sleep deprivation and short posts

I had full intentions of writing a book review tonight, but as I've mentioned before, it's getting harder to find mid-list books lying around on bookstore shelves anymore. There are still many amazing mid-list books that I plan on reviewing, but tonight, when I discovered that the book I'd planned on featuring(The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart) had won a ton of well-deserved awards and sold incredibly well, I got distracted.

The internet does that.

It starts with looking up one book. Then you start browsing around author websites, which lead you to other websites, which lead you to other books, which lead you to more author websites, which lead you to blogs... the next thing you know, your sleep deprivation is worse than ever, but you've discovered so much.

Seriously-- check out the websites and blogs of your favorite authors, whether mid-list or not. You'll learn more about the books you'll love, and you'll learn about other books your favorite authors have written. You'll learn about author appearances, and what authors are doing to promote their books (which is especially important for mid-list authors that you love!). Plus, don't forget that authors are readers, too. You can discover new books by reading the books your favorite authors love to read. Authors are also often friends with each other, giving you even more opportunities to discover new authors and books. The sites and blogs have plenty more information, links, and fun stuff, too-- an internet playground for any avid reader.

While I was browsing, I also discovered two blogs that I thought may be of interest. As always, the opinions expressed in the blogs are those of the authors alone, but they both provide different viewpoints on mid-list authors, reading, writing, and the publishing industry.

The first blog, aptly named Midlist Writer, is maintained by mid-list author Sean Mclachlan. There's information about the experience of being a mid-list author, musings on writing, interviews with authors he reads, and more. The second blog is Pub Rants, a blog by a literary agent who "indulges in polite rants about queries, writers, and the publishing industry." These polite rants also include information about mid-list authors. Besides being interesting and relevant, both blogs also have many links to other blogs by writers, about writers, and about reading and publishing.

So go ahead-- spend some time surfing the internet. Learn more about the plight of mid-list authors, the publishing industry, great books (both bestseller and mid-list), and great authors-- and maybe even discover some new ones.

And remember: spread the word about your favorite mid-list books and authors! And of you have an original review of a mid-list book you adored, in any genre, email it to doingitwrite@gmail.com with a little info about yourself, and I'll post it.