks like the Floor Runner makes tea, gets people where they need to be, and delivers packages to the cast and crew. Sounds like a lot of menial-type of work, but it could be a great way to make contacts, since you interact with everyone from actors to floor managers and producers. Oh, and the ad is in English and Welsh. How cool is that? 🙂

That’s all for this week. Do you have anything interesting to share?